#I will not stand for Division 13 slander!!

[ukitakejuushiro]

Lmao @ Yachiru... Why'd they let a non-manga reader write an article like this 💀

Also "neither of them could cure Ukitake's sickness" SIS ion think even Unohana or Kirinji could cure him 💀 And I'm pretty sure both Sentaro and Kiyone had a lot on their plates behind the scenes with Ukitake being too sick to do Captain duties so shut ur heck

[mrsangelaburger]

Romans8:1-39

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Psalm 21:2

You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips

Jeremiah 17:9-10

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2Corinthians5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Matthew22:37

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Psalm16:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Proverbs17:22

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs15:13

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

James1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Psalm49:19

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm40:8

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Psalm23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Proverbs3:3

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Philippians4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Galatians5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

John1:12

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Timothy6:3-8

Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 

1Peter5:7

 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm37:4-6

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

[yellingintothedarkness]

God is seeking faith and obedience Matthew 18:20 King James Version 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

On Wednesday, February 8, students and faculty gathered for a chapel service at Asbury University. The Holy Spirit showed up and the meeting is still going on!

Once get focus off sadly watch it come to a close

PRAY ONWARD SOLIDER ONWARD

Times of darkness have preceded moves of God since biblical times. Evil and deception did thrive, and spiritual decline was abundant; God’s people were in compromise, causing many to repent for the sins of their nation and to call upon the Lord.

Consider the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. What was the spiritual climate of the nation at that time? (see 1 Kings 18).

What about the Book of Acts? Peter and a few disciples were hiding in an upper room, after which Peter preached out in the open with great boldness (see Acts 2).

Does any of this seem like America today? It’s easy to toss up your hands in defeat and give in to gloom and doom, but these are the very conditions that cause people to cry out to God.

When people awaken to the truth that Jesus is the only One who can satisfy, revival is near. When there is true repentance and people call upon the name of Jesus to save, revival is near. When people become so dissatisfied with the moral decay and evil in the nation that they rise up and confront it, revival is near. Some regions are already seeing this happen.

Do you want to see this in your city?

Keep praying. If your church has prayer meetings, show up with expectation. Prayer is the catalyst and sustainer of every revival. If your church doesn’t have prayer meetings, pray for your church. If you don’t have a church, find one and get connected.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere (Ephesians 6:18 NLT).

Pray for your pastors, your leaders, and their families. Standing for righteousness’ sake will put targets on them. They need your prayers and covering. Pray for protection, encouragement, and wisdom. They are at the forefront of what God is doing.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5–6).

When God moves, expect opposition. The devil will stir up trouble wherever he can to distract from what God is doing. This can come in the form of religious opposition, persecution, slander, accusation, and counterfeits. Don’t take the bait.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).

Avoid division and foolish quarrels. A divided church will not stand. Why win the argument when you can win a soul instead?

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace (Ephesians 4:3 NLT).

Don’t sit back and be a spectator, be active. Share Jesus with someone today.

Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does (Psalm 96:2–3 NLT).

Keep It Christ-Centered

Though we are seeing glimpses of revival, we are still in the last days. We are warned in Scripture about what to expect (see 1 Timothy 4:1–2; 2 Timothy 3:1–5; Matthew 24:4–13; 2 Peter 3:3–4).

What we see happening in this nation shouldn’t catch us by surprise. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus at all times.

Jesus said: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

Let’s exalt Jesus over our homes, over our cities, over this nation. Let’s exalt Jesus over everything. Let’s pray:

[godkilller]

[ Apologies if this has been asked before, but why do you think Gin chose not to let Rangiku in on why he always acted the way he did on the outside (why he adopted his sly fox-like persona to the Gotei and Aizen) and chose to deceive her as well? How do you think he weighed out the two options of telling her or not telling her, and what do you think prompted him to choose the latter? Also, do you think that he thought it would be better the way he went about it? Why? ]

          As always, you ask an excellent question—-that has multiple levels of answers, really. This can be broken down into bits and pieces, but I don’t want to get too lost in my own words (hopefully I still don’t) so I’ll do my best to explain. And, as always, thank you for your engaging and interactive questions that help me further flesh out my favorite character!

          Gin made his Terrible Life Choice ( #1 ) when he was a child. He involved himself in the business of avenging, in the business of Aizen’s interests, when he was a mere kid. To Gin, he had just declared war against perhaps the strongest and most cunning Shinigami in all of Soul Society. No one else knew of this man’s criminal activities ( or worse, they didn’t care enough to stop him, OR couldn’t even hope to try ) which lead him to the path of secrecy he took. Anyone could be a pawn of Aizen’s, or indifferent to the pain he was causing—-Gin couldn’t just run around and tell anyone about the connection he made, about what he was doing. It’s not that he didn’t trust Rangiku to keep a secret, it’s that he didn’t want her to. Not only would it be entirely taxing as well as outright dangerous for her to know the evil dwelling within the Fifth Division, but it would also make her stuck in the middle–thanks to Gin, indirectly, involving her.

         Imagine if Rangiku knew Aizen planned to betray Soul Society. Now, Rangiku must somehow run alongside her captain as Toshiro questions who murdered Aizen, slanders and outright fights Gin, and then barges in on the slain Central 46. She’s a great liar, she knows how to manipulate–but the strain of having to pretend to be oblivious, to want to tell others for their own safety, out of duty, would be absolutely unfair to inflict upon her. Not only that, but Rangiku is ranked as a lieutenant, she cannot stand up to a captain no matter her skills and strength. Why would Gin feel compelled to place her within Aizen’s crosshairs via telling her any portion of the truth when she’s so ill-equipped to defend herself against who he’s now essentially spying on to relay that truth to her?

          Why give Aizen access to his own personal ‘weakness’? Gin learned of Kyoka Suigetsu’s weakness when he was still just a boy. He knew, after a few decades, exactly how to bring down Aizen Sosuke and all of his grand power. To relay even a whisper of what he was told in privacy, in genuine trust, by Aizen who has also shown he is capable of spying on others via illusions of invisibility would be to condemn the listener to Aizen’s wrath. It’d get them both killed, and that’s far too high a risk especially since now all Gin needed to do to kill him was achieve a Bankai worthy of slaying another captain. That would take… maybe another few decades–that’s it, then he’d have his ammo. Why destroy his chances by leaking information to the one person he cares for, potentially blow his ‘cover’, get her killed, get himself killed, when he could just play patient and wait?

          There’s a reason that Aizen didn’t realize the depths of Gin’s care for Rangiku—-to hold her as far away from his deeds as possible allowed him to remove her almost ENTIRELY from the line of fire. Aizen never once contemplated using her, like he used so many other loved ones vs each other for his gain, against Gin. Gin was able to lie to Aizen’s face about having killed her and Aizen merely hummed, interest piqued, at the fact that she could have possibly been a friend.

        Gin adopted a persona, that’s true, but the Ichimaru Gin the audience was introduced to in light of Rukia’s arrest and upcoming execution was actually an admitted act to draw suspicion towards him to otherwise distract the Gotei 13 whilst a very alive Aizen operated within the slain Central 46′s headquarters. It’s shown that throughout the ‘Rescue Rukia’ arc, Gin’s actions are conveyed as not normal for him. Rangiku and Izuru knew something was off ( as well as Yamamoto, technically, who called for a captain’s meeting to specifically question why Gin had engaged with and allowed the invaders to survive—-when every captain in the room knew he was more than capable of handling a few kids ) because he was, quite literally, ‘out of character’ to them. Rangiku spends the entire arc distressed, wondering what was going on that he wasn’t telling her.

          The persona we know as the audience became obvious as Gin’s go-to for once he betrayed Soul Society, almost in mirroring parallel to how Aizen dropped his ‘kind’ act once he left the Gotei 13 as well. Only the audience is to believe that Gin had always been disliked, he had always behaved in such an evil, outright cruel manner. With character books out and reflections given in Tite’s own words, Gin was a beloved captain. He was kind to his subordinates and the worst he was known for was his occasional prank. Rukia disliked him for reasons, and the feeling was mutual ( briefly elaborated on in an answer to one of your lovely questions, actually! ) but otherwise Gin’s presence didn’t immediately bring distaste to his coworkers’ mouths. Gin acted the way we know him for when he first met Aizen. It’s safe to say that his persona was created specifically to lure Aizen into trusting him more–to portray himself as the vilest. That is also why, in his character poem, Gin mentions ‘becoming a snake’ or an otherwise monstrous person in order to achieve his murderous plot. To the point of twisting and marring himself past recognizable means for Rangiku, until the words ‘I love you’ became too tainted. It’s safe to say this persona of his was not meant for / was not often displayed for Rangiku in private moments, but that it certainly had its costs that Gin ultimately decided were worth it.

          Gin, in my opinion, must have gone through a brutal cyclone of back-and-forths concerning what to tell Rangiku, what to bite his tongue over, and so on. With time, with age, keeping secrets from her definitely got easier. But that wouldn’t dull the ache of feeling so foreign to the one person that should know everything about him by now; feeling isolated from her, standing right in front of her, most likely made him wish he could tell her everything. However, for the reasons I listed above, he’d always opt out. I think in the span of canon up until my canon-divergent verses, Gin has probably come close to telling Rangiku at least a portion of the truth about what he was doing twice. A burning argument as they were kids, a heartbreaking question of why and the desire to just give in. And then a well-aimed question, a moment of vulnerability, and mayhaps the presence of alcohol—-enough of a close call for Gin to fashion the answer behind a new shiny set of repressing walls.

          Rangiku’s safety and wellbeing, as well as the eventual return of her missing soul piece, would always, ALWAYS outweigh her feelings. Gin wouldn’t find himself too confused over his choice once he remembered that she was much more safe by not knowing. He for sure believed that was the ‘better’ choice, though he never concretely believed specifically that deceiving her was the ‘lesser of two evils’ etc. In the end, Gin weighed that her life was more important than his transparency with her.

          Now that he’s officially promised Rangiku some answers to that burning question of why—-Gin has to figure out how to phrase it. Aizen is locked away, Rangiku isn’t a little girl anymore; it’s no longer extremely dangerous to discuss openly, to be vulnerable, about her ties to the beginning of Aizen’s rise to power. The Hogyoku. Everything. Now it’s simply a matter of how prepared Gin is to navigate that minefield.

[dailybiblelessons]

Tuesday: Reflection on the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Complementary Hebrew Scripture from the Former Prophets: 1 Kings 13:11-25

Now there lived an old prophet in Bethel. One of his sons came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; the words also that he had spoken to the king, they told to their father. Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone. Then he said to his sons, “Saddle a donkey for me.” So they saddled a donkey for him, and he mounted it. He went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak tree. He said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” He answered, “I am.” Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat some food.” But he said, “I cannot return with you, or go in with you; nor will I eat food or drink water with you in this place; for it was said to me by the word of the Lord: You shall not eat food or drink water there, or return by the way that you came.” Then the other said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord: Bring him back with you into your house so that he may eat food and drink water.” But he was deceiving him. Then the man of God went back with him, and ate food and drank water in his house.

As they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; and he proclaimed to the man of God who came from Judah, “Thus says the Lord: Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment that the Lord your God commanded you, but have come back and have eaten food and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, ‘Eat no food, and drink no water,’ your body shall not come to your ancestral tomb.” After the man of God had eaten food and had drunk, they saddled for him a donkey belonging to the prophet who had brought him back. Then as he went away, a lion met him on the road and killed him. His body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body. People passed by and saw the body thrown in the road, with the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the town where the old prophet lived.

