What Did You Learn In Church Today?

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on Hebrews 11. This is the By Faith chapter.
There are 4 things a man of faith lives by.
He lives life like he’s on a sonjurn, with faith God is going to be faithful, that he’ll live by faith till his last breath, & he has sight set on his true home.
The sermon looked to God’s promise to Abraham & him having to wait a long time for the promise of descendants to be fulfilled & leaving his home.

 

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on the triumph of truth & unity in the Jerusalem Council. Acts 15: 1-21
The pastor shared his baptism story where his family had thought he was joining a cult.
Hadn’t the apostles already figured the issue out? The background is the Gentile Pentecost in Acts 10-14 & Paul & Peter’s argument in Galations 2: 11-14. Scripture is our highest authority.
Why would Peter, Barnabas, & Paul especially go to a council to discuss & debate something they already knew? We ought to exert ourselves to reach truth & maintain unity.
Is James being wishy-washy? No he did not want to hinder without sacrificing the truth for unity & unity for what is not actually revealed truth.
So: Scripture is our highest authority but we ought to exert ourselves to reach truth & maintain unity w/out sacrificing the truth for unity & unity for what is not actually revealed truth.
Sunday school we discussed how to do this. The Group shared traditions not scripturally based. Examples: clothing, drinking. The group discussed how to maintain unity. Example: when inviting someone not a believer vs group of all believers. What topics can divide believers? Old earth vs young earth, baptism.

 

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on when Jesus reads from Isaiah that prosephies the Messiah coming. A lot of the people weren’t - & aren’t – not ready for him despite his arrival being good news. They look for excuses.

 

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on Philippians 1: 12-18. The power of perspective, unslumping yourself. Choose joy. How to challenge conventional wisdom.

Problem #1: Restriction. A natural perspective is discouragement. The Gospel perspective: Imprisonment bought Paul into contact w/ the palace guard & they learned of Christ. Also imprisonment inspired other believers to speak the Gospel w/ greater boldness.

Problem #2: Rivalry. A natural perspective is slander. The Gospel perspective: Personal attacks are less important than the progress of the Gospel.

Joy flows from a Gospel perspective


Sunday school we discussed the sermon.

How to keep perspective? Memorize verses. Take a moment. Choose.

What keeps us restricted? The world. Embarassment. Temper. Time.

How do Christians today show rivalry? ‘I’m holier than thou.’

 

[LuluLala]

There are some lovely messages on here.

My church did a sermon on Mark 5:25, "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

It was a hopeful message about having Hope and putting all of your Faith in the Lord. It really resonated me and will encourage me to continue my journey through this week, I hope it brings the same to you. God Bless.

 

[joymercy]

There are some lovely messages on here.

My church did a sermon on Mark 5:25, "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

It was a hopeful message about having Hope and putting all of your Faith in the Lord. It really resonated me and will encourage me to continue my journey through this week, I hope it brings the same to you. God Bless.

She tried many physicians and was not helped

Then she tried Jesus and her faith made her well.

 

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on Philippians 1:27-30. The Gospel comes w/ a lifestyle. Like citizenship. Privilege comes w/ responsbilibity.

Application: What does it look like for us to live as citizens of God’s kingdom? Commitment, cooperation, & courage.

Impact: It should make a difference when we live as citizens of God’s kingdom.

Encouragement: When we think about the challenges of living as citizens of God’s kingdom



Sunday School we discussed the sermon. How to live on the earth as a citizen of God’s kingdom & a citizen of earthly kingdom (as an American citizen for example). Balance. Perspective.

Values of being a citizen of God’s kingdom: forgiveness. Godly music & movies. Set yourself apart.

 

[DragonFox91]

The morning sermon was on Philippians 2: 12-18. Working out.

Spiritual fitness requires persistent & intentional effort.

We need a workout plan.

It is for the spirit. What is the mindset when we work out our salavation? It is a response to Christ’s love & is matter of obedience. It’s serious. It’s an attainable call. And it’s a corporate responsibility.

