More on Prayer

Pam just sent me this in an e-mail:

(Thanks Pam. We love ya'll)

This is a verse and some sayings from the UMW retreat last year at Epworth lead by B.J. Funk on prayer.

2 Kings 20:5-- This is what the Lord God your ancestor David says "I have heard your prayers; I have seen your tears. Look I will Heal Patty___"

God can do marvelous things during darkness (Miracles)

Mother Teresa: " My secret is a very simple one. I pray."

Matthew 21:22: If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer

( Have no doubt I know you believe)

We are not self sufficient, so we need prayer.

Fear is the biggest fear we have to fear. But our God can knock down a door of fear.

Let Jesus get into your boat, with you. When Jesus steps in, the wind stops. Everything becomes calm.

Our circumstance may not change, but Jesus will be with us to calm us.

Prayer

The sheer volume of prayers that we have received and experienced in the last two weeks is almost beyond comprehension. Every single prayer has brought us comfort and joy even in this desolate place The peace that came over me last week and that continues in me now can only be the result of your many petitions to God on my behalf. Drew is the same. We both could easily be overwrought with fear and anxiety but we are not. We both are experiencing a calm serenity that I feel can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

(2Co 1:3-7 NRSV)

Our consolation is abundant through Christ. . I cannot recall and recount each and every prayer that has been lifted up for us in this, but I would like to share a few.

Mr. Jim Brown, a man that Patty and I really love and admire, on the telephone with me spontaneously went into a wonderful prayer claiming healing and comfort for Patty. This prayer brought the first whisper of comfort into my nearly panicked soul.

Dianne Odom and Robyn Alday, who were at the hospital visiting a relative, gathered me up with the first few family members there that first morning , formed a circle and offered up some very encouraging prayers. There is a great power in a circle of Christians, hand-in-hand calling on our God, praising our God, loving our God.

Both Kirk and Scott have pulled me aside and prayed for me. I love you brothers.

Another wonderful circle with Donna Sue Roberts, Wayne and Becky Worsham, Dr. Homer, Renea Moody, Tondra Rich, and several others offering phenomenal prayers.

Gayle Thomas called me and prayed an awe-inspiring prayer over the phone. Gayle has been praying for my family for many years. I will never forget the day Patty’s mother died, standing in the hallway outside of Patty’s classroom along with some other teachers and Gayle prayed for Patty. Later Gayle read some of her poetry at Linda’s funeral. Thank you, Gayle, for years of prayers.

Slade Alday came by and prayed with us.

Raymond Burke had a conversation with God in our presence. I have known Raymond only casually for many years. I aspire to learn to talk to God the way Raymond does. It was awesome.

Being told of the prayer in the chapel at Friendship UMC where Crystal acted as surrogate for Patty warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes. That prayer took place at the exact same time that the surgeon was inserting a drain tube into Patty’s chest.

An angel prayed with Porky. Patty’s brother John (whom we affectionately call Porky) was in the lobby of the hospital making a phone call when a woman walked up behind him and told him that she felt a need to pray for him. He told her that he was here for his sister and she went into a spontaneous prayer that really moved him. He said that the woman was blonde, ivory skinned, and dressed completely in white. The only jewelry she had looked like white spoon lures. No wings or halos, though.

Josh and Crystal were here about an hour ago. They had everyone here lay hands on Mama, Drew, and me and pray.

We just prayed with a young lady here in the waiting room. This girl’s mother has been here for several days and the girl has been here all alone. Her mother just had some sort of incident and she thought that she was dying. This place is hell even when you are surrounded by friends and family. I could not imagine the thought of being here all alone.

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

(Jas 5:13-16 NRSV)

Get vaccinated

This is one roller coaster ride that has gone on far too long for my nerves.

After the chest tube was inserted and over a liter of fluid was drawn off of Patty’s lung cavity, I thought the worst may be behind us. Getting all of that infected fluid out had to make the situation better. Didn’t it?

That was when we were informed that Patty was positive for Types A and B Influenza. (How can you have two flus at the same time?) An H1N1 confirmation could only be made by the CDC and was confirmed two days later. Patty went into quarantine. Her room was sealed and a powerful HEPA filter was installed. Everyone who visited her was now required to wear a particulate filter mask, gown, gloves and hairnet. Everyone who had been in contact with her for the past week, including all the physicians and nurses (who had all been vaccinated in the Fall), was also urged to get a prescription for Tamiflu anti-viral medication as a precautionary measure.

I began to seek out any information that I could find on influenza and specifically on H1N1. I have read every word concerning H1N1 that the CDC has made available on its website. This virus is a killer. I and my family have learned our lesson well. We have never had a flu shot; ever. We will be the first in line when new flu shots become available in the future. H1N1 is the prevalent flu in the US since April 2009. 99% of confirmed influenza cases in the US currently are H1N1.

Reading the CDC reports it becomes obvious that the experts at the CDC are very frustrated that so many people have not been vaccinated. I believe it is because the facts have not been reported and the seriousness of this flu has not been given the proper sense of urgency. Any bug that can affect a reasonably healthy person like Patty the way this one has is frightening. Imagine what would happen to a weaker person?

If you haven’t already, get your flu shot today.

Life in the ICU - 3

Life in the ICU - 3

The phone on the wall across from me rang. A nurse ran out of the ICU, pointed at me and said, “That is for you!” My heart skipped a beat. Had something gone wrong? Was it worse than we thought? My soul was struck with grief.

“Hello”

“Tony, it’s Homer. Tell me what’s going on.”

In a moment of solitary agony nothing is as welcome as a familiar voice. Dr. Homer had learned of Patty’s predicament as he made his rounds at Donalsonville Hospital that morning. I was so struck with dread that I could barely respond. The pain in my cry must have been obvious. After a couple of stammered sentences I was back to the hallway pacing and praying, “Yea though I walk through the valley…..” And I was at that moment in the valley.

Fearing no evil is easy to say but very difficult to do. Especially when alone, without backup. Thoughts ran through my mind that morning that I wish to never have to think again. Worst case scenarios. What would I do if……? How would we…..? Oh my God, what about Drew?

Talking to Homer helped. I calmed down considerably more when Jack walked in. After filling him in on the details, we both settled down to a shocked silence. After a while Homer and Ronnie Shingler showed up. And soon after many other family members showed up.

Patty and I have always been of the mind that if you are part of our lives then you are family. Yes we do have lots of kin, but we also have numerous families and many family members. Church family, school family, work family, community family. The family spirit began showing itself that morning. That family spirit and outpouring of love is what began in me the process of claiming a conviction of faith that all will be well.

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

(Pro 17:17 NRSV)

Or as the Message says it:

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

(Pro 17:17 MSG)

And God knows all you whom we call family have stuck with us in this time of trouble. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and humbling. I have known for almost three decades that Patty is one special child of God. It fills my heart with joy to know that all of you think so too.

