Galatians 4:1-7

Galatians 4:1-7

-          V. 1-2

o   While the child may have de jure ownership of his father’s estate, he or she does not have de facto control over it until they reach maturity, a set time fixed or decided upon by the father

o   Distinction could be that the guardian looked after the person, while the trustee or manager looked after the estate

-          V. 3

o   Could this mean universal sin and universal death?

o   Could the law be an element of this world, just as air, earth, fire, and water are, and if so, is the implication that the Jews worshipped the law just as the Gentiles deified and worshiped the air, earth, fire, and water?

o   Elements of the universe probably refer to universal rules, especially as embodied in the Mosaic Law

-          V. 4

o   The time when God went His Son is analogous to that time fixed by a father when a child would reach maturity, and gain control of and access to an estate.

o   Paul emphasizes Christ’s relation to us in His being born of a woman, and His being under the law

-          V. 5

o   “The receiving adoption as sons” is contingent on the “redeeming those under the law”

o   Could Roman adoption customs, especially as demonstrated in the lives of the Roman emperors, be in view here?  Could Paul be taking an example from Roman history to demonstrate God’s adoption of us?

-          V. 6

o   The Spirit verifies our adoption

o   Cf. Mark 14:36 where Jesus addresses God as “Abba”

§  The fact that the Aramaic form is preserved and enshrined in this verse indicates that this phrase had special meaning to the early Christians, especially given what its usage implied

§  The voice of Jesus is on the lips of the church

§  Jesus cried out in agony.  What is the implication for us since it says that our hearts cry out?

o   “God bestows on us not only the status of sons [through the sending of his Son] but also the character and knowledge of sons [through the sending of the Spirit].  And he bestows on us the character and knowledge of sons because we are already in the status of sons. “ – H. Schlier

-          V. 7

o   Jesus makes us Sons, while also freeing us from slavery

The Vineyard- November 27, 2011

The Vineyard

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. – John 15:5

Mark 8:22-38

-          In Jesus’ day, there was a variety of ideas about who He was.  The same is true in our day.  Who do you truly believe Jesus to be?  A wise teacher, a prophet, the Messiah?

-          Peter’s mistake was not in failing to recognize Jesus’ as the Messiah, but it was failing to recognize what it meant to be the Messiah.  Peter failed to realize that the Messiah was one who would suffer.

-          Jesus’ rebukes Peter for trying to redefine the mission of the Messiah.  Do you ever try to make Jesus something, or someone, He isn’t? 

Psalm 19

-          Have you ever looked into the night sky, or stood on a beach and taken in the vastness of the ocean, and felt small?  This psalm tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God in a way very similar to God’s written word.

-          You’ll notice that in the first part of the psalm, God is used when referring to creation, but in the second part of the psalm (vv. 7-14), LORD is used when referring to God’s direct interaction with mankind.  The same God that hung the moon and the stars interacts with us on a very personal level, even to the extent of revealing His name.  Looking at the vastness of creation can make us feel very small, but knowing the God who made it all can help us see our true worth.     

Prayer Requests- November 27, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Lois Johnson, Jimmy Parks, Carolyn Willis, George & Vera Lee Johnson, Max Earl Melder, Joyce Melder, James Johnson, Margie Cloud, D. C. Carruth,

Continuing Requests:  Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Dianne McDonald, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Geneva Norsworthy was able to go home from the hospital, and Dianne McDonald is recovering on schedule!

The Vineyard- November 20, 2011

The Vineyard

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. – John 15:5

Mark 8:1-21

-          The Pharisees come to Jesus wanting a sign, something to prove His authority.  And yet, He has just finished miraculously feeding 4,000 people.  Are you ever blind to the signs of God’s authority, because of your insistence that God manifest His power in a certain way?

-          The disciples knew the story of Jesus’ miraculous actions, and yet those stories had clearly failed to shape their understanding of who He was.  Do you simply “know” the story of Christ life, or are you also letting it shape your understanding of who He is?

Psalm 1

-          Do you delight in discovering God’s will for your life?  Do you find that it gives your life purpose and meaning?

-          Do you feel like a tree planted by streams of water, or do you feel like chaff driven by the wind?

-          This psalm states that “the Lord knows the way of the righteous” (v. 6).  The word know here implies a relationship, just as it did when Jesus spoke of never “knowing” someone.  Do you “know” the Lord, because you’re walking in the path of righteousness?

Prayer Requests- November 20, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  George Johnson, Alice Mays, Bobby Peterson, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Max Earl Melder, Joyce Melder, James Johnson, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Margie Cloud, Elaine Melder, D. C. Carruth, Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Cameron Strother, Dianne McDonald, Chloe Midkiff, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Mattie McReynolds, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker

Continuing Requests:  Anna Zimmerman, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Robert Smith, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Cherry Seal family, Billy Fox family, Micky Stephens family, Johnny Prather family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Anna Zimmerman, Doris Morgan, Peyton Conway, Bryce Bailey, and Sylvia Johnson are all doing better!

