The Vineyard- January 29, 2012

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 11:20-33

- In many ways, a fig tree with leaves but no fruit can represent insincere faith; it looks good from afar, but on closer inspection proves to be fruitless.  Are there any ways that your faith is like that fig tree?  How can you re-center your life around God so that your faith once again bears fruit?

- Jesus didn’t just use an example; he created one by cursing the fig tree and causing it to die from the roots upward.  What does Jesus power in this instance reveal to us about who He is?  

- When the Pharisees, scribes, and chief priests comes to Jesus and question His authority, Jesus shows them to be leaders, who are incapable of, or unwilling to, take a stand.  Who are you trying to please?  The crowds?  A friend or family member?  Is trying to please them preventing you from taking a stand for what’s right?

Luke 5:1-11

- Jesus tells Simon to move into the deep water and let down his nets, even though Simon and the other have fished all night with nothing to show for it.  When they obey, they haul in an over-whelming amount of fish.  What does this tell us about human effort, and the blessings of God?

- Simon was obedient to Jesus’ command, even when it didn’t make sense, and look at the result!  Why is obedience so important as followers of Christ?

Prayer Requests- January 29, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Euna Jolibois, McKensie Bankston, Greigh Fuller, Melissa Reynolds, James Wells, Darlene Clausner, Charlie Wilson, D. C. Carruth, Gage Fuller, Presidential election, Keith Townley, Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk

Continuing Requests:  Rita & George Lemley, Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, 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, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Bob Granville, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine 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, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Deaths: Wanda Young family, Ferrell Eaves family, Ruby Brady family, James Reynolds family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Charles Glass' surgery went well, and he is doing better.  Kayla Parmar, Kayla Paul Austin, and Kaye Spearsted are doing better.  McKensie Bankston doesn’t have cancer, but they are still running tests to determine the cause of her illness.    

Do you know these distinguished gentlemen?

If so, leave a comment, or contact Justin so we can put some names to the faces in our slide show.  Stay tuned over the next few weeks, as we will be posting other photos from our church's history.  You might see someone you recognize!

The Vineyard- January 22, 2012

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 11:1-19

-  Jesus enters town riding a colt.  This was according to what had been prophesied about the Messiah.  How does Jesus entry on a colt, unarmed, compare to the way that He entered the world?

-          -   The Temple authorities took the space that was supposed to be open for Gentiles to worship, and turned it into a market.  What would cause them to think that preventing others from worshipping was an ok thing to do?

       -  At the end of the passage, it says Jesus looked around, or surveyed the Temple area.  They weren’t aware of it, but God had shown up to His Temple in a very unexpected way.  What do you think God sees when He sees our worship, and how we live our lives?  Is He pleased, or displeased?

Luke 4:14-30

-   Jesus emerged from Satan’s efforts to tempt Him strong in the Spirit.  How do we emerge from trials and temptations stronger than we were before? 

- One minute the people of Nazareth were amazed at Jesus, the next they were enraged at Him.  Why do you think it was so hard for them to accept who He was?

- The people try to kill Jesus here, but he simply walks away.  If Jesus can chose the time and place of His death, and even whether to die at all, what does it tell you that He chose the cross?

Prayer Requests- January 22, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Charles Glass, Mykinze Bankston, Kayla Parmar, Greigh Fuller, Melissa Reynolds, Kayla Paul Austin, James Wells, Darlene Clausner, Kaye Spearsted, Charlie Wilson, D. C. Carruth, Gage Fuller, Presidential election, Keith Townley, those who have lost jobs, especially at Cabrini and the hospital in Oakdale, Stan Broussard,  Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk

Continuing Requests:  Rita & George Lemley, Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, 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, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Wanda Dauzat, Ava Dore, Aly Ericson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Steve Goudeau, Bob Granville, Allie Harvey, Johnny LaHay, Maria LaMartiner, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine 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, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Deaths: Wanda Young family, Ferrell Eaves family, Ruby Brady family, James Reynolds family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Josie Caldwell is doing better!

The Vineyard- January 15, 2012

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 10:32-52

-  In this passage Jesus gives the most complete picture of the suffering He must endure.  How does seeing Jesus response, and knowing that He too suffered, help us deal with the times of suffering we face in our own lives?

- Nothing is more revolting than playing politics in the church.  Here are James and John lobbying for the best places in Jesus’ kingdom.  And yet, James and John would go on to become great servants in Jesus’ kingdom.  What do you think happened that transformed their way of thinking and acting? 