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture from the Writings: Proverbs 25:1-28

These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.

It is the glory of God to conceal things,  but the glory of kings is to search things out. Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,  so the mind of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver,  and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king,  and his throne will be established in righteousness. Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence  or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”  than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen  do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end,  when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor directly,  and do not disclose another’s secret; or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,  and your ill repute will have no end.

A word fitly spoken  is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold  is a wise rebuke to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest  are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters. Like clouds and wind without rain  is one who boasts of a gift never given. With patience a ruler may be persuaded,  and a soft tongue can break bones. If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,  or else, having too much, you will vomit it. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,  otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you. Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow  is one who bears false witness against a neighbor. Like a bad tooth or a lame foot  is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble. Like vinegar on a wound  is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,  sorrow gnaws at the human heart. If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat;  and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,  and the Lord will reward you.¹ The north wind produces rain,  and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop  than in a house shared with a contentious wife. Like cold water to a thirsty soul,  so is good news from a far country. Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain  are the righteous who give way before the wicked. It is not good to eat much honey,  or to seek honor on top of honor. Like a city breached, without walls,  is one who lacks self-control.

Paul quotes this and the preceding sentence in Romans 12, where he writes about the marks of a true Christian (Romans 12:9-21).

Complementary Psalm 119:169-176

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;  give me understanding according to your word. Let my supplication come before you;  deliver me according to your promise. My lips will pour forth praise,  because you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your promise,  for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me,  for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation,  O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you,  and let your ordinances help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep;  seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Semi-continuous Psalm 73:21-28

When my soul was embittered,  when I was pricked in heart, I was stupid and ignorant;  I was like a brute beast toward you. Nevertheless I am continually with you;  you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel,  and afterward you will receive me with honor. Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail,  but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Indeed, those who are far from you will perish;  you put an end to those who are false to you. But for me it is good to be near God;  I have made the Lord God my refuge,  to tell of all your works.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: Colossians 3:1-11

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

Year B Ordinary 24 Tuesday

Selections from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from The New Revised Standard Version, (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All right reserved. Footnotes in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that show where the passage is used in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) from Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) by David H. Stern, Copyright © 1998 and 2006 by David H. Stern, used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, www.messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved worldwide. When text is taken from the CJB, the passage ends with (CJB) and the foregoing copyright notice applies. Image credit: The Colossus of Rhodes by an unidentified engraver, via Wikimedia Commons. This is a public domain image.

[ruizspieces]

Proverbs 6- Life Lessons

The Passion Translation (TPT)- 

Suggested song: 

This chapter will probably hit a few between the eyes. But, remember that the Lord corrects in love, if you feel anything else but that, ask yourself why you are offended? If it is anything else but love, that is not from the Lord. The first part talks about handling business, the importance of why not to procrastinate, and the consequences to adultery. 

With the mysterious ways that God works, I love that there is a cut and dry list of the 7 things God hates. This chapter is very straightforward in calling out the depravity of mankind in the world that sometimes we may get consumed by or that we may just be around. It’s important to be cautious. But, thankfully, God is so holy and pure that this list of things He hates reminds us of His character and the wonderful God we serve. If you think back to Genesis when He destroyed most of the human race because they were so consumed with sin, it is also a reminder of how much He hates sin. However, BECAUSE of His active hate for sin it’s important to look towards the Calvary and remember that He surrendered His own Son so that sin would be forever defeated and the sting of death would fall flat. Sure, sin is still an issue but, the depth of God’s grace runs so, so deep that we can move forward in victory. 

So lets get to the point of those 7 things He hates: 

1. Haughty eyes. This, I believe speaks volumes that this is #1 on His list because this is pride. This is the VERY reason why the devil fell. God can easily humble someone who won’t bow before Him in humility. I mean, Jesus knelt down and washed His disciples feet in humility (John 13:1-17). Jesus. The King of Kings, straight from Heaven, washing feet. Think about that. 

2. A lying tongue. Humans are humans, we’re going to fall sometimes and yeah I didn’t want to admit I took a cookie from the cookie jar. But, a lie is a lie is a lie, there isn’t getting around it. Remember too that the devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). I will remind over and over until my voice gives out that that is the beauty of God because He forgives, He understands, and His grace is here to catch us when we fall. But, don’t take advantage of it, He knows whats in your heart. 

3. Heartless cruelty. This is hands that shed innocent blood. But don’t think that if you hadn’t murdered anyone that you’re free from making this mistake. If you think back to Genesis once again and remember that Cain shed innocent blood when he killed Abel, it’s more than that. Just to jump forward some chapters, Proverbs 18:21 says the tongue has the power of life AND death. Think about anyone who you may hate or have spoken judgements upon etc. Well, technically that makes you a murderer. 1 John 3:14-15 warns us that hating someone makes us murderers in our hearts. BUT, once again, it’s okay to make mistakes, God looks deeper than the surface. Just ask for forgiveness. 

4. Vicious scheming. When we let our flesh take control of us, the sinful passions aroused by the law are at work in our bodies so that we bear the fruit for death (Romans 7:5). Our flesh wants whats in this world. We are supposed to die daily and let our spirit man rise up and take charge. 

5. Mischievous eagerness. These are people who rush to do evil. These people who clearly operate in their flesh are the kind of people who get no rest until they’ve caused destruction. People before the flood were planning or were already practicing wickedness and God’s judgement came like a wave (Genesis 6:5-7). Once again, people of Sodom were practicing their perverted lifestyle and God’s judgement came once again (Genesis 19:24-26). someone who lives a life like this can’t get away from God’s judgement. 

6. Social slander. A false witness who pours out lies. This is pretty straight forward. Gossipers and people who for the sake of speaking will curse people for no good reason. Every single person in the entire world is a brother or sister in Christ. Which means that God as our Father loves each and every single one of them, including you, and that means you must love them too. 

7. Divisive strife. I’ve read elsewhere that this is probably the worst of them all. This includes the people who seek division by gossip and opinions. The Lord LOVES unity because a kingdom divided itself can’t stand, a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:22-28). Well, in the end times when the the Lord takes us to the Kingdom of Heaven, there shouldn’t be any division. Why do you think the devil always attacks the church? Because a house divided against itself cannot stand. 

Lord, I come before you now and I thank you that you are a God of mercy and grace. I thank you that You are so pure and holy. I ask that You search my heart and take out any offensive way in me. In anyway that I haven’t been humble, or have lied, gossiped, divided, schemed I ask that You forgive me. I ask for Your guidance and love to overcome me and help me as I live this life day to day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

[jimbotimes]

In the same spirit of my peers, honoring and respecting the community’s loss of another youth whose life was taken too prematurely from him, I want to reflect on a few of the details circulating about the altercation which led to the tragedy. The following writing places this most recent loss of life for our neighborhood in the context of the ongoing changes making their way through our community, through vecindades all across Los Angeles, and throughout major cities everywhere in America.

In a picture of the collage of the memorial and candlelight vigil, one of the writings can be found to read:

“fuck white people.“

On seeing that note, while I could not endorse the statement, I could trace immediately where its sentiment came from. Within the United States in 2018, through the prevalence of smartphones, videos and news through these mediums, there’s been an increased attention to everything absurd everywhere, but no increased attention has been as polarizing as the growing focus on what’s called white privilege in America, and the accompanying criticism of that privilege, which has had the effect of dramatically transforming how whites and nonwhites alike perceive their place in this country in a way not seen since at least the radical 1960s.

The most concerning effect of these changes has been the increased backlash from white America to the scrutiny of white privilege, including the rise of white supremacist groups, their gatherings, and the networks developed by these phenomenons, not to mention their role in electing he whom Ta-Nehisi Coates calls The First White President.

Young people across America with even remote access to smartphones have been able to access this information, although through different lenses like those of the meme, the Facebook video, or the hashtag, thereby repeatedly seeing how the institution of white privilege plays out daily throughout the United States, if not through news regarding the aforementioned backlashes, then through clips of policing that disproportionately attacks Black and Brown bodies, or through clips of rhetoric that slanders immigrants, the religion of Islam or whole other nations, or via bits of other daily media-storms ignited more often than not by the supposed leader of the ‘free’ world, and more.

The message has been clear and consistent through each of these data, so that if there’s ever any doubt in a young person’s mind about the racialized power dynamics of the United States, the evidence is ubiquitous: that the white ‘right’ is first and above all, anywhere and everywhere like a law of the land. And because these power dynamics are daily made known, the great divide at the core of their messaging is in turn embedded into the psyches of these young people to a degree and frequency unlike anything previous generations would see when they were identified as the youth of this country.

‘It’s us versus them.’

In pueblos like those of our communities, however, this problem is only compounded, not because of even more data through the screen of the smartphone–although that also has its own part–but because of the data out on the street, in the gentrification of the urban neighborhoods which our families and their predecessors were once only relegated to.

Let us be totally clear here: the neighborhood which makes up these blocks, like neighborhoods all through East and South Los Angeles, took generations to characterize or develop in the particular ways that they have been. That is, going as far back as the 1930s, the neighborhood has always lacked a certain type of quality due to the certain groups of people who were known to live here, which is to say Black, Brown, and Asian people, many with special needs, and other ‘minorities’ dealing with the ‘lower-rung’ economics that often came with starting or restarting a life in L.A. through the 20th century, the majority of whom were discriminated against or merely ‘forgotten’ by the city’s, and by extension, the country’s leadership.

This is why, for example, in the late 1940s and 1950s, the 101 Freeway, among others, tore its way through East Los to open up a path for more of Hollywood’s commuters onto Santa Ana–because the people on the East side were Chicanos of humble means who would simply have to get out of the way; it is also why the same freeway tore its way through our own vecindad in that process–because the people of our neighborhood–the Blacks, Latinos, Asians, and others–were also people of humble means who would simply have to get with the program or get lost.

Half a century later, from 1998 – 2000, that same humility of means for the people of la vecindad played a major part in why the local police force, the Rampart division, saw a grand total of 70 of its police officers indicted for decades’ worth of charges on corruption when its special task-force, the ‘CRASH‘ or ‘Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums’ unit, was found to have perpetrated scores of unprovoked shootings and beatings of our youth in their patrols through our neighborhoods, the planting of evidence and framing of those same youth, stealing from the department, perjury, and more.

Twenty years later, of the 70 officers implicated by the investigation into Rampart’s ‘CRASH‘ unit, only five of those officers are known to have been terminated as a result of the findings; the humility of means of their victims in these crimes has much to do with those numbers.

But there is a ‘flip’ side to such histories: the fact is that through each period before the  one we share today, to any discrimination against the character of a people there has also been a resistance and opposition.

In Rampart’s case, a year after the indictment of its CRASH unit: “Defense attorneys [were] still scrutinizing thousands of convictions that might have been tainted by Rampart wrongdoing, and plaintiffs’ attorneys [were] awaiting settlement decisions in a hundred and fifty lawsuits and claims against the city.”

In the 1950s, when it came to the construction of the freeways in East Los: “Residents did fight back, flooding public meetings and picketing construction sites. But unlike the mostly white and politically powerful neighborhoods that killed plans for a Beverly Hills Freeway, L.A.’s Eastside couldn’t stop the bulldozer. By the early 1960s, all seven of the planners’ freeways crisscrossed the community.”

And in a similar spirit of resistance, the oldest ‘gang’ in Los Angeles, the White Fence gang of the Boyle Heights area, was formed in the 1940s as a way for Chicano youth in that part of The City to defend themselves against their white counterparts when the latter targeted and attacked them without penalty from law enforcement. To be sure, the documented Zoot Suit ‘Riots’ of Los Angeles in 1943 speak precisely to how this played out.