As the family love began to comfort my breaking heart, Dr. Crenshaw came out and informed me that the surgeon was on the way to insert a tube into Patty’s chest wall to remove fluid that had accumulated.

Surgeon?!?

The foreboding dread returned full force.

Life in the ICU, Part 2.

As I sat in the waiting room wondering what was going on with Patty, my fears nearly got the best of me. Being alone and helpless in an unfamiliar place, unable to do anything to help a loved one in distress is very likely one of the most frightening experiences of my life. I did not panic, but did become very uneasy in spirit.

Not long ago, after seeing a speaker who gave an excellent talk with no notes, I began to try to memorize scripture. I began with some easy ones: my favorite verse of the Bible, Micah 6:8 and another favorite Psalm 51:10. After memorizing a few verses, I became a little more ambitious. Going back to childhood memories of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, I remembered that as a child I had committed to memory the 23^rd Psalm. If I could memorize an entire chapter as a child, I should be able to accomplish the same feat as an adult. I tried it using the NRSV and the NIV but it just didn’t sound right. I ended up going back to the King James:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

(Psa 23:1-6)

In my moment of anguish, I began pacing the hallway reciting that Psalm as a prayer. After several repetitions of that I went through the Lord’s prayer a couple of times. Then some of the other verses that I had committed to memory. This worked well to somewhat calm my nerves.

Some of you veteran prayer warriors may not appreciate my elementary mode of prayer, but it worked and I believe is as valid an approach to God as any other. I could have just as easily walked up and down the hall saying the ABC’s or multiplication tables. God would have heard my cries either way.

Patty was unconscious, but I have no doubt that God heard her cries as well.

Rom 8:24-27 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (27) And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Even if we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. That is a very comforting thought. I heard one person say this week that if you do not believe that your prayer is going to be answered and believe that a miracle was going to happen than you might as well not even pray. I kind of agree and disagree with that statement. Faith is, I believe, one key ingredient to answered prayer. But the power of prayer is not at all reliant on any quality of the one doing the praying. I believe that God hears and listens to prayer even if that prayer comes from an enemy of God. The power of prayer is in no way related to how eloquent the words or how faithful the supplicant. There is only one key element to a powerful prayer: you’ve got to pray it. So I welcome all of the prayers for Patty. Even if you don’t even believe in God, God believes in you. Cry out in distress and God gets it. Every time.

More later…….

Life in the ICU

Last Sunday morning I was awakened by someone shaking my leg. It was Dr. Crenshaw. Dr. Crenshaw was the last person I saw Saturday night as I fell asleep. Patty had slept fitfully. She was very frightened. We had ridden the ambulance to Thomasville and Patty was admitted directly into the ICU. Drs. Santos and Crenshaw met the ambulance there and immediately went to work with the nurses and respiratory people taking samples, installing IV’s, and trying to comfort Patty. Amy, the RN assigned to Patty very compassionately asked if I would like to stay in the room with Patty. This was a gesture of kindness that I was not expecting. Amy brought a very comfortable recliner and I settled in and tried to ease Patty’s anxieties. She was very frightened. Before leaving Donalsonville, Dr. Jeff Holley had explained to us many of the possible consequences of the severe pneumonia she had developed. These consequences were very frightening. I tried to reassure her that we were in a very good place with specialists, medications, and equipment to combat any complication that may come up. It is very difficult to calm someone who feels helpless and not in control.

As I jumped up, Dr. Crenshaw said, “We’re going to have to intubate her.” The Respiratory nurse had already injected the sedatives into Patty’s IV. The only communication between Patty and me at that point was the look of terror in her eyes. The Dr. asked that I leave the room. I went into the adjacent waiting area. The only other folks in the waiting area that morning were sleeping in their chairs. I was alone in a place foreign to me while my best friend and wife of 26 years fought for her life on the other side of those institutional doors which can only be opened from the inside. We were both prisoners at that point: Patty, bound by IVs, a breathing machine, and a hospital bed; Me, caged by helplessness, fear, and those ICU doors. I was utterly alone.

To be continued…….

Thoughts on prayer, chronos, and kairos

The sheer volume of prayers that have been lifted up for Patty (and the rest of us too) is almost staggering. I know of groups of people gathering to pray specifically for Patty in almost every town in Southwest Georgia. This prayer is working. The timing (chronos) of some of these is also interesting. On Sunday, around 40 members of our church gathered in the chapel to pray for healing for Patty. What they did not know was that at the exact time they were sending up those prayers, the surgeon was installing a tube into Patty’s chest wall. That procedure was a success and continues to serve its purpose in Patty’s recovery. Later on Sunday I came out of the ICU and was told by Drew that there had just been an awesome group prayer in the waiting room. What that group did not know was that at the exact time they were sending up that prayer, Patty was being attached to the dialysis machine in an attempt to remove some of the fluid that was gathered in her chest cavity. That procedure was also a success. On Tuesday just after lunch some trauma, possibly a blood clot, caused Patty’s blood oxygen levels to suddenly and sharply bottom out. This was the most frightening hour of my life to this point. She had to be removed from the ventilator and manually bagged for an entire hour before becoming stable enough to go back on the ventilator. That was when Dr. Hicks told me that we needed a miracle. So many prayers were going up you could almost feel them in the air. One lady, whose son has been in this ICU for five weeks, told me later that she felt that it would have been impossible for anything bad to enter this ICU there was such a movement of the Spirit going on. After that crisis the doctors did not offer much hope. Dr. Woolf said that he needed a CT scan of Patty’s lungs to aid in his evaluation, but that getting a scan was out of the question because he simply did not think that she could survive the trip downstairs to radiology. But on Wednesday morning Dr. Hicks came in smiling. We got our miracle. Patty’s oxygen levels had improved. Later on Wednesday morning I received a text message from Tim Bell that the Seminole County Ministerial Association had just had a healing prayer for Patty. What they did not know was that at that exact time, Patty was being moved downstairs to have the CT done. Another success.

Which brings me to the conclusion that the chronos (timing) of these various prayer events were actually kairos moments.

Chronos is the Greek word for time. It is used throughout the scriptures in verses such as Mat 2:7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time (chronos) when the star had appeared.

Chronos denotes a particular point in time, such as 12:35 PM, Tuesday, April 13, the exact time when Patty’s oxygen levels dropped.

Kairos is another Greek word for time. Kairos is also used in scripture. Mar 1:15 …., "The time (kairos) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

Kairos denotes the perfect time, or God’s time, the opportune moment. At chronos 12:35 PM on Tuesday, many prayers were delivered kairos, at the perfect, opportune moment.

Not only have your many prayers led to great results for Patty’s physical recovery, they have had a profound effect on my emotional well-being. I have to admit that this has been the most traumatic event of my life. I never saw this coming. For the first several days I was filled with dread. This was probably the nearest I have come in my life to a broken heart. But yesterday afternoon something happened. A peace came over me. I no longer have any sense of dread and am convicted that this event is going to have a hallowed outcome. The only explanation that I have for this peace is that it is another result of your many prayers. You have called the Spirit down on me. The Spirit has witnessed with my spirit….

