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March 29, 2023: Return Blessing for Reviling

Wednesday, March 29
Read 1 Corinthians 4:11-16.

"And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it" (v. 12).

Recently in my reading, I was reminded of the principle of turning contention and trouble into a time of blessing. The author suggested the reader keep a notebook listing the names of those who had cursed, criticized, or attempted to destroy their ministry. That little hand-written book of names was marked by notes of prayer times, its pages stained with tears, all representing the petitioner's intentional prayer for God's intervention and blessing on others.
There is a deep peace and joy in smiling politely at a person whose intent is to destroy your reputation and ability to minister grace. But smile, when you know you have that morning lifted that person to the Lord, asking for His help, there rises a sense of peace and joy.
Paul said, "we bless," even when he was being reviled and persecuted. It reminds me of the Lord's words, "Father, forgive them." (Pastor Clair Sams)
Blessing and honor and glory and power,
Wisdom and riches and strength evermore
Give ye to Him Who our battle hath won
Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne.
--- Horatius Bonar

Asking the Lord's intervention and blessing on others always strengthens the petitioner.

2023-03-29T14:00:12+00:00March 29th, 2023|Categories: Opening the Word|0 Comments

April 2, 2023; When Christians Disagree

FOCUS TEXT: Philippians 2:1-4; Romans 14:19-23; 15:1-7

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Romans 14:1 – 15:13; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

KEY VERSE: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Christ expects His Church to be unified in our love for Him.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways they can strengthen relationships in our local church.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Seek to Avoid Confrontations (Philippians 2:1-4)

II. Follow After Peace (Romans 14:19-23)

III. Forbear One Another (Romans 15:1-4)

IV. Receive One Another (Romans 15:5-7)

2023-03-28T18:42:40+00:00March 28th, 2023|Categories: Lesson Highlights, Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: , |0 Comments

March 26, 2023: Christians and Their Employment

FOCUS TEXT: Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Peter 2:18-25

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 6:6-11; 1 Timothy 6:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:9-25

KEY VERSE: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Colossians 3:23).

CENTRAL TRUTH: We should work in our jobs as though Christ were our boss.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Diligent Devotion (Ephesians 6:5-9)

II. A Proper Service (1 Peter 2:18-20)

III. A Perfect Example (1 Peter 2:21-25)

2023-03-22T14:54:53+00:00March 22nd, 2023|Categories: Front Page, Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

March 15, 2023: Proper Stewardship Rewarded

Read Matthew 10:40-42.

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (v.41).

Accepting responsibility is usually serious business. Failure brings consequences; successful completion has its rewards. When God entrusts something into His people's hands, He always stands ready to reward them for being faithful administrators of His resources. He doesn't do this to incentivize nor bribe them, but rather to let them see that there is great reward in loving service and joyful compliance.

God's promised rewards are sure, but so are the consequences of failure. Those consequences are often magnified by the knowledge that we had an opportunity for something great, but we failed to grasp the opportunity. One of the greatest torments of hell will be knowing we could have gone to heaven with all the beauty and presence of God, but, through poor choices, we chose a different route. I do not know that this is an accurate depiction. But I do know that I do not want to exchange the presence of God in my life now for anything that is being offered by this world. (TJB)

God, may our actions and heart be in line with your will.

2023-03-15T14:13:15+00:00March 15th, 2023|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , |0 Comments

March 19, 2023: Being Good Stewards

Understanding Our Personal Accountability to God

FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 25:14-29

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2; 9:16-23; 1 Peter 4:10, 11

KEY VERSE: Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. -- Matthew 25:23

CENTRAL TRUTH: God holds us accountable for all He gives us.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list things of which they can be a better steward.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Personal Accountability (Matthew 25:14-19)

II. Faithfulness Commended (Matthew 25:20-23)

III. Slothfulness Condemned (Matthew 25:24-30)

2023-03-13T18:17:31+00:00March 13th, 2023|Categories: Lesson Highlights, Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: , |0 Comments

March 12, 2023: The Christian Way of Life

FOCUS TEXT: Colossians 3:5-17

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 5:1-4, 11-17; Colossians 3:5 – 4:6; 1 John 2:7-11

KEY VERSE: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. -- Colossians 3:17

CENTRAL TRUTH: Proper relationships begin with a proper relationship with God.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several ways a proper relationship with God revolutionizes our relationships with people.

LESSON OUTLINE:

  1. Put Off the Old (Colossians 3:5-9)

 

  1. Put On the New (Colossians 3:10-14)

 

III. Live a Christian Life (Colossians 3:15-17)

 

Awakening or Revival?

The news from Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, has taken the evangelical world by storm. Non-stop prayer, worship, confession, etc., is not the norm today. And it should be noted that young people are leading the way! Could this be the answer to the prayers of so many, "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Ps 85:6).

In a blog post, Asbury Seminary President Timothy Tennent offered his analysis of the events at Wilmore. "Despite the endless coverage in social media and the regular media, which is calling this a revival, I think it is wise to see this, at the current phase, as an awakening. Only if we see lasting transformation which shakes the comfortable foundations of the Church and truly brings us all to a new and deeper place can we look back, in hindsight, and say, “yes, this has been a revival.” *

So what might such a "lasting transformation" look like? What changes does revival bring? To answer that question, one might take a look at the history of revival, or specifically, the history of the Wesley revival. But the most significant revival of history is recorded in the book of Acts. If the current awakening truly becomes a revival, what would change in our lives, churches, and world if that revival follows the pattern of the book of Acts?