We are of course not in the 1940s or 1950s anymore, but these periods are still relevant to us not only because of the parallels between them and the state of violence in the U.S. against its ‘others’ today, but also because of their legacy for both white and nonwhite Angelenos when it comes to occupying spaces in proximity to one another today, as we do increasingly in the 21st century.

For historians of Los Angeles, then, or for anyone with an interest in how the city came to be, and how it is still coming to be, there’s a responsibility to make these histories and others known.

The same day as this most recent tragedy in our neighborhood, the White House made a press release dated for May 21, 2018 entitled What You Need to Know About the Violent Animals of MS-13. The memo references President Trump’s State of the Union speech, when he called upon as his guests the parents of two young women who were killed in Long Island, New York by alleged gang members, and proceeds to list a few handpicked details of that tragedy.

The memo then follows this account with brief mention of other cases and selected details from their records as to how the alleged gang members behind them carried out their crimes. It is a thinly veiled form of propaganda designed to rile up support for an official dehumanization of youth identified as ‘gang members’, but rather than hailing from an ‘alt-right’ website or straight out of some neo-nazi’s basement, the statement is listed as the official position of the executive branch of the United States.

Of course, the memo is from the office of the same president who just last summer had the audacity to claim after the white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia which cost Heather Heyer’s–a Jewish woman–her life, that between the white supremacists whose intention it was to attack and the counter-protesters who defended themselves from their assaults, there were “good people on both sides”.

It’s likely that the youth at the heart of our community’s most recent loss, like most of the people in the neighborhood, did not hear about the memo, but it’s also likely that over the last year and a half in particular, he and several of his peers did hear about the litany of racist, misogynist and ableist put-downs from the president who as a candidate for executive branch promised to ‘build a wall’ between the United States and neighboring Mexico.

Yet even through the days of the president’s candidacy and on through his administration’s memo last week, neither his uninspired words nor those of his staff could actually so much as graze the curb of the street that my peers and I stand on, let alone graze us, for they are words made for televisions which our generation turned off years ago for have nothing to do with the air’s we’re concerned with in our day to day mechanisms of survival. It is the histories on which such statements are built do and have had a lasting impact on our communities, however. Jeff Sessions looks to be John Wayne in the 21st century, but this time the natives are gang members.

It is a central concern of this writing that in the city of Los Angeles in the 21st century, many of the natives of the neighborhoods here are so-called ‘gang members’, who have made life through the intersections of their barrios daily and over decades, but who now find themselves increasingly cornered by an enemy of far greater proportions than any other clique in the process that is the gentrification of la vecindad, through the influx of middle-class types who’ve never encountered people like them before.

As with the freeways in the 1950s, the redevelopment of the neighborhood happened quickly, that is, in our perception of it, and with such normalization from the city’s leadership that it can be difficult to understand or interpret altogether, but because it’s taking place at the same time as of the hordes of data described at the beginning of this writing filter through so many of our screens, one sentiment seems to make perfect sense in it all:

“fuck them.”

In a recent essay for The Atlantic on The New Aristocracy, writer Matthew Stewart reflects on just why people might feel so much resentment towards his class, which is upper ‘middle-class’:

“We live in safer neighborhoods, go to better schools, have shorter commutes, receive higher-quality health care, and, when circumstances require, serve time in better prisons. We also have more friends—the kind of friends who will introduce us to new clients or line up great internships for our kids.”

It has circulated throughout the neighborhood that the shooter who took the life of the youth referred to by this writing was a white man acting in self-defense. It’s a damning circumstance to consider under the context, but one can see how the color of a man’s skin when he takes the life of another ultimately changes nothing about how the latter’s loss will be felt.

One can also see, however, the way in which to the young people who have just lost their friend, everything–including the presidency, the policing, and the gentrification which is welcomed by so many of the local ‘elected’ officials whom are supposed to represent them–it all somehow actually adds up to place them, the youth, in defense.

And the fact of the matter is that their lives are in danger; even if they and their families have made their way through these intersections, they are all at the risk of being displaced. It is a subtle form of the warfare of wealth, but warfare nevertheless against their character, of humble means like their predecessors. In resisting that warfare, as I do in solidarity with my peers all throughout Los Angeles, it does not mean it’s time to prepare for 1992’s Los Angeles to make its way through these streets again.

Rather, it means that all of the members of our community, old and new alike, need to seek an end to the collective violence inflicted on our respective communities together, with the shared goal of transforming the current trend of redeveloping of our streets for the purpose of displacing our families into redevelopment of these streets for the purpose of coalition-building alongside us. It’s only in this way that all of us will able to share these streets between us in true harmony, honor, and respect, and free of the great division which is so frequently trying to be enforced upon us.

I am willing to stand for it. Indeed, I have to. But I know I’m not the only one who is willing, and that gives me hope: we can and have got to do better together Los Angeles.

J.T.

Los Angeles Can and Must Do Better By Its Youth In the same spirit of my peers, honoring and respecting the community's loss of another youth whose life was taken too prematurely from him, I want to reflect on a few of the details circulating about the altercation which led to the tragedy.

[madewithonerib]

The Remnant of Israel: Past, Present and Future

1.] The Doctrine of the Remnant of Israel

     This doctrine states that there are always some Jewish      believers within the nation of Israel, with one possible      exception: the moment after the rapture has taken place.

     The concept of the remnant of Israel refers to all the      Jewish believers within the nation of Israel, from      Abraham, Isaac & Jacob all through to the end of the      millennium.

     According to Fruchtenbaum [2005:4], there are two Israel’s:      Israel the whole & Israel the remnant.

     Ethnically the two Israel’s are the same, but      spiritually they are not.

     Paul states ‘they are not all Israel who are of Israel’      [Romans 9:6; NKJV].

           Romans 9:6 | It is not as though GOD’s WORD has failed.            For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

     The remnant of Israel, also known as the Israel of GOD      [Galatians 6:16], refers to only those Jews who are      believers.

           Galatians 6:16 | Peace & mercy to all who walk by            this rule, even to the Israel of GOD.

     At any point in the history of the Jewish nation,      the remnant of Israel may be large or small, but      there is never a time when it is non-existent,      except perhaps immediately after the rapture.

2.] Ramifications of the Doctrine of the Remnant of Israel

     There are five ramifications of this doctrine that      may be noted.

     First, only believers make up the remnant of Israel.

     Second, not all believers are part of the remnant of      Israel, for this is a Jewish remnant & comprise only      of Jewish believers.

     Third, the remnant of Israel is always part of the nation      of Israel as a whole, not detached from the nation as      a separate entity, so it is distinct but not separate.

     Fourth, Jewish believers during the Church age      [from Pentecost until the rapture] have dual citizenship:

     they are part of the remnant of Israel [i.e. the Israel of GOD]      as well as the Church, the Body of CHRIST.

     Five, within the concept of the remnant, there is a      twofold contrast:

     a contrast between the miraculous & the      non-miraculous & a contrast between the      noise & the quiet.

3.] The Remnant of Israel in the Past

     The concept of the remnant of Israel was present      from the very beginning of Israel’s history but as      a doctrine, as a theology, it only became clearly      evident with Elijah the prophet.

     Elijah thought he was the only person in Israel      who did not bow the knee before Baal, but GOD      told him otherwise:

          the remnant of Israel at that time comprised 7K          who followed GOD.

     Isaiah described the remnant of Israel concept in      theological terms, specifically in chapters 7-12.

     These six chapters are called the “Book of Immanuel”      & show that the remnant has a quiet confidence in the      GOD of Israel & the One to come, Immanuel      [also Matthew 1:23; 11:3].

           Matthew 1:23 | “Behold, the virgin will be with child            & will give birth to a son, & they will call HIM            Immanuel” [which means, “GOD with us”].

           Matthew 11:3 | to ask HIM,            “Are YOU the One who was to come,            or should we look for someone else?”

     The Messiah, Immanuel, would become the point of division      between the remnant of Israel & the non-remnant.

     In other words, the Messiah, Immanuel, would prove      to be a sanctuary for the remnant of Israel, but for the      non-remnant, HE would be a stone of stumbling &      a rock of offense.

4.] The Remnant of Israel in the Present

     In the NT, the doctrine of the remnant of Israel is found      in Romans 9-11, briefly referred to in Galatians 6:16      & further dealt with in 1 Peter 2:1-10.

     Concerning the first book written by the apostle to the      circumcision, which is clearly addressed to Jews      outside the land of Israel [1 Peter 1:1-2],

     Peter is not drawing a distinction between Israel & the      Church or between unbelieving Jews & believing      Gentiles, but rather Peter is distinguishing between

     Jews who believe [the remnant of Israel] &      Jews who do not believe.

     For example, the Church is not a race, but comprises      of believers from all the nations.

     Peter, however, writes to Jewish believers in the Church      age & reminds them that they are an elect race      [1 Peter 2:9-10], referencing the fact that Israel as a nation      was elected by GOD for specific purposes.

     Even though ‘this generation in Israel’ committed the      unpardonable sin to reject JESUS the Messiah during the      First Advent, does this mean GOD has permanently &      totally rejected Israel?

     Paul twice answered this question most emphatically in      the negative in Romans 11:1 & 11:

           Romans 11:1 | I ask then, did GOD reject HIS people?            Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant            of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

           Romans 11:11 | I ask then, did they stumble so as            to lose their share? Certainly not! However,            because of their trespass, salvation has come to the            Gentiles to make Israel jealous.

     Perish the thought!      GOD forbid, no!

     Please read Fruchtenbaum [2005:8-33] for a detailed      discussion of the remnant of Israel in the present age.

     He deals in detail with 1 Peter 2:1-10 as well as      Romans 9-11.

           1 Peter 2:1-10 | Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice,            deceit, hypocrisy, envy, & slander. Like newborn babies,            crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up            in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the            LORD is good.

           As you come to HIM, the living stone, rejected by men            but chosen & precious in GOD’s sight, you also, like            living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to            be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices            acceptable to GOD through JESUS CHRIST.

           For it stands in SCRIPTURE:

              “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen & precious                cornerstone; & the one who believes in HIM will                never be put to shame.”

           To you who believe, then, this stone is precious.

           But to those who do not believe, “The stone the            builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”            and, “A stone of stumbling & a rock of offense.”

           They stumble because they disobey the word            —& to this they were appointed.

           But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,            a holy nation, a people for GOD’s own possession,            to proclaim the virtues of HIM who called you out            of darkness into HIS marvelous light.

           Once you were not a people, but now you are the            people of GOD; once you had not received mercy,            but now you have received mercy.

     Again, keep in mind that Jewish believers during the      Church age have dual citizenship:

           they are members of the remnant of Israel            [i.e. the Israel of GOD] as well as            members of the Body of CHRIST.

5.] The Remnant of Israel in the Future

     Since all Jewish believers of all time are part of the      remnant of Israel, it stands to reason that all individual      Jews who become believers during the seven-year      Tribulation will also be part of the remnant of Israel.

     This includes, for example [more examples can be given],      the 144 000 Jews [Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5] & the Jews      of Jerusalem who will become believers during the      middle of the Tribulation [Revelation 11:13].

     Romans 11:25-27 states that ‘all Israel will be saved.’

     Does this mean Jews will be saved just because they      are ethnically Jews?

     Of course not, they will be saved because they put      their faith & trust in the LORD JESUS the Messiah.

     Still, according to Isaiah 10:20-23, only the remnant      will be saved.