Rom 8:11-16 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. …….. (14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (15) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" (16) it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

So we begin Friday, the fifth day on the ventilator with the knowledge that God is doing something. Dr. Woolf says that he sees signs of improvement in Patty’s lungs.

Thank you for all you prayers and please, please continue to pray without ceasing.

Tony

Sunday School Lesson: Prayerful Community

Purpose: To rejoice that we can express in prayer that we are sick and sinful and only God can make us whole.

Scripture: James 5:13-18

What are some situations in life when most people pray?

I love the story of the man who sat on his roof while floodwaters crept up his house. The man cried out to the Lord to be rescued. He was offered a ride in a kayak. He declined. He said, “I’m waiting for God to rescue me.” He waved off a small fishing boat. He dismissed a helicopter hovering overhead. Each time he professed with ever growing indignation, “I will wait for the Lord Almighty to save me from this flood!” He was convinced the Lord would perform some spectacular miracle and deliver him from his roof.

Well, eventually, the water reached the roof and the currents swept the man away to his death. In Heaven, the man told an angel, “You know, I was faithful my entire life. Why did God not answer my prayer?”

Can you guess the angels response? “God sent you a kayak, a fishing boat, and a helicopter. What more did you need?”

Clearly, the man had his own idea of how God should deliver him from the flood, but God did not cooperate.

Have you ever been there?

We’ve all been there. “God, I know you’re the Almighty, but I believe I have a better understanding about this situation.” We often bring our concerns and requests before God, and then we give him a choice of what we consider acceptable resolutions and a time frame in which to accommodate us. We are surprised and sometimes angry when the Creator disregards our human logic and reasoning.

How have you seen prayer bring changes in people or circumstances?

What should a person do when he or she is in trouble? Why? (see James 5:13, 15)

What should a person do when he or she is happy? Why? (5:13, 15)

What should a person do when he or she is sick? Why? (5:14-15)

How can we use prayer to help someone who is sick?

When do you find it most difficult to pray? Why?

How does prayer help shape and grow your faith?

What are your views about anointing with oil and praying for healing?

When have you had the opportunity to pray specifically for someone or for a special need?

Why is prayer important? (5:15)

13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
James 5:13-18 (NRSV)

What are some things that we may be reluctant to pray about?

Why are we sometimes reluctant to pray?

What does James mean by “suffering”?

How do we respond when someone says that they have prayed for healing for another person, but the person was not healed?

I am going to tell you a story.

Some of you may have heard this before.

My daddy was dying. He had developed emphysema and had been totally unable to work for several years. At that time all he could do was sit and read. And that’s what he did. He could not even walk to the next room without an oxygen bottle. This was at the time that I was first acknowledging that I was a Christian. I, for the first time in my life, developed a prayer habit. I prayed all the normal young Christian prayers: “Thank you God for your blessings, thank you for my family and my church, take care of Daddy, amen.” In my immaturity, I always thought of that “take care of Daddy” as equivalent to “make Daddy better, heal his body.” I was not the only person praying for Daddy, I’m sure. There was my wife and daughter, my mother and my brother. And there was a preacher who was visiting Daddy regularly.

Daddy had known Andy for years. They both were both farm equipment salesmen and were acquainted through business. Andy was also a preacher, preaching at the church down the road that my daddy had grown up in. In the forty years that I had known Daddy, I could only remember a couple of funerals that he had been to inside a church. I have no memory at all of Daddy going to a church for any other reason. Daddy, being the reader he was, read the Bible and had some tough questions for Andy. Daddy knew he was dying. He also knew what the Bible said about salvation.

Andy assured Daddy that all he needed was faith, but Daddy felt a desire to be baptized. One of the most moving services that I have ever witnessed was the night that a few members of Hebrew Free-Will Baptist church gathered at Daddy’s house along with the family and Andy sprinkled Daddy and we all sprinkled tears. I cried more that night than I did at Daddy’s funeral a two months later.

Do you see the point of my telling this story?

God did “take care of Daddy”. My prayers WERE answered, only in a way that I would not have imagined. God “took care of Daddy” all right. God took care of Daddy in a way so far beyond my immature imaginings that I did not really realize the implications until much later. The healing that God brought to Daddy was much, much greater than if he had been given new lungs.


Why should we confess our sins to one another? (5:16)

What healing is promised to the person who confesses their sin to God, but never to another human being? (5:16)

Why not just confess your sin individually and privately to God-why confess to someone else?

Some Christians do practice confessing their sins to people (priests). We Protestants generally confess our sins directly to God.

Why does James say confess your sins one to another?

How does our church provide for the confession of sin so that it serves a redemptive purpose in our lives?

The Protestant Reformation never taught that we do not need to confess our sins to a priest. But….the Reformation brought us the concept of the priesthood of all believers. We are all priests.

Do we need a priest (another believer) to confess to?

What is the role of clergy in hearing confessions in the UMC?

Do you like the idea of confessing your sins to one another?

What are the benefits of confessing our sins one to another? What does it cost us to not confess our sins one to another? What happens to us individually and to the church when we fail to confess?

There is something very healing about coming clean to someone who will listen and respond in a godly way.

Quote of the day: "We are only as sick as our secrets." - Rick Warren

What qualities would you look for in someone to confess your sins to?

Do you think it would be a good idea to confess all your sins all at once, or get into it gradually?

Have you ever been hurt by confessing your sin to someone who could not keep a secret? Who has a story?

Does failure to confess affect the outcome of our prayers?

What is the effect of a righteous person’s prayers? (5:16)

How do you understand James’ statement that “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective”?

Does our righteousness obligate God to answer our prayers?

Who is a good example of how God answers prayer? How? (5:17-18)

Think about Elijah. What do we learn about following God from Elijah?

Have you seen prayer bring changes in people or circumstances?

Would anyone care to share any real-life examples of how God answers prayer?

What hinders Christians from praying with confidence?

What hinders Christians from confessing sins and praying for each other?

If we confess our sins to God, why should anyone else have to know about it?

What circumstances beyond our control can we affect through prayer?

Do you think God is pleased when we bring our joys as well as our needs to Him in prayer?

What would it take for us to learn to be honest with God and with one another?

What does our church do to create a climate in which we all can be honest with one another and build healthy relationships?

James tells us that we are to:

¨ Pray about bad feelings and circumstances.

¨ Sing with cheerfulness.

¨ Pray for the sick.

¨ Confess our sins.

How effective is our church in providing opportunities for these things to happen?

Which of these opportunities lend themselves to small groups?

Which are better suited to a worship service?

Which has been particularly meaningful to you? Why?

Book Study

We have started a new book study (Wednesday nights 6:30 in the Grace Sunday School Class room). The book is The 4:8 Priciple: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life by Tommy Newberry, a motivational speaker from Atlanta. The study is being led by Bill Burke.

