Posts Tagged ‘ Church ’
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17, ESV
As said in Hebrews, do not give up meeting together with fellow believers. We keep each other on track, in truth, and in the hope of Christ.
I am currently the Youth Pastor for The Church Next Door in Prescott Valley, AZ. On Sunday, August 11, 2019, I took over teaching the adult Sunday School class (the foundation of why we learn from history) before the regular service. (If you find yourself in North Central Arizona, specifically the Prescott Valley area, come join in from 8:45 to 9:45 AM, and then stay for the singing and sermon at 10!)
The second and third lessons were combined in the post last week, with a look at when the Church was founded and the various forms of leadership Jesus dealt with.
Again, here are my notes:
The leadership in the time of Jesus included the entirely secular yet pagan Roman Empire, the hyper-religious Pharisees, the super-compromised Sadducees, the fastidious Essenes, and the rebellious Zealots.
Briefly, how did Jesus confront each of them?
Jesus clearly took issue with everyone:
I am currently the Youth Pastor for The Church Next Door in Prescott Valley, AZ. On Sunday, August 11, 2019, I took over teaching the adult Sunday School class before the regular service. (If you find yourself in North Central Arizona, specifically the Prescott Valley area, come join in from 8:45 to 9:45 AM, and then stay for the singing and sermon at 10!)
The second lesson ended up being rather short, so I decided to combine last week with this past week on here. So, here is the second-ish lesson notes:
“One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do riot mean the Church as we see her spread but through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners. That, I confess, is a spectacle which makes I our boldest tempters uneasy.”
-C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, Letter 2, pp. 5-6 (HarperCollins, 1996)
Founded in Eternity, but also in time:
Christ confronts each of these groups, and we still see their mirrors today.
I am currently the Youth Pastor for The Church Next Door in Prescott Valley, AZ. On Sunday, August 11, 2019, I took over teaching the adult Sunday School class before the regular service. (If you find yourself in North Central Arizona, specifically the Prescott Valley area, come join in from 8:45 to 9:45 AM, and then stay for the singing and sermon at 10!)
Here is the first lesson notes:
This class starts on what would have been my mom’s 58th birthday. The day after her 53rd birthday she went home to be with the Lord.
Why is this relevant?
My parents did not instill Christian beliefs in us growing up. When I became a Christian, they complained some. My mom in particular challenged me with hard questions. Thankfully, it is what helped lead her to Christ, and it gave me the start toward ministry and apologetics.
What else helped was overcoming my perspective on Church that came from an evolutionary mindset I was not aware I had.
Thus, here is the list of scriptural (and anecdotal) foundations for my life, ministry, and this class:
Church history reveals to us we still make mistakes and sin against our Lord, but He has used this history and guided His Church to better understand His Word and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
It is fitting this new class starts on my mom’s birthday, because she helped me hone my understanding of God, the Bible, and Christian life. I am sure she would be honored with such a gift as her son sharing God’s redemptive work throughout history since the time of Christ her Lord and Savior. (And this is first shared online on the 5th Anniversary of her going to Him!)
Christ our Foundation: The roots of the Church
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9, ESV
As we grow in Christ, He uses us to help others grow. Let Christ work in you through reading the Word, hearing the Word, and living with the Church.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.
Proverbs 17:17, CSB
Christ again is our example: be a friend to all people, loving through all areas of life; be a brother to all, especially other Christians, sacrificing of yourself in times of need.
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:13, ESV
We are family by Christ’s blood. Sometimes family gets annoying and offend each other.
Get over yourself and love them fiercely. You may even be the offensive one!
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
Titus 3:10, ESV
Some people only want to cause trouble. They gossip, demean, and mock, all in the guise of “prayer” and “accountability”.
Tell them stop, and if they refuse to listen avoid them (even to the point of kicking them out of the congregation).
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7, ESV
It is especially hard for the devil to attack you if you remain close to God.
Read your Bible, live with a church family, and pray.
a simple man of God 