           Isaiah 10:20-23 | On that day the remnant of Israel &            the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer            depend on him who struck them, but they will truly            rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

           A remnant will return—a remnant of Jacob            —to the Mighty GOD.

           Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand            of the sea, only a remnant will return.

           Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with            righteousness. For the LORD GOD of Hosts will            carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land.

     Is there not a contradiction?

     No there is not.

     During the Tribulation, two-thirds of all Jews will perish      but one third will survive the Tribulation.

     Towards the end of the Tribulation, for the first time      ever, every Jew physically living will have become      a believer in JESUS the Messiah & therefore at that      stage all Israel will be equal to the remnant of Israel      [thus they will all be believers].

     And it is these believers who will confess Israel’s      national sin, & say ‘Blessed is HE who comes in      the name of the LORD!’

     [Matthew 23:39; Hosea 5:15-6:3; Zechariah 12:10].

     Then the LORD JESUS CHRIST will return to the earth.

If you would like to find out more about the remnant of Israel, we suggest you consider reading the original article by Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum,

‘The Remnant of Israel: Past, Present and Future’. arielm.org/dcs/pdf/mbs191m.pdf

faithequip.org/the-remnant-of-israel-past-present-and-future/

[iol247]

Some Advice For Aunty Helen and Friends

1. Thread. Equalitarianism. One of the greatest challenges modern, diverse societies face is grappling with demographic differences in socially valued traits. So far, the West is not handling this challenge well. 2. Demographic groups (sex, race (or “population”), et cetera) are different from each other. Men are stronger than women. Some of these differences are likely on traits that society values and rewards such as intelligence and impulse control. 3. This is a challenge for modern society because many believe that a disparate outcome is ipso facto evidence of discrimination. Of course, the United States, to take one example, has a nasty legacy of racism. So, it is not unreasonable for people to worry about discrimination. 4. However, it is important to realize that disparities are no more evidence of discrimination than correlations are of causation. They suggest that there *could be* discrimination, but are not dispositive. In many cases, the default hypothesis should be group differences. 5. It would be utterly surprising if human populations, for example, were exactly the same on all socially valued traits. African Americans, for example, dominate the NBA and are overrepresented in the NFL (CB, WR, RB). That likely reflects differences in athleticism. 6. Similarly, Northeast Asians are overrepresented at elite universities. That likely reflects differences in intelligence and self-control. I use these examples because it’s hard to suggest they are the result of discrimination. (In fact, it might go the other way!) 7. For a long time, academics and the media have silenced and censored evidence of such differences. Even discussing the disparities–e.g., in crime, test scores, visuospatial rotation–, is often enough to get somebody in trouble unless they immediately invoke bigotry. 8. Among progressives, this attitude, this bias, against any information which suggests that demographic groups are different, especially in ways that appear to “favor” “privileged” groups (white men) is particularly strong. We call it equalitarianism.

researchgate.net/publication/32…

9. We have loads of evidence that support this contention, which I will not cover here. Instead, I will note that progressives have succeeded in creating an environment in which people aren’t allowed to discuss these issues. 10. Academics and the elite media have cocooned their “bigotry causes almost all disparities” narrative from criticism by punishing those who would criticize it, by slandering them, by harassing them, and by threatening their jobs. And they’ve been quite successful. 11. Talk to academics and media figures who have heretical views on these issues, and they will tell you how terrified they are to broach them in public. Equalitarianism is like an orthodox religion that protects itself from challenges by removing heretics. 12. Meanwhile, none of this actually fixes the problems or allows our society to mature, because if the cause of a disparity is *not* bigotry, then the claim that it is will not solve the problem and will, in fact, create hatred, envy, and divisiveness. 13. What’s important to note, I think, is that human equality is a metaphysical doctrine, a principle about ethical value and dignity, not an empirical hypothesis. Humans are so obviously not the same that it is laughable to suppose that they are. 14. Individuals differ in intelligence, beauty, self-control, athleticism, et cetera. And we understand this. We don’t talk about it gratuitously or invidiously, but we do discuss it. Many scientists study it. And they don’t think it means Jefferson was wrong. 15. There is no reason we can’t apply this principle to demographic groups. They likely also differ on many traits. And that’s fine! Scientists should study these differences and talk about them judiciously–again, *not* gratuitously or invidiously. 16. But to do this, we need to stop pretending that anti-sexism or anti-racism requires that all groups are the same. So long as these laudable goals seem tied to empirical hypotheses, people will worry about the dangers of refuting the hypotheses. 17. Racism is wrong not because populations are the same, but because it is irrational and because it violates important norms about treating people as individuals and not as token representations of their demographic groups. The same holds for sexism. And homophobia. 18. The more we shift focus to this important truth, the better able we’ll be to address demographic differences and actually get to the bottom of the causes of disparities. 19. It might allow us to avoid momentarily unpleasant feelings if we posit that all inequalities are socially caused, but it won’t allow us to solve the attendant problems, so eventually and ultimately it will hurt the groups it is supposed to protect. 20. I see no evidence that we can’t handle this task, but I see a lot of evidence that radical progressives are going to continue to silence these discussions and slander the people who promote them. 21. The only solution to that is to stand up together, to work as a group, to denounce such tactics. Because this is a collective action problem. It’s better for everybody if we address these topics; however, it is worse for each individual. 22. Therefore, most of us keep waiting for the martyr, the person who tries to broach these topics, then takes the heat and the social punishment. We do this for various reasons, some legitimate and some not. But, we can’t solve the problem like this. 23. We can’t solve the problem without group action.

Equalitarianism is understandable. And I sympathize. But, it interferes with science, with freedom, and with solutions to long intractable problems. It is the danger. It dumbs down our discourse. 24. It makes it impossible to deal with reality and to solve problems. The truth is the friend of real social justice. We need fear demographic differences no more than we fear individual differences, so long as we promote the appropriate ethical response. 25. The society of our descendants depends upon how we handle these issues. Will we take the easy out, kicking the can down the line, or will we mature and grapple honestly, judiciously, and cautiously with these difficult but important problems?

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1195692271330574336.html

[bydesigndevinediva]

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Matthew 24:4  And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. Ephesians 6:10-18  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ... Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Remember: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things #youshallknowthembytheirfruit #PandemoniumBroken #TruthSerum https://www.instagram.com/p/BhAUulmhTVCdglm8wQjxQCZ49MewgSJS2OCFyQ0/?igshid=leom7cfrwb8u

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 4

PREFACE.

Corinth was the capital of Achaia, a very rich and populous city, where St. Paul had preached a year and a half, and converted a great many. See Acts xviii. 10. Now having received a letter from them, (chap. vii. 1.) and being informed of divers disputes and divisions among them, (chap. i. ver. 11.) he wrote this letter to them, and sent it by the same persons, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who had brought him their letter, chap. xvi. 17. It was written about the year 56, not from Philippi, as it is commonly marked at the end of the Greek copies, but rather from Ephesus. The subject and main design of this Epistle was to take away the divisions among them about the talents and merits of those who had baptized and preached to them, and to settle divers matters of ecclesiastical discipline.

Chapter 4

God's ministers are not to be judged. He reprehends their boasting of their preachers: and describes the treatment the apostles ever where met with..

1 Let a man so look upon us as the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. Mysteries of God. That is, the dogmas of faith, revealed by the Almighty. (Estius)

2 Here now it is required among the dispensers, that a man be found faithful.

Ver. 2. No explanation given.

3 But as to me, it is a thing of the least account to be judged by you, or by man's judgment: for neither do I judge myself.

Ver. 3. Or by human judgment. Literally, by human day. The sense, says St. Jerome, is, by any human judgment, or by men, whose judgment is in the day, or time of this life: but God judges in his day, after this life, and chiefly at the last day of judgment. --- Neither do I judge myself, so as to look upon myself absolutely certain of the state of my soul, or that I am for certain justified, though I am not conscious to myself of any thing, because I am to be judged by an omniscient God, the great searcher of hearts, who perhaps may discover faults, which I, partial to myself, overlook. Now if St. Paul durst not say, he was justified, what presumption is it for others to pretend to an absolute certainty, that they are just in the sight of God! (Witham)

4 For I am not conscious to myself of any thing: yet hereby I am not justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Ver. 4. For I am not conscious. This great apostle of the Gentiles, though conscious to himself of no breach of duty, still does not dare to call himself just. How different is the conduct of this apostle, from those wicked impostors, who teach, that a man is justified by believing himself so. (Estius) --- If this privileged apostle was afraid to from any judgment of his own heart and thoughts, whether they were pure or not, but left the trial thereof to the day of judgment, the day of his death, how presumptuous are they, who dare to pronounce on their election and predestination!

5 Therefore judge not before the time: until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.

Ver. 5. Judge not, &c. He gives them an admonition against rash and false judgments, and hints at those among them, who said, this man is better, this man is greater than such a one, &c. See St. Chrysostom. (Witham)

6 But these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollo, for your sakes: that in us you may learn, that one be not puffed up against the other for another, above that which is written.

Ver. 6. These things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollo. Literally, these things have I transfigured in me and Apollo, that is, I have represented the divisions and disputes among you, as if it were by your contending, whether I, or Apollo, or Cephas were the best preachers, without naming those, as I might do, who are the true causes of these divisions, by striving who should be thought men of the greatest and brightest parts. --- That in us, and by our example, who have no such proud disputes, you might learn that one be not puffed up against the other, and above that which is written, against the admonitions given in the holy Scriptures of being humble: or against what I have now written to you, that we must strive for nothing, but to be the faithful ministers of God, and not seek the esteem of men. (Witham) --- It is the opinion of St. Thomas Aquinas and likewise of Estius, that St. Paul, Apollo, and Cephas were not the real causes of the divisions that existed amongst the new converts at Corinth, but that in making use of these names, he wished to teach them, that if it was unlawful to keep up these divisions even for the sake of the apostles, how far should they be from doing any thing of this kind for those whose authority was much less in the Church. But Calmet is of opinion, that the divisions amongst the Corinthians were certainly on account of Paul, Apollo, Cephas, and perhaps some others, whose names are not mentioned.

7 For who distinguisheth thee? And what hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received?

Ver. 7. For who distinguisheth, or hath distinguished thee from another? He speaks particularly to those proud, vain preachers: if thou hast greater talents than another man, who hath given them to thee, or to any one, but God, who is the giver, and the author of every gift and perfection? This is not only true of the gift of preaching, but of all gifts and graces; so that St. Augustine makes use of it in several places against the Pelagians, to shew that it is by grace only, that one man is preferred before another, and not by, or for his own merits. (Witham)

8 Now you are satiated, now you are become rich: you reign without us: and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

Ver. 8. Now you are satiated, &c. You great, vain preachers, you are rich in every kind, blessed with all gifts, &c. You reign over the minds of the people, without us, you stand not in need of our assistance. And I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you. I wish your reigning and governing the people were well grounded on virtue and truth, that we might be sharers of the like happiness. St. Chrysostom takes notice, that St. Paul speaks thus, meaning the contrary, by the figure called irony: and so also St. Chrysostom understands the two following verses, as if St. Paul only represented what those vain preachers said with contempt of him, as if he were only an apostle of an inferior rank, not one of the chief, nor of the twelve. And when he says, we are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise: it is certain the apostles were not fools, nor these preachers whom he blames, wise, especially in Christ. But though the apostle partly use this figure of irony, intermixing it in his discourse, yet he also represents the condition of all true apostles, and preachers of Christ crucified, whose persons and doctrine were slighted, ridiculed, and laughed at by men that were wise only with worldly wisdom, especially by profane libertines, and atheistical men, that make a jest of all revealed religion. To go about preaching in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, in want, under afflictions and persecutions, is what they think is to be miserable: they despise such men as the out-cast, the dross,[1] and the dregs of mankind. (See the Greek text.) (Witham) --- He speaks to the Corinthians, who forgetting their first fervour, and the Christian modesty which St. Paul had taught them, both by word and example, were endeavouring to distinguish themselves by the reputation and honour of the apostle, who had converted them, by their antiquity of faith, and by other things more frivolous. (Calmet)

Note 1:

Ver. 8. Tanquam purgamenta, omnium peripsema, os perikatharmata, Sordes, quisquiliæ, panton peripsema, Scobes, ramentum. See Mr. Legh, Crit. Sacra.