The book is inspired by Philippians 4:8:
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Phil 4:8 (NRSV)

The key word in that verse being "think". If we can learn to control our thoughts, to make all of our thoughts honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable we will experience joy.

Sunday School Lesson: Wise Speakers

After reading and studying this week’s lesson I am almost tempted to say let’s just read the scripture and then meditate in silence for the remainder of our time. I think that would make the most impact.

But, I also realize that the chance of this class sitting in silence is pretty slim….and that’s a good thing.

So…here’s the lesson.

Lesson: Wise Speakers

Purpose: To recognize that God’s wisdom gives us the power to control the tongue and speak true and constructive words.

Scripture: James 3

If you could hear a tape recording of everything you said last week, what would you want to edit out?

Listen to these quotes and tell me what you think of them. I’m not going to tell you who said what, but you can guess if you want to….

"I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that." (This statement made shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast)

"As millions of people anticipate the release of the latest Harry Potter book and film, we're reminded once again of Satan's ongoing attempt to deceive and destroy. The whole purpose of the Potter books is to desensitize readers and introduce them to the occult."

"Maybe we need a very small nuke thrown off on Foggy Bottom (Washington, D. C. neighborhood, home to the U. S. State Dept.) to shake things up"

"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say: "You helped this (Sept. 11) happen."

“God told me: I want you to get this going in one year or I will call you home. It will cost $8 million and I want you to believe you can raise it. "

“I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry. And I'm going to be blunt and plain: if one ever looks at me like that, I'm going to kill him and tell God he died.

"The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God’s plan for both Israel and the West… a biblically prophesied end-time confrontation with Iran, which will lead to the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Christ."

“The world will be destroyed by fire on April 3rd 1843.”

“My observation is that women are merely waiting for their husbands to assume leadership.”

What do all of these statements have in common?

They were all public statements made by prominent Christian leaders. Whether we agree with the statements or disagree, or whether we personally consider these folks “Christian” leaders or not really doesn’t matter. These are the folks that are in the spotlight. They are the ones who are sought out when the news reporters need a “Christian” opinion. They are the ones who the people outside of the Christian faith think of when they think of Christians. They, whether we like it or not, represent us; and, even of even more importance, they represent Jesus.

What overall impression or feeling do you get listening to those statements?

What impression do you think these statements would make on someone outside the Christian faith?

What image of God is projected by statements such as this?

Did the persons I quoted exercise careful and responsible speech?

Did the persons I quoted advance peace and understanding or did the words have the potential for creating confusion and conflict?

Like all of us, religious leaders occasionally fail to exercise the best judgment in speaking. Sometimes the Church and the faith community at large come across as judgmental, harsh, unforgiving, and exclusive because of ill-chosen words of a single religious leader quoted on a particular occasion. At times, a religious leader may promote a teaching that is unclear or unaccepted as truth within the larger faith community. Words that take only seconds to speak can cause damage that may take years to repair.

How do you react when you hear someone cursing and using abusive language or speaking improperly?

Can a person be hurt by the words of others? How?

What can you learn about a person by listening to him or her speak?

Anytime any of us speaks, we have an opportunity to build bridges of understanding, sow seeds of peace, and extend words of grace.


1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
James 3:1-5a (NRSV)

We often say in our churches, "We need more teachers. Will you please teach? Please help us by teaching a class." Why does this passage suggest people ought not to teach?

What qualifications are required to be a teacher in your church? In ours the only qualification is to be willing or to possess an inability to say “no”.

What does it mean, "will be judged with greater strictness"?
In the New Testament, we get glimpses of teachers who failed in their responsibility. Some teachers tried to turn Christianity into another kind of Judaism by requiring Gentile converts to practice circumcision and follow the law (Acts 15). Some teachers lived lives which were a contradiction of what they taught (Romans 2). Some teachers tried to teach before they had learned (1 Timothy 1). Some teachers only taught what the crowd wanted to hear (2 Timothy 4).

Is James’ caution for teachers just a caution against false teaching?

James seems to think that teaching is a dangerous occupation for anyone.

What unique responsibility does a teacher bear?

There are two dangers which all teachers must avoid. Because of the position, it is very likely that you will get the opportunity to teach either those who are young in years or those who are children in the faith. Teachers must struggle to avoid two things: 1) They must take every care that they are teaching the truth, and not their own opinions or even their own prejudices. It is easy for teachers to distort the truth and to teach not God’s version but their own (see quotes above). 2) They must take great care that they do not contradict their teaching by their living. No “do as I say, not as I do”. A teacher must never get into the position where his students cannot hear what he is saying for listening to what he does.

What is the primary instrument used in teaching? Speech.

What is it’s (speech’s) agent? The tongue.

If we were able to control our tongue perfectly, what else would be true of us?
Verse 2 tells us that one who can control his tongue is totally in control of his or herself.

And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.
(Jas 3:2 MSG)

What about the first line of verse 2: For all of us make many mistakes.

Is all sin deliberate? Is sin sometimes the result of a slip-up when we were off our guard?

Other translations use the words “slip up” or “stumble” where the NRSV uses “make many mistakes”. Does it sometimes seem as if all of life is walking on banana peels?

How much of what it means to sin has to do with what we say?

Let's test this. Turn to Exodus 20-the 10 Commandments. How many of these have to do with how you use your tongue?

There is no sin into which it is easier to fall and none which has graver consequences than the sin which is the result of something uttered. This idea was woven into Jewish thought. Jesus warned that we will give account for every word spoken.

36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matt 12:36-37 (NRSV)

Of all the Jewish writers, Jesus ben Sirach, the writer of the Apocryphal book Ecclesiasticus, had the most to say about the terrifying potential of the tongue.

13 Honor and dishonor come from speaking, and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.
Sirach 5:13 (NRSV)

11 Be quick to hear, but deliberate in answering. 12 If you know what to say, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth.
Sirach 5:11-12 (NRSV)

1 Happy are those who do not blunder with their lips, and need not suffer remorse for sin.
Sirach 14:1 (NRSV)

16 A person may make a slip without intending it. Who has not sinned with his tongue?
Sirach 19:16 (NRSV)

The Evil Tongue
12 If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out;
yet both come out of your mouth.
13 Curse the gossips and the double-tongued,
for they destroy the peace of many.
14 Slander has shaken many,
and scattered them from nation to nation; it has destroyed strong cities,
and overturned the houses of the great.
15 Slander has driven virtuous women from their homes,
and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.
16 Those who pay heed to slander will not find rest,
nor will they settle down in peace.
17 The blow of a whip raises a welt,
but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.
19 Happy is the one who is protected from it,
who has not been exposed to its anger, who has not borne its yoke,
and has not been bound with its fetters.
20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron,
and its fetters are fetters of bronze;
21 its death is an evil death,
and Hades is preferable to it.
22 It has no power over the godly;
they will not be burned in its flame.
23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power;
it will burn among them and will not be put out. It will be sent out against them like a lion; like a leopard it will mangle them.
24 As you fence in your property with thorns, As you lock up your silver and gold,
25 so make a door and a bolt for your mouth. so make balances and scales for your words. 26 Take care not to err with your tongue,
and fall victim to one lying in wait.
Sirach 28:12-26 (NRSV)

What is the purpose of a bit in the mouth of a horse?