There are specifics. What does it look like to work out our salvation? Do everything without grumbling & without disputing. The key is remembering what we have in Christ.

There is a significance. What is the outcome when we work out our salvation? Lives of gratitude & grace reflect the glory of our Father & serve as a beacon in a dark world Our behavior is so important because we are God’s representatives.

There is a sacrifice. Why does working out my salvation produce joy? We find joy in our service because its an act of worship.


The evening sermon was a guest speaker speaking on creation. We need to believe God’s word because science isn’t always observable & is just what people think. God is the witness so we need to believe him.

 

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on Hebrews 12: 12-17. God uses discipline to transform your character & conduct. Refuse to become weak, come to a standstill spiritually, & become bitter & unbelieving.

 

[DragonFox91]

The sermon was on Philippians 3: 17-20. The enemy of God is similar to the man without a country. He experiences separation. Enemies of the cross can be nominal Christians.
How do we distinguish friend from foe?
We look at the destination. Enemies end is destruction, allies will have our lowly bodies transformed to be like his glorious body.
We look at orientation. Enemies god is their belly & they glory in their shame. Allies await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven.
We look at identity. Eneimes minds are set on earthly things, allies citizenship is in heaven.
We need to stand firm & walk the talk

In Sunday School we discussed the sermon. Was Paul arrogant? Do we agree w/ the pastor’s interpretation the enemies Paul refers to are nominal Christians? Do we experience these same issues today? What do we take pride in? What do we do at odds w/ the Gospel? How can we make sure we are living as citizens of the heavenly kingdom?

 

[DragonFox91]

April 24 Sermon Notes:
The sermon was on Philippians 4: 4-7
It is the formula. An elusive pursuit is to get rid of our feeling of guilt.
The inner workings include 5 things. We are called to joy & impacted by joy. The threat to joy is sorrow & worry. The formula of joy is prayer & thanksgiving. Joy has a payoff.
We are to calm our restless hearts by rehearsing the sovereignty of God.


The Sunday School teacher shared abstract art who’s true meanings are Bible-inspired. The 3 shared were Creation, Matthew 6: 25-27 (consider the lilies of the field), & Jesus’s tears (for Lazarus, for Jerusalem, & in the Garden). We also discussed if Christians underappreciate art.

 

[DragonFox91]

John records how after the Resurrection, the disciples just go back to fishing. They don’t act on it. Jesus calls them back again anyways & asks them to follow him still. He even reinstates Peter. Again & again & again Jesus calls his followers.

 

[DragonFox91]

Sermon I listened to:

Ultimate tests, there is blessing. Many times God asks us to make sacrifices. We don’t like to give things up.

Test: Does Abraham believe God will still promise what was promised thru Isaac w/ Isaac sacrificed?

(Isaac could’ve been in his 20’s at the point of Abraham’s test)

God shows he’s not like Caananite gods that have follow-thru w/ human sacrifice

Gives us joy & God glory when we sacrifice

Everyone will get tested – “rejoice”

What if we don’t get anything out of it?

Romans 12: you’re a living sacrifice

Abraham concluded God would raise Isaac up: Abraham tells servant: “we will be back”

Whatever he “takes” he will replace – job, dream, etc. Could be a sin.

God tests to show us what is in our heart & show himself

Before God has tested Abraham w/ Isaac, he already is working on providing Rebekkah for Isaac.

 

[DragonFox91]

Those of us who are content w/ God & healthy relationship w/ him s/ take service roles.
Peter raises Tabatha. It’s about moving on from grief & sadness to life. She gave to those in need w/ her wealth.
We are all blessed. The church calls us to be responsible.
When Jesus tells the man who was following all the rules to sell all his possessions, he was telling him that because he wants the man to have a different perspective: gratitude, not obligation.
The word ‘rich’ in the Bible means ‘anyone who has anything’, not ‘anyone who has more than me’.
Rich always called to be responsible for poor. The ‘strong’ called to help ‘weak.’
Giving is not giving up, expression of power
Know what gifts, opportunities, & blessings God’s given you you can bless others & what evidence there will be

 

[DragonFox91]

Philippians 4: 10-14 is on the secret to contentment.
It is a thank you note. Paul expresses grattitude to provisions the church gave to him. It wouldn't have been easy for them
There's joy in Christian community. What Paul has in Christ is the church stood w/ him.
Contentment is like ballast in a boat.
Contentment is possible regardless of your circumstances. It is a learned discipline.
The key to contentment is a robust understanding of the inexhaustible riches & power made available to us in Christ.