9 For I think that God hath set forth us apostles the last, as men condemned to death: because we are made a spectacle to the world, and to Angels, and to men.

Ver. 9. Made a spectacle. It is evident from the writings of St. Paul, and from innumerable other records, that the apostles were made a spectacle to the world and to men; but how, some one may perhaps ask, were they made a spectacle to angels? St. Chrysostom, Theod. [Theodoret?], and many others think, that the apostle is here speaking of the good angels, who behold with pleasure the labours and afflictions of the saints, knowing that it will prove a source of glory; but Estius, Vat. [Vatable?], and some others, are of opinion, that the wicked angels are here spoken of, who rejoice at the persecutions of God's servants, and wish to revenge themselves for the destruction of their empire.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we without honour.

Ver. 10. No explanation given.

11 Even unto this hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode;

Ver. 11. No explanation given.

12 And we labour, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and we bless: we are persecuted, and we suffer it.

Ver. 12. No explanation given.

13 We are slandered, and we intreat: we are made as the refuse of this world, the off-scouring of all even till now.

Ver. 13. No explanation given.

14 I write not these things to confound you: but I admonish you as my dearest children:

15 For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you by the gospel:

16 Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.

17 For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my dearest son, and faithful in the Lord: who will put you in mind of my ways, which are in Christ Jesus, as I teach every where in every church.

Ver. 14-17. I write not. St. Paul here insinuates to the Corinthians, that they ought to blush with shame for neglecting the apostles, who had suffered so many hardships for them, to follow after teachers void of honour, and to glory in being called the disciples of such men. (Estius) --- I admonish you as my dearest children, of what is for your good, and I may take this liberty, as being your spiritual father in Christ, by whom you were first made Christians. Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ: follow the doctrine of Christ, which I follow, and taught you. Timothy, my beloved son in the Lord, whom I send to you, will put you in mind of what I teach, and of what I practise. (Witham)

18 Some are so puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will: and I will know, not the speech of them who are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.

21 What will you? shall I come to you with a rod; or in charity, and in the spirit of meekness?

Ver. 18. &c. Some of those new doctors and preachers are so puffed up, that they pretend I dare not come to you any more, nor defend myself: he may also mean the man that lived in incest, his companions and his flatterers. --- But I will come to you shortly, and then I shall use my authority in taking notice of their vain talk, they shall find and experience that power, which God hath given me by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and of working miracles. (Witham) --- But I will come. The good effect which this letter produced amongst the Corinthians retarded his intended journey, so that he did not go to Corinth till one or two years after this letter was written. He wrote his second epistle to the same before he paid them a visit, to apply a soothing remedy to their minds and hearts, sorely afflicted with his charitably severe corrections contained in this his first epistle. (Haydock) --- What will you; or what disposition shall I find in you? let it not be necessary for me to use the chastising rod by excommunications, and other spiritual arms, but be so reformed before I come, that I may come to you in the spirit of mildness, as I wish to do. (Witham)

[dailychapel]

Lord, help me let go of my fear of failure. I know Satan wants to use my fears to hold me back from living boldly for You. Forgive me for not living in faith, and help me from this moment on to live with bold confidence in You. Lord, help me not compare myself to others around me. I pray instead that I can keep my eye on You and live a life that proclaims Your excellence. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

[Psa 101:1-8 NKJV] 1 A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises. 2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. 5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. 6 My eyes [shall be] on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. 7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. 8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

[Isa 10:5-19 NKJV] 5 "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. 6 I will send him against an ungodly nation, And against the people of My wrath I will give him charge, To seize the spoil, to take the prey, And to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Yet he does not mean so, Nor does his heart think so; But [it is] in his heart to destroy, And cut off not a few nations. 8 For he says, '[Are] not my princes altogether kings? 9 [Is] not Calno like Carchemish? [Is] not Hamath like Arpad? [Is] not Samaria like Damascus? 10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria, 11 As I have done to Samaria and her idols, Shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?' " 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, [that He will say], "I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks." 13 For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done [it], And by my wisdom, for I am prudent; Also I have removed the boundaries of the people, And have robbed their treasuries; So I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant [man]. 14 My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people, And as one gathers eggs [that are] left, I have gathered all the earth; And there was no one who moved [his] wing, Nor opened [his] mouth with even a peep." 15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? [Or] shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield [itself] against those who lift it up, [Or] as if a staff could lift up, [as if it were] not wood! 16 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Will send leanness among his fat ones; And under his glory He will kindle a burning Like the burning of a fire. 17 So the Light of Israel will be for a fire, And his Holy One for a flame; It will burn and devour His thorns and his briers in one day. 18 And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, Both soul and body; And they will be as when a sick man wastes away. 19 Then the rest of the trees of his forest Will be so few in number That a child may write them.

[Luk 1:5-25 NKJV] 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on [me], to take away my reproach among people."

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

[riverdamien]

Crossing the Boundaries of Society

Crossing the Boundaries  of Society

"Why do your disciples disobey our age old traditions? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial washing of hand washing before they eat. .Jesus said: "For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery all sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander. These are what defile. Eating with unwashed hands will  never defile you. Matthew 15: 2; 19

    Jesus broke traditions, boundaries of society in order to reach people with the gospel of life--prostitutes, the poor, the weak, the ill, those who were rejected by society. He was criticized and ultimately crucified because he broke tradition.

    Each day I remember the words of Reverend Michael Dwinell:

If we are faithful to our priestly vocation we stand in the flames of our own fires--a public fire for all to see, that does not consume us and a fire in which we are accompanied byt the "Holy Other" who walks with us.  If we are not faithful to our vocation, I believe that the fire remains within, hidden away inside where it does consume us and where we will thus walk unaccompanied and self-alienated."

    Where I walk most people have not heard of the church, or if they have it is through being abused physically or psychologically. And I walk their walk, talk their language, dress their way of dressing, and communicate  attempt to communicate care and love. And so I  stand in the center of a rail road track with twenty three trains blinding me, as a friend once predicted my future. I stand in the "flames of my own fire."

    This pandemic is calling all religious,  social institutions, and all of us to live and work in the "new normal."

    In the last five months I have seen people suffer, and die alone and in great pain; see people on the streets terrified, hungry, and not sure what is going on; and in them the broken body of Christ calling us to care, to move beyond the political divisions and provide care and love.

    We can talk about a future we do not know or we can live in the present, and create a "new normal," in which we truly shine like "a beacon on a hill" of justice and equality.  Let us love one another, let us take care of the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the sick and the dying!Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!

--------------------------------------

Fr. River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.

P.O. Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

415-305-2124

As of July 17th, San Francisco was placed on the state's County Monitoring List due to our increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As a result, indoor malls and nonessential offices must remain closed until San Francisco can improve its 

Key Public Health Indicators

 and no indicators are at level red or "high alert". Additionally, in response to the City's surge, further reopening of San Francisco is on pause, with activities and businesses that were previously scheduled to reopen either June 29 or July 13 postponed indefinitely. These include indoor dining, outdoor bars without food, indoor museums and aquariums, outdoor swimming pools, and real estate open houses by appointment. For a full list of allowable activities and recent public health orders, visit 

https://sf.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs

. 

As of July 22, masks or face coverings are now required anytime you are outside the house and within six feet of anyone you don't live with. You should put on your mask anytime you see someone within 30 feet of you (about the length of a Muni bus) so that you both have time to cover your face.

The only time masks

aren't

required is when you are:

At home (if you are not around someone at higher risk from COVID-19)

Working alone in your own private office (as long as you can put on a face covering quickly if someone enters)

In your car alone or if you're only with people you live with

Sitting or standing outside alone or with people you live with (such as picknicking outside) and you are more than six feet from others 

When eating or drinking alone or with people you live with, and nobody else is within six feet 

Exercising outdoors alone or with people who live with you (walking, hiking, bicycling or running) and no one else is within six feet

Kids 10 and older must wear a mask

Children 2-9 should wear a mask to the extent feasible

If you cannot wear a mask, you must wear a face shield that is covered on the bottom. The only exemptions that apply are for people with documented medical exemptions or who cannot safely perform their work in compliance with workplace safety guidelines 

New COVID-19 Testing requirements:

Requires all hospitals (those with an acute hospital, a clinic operated by an entity with an acute hospital, or a facility with more than 100 health care providers) to conduct same or next calendar day testing for people experiencing symptoms, known or suspected contacts of COVID-19 positive people, and referrals from the Department of Public Health.

W

[childofgod2015]

God’s Truth

Recently, I have had to withstand some harsh and hateful battery in my life from friends and family. It is hard to hold my tongue at times and fighting the urge to stand up for myself. To be honest, I want to yell at them and retaliate with more harsh words. But what is that going to do? Only make the flames and fire worse. I have seen that speaking in “love” does help the situations and I am starting to see change. With human thinking, it is so easy to want to retaliate when someone does or says something, we think is wrong. But as Christians, we need to be “Quick to hear, Slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Do you think that if everyone would apply this concept the whole world would be better?

It pains me to see the world falling apart. I see families hurting families. Old friends hurting friends. No one wants to take the time to listen to the other intentions. There is a difference between the worlds truth which is sinful, and only submits hatred and deceit. This comes from the devil. However, “God’s Truth” is pure and unwavering and yes, it is meant to convict us. It continues to convict me every day. There is a song quote which reigns truth for this, “I am a sinner, I am a saint, a little bit of both every single day.” Even Christians are not perfect. Those of us who are walking with the Holy Spirit, we do not want to slander you with harsh words, or hateful acts. We just want to show you Christs love if you let us. We are not perfect, nor do we think that we are.  I do find the more I read the word and be intentional in my thought, I have had ‘Human Moments’ less and less.

So, lets bless each other and not curse. Let us hug and not fight. Let all of us take up our cross daily to withstand the trials. WWJD! Let us love and forgive unconditionally!

Communication in love is the key to having success.

“Know this, know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” James 1:19

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:13

“For the word of God is living an active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” Hebrews 4:12

Footnote Hebrews 4:12

              The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. With the incisiveness of a surgeon’s knife. God’s word reveals who we are and what we are not.  It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God’s word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives.

https://youtu.be/5eisFAST8OM

[dailybiblelessons]

Tuesday: Reflection on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 9 Roman Catholic Proper 14

Complementary Hebrew Scripture from the Latter Prophets: Jeremiah 28:10-17

Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, and broke it. And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says the Lord: This is how I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years.” At this, the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

Sometime after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: Go, tell Hananiah, Thus says the Lord: You have broken wooden bars only to forge iron bars in place of them! For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations so that they may serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and they shall indeed serve him; I have even given him the wild animals. And the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the Lord: I am going to send you off the face of the earth. Within this year you will be dead, because you have spoken rebellion against the Lord.”