George Johnson

Keep George Johnson in your prayers.  He was admitted to the hospital late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning with a lot of stomach pain, and they have found that his intestine is inflamed.  Be praying for a quick recovery, and that he will be able to go home soon.

The Vineyard- November 13, 2011

The Vineyard

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. – John 15:5

Mark 7:24-37

-          This Gentile, Syrophoenician woman was not a person in whom you would expect to find faith.  Have you ever found faith in some place, or maybe even in someone, where you least expected it?

-          The Syrophoenician woman was also bold, willing to claim something she knew she didn’t deserve all because she had faith in Jesus’ goodness and grace.  Are you willing to claim a relationship with God, and salvation, even though you don’t deserve it?  Do you have enough faith to believe that God’s invitation extends even to you?

-          After Jesus heals the deaf man, it becomes difficult for Him to restrain the enthusiasm of the people.  Is it hard for you to remain silent about what God has done in your life?   

Matthew 7:13-27

-          It isn’t enough to know Jesus’ name, we must also know Him and His teachings.  If you were to meet Him today, would Jesus know you, or better yet, would you know Him?

-          Jesus knows that in the end, many will claim allegiance to Him, and yet not nearly as many will have born fruit in their life that verifies their claims of allegiance.  What type of fruit is your life bearing?  Is it consistent with a Jesus-follower who bears His Spirit? 

Prayer Requests- November 13, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Alice Mays, Bobby Peterson, MaryAnne Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Max Earl Melder, Joyce Melder, James Johnson, Tony Keith, Glennell Stanley, Margie Cloud, Elaine Melder, Anna Zimmerman, D. C. Carruth, Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Cameron Strother, Dianne McDonald, Chloe Midkiff, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Mattie McReynolds, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Shirley Decker

Continuing Requests:  Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Robert Smith, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Cherry Seal, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk

Deaths: Billy Fox family, Micky Stephens family, Johnny Prather family, fatality from the ACU bus crash, Betty Veillon family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Anna Zimmerman, Doris Morgan, Peyton Conway, Bryce Bailey, and Sylvia Johnson are all doing better!

The Vineyard- November 6, 2011

The Vineyard

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. – John 15:5

Mark 7:1-23

-          What is your faith about?  Is it about following a set of rules, or is it about living the life that God desires for you?

-          Christ insists that every rule and principle in the Bible should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with what we know of God.  Does your interpretation of God’s will bless others, or is it an undue burden to them? 

-          Christ says that it is not what we put in our bodies that defiles us, but rather what comes out.  What is coming out of your heart?  Are your thoughts evil, or pure?  Are they hateful and angry, or peaceful and loving?

Matthew 7:1-5

-          One of the goals of a criminal trial is to bring to light all of the facts so that an accurate decision can be made.  Is it possible that God forbids us to judge others because as human beings, we never have all the information necessary to decide someone else’s guilt or innocence?

-          God has shown us great grace and mercy in withholding His judgment from us.  Do we show the same to others we come into contact with?

Prayer Requests- November 6, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Those injured in the ACU bus crash, Margie Cloud, Paul Hart, Elaine Melder, Anna Zimmerman, Glennell Stanley, Megan Poole & Tim Tate, D.C. Carruth, Shirley Goree, Janet Prather, Cameron Strother, Sylvia Johnson, Peyton Conway, Dianne McDonald, Chloe Midkiff, Bernice Thibodeaux, Robert Maddox, Bryce Bailey, Doris Morgan, Bill Goree, Pete and Eva Stewart, Mattie McReynolds,  Kenneth Doyle, Trevor Clark, Rachelle Johnson, Abby Arnaud, Marvin White, Jim Willis, Shirley Decker

Continuing Requests:  Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Marie Cook, Robert Smith, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, Perry Fleming, Tom Fuller, Bubba Jones, Darwin Jones, Juan Martinez, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Charlie Wilson

Deployed Military:  Tyler Johnson, Robert Rogers, Blake Thompson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Shelby Atkinson, Yvonne Bass, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Joyce Melder, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Cherry Seal, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Robert Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  D.C. Carruth, Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Doris Polk, Maxine Stephens

Deaths: Billy Fox family ,Fatality from the ACU bus crash, Johnny Prather family, Betty Veillon family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Dianne McDonald, Cindy Phillips, Carol Willis

Dianne McDonald

Diane, or Naomi as she is known on her medical records, came through her double knee-replacement well today.  She is in good spirits, but that may just be the morphine talking, hehe.  Thank God for a successful surgery, and continue to lift her up in prayer as she begins her rehab tomorrow.