What is the purpose of the rudder of a ship?

What damage can a small spark cause to a great forest?

What similarity does a person’s tongue have to a horse’s bit, a ship’s rudder, and a spark of fire?

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
James 3:5b-12 (NRSV)

What damage do our tongues do to us?

What is so difficult about taming the tongue?

Of what inconsistencies are we capable?

In what ways are we inconsistent?

What are the ways we sin with our speech?

Why are sins of speech often overlooked as not serious?

How is our speech influenced by others around us?

What practical advice would you give someone who wanted to control his or her tongue better?

What weaknesses in our lives does our speech often expose?

In what times or places can your tongue be used for good?

Does James call us to practice silence?

Would a life of silence be an improvement over a life of harmful speech?

James does NOT want us to be silent. He is pleading for the control of the tongue, not the silence of the tongue. Aristippus, the Greek philosopher, had a saying: “The conqueror of pleasure is not the man who never uses it. He is the man who uses pleasure as a rider guides a horse, or a steersman directs a ship, and so directs them wherever he wishes” James is pleading not for the silence that comes from a fear of saying something wrong or hurtful but for a wise use of speech.

Respond to this statement: Christian living is mostly about talking right. Is that true or false?

What are some good things we can do with our speech?

Verses 9 - 12 offer some hint as to how we can gain some control over the tongue. What is it?

Let’s look at Matthew 12.33 – 35:
33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.
Matt 12:33-35 (NRSV)

What do these verses teach about controlling our speech?

Is this saying that if we think bad thoughts about people that those thoughts will eventually make their way out?

Matthew 12.33 says, "make the tree good." How do you do that?

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
James 3:13-18 (NRSV)


What is the best way to make a lasting positive impression on others?

What is the difference between earthly wisdom and God’s wisdom?

What life experiences increase our wisdom?

What are the marks of humility in a person?

What damage can bitter envy or selfish ambition do to a person?

How can we get or experience heavenly wisdom?

What are practical ways we can sow seeds of peace during our life?

What godly characteristics are present in our speech when we are pursuing God’s wisdom?

What kind of bitter envy or selfish ambition do you tend to hold in your heart?

Sunday School Lesson: Impartial Disciples

Purpose: To realize that the expression of Christian love makes it possible to avoid social and cultural discrimination and to honor all persons.

Scripture: James 2:1-13

What are some reasons why we may think that one person is more important than another?

What is it in us that makes us want to favor certain kind of people?

Where do you see prejudice being practiced?

What is the most extreme example of prejudice that you have personally witnessed?

Have you ever been the brunt of prejudice?

Have you ever been around someone who made you feel judged? Describe how that felt?

In what ways have you been a victim of favoritism or prejudice?

How have you shown favoritism or prejudice toward other people?

Why do we often treat rich people as more important than poor people?

How do we use physical appearance, job status, and athletic ability to show favoritism toward people?

Who is richer, a man with five children or a man with five million dollars? Why?
The man with the five kids, because he doesn’t want any more.

1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:1-4 NRSV


What is the greatest threat to the church?

Does the greatest threat come from the outside or the inside?

The greatest threat to the church, in my opinion, is the threat of becoming irrelevant. If the church is no different and holds the same attitudes as the outside world, then what use is the church?

(From page 75 in Adult Bible Studies):

James asked the early church, “How can you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and show such blatant partiality on the basis of wealth and social status?” That question holds relevance for us and should cause us to reexamine our attitudes and actions.

The danger of Christians and the church adopting the secular standards of the world is ever near. Too often the finance boards of churches are composed primarily of the wealthiest members, simply because of their wealth. Those with obviously less means are still often virtually ignored in some churches. Our own social circles are usually composed of people from similar economic means and racial backgrounds.

It is one thing to run a clothing bank or food pantry; it is quite another to invite the poor to teach your children in Sunday School or to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Do you think there are certain kinds of people we treat better when they come to our church?

How can we welcome poor people in our church?

Why does God have a special concern for poor people?

Why is it wrong to show favoritism to the wealthy?
(From Life Application Study Bible):
1. It is inconsistent with Christ’s teachings.
2. It results from evil thoughts.
3. It insults people made in God’s image.
4. It is a by-product of selfish motives.
5. It goes against the biblical definition of love.
6. It shows a lack of mercy to those less fortunate.
7. It is hypocritical.
8. It is sin.

Why is it wrong to judge a person by his or her economic status?

Wealth may indicate intelligence, wise decisions, and hard work. On the other hand, it may mean only that a person had the good fortune of being born into a wealthy family. Or it can even be the sign of greed, dishonesty, and selfishness. By honoring someone just because he or she dresses well, we are making appearances more important than character.

Why would we do that?

…because (1) poverty makes us uncomfortable; we don’t want to face our responsibiblites to those who have less than we do; (2) we want to be wealthy too, and we hope to use the rich person as a means to that end; (3) we want the rich person to join our church and help support it financially. All these motives are selfish; they view neither the rich nor the poor person as a human being in need of fellowship. If we say that Christ is our Lord, then we must live as he requires, showing no favoritism and loving all people regardless of whether they are rich or poor.


Is it OK to have favorite people?

Is it OK to play favorites?

What is the difference between having favorite people and playing favorites?

What is the opposite of favoritism? (prejudice) Is it equally bad? Worse? Better?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
James 2:5-6 NRSV

What has God promised to the poor of this world?

Quote of the Day:
“God must love the common people because he made so many of them.” – Abraham Lincoln.

What does "rich in faith" mean? Can we control whether we are rich in faith?

James seems to be of the opinion that the poor are more likely to trust and to love God than are the wealthy. Is this true?

What are some possible reasons for why the poor may be more faithful?

It may be because the affluent rely on their riches for security, the poor have no riches on which to rely. God is their only hope for a better future. It may be easier for them to acknowledge the need for a savior. One of the greatest barriers to faith is pride.

What does the church do to the poor person when it shows favoritism toward the rich?

In what practical ways can we show genuine love to people of different races, cultures, and economic standing?

How does our church and class help the poor? What else could we do?

8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:8-13 (NRSV)

What is the royal law found in Scripture?

Why is it “royal”?

From William Barclay’s New Daily Study Bible:
It may mean the law which is of supreme excellence; it may mean the law which is given by the King of Kings; it may mean the supreme law; it may mean the law that gives the regal quality to people and is fit for royalty.

If you followed the one command in verse 8, would it be possible to sin in any other way?