In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture from the Torah: Genesis 29:1-14

Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying there beside it; for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” He said to them, “Do you know Laban son of Nahor?” They said, “We do.” He said to them, “Is it well with him?” “Yes,” they replied, “and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with the sheep.” He said, “Look, it is still broad daylight; it is not time for the animals to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them. Now when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother's brother Laban, and the sheep of his mother's brother Laban, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of his mother's brother Laban. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and wept aloud. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's kinsman, and that he was Rebekah's son; and she ran and told her father.

When Laban heard the news about his sister's son Jacob, he ran to meet him; he embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things, and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month.

Complementary Psalm 131

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,  my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things  too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul,  like a weaned child with its mother;  my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord  from this time on and forevermore.

Semi-continuous Canticle: Song of Solomon 2:8-13

The voice of my beloved!  Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains,  bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle  or a young stag. Look, there he stands  behind our wall, gazing in at the windows,  looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one,  and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth;  the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove  is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs,  and the vines are in blossom;  they give forth fragrance. “Arise, my love, my fair one,  and come away.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: Romans 3:1-8

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written,

“So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging.”¹

But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my falsehood God's truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!

¹Psalm 51:4

Year A Ordinary 14, RCL Proper 9, Catholic Proper 14 Tuesday

Selections are from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Image Credit: Romans Three Word Cloud created on wordle.com by Michael Gilbertson. This image may be used under used under the Creative Common Non-Commercial, Non-Derivatives 4.0 license..

[lennart11412]

June 14, 2020

Pastor Eric Keuhner

Mark 3:20-35 20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will, is my brother and sister and mother.”

1. Recognize that there will be __________ and __________.

2. Recognize that division produces __________.

If there’s division on Sunday then there will be chaos on Monday.

- Pastor Tony Evans, the Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, TX

Mark 3:23-26 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.

3. Recognize who the real __________ is.

Mark 3:27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

4. Recognize that you need to suit up and __________.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Mark 3:21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:31-35 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will, is my brother and sister and mother.

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Thomas Kvamme

June 7, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

A Glimpse at the Heart of the Father

Thomas Kvamme

June 7, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Exodus 3:1-12 NIV Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

A Glimpse at the Heart of the Father

1. The Father sees.

Exodus 3:7 NIV The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.

Genesis 1:27, 28 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Psalm 8:3-9 NIV When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Question:

Am I willing to see?

2. The Father hears.

Exodus 3:7 NIV I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers

Exodus 3:9 NIV And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Psalm 18:6 NIV In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Question:

Am willing to hear?

3. The Father cares.

Exodus 3:7 NIV I am concerned about their suffering.

Matthew 10:35-37 NIV Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Question:

Am I willing to be concerned?

4. The Father sends you.

So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Luke 10:25-37 NIV On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Question:

Am I willing to be an answer?Questions to ask:

1. Am I willing to see?

2. Am willing to hear?

3. Am I willing to care?

4. Am I willing to be an answer?

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

May 31, 2020

Pastor Patrick Severson

Blessings to Burdens

Hope Tech

May 31, 2020

Pastor Patrick Severson

The Unintended Consequences of Legalism

Mark 2:23-3:6 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

We fight the tendency for blessings to become burdens by looking at how Jesus responds:

1. Jesus has __________ for the outcasts.

2. Jesus doesn’t _______ to the expectations of others.

3. Jesus directly _________ and questions those that opposed him.

4. Jesus has deep ___________ and he feels deeply and passionately.

5. Jesus ________ the misunderstandings about the Sabbath.

6. He ________ the situation and heals the man.

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

May 24, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Do you know this about Jesus?

Hope Tech

May 24, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Mark 1:1 NIV The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

Mark 1:40-45 NIV A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

MARK 2:1-12 NIV A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

1. Jesus is ___________

Mark 1:40-42 NIV A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

1 John 1:9 NASB If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Revelation 3:20 NIV Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

1 John 4:9, 10 NLT God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

2 Corinthians 1:10-22 NIV For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Step into God’s willingness rather than the lie of his reluctance.

2. Jesus is __________

Mark 2:6-10 NIV Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

Ephesians 1:7, 8 NIV In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.  

1 Peter 2:24, 25 NIV “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Colossians 1:12 NLT For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Daniel 7:13-14 NIV “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Get up and walk with Jesus’ strength and confidence rather than lying in your paralyzing inability.

3. How do you respond to who Jesus is?

•     Receive or Resist

Mark 2:5 NIV When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

•     Obedience or Insteads?

Mark 2:12 NIV He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Mark 1:45 NIV Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.  

•     Fishing or Thinking

Mark 2:3-5 NIV Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith…

Mark 2:6, 7 NIV Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER

1.     Quick Review – a.    Review the major points of the message: Jesus is willing, Jesus is able, how do you respond to who Jesus is? b.   Look up the supporting passages in your bible and read them in context. c.    Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

Jesus is willing

2.     How do you relate to the Leper in his statement to Jesus, “If you are willing you can make me clean.”

3.     Thinking of your own life, what would you wonder or ask if Jesus is willing to…?

4.     Respond to Jesus’, “I am willing.”

5.     In what areas of your life are you living into a lie of Jesus’ reluctance?

6.     How can you correct this lie in your heart and mind?

Jesus is able

7.     Think through Jesus’ ability to forgive. By what authority does Jesus have to forgive? What has He done to enable forgiveness?

8.     Clarify for yourself, do you believe Jesus is God? a.    If not, why? b.   If you do, why?

9.     How would or does the reality of your forgiveness give you strength and confidence?

How do you respond to who Jesus is?

10.  Thinking about Jesus’ forgiveness, do  you resist or receive? a.    Where are you most likely to resist personally? b.   How can you address this?

11.  Where are you quick to live obedience?

12.  List areas in your life where you have chosen an “instead.”

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

13.  In the story of the paralytic the religious leaders sat and pondered their theological concerns rather than participating in what Jesus was doing. Where are you more likely to think in critique or criticism than participation?

14.  The four friends are represented with a “whatever it takes” attitude. In regard to getting others connected to Jesus would you characterize yourself with a “whatever it takes” attitude?

15.  Where and with whom would God like you to be more persistent?

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

May 17, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

"Follow Me" Am I Following Jesus?

Hope Tech

May 17, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

MARK 1:14-20 NIV After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

1. ______________ JESUS!

MARK 1:14, 15 NIV After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1:16-18 NIV 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:19-20 NIV When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

James 4:8a NIV Come near to God and he will come near to you.

John 6:44 NIV “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

The disciples began to follow Jesus, Yes!

But here are a few other things to be aware of . . .

·      The disciples didn’t believe the right things about Jesus when they began to follow Him.

·      The disciples didn’t do all the right things when they began to follow Him.

·      The disciples were committed to being taught, shaped and transformed by Him.

2. ___________ _____ BEHIND

Mark 1:18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:20 NIV Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 1:14, 15 NIV After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 8:34-36 NIV Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Mark 10:28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

Luke 9:57-62 NIV As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

I always get to where I am going by walking away from where I have been.

-Winnie the Pooh

3.  ________ FOR _________

MARK 1:16-18 ESV Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Luke 5:10, 11 NIV Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Mark 8:38 NIV If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Luke 19:10 NIV For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Mark 12:30, 31 NIV Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER

1.     Quick Review –

a.    Review the major points of the message: Follow me, Leave it behind, Fish for Others

b.   Look up the supporting passages in your bible and read them in context.

c.    Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

FOLLOW ME

2.     Before the disciples began to follow Jesus they were aware of who He was. What interactions did you have with Him or others that helped have helped you in your understanding of who Jesus is?

3.     Put into your own words what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

4.     Jesus referred to the Kingdom of God. How does Jesus reign in your life?

5.     Have you begun the journey of living as a follower of Jesus?

a.    Write a few sentences about when you made that decision.

b.   If you are not, why have you chose to not be a follower of Jesus.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LEAVE IT BEHIND

6.     The disciples had a drastic “leave it behind” moment. Describe your reaction to their decision.

7.     Leaving it behind can be and must be leaving of both good and bad things.

a.    What are some of what you left behind to follow Jesus?

8.     Is there something that you have been holding on to that God has asked you to leave behind?

Fish for Others

9.     Why do you think many Christians see this as something some other Christians should do and not them?

10.  What is your biggest hindrance to “fishing for others?”

11.  Pastor Paul described two kinds of fishing: Fishing from a boat with others and personal fishing.

a.    How are you involved in helping your Church fish for others?

b.   How are you involved in personally fishing for others?

12.  List below a few of the people you know that you would love to see “caught for Jesus?”

a.    ______________________________

b.   ______________________________

c.    ______________________________

d.   ______________________________

e.    ______________________________

13.  Take a moment and pray that God would make Himself known to them and use you however He would like.

14.  What commitments have you made today?

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

May 10, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

How to Handle the Pressing Demands of People

Hope Tech

May 10, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

MARK 1:35-39 NIV Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

1. Filter the _______________ of “_________________.”

Mark 1:36-37 NIV “Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!””

Mark 1:38 NIV Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages…

Not every voice with a demand should command your attention.

2. Discover and make sacred your ______________ spaces

Mark 1:35 NIV “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

1 Timothy 4:8, 9 NIV For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

Solitude is the temporary practice of being absent from others

so that you can be present with God,

so that you can be more effectively present to others.

3. Walk confidently toward your “_____________.”

Mark 39-1:38 NIV “Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”

Matthew 22:37-39 NIV Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 1:17 NIV “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 1

Whatever season of life you are in

God is working and has a purpose in that season for you!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER

1. Take a moment and pray for your mother.

2. Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

3. Evaluate and think: Who are the “everybody’s” in your life?

a. Whose voices would God desire you to give attention to?

b. Whose voices and expectations should be sidelined?

c. How can you limit your exposure to harmful expectations?

4. Suzanna Wesley was creative, but not fancy, in her creation of sacred space for solitude.

a. What ideas do you have for your own personal sacred space?

b. How can you communicate your sacred space plans to those who would benefit from hearing your plans?

5. What difficulties can you anticipate with your solitude plans?

a. How can you prepare for those difficulties?

6. Plan for what you will do in your time of solitude. (Ideas: Prayer, Worship, Scripture Reading, Journaling, etc.)

7. Can you identify the season or stage of life you are in?

8. What can you do in this season of your life to prepare yourself for entry into the next season?

9. It will be helpful to list or write your main purposes for your life, your “why/s.”

a. What is the over-all purpose for your life?

b. Because of your personal talents, gifts and stages of your life what are your additional “whys?”

c. If you are a Christ-follower how does that affect your primary purpose and your additional “whys?”

d. Pastor Paul spoke of foundational “whys” for every Christ-follower. How are these being incorporated into your life?

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

May 2, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

How to Make Great Choices in a Crisis

Hope Tech

May 2, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Mark 1:1 NIV The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2

Mark 1:9-13 NIV At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Matthew 4:1-11 NIV Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Remember the gifts God gives you in crisis

1. The Gift of _________

2. The Gift of _________

3. The Gift of _________

4. The Gift of _________

5. The Gift of _________

Pulling Back the Shades on Temptation

_____________ temptation.

Matthew 4:1 NIV Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Temptation is not _________

Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Temptation is an enticement to get you to go contrary to God’s will, usually by promising some good or gain.

Tempting you to . . .

Tempting not to . . .

Your temptation is not unique or unusual

Hebrews 4:15 NIV Jesus…. one has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin

I Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.

Behind every temptation is ___________ or his systemic works.

John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

God _____________ temptation; He knows there can be victory

1 Corinthians 10:12, 13 NIV So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

On the victory side of every temptation is __________ and _____________.

