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April 28, 2024: Foundation for Christian Hope
FOCUS TEXT: John 14:1-19
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 34:1-18; John 14:1-31; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21:1-27
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 146:1-10
KEY VERSE: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Christ gives us good reason to live with hope.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state the foundation of the hope of the Christian in at least three areas.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Hope Instilled (John 14:1-4)
II. Hope's Foundation (John 14:5-14)
III. Hope in the Comforter (John 14:15-26)
IV. Legacy of Hope (John 14:27-29)
April 7, 2024: The Water of Life
FOCUS TEXT: John 4:7-14; 7:37-39; Revelation 7:15-17
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Leviticus 23:33-44; John 7:1-53
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 55:1-13
KEY VERSE: If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (John 7:37).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The "living water" supplied by Christ abundantly satisfies the thirsty soul.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how one can obtain the living water.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Living Water (John 4:7-14)
II. The Invitation to Drink (John 7:37-39)
III. No More Thirst (Revelation 7:15-17)
March 27, 2024: Appearance tp the Disciples
Read John 20:19-23.
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (v. 19).
“Look, see who’s coming!” You and I know people whose entrance into a room changes the atmosphere. Some bring negativity with them – they look like they are about to fire the first shot into an otherwise tranquil crowd. Others bring in optimism – their first words upon entering bring hope. We hope that through the power of the resurrected Lord, we will be ambassadors of peace.
Exhausted by the emotions associated with Christ’s death and the haunting question, “What now?” the disciples huddled together in fear and uncertainty. Into that setting came the One who was the focus of their emotions. The transformative entrance of Christ can hardly be imagined.
Several things of significance happened in that room. They received proof of who Jesus was – He showed them His hands and side, v. 20. They received His purpose for them – “So send I you,” v. 21. They received power – “He breathed on them,” v. 22. They received principles for preaching reconciliation (Only God can forgive sins.), v.23. They received what was likely their greatest and immediate need – peace, vs. 19 and 21. Without peace, the things mentioned above are devalued. We must have His peace. The peace of Christ is the foundation upon which we can fabricate Christian character and ministry. (Lonnie Witt)
What a treasure I have In this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
so secure that no power Can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
--- Warren Cornell
Don’t huddle privately. Proclaim publically!
April 2024 Church Herald and Holiness Banner
The April Church Herald and Holiness Banner is now available. The lead editorial is entitled, "Looking for Hope." If you are looking, take a look at this article based on Jeremiah 29:11. The issue also includes information about the new COGH website, a General Camp fundraiser, and registration information concerning the 2024 COGH General Convention.. You can also read the obituary for Ken Willard, who served for many years as a board member of Kansas Christian College. The Banner is available in both electronic and print format. If you want a copy of the April issue, please call the office, or go to heraldandbanner.com. Thanks!
March 31, 2024: Infallible Proof of the Resurrection
FOCUS TEXT: John 20:19-31
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Job 19:25-27; Luke 24:36-43; I Corinthians 15:1-58
DEVOTIONAL READING: I Corinthians 15:12-20
KEY VERSE: These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:31).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to give at least three proofs of the resurrection of Christ.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Assurance for Disciples (John 20:19-23)
II. Assurance for a Doubter (John 20:24-29)
III. Assurance for All Believers (John 20:30, 31)
March 20, 2024: The Savior Reigns
Read John 1:43-51.
“Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (v. 49).
What is your highest priority – the thing that matters most to you? While worship is a little challenging to define, One might say who or what you worship answers that question.
My paternal grandparents were poor people. My last memory of them was visiting them in a tiny house in Portland, Oregon. A house sided with tar paper and very sparsely furnished. What stands out even more is that, at the death of my grandmother, her five daughters-in-law created great tension over who received the remaining items. There were only a few cooking utensils, like an electric skillet, coffee pot, dishes, and cooking pots. The controversy became so heated that some of the women didn’t speak to each other for an extended time.
These women’s homes were much better than my grandmother’s and were evidently better off than my grandparents. What generated the heat and conflict? It seems their hearts were set on the material world rather than the eternal.
What you will create conflict over is a testimony of what or whom you worship. (GCS)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
--- Helen Howarth Lemmel
Is the Lord Jesus the God reigning in your life,
or does this world control you?