How is favoritism a violation of the royal law of verse 8?

What does practicing favoritism do to a person who is trying to keep the law?

From Barclay:
James has been condemning those who pay special attention to the rich man who enters the church. “But”, they might answer, “the law tells me to love my neighbor as myself. Therefore we are duty-bound to welcome this man when he comes to church.” “Very well,” answers James, “if you are really welcoming the man because you love him as you do yourself, and you wish to give him the welcome you yourself would wish to receive, that is fine. But, if you are giving him this special welcome because he is rich, that is favoritism and that is wrong – and, far from keeping the law, you are in fact breaking it. You don’t love your neighbor, or you would not neglect the poor man. What you love is wealth – and that is not what the law commands.”


James’ key point is that wealth cannot be the criterion for assigning value to people and determining how we treat them. How does his view compare to ours?

Are there categories of sin, or are all sins alike?

How does a “minor” sin like prejudice rank against such things as adultery and murder?

What does a person have to do to be considered a lawbreaker?

Personally, I would much rather you lie to me than murder me and, if you are going to rob me, I would much rather you steal a dollar than a thousand. But I’m not sure God sees it that way.

Why is favoritism or prejudice often overlooked as a sin?

Verse 12 says that the law is a “law of liberty”.
How does the law give freedom?

If Christianity is about freedom, why do so many see it as about mere rule keeping?

Have there been times in your life when you perceived Christianity to be about mere rule keeping?

What place does rule keeping have in the Christian life?

Verse 13. Do we earn God's mercy by being merciful to others?

What does it mean mercy triumphs over judgment?

Those who have shown mercy will, in the end, find that their mercy has blotted out their own sin.

This question is just for our new members:

What has been helpful to you in feeling like you are a part of this congregation and this class?

What could our class or congregation do to make it easier for visitors and new members to feel welcomed and valued?

Sunday School Lesson: Jesus is Messiah

Purpose: To understand what it means to confess that Jesus “is the Christ, the Son of the living God” and how that confession shatters our presuppositions about Jesus.

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

If you could ask any person in the world one question, whom would you ask, and what would you want to know?

Let’s locate Caesarea Philippi on a map. It is north and east of the Sea of Galilee, about halfway between the Sea of Galilee and Damascus Syria.

Why were Jesus and the Disciples at Caesarea Philippi?

They were travelling and preaching, teaching, and healing. They had just recently traveled to Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia, then returned to the Sea of Galilee and the city of Magadan where the Feeding of the Four Thousand took place, then left there and proceeded to Caesarea Philippi.

Caesarea Philippi was located at one of the sources for the Jordan River. In ancient times the location had been a shrine to the Greek and Roman nature god, Pan and was originally named Panion. Caesar Augustus gave the city to Herod the Great. Herod’s son Philip renamed the city after the emperor and himself.


13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
Matt 16:13

Why do you think Jesus asked this question?

When Jesus said, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" was that like saying, "Who do people say that I am?"

From William Barclay’s The New Daily Study Bible:

Confronting Jesus at this time was one pressing and demanding problem that would not go away. His time was short; his days on earth were numbered. The problem was – was there anyone who understood him? Was there anyone who had recognized him for who and what he was? Were there any who, when he had departed from this world, would carry on his work, and labor for his kingdom? Obviously this was a crucial problem, for it involved the very survival of the Christian faith. If there were none who had grasped the truth, or even glimpsed it, then all his work was undone; if there were just a few who realized the truth, his work was safe. So Jesus was determined to put all to the test and ask his followers who they believed him to be.


Who do people today say Jesus is? If you were to ask ten people on the street, "Who do you think Jesus was?" how do you think they would answer? What are some common views of Jesus among our generation?

Why do you think Jesus cared who people said he was?

Should we care what people think of us?


What is the correct answer to the question “Who do you think Jesus was”?

Are you familiar with C.S. Lewis' "Lord, liar, or lunatic" argument? Can anyone explain that to us?

From C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity:

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
We are faced, then, with a frightening alternative. This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said, or else a lunatic, or something worse. Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God. God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form.


14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Matthew 6:14

From Barclay:
….Jesus determined to demand a verdict from his disciples. He had to know before he set out for Jerusalem and the cross if anyone had even dimly grasped who and what he was. He did not ask the question directly; he led up to it. He began by asking what people said about him, and who they took him to be.

What different answers did Christ get to His question?

What do the answers tell us about Jesus’ reputation with the people?

For 400 years the Jewish people had believed that the time of the prophets was history. But they did believe and several passages in the Old Testament concur that the prophets would return and usher in a savior for all the people.

15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matthew 16:15

Can you imagine that upon hearing that question, there may have come a moment of silence?

Who do you say Jesus is?


16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 16:16

What does “Messiah” mean?

From the Hebrew “Mashiah”, translated into the Greek “Christos”, literally means “anointed one”, an anointed agent of God appointed to a task affecting the lot of God’s chosen people. Mashiah is used numerous times in the Old Testament most commonly connected with the anointing of kings or priests. In the New Testament it is used exclusively for Jesus. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, “Messiah” took on a specifically Christian meaning as a title that referred only to Jesus and it was used so frequently that the Greek form “Christ” became his second name. “Lord” and “Savior” are also used but not with the same frequency as “Messiah”.


What happened the first time you spoke publicly about your faith in Christ?


17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Matthew 16:17-20

Why was Peter blessed?

When Jesus says, "this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood. . ." does he mean we can't come to this conclusion without God revealing it to us?

In what way is coming to faith and understanding the gospel a supernatural event?

How did God work in your life and lead you to faith in Christ?

What does he mean by, "this rock"?

This is the first of only two times in the New Testament that Jesus speaks of a “church”.

What exactly is a church?

The word church is the English translation of the Greek “ekklesia” which literally translated means “assembly” or “gathering”.

What exactly is a church?

Some say it is Rome. Some say it is a local church as we think of it. Some think of it as any gathering of believers, formal or informal. Some think of it as the universal, invisible church. Some say that parachurch organizations such as campus ministries or mission organizations are like a church or part of the church. What exactly is a church?

Is this group, in some sense, a church?

What kind of church like activities can this group engage in?

Loving one another. Teaching one another. Encouraging one another. Forgiving one another. Bearing with one another. Greeting one another.

Are there any church-like activities that this group cannot do? What about baptism? What about the Lord's supper?

In what way is a gate a weapon? What is being suggested here?

What does it mean that “the gates of Hades will not prevail” against the church?

Gates are actually more defensive than offensive. It sounds like the church is going to take the offensive.

Barclay:

….Hades was not the place of punishment, but the place where, in primitive Jewish belief, all the dead went. Obviously, the function of gates is to keep things in, to confine them, to shut them up, control them. There was one person whom the gates of Hades could not shut in….

Who?