James 1:2-4 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Being tempted does not mean you are bad,

it means you are in a battle.

When you are in a battle,

God is sure that with His help and the help of others,

that you can win.

Every time you win a battle you get stronger!

Three Temptations (Choices) We All Face

1. The temptations of ________________

Matthew 4:3, 4 NIV The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

2. The temptations of ________________

Matthew 4:5-7 NIV Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3. The temptations of ________________

Matthew 4:8-10 NIV Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

As a Christ follower,

I experience victory most often

when I face Jesus rather than my sin.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER

1. List the Four Gifts God Gives us for the Crisis:

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

2. Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

3. Five Clarifying Questions to Ask Yourself When Making Choices

a. Will this help me live up into my identity?

b. Will this help me fulfill the purpose of my life?

c. Will this help me honor the One who is with me?

d. Is this consistent with God’s Word?

e. Will this be an expression of love to God and love to others?

4. How would it help you to remember that you can expect temptation?

5. In each of the temptations that Jesus faced He used God’s Word as His weapon. In what ways are you filling your mind and heart, your arsenal, with God’s Word? What are your disciplines and habits regarding reading Scripture?

6. πειράζω (pā-rä'-zō ) is the Greek word for temptation, which can mean an enticement or a test. How do you think your view of temptation would change if you realized that it was more like a test of your character and strength? That it was allowed to strengthen you?

7. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13. List all the truths in this verse regarding you, God and the temptation. Be encouraged to put these verses to memory.

8. The gospel of Matthew recorded three major temptations of Jesus, although we know He was tempted in every way (Hebrews 4:14-16), go back to your notes and review those three categories and write them here:

_______________________ _______________________ __________________________

9. In each of the above categories what are your specific areas of weakness or temptation? How do you think your responses to those temptations would change if you were intentionally paying attention to Christ’s presence with you?

10. With your small group, family or friends brainstorm about ways to keep yourself “present” with Christ. Read Hebrews 12:1-3; write that passage our in your own words and paying attention to the specific truths that the Lord highlights in your heart and mind.

11. Read the statements below. Be encouraged to fix your eyes on Jesus and move toward spiritual victory.

Being tempted does not mean you are bad, it means you are in a battle. When you are in a battle, God is sure that with His help and the help of others, that you can win. Every time you win a battle you get stronger!

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Thomas Kvamme

April 26, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Gifts God Gives You for Any Crisis

Thomas Kvamme

April 26, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Mark 1:9-13 NIV At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

2 EVENTS IN JESUS’ LIFE

The ________________ of _____________.

Hebrews 4:13 NIV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  

The ______________ of ______________.

Mark 1:12, 13 NIV At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Gifts God Gives You in any Crisis

1. God Gives You __________________________

Mark 1:10, 11 NIV Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son…

John 1:9-13 NIV The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Romans 8:14-17 NIV For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

2. God Gives You  __________________________

Mark 1:17, 18 NIV “Come, follow me, ”Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 12:28-31 NIV Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Colossians 3:23, 24 NIV Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

3. God Gives You  __________________________

Mark 1:10 NIV Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Matthew 28:20 NIV And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 16:7-15 ESV Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Ephesians 1:13, 14 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Hebrews 2:17, 18 NLT Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

4. God Gives You  __________________________

Mark 1:11 NIV And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

John 3:16, 17 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:9, 10 NIV God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins

Thoughts and Discussion Points

1.      List the Four Gifts God Gives us for the Crisis:

____________________  ____________________  ____________________  ____________________

2.     Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

3.     A phrase used often in the New Testament is “in Christ.”  It speaks of living “who we are” as Christians or Christ followers. When you think of your Identity as a Christian, list some of the things that are true of you because of Jesus.

4.     For a list of New Testament verses and statements about who we are “in Christ” email us at HOPE Church and we would love to send you an extensive list: hope@gfhope.org

5.     Describe how knowing your purpose as a Christ follower helps in the crisis.

6.     Read the passages listed in the message notes about purpose. What do these passage teach about our purpose as Christ followers?

7.     Can you describe a time in your life when your purpose as a Christ follower helped you make a decision in a difficult or crisis time?

8.     The Bible teaches often about the reality of God’s presence, that He gives Himself. What do you do to help you live aware of His presence?

9.     How often and how do you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit during crisis or struggles?

10.  The love of God is consistent and constant. In what ways do you question His love for you?

11.  Write a prayer below expressing how you feel about the fact that God’s love for you never wavers.

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

April 19, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Who Really is Jesus?

Hope Tech

April 19, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Who gets to decide who Jesus is for you?

Mark 1:1-8 NIV The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The beginning…

1.  Lets be clear: The Good News is ____________!

Mark 1:1 NIV The beginning of the good news about Jesus . . .  

GOSPEL = Good News = ______________  The good news is Jesus, a _______________.

2.  Lets be clear: The good news is Jesus, our ____________!

Mark 1:4, 5 NIV And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

a.    __________________b.   ___________________________

Mark 1:4, 5 NIV And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

1 John 1:8, 9 NIV 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I have sinned

I admit I was wrong – when I did…

I receive your forgiveness

I want to turn from (repentance)…

3.  Lets be clear: The good news is Jesus, _________!

Mark 1:7, 8 “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John 1:1, 14 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Mark 1:14, 15 NIV After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Do you have questions, comments, or have you made a decision to follow Jesus?We would love to help you learn how to walk with Him and follow Him in your daily life.To receive daily HOPE Church devotionals download the HOPE Church Grand Forks app. or go to HOPE Devotionals on YouTube or our HOPE Church website: gfhope.org

THOUGHTS AND DISCUSSION:

1.    Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

2.    What is comforting to you about Jesus being a human being?

3.    Read John 1:1-14; this passage speaks to Jesus, the Word, becoming flesh. What else does it say about Jesus?

a.    Full of ______________ and ______________

b.   Why are those two character qualities important for Jesus?

4.    Did you ever experience a time when someone “saved” you from a near death experience?

5.    How would you describe what it means for you to have, or to someday have,  Jesus as your Savior?

6.    Describe what these two words mean: repentance and confession of sin?

7.    How have you experienced repentance and confession?

8.    Go back and read John 1:1 and 1:14; what does this say about Jesus’ deity?

9.    Think about and describe what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully man.

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

April 12, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?

Hope Tech

April 12, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2, 3 NIV

Don’t misunderstand what this day is about!

Luke 24:1-12 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

God has the power to . . . .

1. ____________________.

1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

2 Corinthians 5:16, 17 NIV For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

2. ____________________.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.

Colossians 2:13-15 NIV When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

ROMANS 12:1, 2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3. ____________________.

2 Corinthians 5:13-14 NIV If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

“Dear God, Thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to earth. I believe Jesus was who he said he was and proved it by rising from the dead. I believe that Jesus died to pay for my sin. Please forgive me for my sin. I receive your forgiveness. I desire to know you personally and I want to follow your plan and purpose for my life. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your free gift of eternal life.” Amen.

RESPONSE:

Text: IAmMadeNew

To: 474747

       Tagged: This Is Jesus

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Hope Tech

April 5, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Palm Sunday

Hope Tech

April 5, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

John 12:12-19 NIV The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

“Hosanna!” = ___________________

In the name of . . . ” ______________________________________________

1. _____________________.

John 12:13 NIV “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

Luke 24:19-21 NIV “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

John 19:14-16 NIV “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

2. __________________________

John 12:23-33 NIV Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

John 1:29, 30 NIV The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’

Matthew 16:24, 25 NIV Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

3. _____________________.

Luke 20:1-8 NIV One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” 3 He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 5 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” 8 Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Matthew 28:17-19 NIV When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

1. Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

2. All four gospels contain accounts of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-27; Mark 11; Luke 19:28-48; John 12

3. In our one anothering are you careful to surround yourself with others who help you move in the direction that the Lord would like you to move?

4. When you evaluate your influence on those you one another with, are you a great influence on them?

5. Where are your expectations not being met? How are you responding to those unmet expectations?

6. Where are you currently sacrificing out of obedience to God? Where are you resisting?

7. What or who competes for authority in your life or over your life?

8. Matthew 16:13-27; What was Peter’s declaration about Christ?

a. What is yours? What did Jesus about his death? What was Peter’s response? What did Jesus say about being one of His disciples?

b. Discuss how this passage also fits with our three words

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Thomas Kvamme

March 29, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Bringing Hope to One Another

Thomas Kvamme

March 29, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Colossians 3:12-17 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Peter 1:3, 4 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…

1. Bring _____________.

Colossians 3:12 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…

1 Peter 1:3, 4 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…

1 Peter 2:9, 10 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession . . .

Matthew 5:14 NIV You are the light of the world.

2. Bring ____________________.

Colossians 3:12-15 NIV …clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

John 13:34, 35 NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

3. Bring ____________.

1 Peter 1:6, 7 NIV Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Colossians 3:16-17 NIV Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

4. Bring ____________.

1 Peter 1:6, 7 NIV Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Colossians 3:16-17 NIV Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

5. Bring ________________.

1 Peter 2:9, 10 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

1.     Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

2.     How are you currently reacting to the Covid-19 crisis?

3.     When Pastor Paul said that the first way to bring hope to one another was to bring you, this was the you that is trusting in Jesus Christ, what do you need to do each day to remind yourself of who you are in Jesus Christ?

4.     Being resilient relationally can be tricky because our grievances and hurts are real. The passage in Colossians speaks of forgiving as the Lord forgave you. How does that change the way you normally think of forgiveness?

5.     Think of a difficult relationship, how would it mean for you to “bear with?”

6.     What can you do to hang on to the inexpressible joy during this season if struggle?

7.     Being realistic (present truth) about the struggles and hanging on the the promises of Christ (eternal truths) can be difficult. Make a list of eternal truths that are not shaken by the present realities.

8.     Prayer is a powerful weapon against darkness. This coming week is prayer week: List at least 5 people, who do not have a relationship with Jesus, you will pray to come to faith in Him.

9.     What is one practical way you can bring Jesus to them? Ask God for that opportunity.

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Hope Tech

March 22, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Words Matter

Hope Tech

March 22, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1. Gift One Another with ____________Words

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:12, 13 NIV See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV Therefore encourage one another with these words.

2. Gift One Another with ____________Words

Colossians 3:16 ESV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Ephesians 4:15, 16 NIV Instead, speaking the truth in love . . .

Galatians 6:1 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.

3. Gift One Another with ____________Words

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

1. Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

2. Pastor Paul told a story at the beginning of his message that told of someone who found strength that was not within him through the encouragement of a partner.

3. Describe a personal time when you were the recipient of each of these words that matter: Encouragement, Correction, and Edification.

4. How do you think receiving and giving encouragement helps us not be hardened by sin? (Hebrews 3:12, 13)

5. Speaking the truth in love can be tricky. Discuss together helpful tips to make sure you are speaking truth in love.

6. A common phrase is “I don’t feel like it’s any of my business” to correct or admonish someone. Discuss together why the Lord would want us to make our business.

7. How does correction/admonishing one another demonstrate love for one another?

8. When should it not be our place to correct or admonish someone?

9. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” is a very significant call. How would Romans 12:1, 2 help address what comes out of our mouths?

10. How does Matthew 15:18-20 address the type of words that we speak and how we may modify them for the sake of others?

11. The call is to speak words that build a spiritual edifice. How can you remind yourself to use words that are building?

12. Ephesians 4:29-32 gives several criteria for how we should speak to one another discuss these together.

13. How do you think words spoken to one another or not spoken grieve the Holy Spirit?

14. Who could you call or write to encourage or build up today? Pray about that communication and ask for the right words. Do it today.