The Acts revival led to a new awareness and submission to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Repeatedly, Peter, John, Philip, Paul, and the other disciples sensed God's specific direction and followed it, even when the result meant jail, pain, or death. Revival transforms casual thinking into Holy Spirit-focused living!

In Acts, revival resulted in a focus on others rather than on self. The early Church was not focused on how they felt but on how they could build the kingdom! That is why Philip left Samaria at the height of the Spirit's moving to go to the desert to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip understood that revival is not about us but "them!"

The early church revival led to a new emphasis on prayer. It was the praying Church that facilitated the release of Peter from prison in Acts 12. While Paul and Silas were praying and singing (another form of talking to God), an earthquake opened the doors of their Philippian jail. Revival puts God's people on their knees!

Revival also restores the centrality of the Word of God into our worship. The Bereans in Acts 17 are a case in point. Paul could preach for hours, and people still listened because they were hungry for the Word! Music, fellowship, and counseling are all fine in their place, but their place is not the central place in the life of the Christian. Revival will restore in God's people a hunger for His Word.

While these changes are all positive, I feel compelled to mention what seems to be a negative result of revival – persecution. Submission to the Spirit, evangelism, prayer and the centrality of the Word are part of the transformation revival brings. But so is persecution! When the Church is revived, so is the devil! Revival will solve some problems, but it will create new ones! That is what happens when the devil fights!
So yes, I agree with President Tennent. What is happening at Asbury is best described as an awakening from sleep. But we have all rolled over, turned off the alarm clock, and gone back to sleep. I pray that this does not happen in this situation. Instead, I pray that the changes that occurred in the early Church will take place in our modern world. Then we will know we have had revival.

For a full reading of Dr. Tennent's comments on the events at Asbury see:
https://timothytennent.com/thoughts-on-the-asbury-awakening/?mibextid=kdkkhi&fbclid=IwAR2c5g4wOpuzEe4pW_XCEnF6N9XtEdAmCMB7P0O7xD-2uETwiSR1DXdxJkE

2023-03-06T19:07:38+00:00March 6th, 2023|Categories: Banner Editorial|Tags: , |0 Comments

March 5, 2023: The True Dignity of Humanity

FOCUS TEXT: Genesis 1:26, 27; Psalm 8:1-9

KEY VERSE: For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. -- Psalm 8:5

CENTRAL TRUTH: Humans are the central figure of God's creation.

LESSON OUTLINE:

  1. The Creation of Man (Genesis 1:26, 27)

 

  1. The Great God Takes Notice (Psalm 8:1-4)

 

III. The Dominion of Man (Psalm 8:5-9)

2023-02-27T18:47:53+00:00February 27th, 2023|Categories: Front Page, Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments

Spring 2023: Building Christian Relationships

     In a day of superficial friendships and a selfish understanding of love, it is important to have a biblical understanding of how to build lasting relationships. A wise person is always involved in the challenging business of building relationships. Everyone needs the relaxed enjoyment, acceptance, stability, and security of ongoing, long-lasting relationships that have been kept in good repair.
     The soaring divorce rate is only one indication among many that we know a great deal more about technology than about the tough business of establishing quality relationships that not only endure the test of time but overcome it by becoming increasingly meaningful.
How can we build quality relationships which will forge unbreakable links that enable us to become what God intends us to be? In God's Word we have a treasury of truth about building Christian relationships as they affect our neighbor, home, society, work, money, government, public life, and the church.
    In this quarter of lessons on "Building Christian Relationships" we examine God's Word to discover values and principles we can apply to our friendships and relationships, at whatever stage of life we find ourselves. Ultimately, all relationships in this world are based on loving others in the name of our Lord Jesus and with His love as our standard.

2023-02-27T16:49:08+00:00February 27th, 2023|Categories: Quarter Topic|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Feb. 22, 2023: Spiritual Vision

Read 2 Corinthians 3:12-18.

Spiritual Vision
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (v. 18).

Probably everyone who reads this has visited one of the stores, which is a part of the world’s largest retailer, but not everybody has had the privilege to be greeted by Wesley. His radiant smile shines beautifully from his brown face. It is very evident that his smile is backed by internal joy. He’s the brightest spot in the store and he does his best to brighten the day of every shopper he greets.
In today’s text, Paul speaks of the transforming power of the glory of the Lord. He declares, what we already know, that those who spend time with God reflect His image and glory.
How do we do that? When we read and study God’s Word, we should not be driven by a desire to have fodder to win spiritual arguments, to find support for doubtful behavior, or to merely say we read our daily quota. We should let God speak through His Word. Time spent in His Word is transforming! As well, other means of grace are transformative. Without question, meeting humbly before God in prayer beautifies the believer, as does the outflow of joy from a praise-filled life. (Lonnie Witt)
Tho’ like others, you’re not gifted, You can shine;
Every cloud can soon be lifted, You can shine;
Jesus promised grace to aid you, You can shine;
Trusting all to Him who made you, You can shine.

When your heart with love is glowing, You will shine;
When His love you’re daily showing, You will shine;
When this saddened world is brightened, By the rays of light divine,
If you really have the blessing, You will shine.
--– Charles Tillman

God help me to walk with you in obedience,
so my countenance bears witness of God’s glory.

2023-02-22T14:52:47+00:00February 22nd, 2023|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , |0 Comments

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