Barclay:

Jesus Christ…burst the bonds of death….this may be a triumphant reference to nothing less than the coming resurrection. Jesus may be saying: “You have discovered that I am the son of the living God. The time will soon come when I will be crucified, and the gates of Hades will close behind me. But they are powerless to shut me in…
However we take it, this phrase triumphantly expresses the indestructibility of Christ and his Church.

Someone explain verse 19. What does that mean?

Why do you think Jesus warned the disciples not to tell?

What two great truths can we glean from this passage?

1. Human categories, even the highest, are inadequate to describe Jesus Christ.

2. This passage teaches that our discovery of Jesus must be a personal discovery. Jesus’ question is: “You – what do you think of me?” When Pilate asked him if he was the king of the Jews, his answer was: “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Our knowledge of Jesus must never be at second hand. We might know every thought about Jesus that human minds have ever thought out, we might be able to give a competent summary of the teaching about Jesus of every great thinker and theologian – and still not be a Christian. Christianity never consists of knowing about Jesus; it always consists in knowing Jesus. He did not ask only Peter, he asks every one of us: “You – what do you think of me?”

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
Matt 16:21-23 (NRSV)

We don't have the actual words of Jesus in verse 21. How do you imagine this-do you think Jesus just mentioned His upcoming death in passing, went into detail about it, or something in between?

We know that the disciples didn't get it. They were totally caught off guard by Jesus' death. Why didn't they get it, in light of Jesus clear teaching on this?

We sometimes only hear what we want to hear. There is an admonition for real humility for us. We have to wonder in what ways we have missed Jesus teaching and not know it. We must not be like the disciples who assumed they got it.

What do you think about Peter’s reaction in verse 22?

How do you think Jesus’ reaction made Peter feel?

What difference does it make what we believe about Jesus?

I'm back

I have neglected this blog for a while, but I plan to do better in the future.

Sunday School Lesson: Love is Light

Purpose: To motivate us to appreciate and live in the light of God’s love in a world of darkness.

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-17

This week we start a new series of lessons. This series follows the previous series perfectly. Last quarter we studied how in Jesus Christ we have a perfect image or portrait of God. Most of those lessons were taken from the writings of John in the Gospel of John and the First Letter of John. In this new series we will discover how the Church is called to be a portrait of Christ. These lessons will all be from the writings of John in 1 John and Revelation.

This week’s lesson is from 1 John and follows scripturally directly from our December 17 lesson. That lesson was from 1 John 1:1 – 2:6 and was titled Walking in the Light. The purpose of the December 17 lesson was: To show that the reality of the Incarnation enables us to walk in fellowship with God and one another. This week’s lesson follows thematically directly from last week’s lesson which was taken from John 15:1-17. the purpose of last week’s lesson was: To show that true life is life in Christ and that such life bears fruit worthy of Him.

From John 15:

Joh 15:4-7 ESV Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

In the lesson last week I asked several times throughout the lesson these questions:

Jesus said: “Abide in me..”

How do we abide in Jesus?

How can we tell that we are abiding in Jesus?

Our answer was that we abide in Jesus by following His Word and that we can tell that we are abiding by the fruit we produce.

We should have gone back to the December 17 lesson. That lesson gives us a better answer to: How do we abide in Jesus?



1Jn 1:5-7 ESV This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

These were the key verses from that lesson and they do contain picture of Jesus as the perfect image of God: In Him is no darkness at all. Do these verses also contain a portrait of believers? In what way do believers portray Christ?

Back to abiding:

1Jn 2:6 ESV ....whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

How do we abide in Christ?

So the new question for this week is:

How did Jesus walk?

How do we go about walking as He walked?

What are some adjectives that come to mind that describe how Jesus walked?



1Jn 2:7-8 ESV Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. (8) At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

Any idea what commandment John is writing about?

We would probably look back and think that he was referring to the statements in verse 6: to walk as Jesus walked. How can we further define walking, abiding, and this old/new commandment.

John is very likely also referring to words of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel:

Joh 13:34-35 ESV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

In what sense is that commandment both old and new?

It was old in the sense that it was already there in the Old Testament:

Lev 19:18 ESV ….. you shall love your neighbor as yourself….

The Jews were taught this from earliest childhood. Jesus also taught this as an old commandment:

Mat 22:36-40 ESV "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (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. (38) This is the great and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

The command to love each other was also old in the sense that this was not the first time these Christian believers had heard it. John was probably nearly 100 years old when this epistle was written. He had witnessed almost the first century of Christianity. This commandment was taught by Jesus and had been taught by the Church from the very beginning. From the very first day of entry into the Christian life, believers had been taught that the law of love must be the law of their lives. This commandment went a long way back into the history of God’s interaction with man and a long way back in the lives of the Christians to whom John was writing.

So how was it new?

It was new because of the way Jesus made it new. It was new as to who was considered a neighbor and worthy of love. Jesus included even sinners, who under the law would have been hated instead of loved. Jesus included even Gentiles, who under the law were despised. Jesus widened the boundaries of love until there was no one outside it’s embrace.

It was new because of the lengths to which it would go. No lack of response, nothing that anyone could ever do to Him, could turn Jesus’ love to hate. He even prayed for God’s mercy on those who nailed Him to the cross.

1Jn 2:9-11 ESV Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. (10) Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. (11) But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

What did John mean by the words “light” and “darkness”?

If you dislike someone, does that mean you are not a Christian or cannot be a Christian?

Is there any room for hate in a Christian heart?

How are claiming to be a Christian and loving one’s neighbor related?

How do we regard our neighbors?

Do we regard them as negligible? Do we make all of our plans without taking our neighbors into consideration at all?

Do we regard them with contempt? Do we think that they are all fools when compared with our intellectual level, so their opinions should just be brushed aside?

Do we see them as a nuisance? They are here and we have to interact with them or even care for them when necessary. But do we sometimes begrudge that necessity?

Do we see them as enemies? As our competitors?

Or do we see them as brothers and sisters?

If we walk in the light we are in fellowship with God. True?

Who else will we be in fellowship with?

Love and light go together as do hatred and darkness.

Is Christian love just a feeling or something that we can agree to intellectually?

What is required for a feeling or thoughts of love to actually become love?


What love does God hate?

1Jn 2:15-17 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. (17) And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Verse 15 says not to love the world. What does that mean?

Is the "world" the earth itself?

Are we commanded to not love the earth and all the natural beauty created by God?

Is the world the people of the world?

We have already been told in this lesson that we are to love our neighbor. Is this a reversal? Are we now told that we are not to love the people of the world?

Joh 3:16 ESV "For God so loved the world (the people of the world), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

God loved the world, but we are not supposed to?

So what is John speaking of when he says: “Do not love the world”?

Can I love a beautiful sunset?

Can I love to see a small child grin?

Can I love the family pet?

What is this world that I am commanded not to love?

Eph 6:12 ESV 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.

1Jn 5:19 ESV We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

The world in this sense does not mean the world in general, for God did indeed love the world and the people which he had made; it means the world which, in fact, had and has forsaken the God who made it.