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Hope Tech

March 8, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Stepping Down, Stepping Up

Hope Tech

March 8, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Philippians 2:1-11 NIV Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1.     _________________

Philippians 2:3,4 ESV Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:6-8 NASB …who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Humility is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.

Humilitas, John Dickson

Humility is ________________

2.     Humility is STEPPING INTO A _______ POSITION BEFORE ______

Philippians 2:10, 11 NASB …so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Proverbs 1:7 NIV The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1 Peter 5:5, 6 NIV Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.

3.    Humility is STEPPING INTO A ______________________ POSITION

Philippians 2:1-4 NASB Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Romans 12:3-8 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Humility is not thinking less of your self. It is thinking of your self less.

C.S. Lewis

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

1.     Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

2.     Describe person that you know that you believe is humble.

3.     As you think of the command to be humble, what are the truths of God that cause you to be more humble?

4.     Place yourself alongside or under the truths of God, how does this affect your position of humility?

5.     Look at the definition of humility given by C. S. Lewis. How do you think you would measure up to the call to “think of yourself less?”

6.     Part of humility is serving others with the gifts God has given you, where are you doing that? Are you doing it while “thinking of others?”

7.     The title of the message is “Stepping Down, Stepping Up.” Why do you think Pastor Paul chose that title?

8.     In what ways does humility call you to step down?

9.     In what ways does humility call you to step up?

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Hope Tech

March 1, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

We'll Keep The Light On For You

Hope Tech

March 1, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1. HOSPITALITY:  AN OPEN ____________ AND  OPEN ___________ .

1 Peter 4:8, 9 NIV Above all, love each other deeply . . . 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Luke 10:38-40 NIV As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

There is a place for both entertainment and hospitality:

However, God’s Word speaks about the importance of one anothering with hospitality.

2. HOSPITALITY HAS A AMAZING ______________ .

1 Peter 4:8-10 NIV Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.              

Romans 12:12-14 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

3. KEEP YOUR __________ ON, FOR ONE ANOTHER.

Matthew 5:14,15 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.        

Ephesians 3:16-17 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. . . .

1 Peter 4:7-9 NIV The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.      

Commitments to “Live with Our Light On”

I commit to allowing God to create in me a welcoming heart, welcoming to Jesus Christ and to others.

I commit to offering a hospitable welcome to others around me in my church.

I commit to offering a hospitable welcome to others around me in my work place.

I commit to offering a hospitable welcome to others around me in my home.

I commit to, within the next month, have host someone from our Church in my home.

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

1.     Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

2.     Can you describe, from your own experience, the difference between hospitality and entertaining?

3.     Can you describe a place that didn’t feel hospitable to you?

4.     What are the key hindrances to your being hospitable?

5.     Are you willing to become and walk toward being more hospitable?  

6.     Hospitality begins in the heart. What would God need to do in your heart for you to be more hospitable?

7.     Do you think if you had a more welcoming heart and life would make your workplace better?

8.     What do you think your role is in making our church more hospitable?

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Hope Tech

February 23, 2020

Pastor Patrick Severson

Compassion Sunday

Hope Tech

February 23, 2020

Pastor Patrick Severson

About THIS IS US:

The ____________________passages, help us understand how to live out our faith within the church.

There are roughly ______________passages that help us understand how to live out our faith in the church.

___________________ has perfectly fulfilled these amazing passages.

A Brief Overview of 1 Peter

A letter to a group of churches in Asia Minor

Major Themes of 1 Peter Include:

Joy of __________________

Suffering for Jesus

Encouragement in  _______________

__________to suffer

Living out our faith in community

1 Peter 4:10 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Every Christian has received a gift:

The gift of God’s grace

A Spiritual gift

There is purpose to why we receive God’s gift

To ________________to the needs of others!

In doing so, we are __________________________

Matthew 25:14-30 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “ ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Other New Testament Examples:

Philippians 4:8

Colossians 1:9

FOR PERSONAL OR GROUP STUDY AND DISCUSSION

What gifts/resources has God given you in order to build up the Church?

What does it mean to be a good steward of something?

In what simple ways can you better attend to the needs of others?

Is there a time that stands out to you when someone within the church ministered to you in a significant way?  How did that impact you?

In Colossians 1:9, the Apostle Paul shares just how much he prays for the church in Colossae, a church that he had never met before.  How does that challenge you to pray for others, especially our sister church in Fitche, Ethiopia?

What might be some of the expectations that people have regarding the church that need to be reshaped by Scripture?

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Hope Tech

February 16, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

Love Will

Hope Tech

February 16, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 NIV

Ekklesia –  ___________________________ “A people __________     ___________ on purpose, for purpose”

koinonia –___________________________________________________________ “One anothering, one another. “

1. ____________ One Another is the preeminent ____________ of being a Christ follower.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34, 35 NIV

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9, 10 NIV

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

2. What is _____________ one another?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 NIV

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12, 13 NIV

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9, 10 NIV

A definition of one anothering in love: _______________ (for the good of any other)

3. How can we ___________ to one another in ________?

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NIV

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:13-21 NIV

1. ______________ it.

2. ______________ it.

3. ______________ it.

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

Can you describe a incident where you experienced love from someone within the Church in a way that would be best described like as a Jesus type of love.

Who is someone within the life of your church that God has prompted you to demonstrate your love for them?

“Blood is thicker than blood” is a challenging statement. Why do you think God expects us to love one another like family?  Or better than family?

Many of us have “markers” to help determine whether a person is a Christ follower or not, what are some of those?

Do you think it is fair for people to mark Christ followers based on whether they love or not? Why or why not?

Why is it so easy to substitute other “good things” as a mark of being a Christ follower rather than love?

Do you think it is realistic for the Apostle Paul to define love like he does?

What other definitions of love are  you familiar with? Do they fit with the descriptions of love in point number 2 in this message?

Why do you think it is so difficult to love the way described in 1 Corinthians 13?

In what ways do you think God has been inviting you to “give yourself” to others lately? Have you done that well or not?

Do you think there is a blockage to your receiving God’s love? What is it.

Pastor Paul quoted Bob Goff. Look at that quote again. Do you think there are exceptions to that type of love?

       Tagged: This Is Us

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Hope Tech

February 9, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

The Importance of One Anothering

Hope Tech

February 9, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34, 35 NIV

Koinonia = _________________

1. __________________________

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 NIV

2. __________________________

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV

3. __________________________

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves… Philippians 2:3 NASB

4. __________________________

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24 NIV

1. We ONE ANOTHER out of our _________________ with the One and Only (________ _______).

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28 NIV

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-22 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5 NIV

And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. 1 John 4:21 NLT

2. We ONE ANOTHER out of a ________ for One Anothering.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:7-16 NIV

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. . . 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  26 . . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV (Selected)

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

Koinonia is the Greek transliteration of the word we translate fellowship. When you think of the word fellowship, what comes to our mind?  

What a beautiful memory of a church relationship that has inspired you?

What is a beautiful memory of a church relationship where God used you to bless or inspire another person?

Describe a church relationship that has been difficult for you (no names in your group please).  In this difficult relationship have you responded the way God would like you to respond?

Pastor Paul said in his sermon: “The cross gives us a helpful image of how we relate to one another. We receive and give love vertically and we must receive and give love horizontally. When one of those directions is suffering, they both will suffer. When we think of One Anothering, we know that we will love horizontally if we love vertically.”  How do you react to this quote?

In what way does your relationship with Jesus Christ, the work of the cross, press you toward others you may normally dislike?

Put into your own words how God has made us to need each other for spiritual maturity? (see Proverbs 27:17)

How does your life currently demonstrate the belief that you need other Christ followers for your own spiritual maturity?

How does your life currently demonstrate that God has placed valuable abilities within you for the Church?

How do you react to the truth that God has made you essential to the maturity of the entire church?  

As HOPE Church prepares to reinvigorate our small/life group ministry would you be willing to plan for and or pray about your involvement?

       Tagged: This Is Us

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Hope Tech

February 2, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

If Jonah Could Speak To You

Hope Tech

February 2, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:2 NIV

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals? Jonah 4:9-11 NIV

What would J_____________ s________?

1. God is a God of ________________ (most of the time).

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Jonah 3:1-3 NIV

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31, 32 NIV

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:12, 13 NIV

Be Careful of assuming second chances:

Genesis 3 (Adam and Eve); Numbers 20:11, 12 (Moses striking the rock); 1 Kings 13 (the man of God); Acts 5:1-10  (Ananias and Sapphira)

2. God expects and is worthy of ______________.

Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Jonah 1:14-16 NIV

9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” Jonah 2:9 NIV

When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything . . . 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:6-9 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1, 2 NIV

3. God is worthy of your life of _______________.  

I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:2 NIV

And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals? Jonah 4:9-11 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? 2 Peter 3:9-11 NIV

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 1:17, 18 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

When have you received a second chance at something the Lord wanted you to do? How have you remembered that in your life and how has the second opportunity influenced your obedience?

Is there an obedience that God is calling you to that you have been resisting? What holds you back from doing what you know He asks?

How do you describe spiritual surrender?

Most of us varying degrees of surrender in our life. Where are you currently having difficulty surrendering?

The King took off his robe and put on sackcloth as a sign of his surrender. What would you “take off” or “put on” as a sign of your surrender?

How have you been blessed through surrender in the past? Describe your relationship with God after you surrendered.

Who would God like you to go to with the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness?

Who do you know that needs to know about the hope of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to have a second chance and surrender?

Do you have “Ninevites” in your life? How would God desire your heart to become more like His heart regarding these people?

Do you ever think you put a greater value on your political views and values and the American way of life than you put a value on a Godly values and a godly way of life?

The Bible teaches that to whom much is given much is required. Do you think that you are living into what the Lord would require of you with the privilege that you experience in life?

       Tagged: Jonah

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Hope Tech

January 26, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

God's Disappointing Grace

Hope Tech

January 26, 2020

Pastor Paul Knight

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:10 NIV

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4:1-4 NIV

Who is Jonah and who am I?

1. Am I a recipient of God’s _____________?

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 NIV

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2:10 NIV

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah 3:1 NIV

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 ESV

2. Am I  __________________ with God’s Grace?

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry Jonah 3:10-4:1 NIV

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 NIV

3. Do I know God’s _____________?

He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. onah 4:1, 2 NIV

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. . . Exodus 34:5-7a NIV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

For Personal or Group Study and Discussion

Quick Review – Look back over your sermon notes: Review the major points of the message. Look up the passages printed there and read them in context. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

How do you think God would have liked Jonah to deal with the Ninevites?

How do you think Jonah would have liked God to deal with the Ninevites?

How have you personally been a recipient of God’s grace, mercy, and steadfast love

In what contexts do you find God’s grace disappointing?

Are there certain kinds of people that you find undeserving of God’s grace?

What do you think of God’s concern/compassion over those who are so ignorant that they are not aware of their sinfulness?

Look up these verses and read around the context.   Exodus 34:5-7;       Joel 2:12-14; Psalm 86:15, 16; Psalm 103:8-13; Ezekiel 33:11; Psalm 145:8-10; Luke 19:10; 2 Peter 3:9

What do these verses tell you about God’s heart?

Here is a question to ask yourself: Am I becoming more like Jonah or like Jesus?

In what ways are you seeing yourself becoming more like Jesus?

       Tagged: Jonah

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HOPE CHURCH

1601 17th Ave. S Grand Forks, ND 58201

Telephone: 701.772.1884 Email: hope@gfhope.org

Sunday Service Times 9:00, 10:30AM & 6:00PM

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