Sunday School:
We shared our favorite gifts we gave to someone.
We watched a video on how to live as believers in the world. We are exiles. We need to be stewards. We are not responsible for fixing the entire world but to use our gifts. We are not the Messiah but we preparing the way for him. We need to pray for where we can be a blessing.

 

[DragonFox91]

Philippians teaches us how to rethink our giving.

% of church giving on the decline. Lack of giving economic crisis today

It's not about $. There are 5 things the lens of giving.

We express solidarity & commitment. When they came to know Christ, they were marked by joyful generosity. Giving is about the relationship

We assign value to the Gospel. The relationship is recipricoal. Giving is a response to the Gospel they had received.

We meet needs. God has entrusted us w/ what he gives us so we can meet others’ needs. It's about Gospel impact.

We make a solid long-term investment. Results in fruit & harvesting down the line. It's about ultimate joy

We present a pleasing offering to God. It's about worship


Sunday school we shared when we experienced wonder & awe. We watched a video on it. We need a child's attitude to see the significance of simple things. It's about the inner eye. Not what you know. Like when Mary uses expensive oil during the annointing. Humility is needed. How we respond to beauty we see from God can be part of the mission. We need to view the mundane as praise-worthy.

 

[DragonFox91]

The Creed is what we believe.

3 titles of God: God, the Father, Almighty

God: one, creator, eternal, Yahweh/Jehova holy name, Trinity, each person of the Trinity fully God.

Embrace his outlook, goal not our happiness but his glory, he’s actively engaged in human history

Father: his nature, only to those reconciled thru him, we were adopted b/c naturally his enemy, crucifixion allowed us, gives us access

Almighty: all-powerful, traits we don’t share w/ him (all-present, all knowing, self-existent, immutability (doesn’t change))

 

[DragonFox91]

During the sermon time, the pastor sat down w/ the new music & outreach director, & guided her introduction to the congregation. They’re calling her a pastor, & my Baptist ties would be against that, but she’s technically replacing a lady who’s retiring who didn’t have the pastor title.

 

[DragonFox91]

The reading was from Exodus about Moses's birth. The lesson was God uses the inextraordinary for extradionary things. For example, there are 5 women that do not follow Pharoah's command to execute the babies. At that time women were treated as a product but God used 5 women in his mission to save his people. I found this especially relevant to today's non-believervs that view religion as designed to oppress women.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

The reading was from Exodus about Moses's birth. The lesson was God uses the inextraordinary for extradionary things. For example, there are 5 women that do not follow Pharoah's command to execute the babies. At that time women were treated as a product but God used 5 women in his mission to save his people. I found this especially relevant to today's non-believervs that view religion as designed to oppress women.

We were discussing the oppression of women this week and my dad had pointed out that after the resurrection, Christ first appeared to the women and then then his disciples. Interestingly, the women were given the task from the angels to go to the disciples and tell them that Christ was risen. From all accounts, it doesn't appear that any of the disciples saw the angels--only the women. And Christ met the women on the way. [Matthew 28:8] When Mary Magdalene and the other women reported that he had risen, the disciples didn't believe it [Mark 16:11; Luke 24:11] And Christ rebuked the disciples for not believing those who has seen and reported him alive, which of course included the women. [Mark 16:14]

But it's sort of interesting to whom he first appeared. Peter, being chief apostle, wasn't the first to see him, but rather Mary Magdalene.