What restrictions should we place on our affections?

What things in the world are you tempted to love?

What would you categorize as the “desire of the flesh”?

What would you categorize as the “desire of the eyes”?

What would you categorize as the “pride in riches”?

Why are the things of the world so enticing to us?

What worldly things or values do we substitute for God?

What are some ways that Christians disagree concerning the definition of worldliness?

Book Study - The Cost of Discipleship - Intermission

We're giving up Bonhoeffer for Lent!

well, not really, but we are taking a break. Our Church is doing a church-wide study during Lent called Serving from the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service and our Book Study Group is taking part. So we'll be back on Bonhoeffer the week after Easter.

Sunday School Lesson: Secure Connections

Purpose: To show that true life is life in Christ and that such life bears fruit worthy of Him.

Scripture : John 15:1-17

Joh 15:1-4 ESV "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. (2) Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3) Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Jesus commonly used ideas or examples which were part of the religious heritage of the Jewish people. This passage from John 15 is no exception. Over and over in the Old Testament Israel is pictured or described as the vine or the vineyard of God.

Isa 5:7 ESV For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting….

Jer 2:21 ESV Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed……

Eze 19:10 ESV Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water.

Hos 10:1 ESV Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. …

Psa 80:8-9 ESV You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. (9) You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

The vine became the symbol for the nation of Israel. The emblem on the coins of Israel was the vine. One of the greatest distinctive features of the Temple was a great golden vine on the front of the Holy Place. It was considered a great honor to give enough gold to mould even a single grape on that vine. When Jesus used references to the vine He was not introducing something new. Any reference to the vine would have been immediately recognized by any Jew of the time as a reference to Israel and her special place in the vineyard of God.

How do you think Jesus’ statement: “I am the true vine” would be understood by His Jewish audience?

What exactly was Jesus saying with that statement?

If we look closer at the Old Testament references to the symbol of the vine, we see that in the Old Testament the symbols were always in reference to a declined, degenerate, and corrupt Israel.

Isaiah pictured a vineyard that had run wild:

Isa 5:10 ESV For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath….

Jeremiah complained:

Jer 2:21 ESV ….. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?
So what was Jesus’ message to Israel?


Jesus seemed to be saying: “You may think that just because you belong to the nation of Israel you are a branch of the true vine. But the nation is a degenerate vine, as reported by the prophets. It is I who am the true vine. The fact that you are Jews will not save you. The only thing that can save you is to have an intimate living fellowship with me, for I am the vine and you must be the branches joined to me.”

Who we are, which nation we are born into, which church we belong to , etc. will not save us. No external qualification can set us right with God. Only our relationship with Jesus Christ can do that.

Since the Jews had not produced righteousness, God sent the “true vine” to accomplish His work. Jesus replaces Judaism as the means by which people are connected to God. The only way to God is through Christ.

Jesus said: “Abide in me..”

How do we abide in Jesus?

How can we tell that we are abiding in Jesus?

What is the difference between “removing branches” and “pruning branches”?

Pruning is essential to grape production. Grapes are only produced on one-year old canes. Care must be taken to ensure that sufficient one-year canes are on the vine to produce a crop and also that some canes are growing to be the producing canes for next year. All two-year canes are removed as they are past their usefulness. What do you think happens to a one-year old cane that fails to produce?

They are completely removed so that they will drain away none of the plant’s strength which is needed by those that are producing fruit.

A vine cannot produce the crop of which it is capable without much severe pruning – and Jesus knew that.

And what happens to the pruned branches?

They are thrown into the fire. One curious characteristic of the vine is that the wood of the vine is good for nothing. It is too soft and not durable enough for any purpose.


Eze 15:2-5 ESV "Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? (3) Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? (4) Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? (5) Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything!

Who was Jesus thinking of when He spoke of “fruitless” branches?

He may have been thinking of two groups. He may have been thinking of the Jews. They were certainly branches of God’s vine. But did they accept Jesus? Did they “abide” in Jesus? If they did not then their branch would wither and die.

The second group He was thinking of was more general. He was thinking of “fruitless” Christians: Christians whose Christianity consisted of profession of faith without practice of faith, Christians of words without deed. Those are useless branches, all leaves and no fruit. He may also have been thinking of Christians who heard the message and accepted and later fell away.

What is Jesus pruning tool?

In what way has God removed dead and useless branches from your life?

Have you noticed God “pruning” in you life?

What have you learned from the experience?


Joh 15:5-8 ESV I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (8) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

How do we abide in Christ?

How do we know that we are “bearing fruit”?

Is “bearing fruit” limited to bringing others to Christ?

How well do you think we are doing at “abiding” in Christ?

What are some things that we could do to abide in Christ more than we do?

What are the benefits to abiding in Christ?

What are the costs of failing to abide in Christ?

Verse 4: “For apart from me you can do nothing.” What does that statement say to a very good person who is not a Christian?

Is there a such-thing as a “good” non-Christian?

Can a non-Christian bear good fruit?

What is the only way to live a truly good life?

Joh 15:9-11 ESV As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (10) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. (11) These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

What is the relationship between abiding in Christ and obedience?

How is joy and love related to abiding and obedience?

What is Jesus’ goal in this lesson?

Do you think most believers enjoy their relationship with God?

How can we come to find complete, continuous joy in God?

Is the joy spoken of in this passage the kind of joy that makes you smile, or is this a deep, deep joy that no one ever sees?

How do we abide in Jesus’ love?

Can we simply tell ourselves over and over that “Jesus loves me”? Is that abiding in His love?

Is it possible to have a warm, loving relationship with God if we don’t dutifully follow His commandments?

Does the warmth of relationship always go along with the duty of obedience?

Is it possible to be dutifully obedient without being connected in a warm, loving relationship?

How does joy fit into obedience? Can you have joy without obedience?

Do you normally think of joy and obedience as going together?

Is it important that we be joyful or just that we are obedient? Is it ok to be obedient but grumpy?

Joh 15:12-15 ESV "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (13) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (14) You are my friends if you do what I command you. (15) No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Who did Jesus say were His friends?

Why does Jesus call His disciples friends?

Can you command love? Is love that is the result of a command true love?

What does it take to be a friend of God?

As followers of Christ shouldn’t we be called servants?

We are called to obedience, but not called servants. Why?

Do we sometimes struggle to love others as Jesus has loved us?

In what ways is it hard to be Jesus’ friend?


Joh 15:16-17 ESV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (17) These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Did the disciples choose to follow Christ of their own free will?

We like to think of our relationship with Jesus as something we decided to do. Is this true? Do we choose to follow Christ of our own free will?


Why did and does Jesus choose His disciples?

What is Jesus’ commandment?

Homework:

Imagine yourself as a branch on the vine of Christ. What do you look like?

Are you a healthy branch?

What do you need? More water, fertilizer, sun?

What do you need from Christ to nourish you so that you become an outstanding specimen and bear much fruit?