- Bartimaeus showed faith in Jesus’ ability to give Him sight, so much faith that he refused to be silenced in his pleas for help from Christ.  Do you have Bartimaeus faith, which allows you to keep asking even when the answer doesn’t come right away?

Luke 4:1-13

- This passage shows that Satan chooses opportune times to tempt us.  When we are hungry, when we are impatient, when we are grieving, he chooses times when we are most susceptible.  How does Jesus fend off the devil’s temptations?

-  If Jesus’ uses scripture to ward of Satan’s temptations, what does that say about scripture’s importance?

- The devil promises the temporary, God promises the eternal.

Prayer Requests- January 15, 2011

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  James Wells, Darlene Clausner, Kaye Spearstad, Charlie Wilson, D. C. Carruth, Gage Fuller, Presidential election, Josie Caldwell, Keith Townley, those who have lost jobs, especially at Cabrini and the hospital in Oakdale, Stan Broussard,  Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk

Continuing Requests:  Rita & George Lemley, Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, 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, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, 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, 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, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Deaths: Ferrell Eaves family, Ruby Brady family, James Reynolds family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Carson Scarborough is doing much better!

Galatians 4:21-5:1

Galatians 4:21-5:1

I.                   Galatians 4:21-23

a.       V. 21

                                                              i.      You who wish to be under the law (commandments), should listen to the law (the broader story as found in the Pentateuch)

b.      V. 22

                                                              i.      Isaac’s name is from the Hebrew word for laughter, cf. Gen. 17:17; 18:10-15; 21:1-7

                                                            ii.      The Genesis text refers to Hagar as a slave-woman, but never describes Sarah as being “free”.  By stating the implied Paul is showing it’s importance for what he is saying

c.       V. 23

                                                              i.      Isaac is the only character actually named, which shows Paul’s argument is more about what the characters themselves represent

                                                            ii.      Saying Ishmael was born “according to the flesh” is not a moral censure, but rather a statement that his birth was accomplished naturally.  Isaac’s was as well, though his natural flesh was the result of God’s promise

II.                Galatians 4:24-27

a.       V. 24

                                                              i.      Paul is taking what would have been readily assumed, and turning it on its head.  In Paul’s allegory, the story does not play out as we would expect

b.      V. 25

                                                              i.      The connection between Mount Sinai being in Arabia and Hagar could be that Ishmael’s descendants are from Arabia, and also that the law literally came from outside the promised land

                                                            ii.      The Hagrites are referred to as an Arab group in I Chronicles 5:10, 19f.; 27:31; Psalm 83:6

                                                          iii.      Mount Siani, Hagar, Ishmael, and Jerusalem are all being tied together in the allegory

c.       V. 26

                                                              i.      The heavenly Jerusalem is tied indirectly to Sarah, and eventually to Christians.  Is this Jerusalem heavenly or eschatological?

                                                            ii.      For Christian tradition of heavenly Jerusalem cf. Heb. 11:10, 14-16; 12:22; 13:14; Rev. 3:12; 21:2)

d.      V. 27

                                                              i.      Cf. Isa. 54:1

                                                            ii.      When Cf. Isa. 54:1, we must also consider Isa. 51:2-3

                                                          iii.      By being law-free and open to Gentiles, the church has more children than Judaism, just as Sarah had more descendants than Hagar

III.             Galatians 4:28-30

a.       V. 28

                                                              i.      Christians are associated with Isaac, and the promise

                                                            ii.      Refer back to Galatians 3:14

b.      V. 29

                                                              i.      Cf. Gen. 21:9

                                                            ii.      Cf. Jdg. 8:24 and Psalm 83:6 for Ishmael’s descendants persecuting Isaac’s

                                                          iii.      Consider Paul’s former role as a persecutor

                                                          iv.      The persecutors were not just Jewish- cf. Acts 13:50; 14:2, 5, 19

c.       V. 30

                                                              i.      Cf. Gen. 21: 10, 12

                                                            ii.      The allegory shows that the religion of works and the religion of promise cannot coexist, just as Ishmael and Isaac could not co-exist

                                                          iii.      Legal bondage and spiritual freedom cannot co-exist

                                                          iv.      Paul’s using of the “cast out” portion of the story could show that those disrupting the Galatians are those within their community, i.e. Jewish Christians, rather than those outside the community, i.e. Jews

                                                            v.      Cf. Galatians 5:9-10 and I Corinthians 5 for other instances of church discipline

IV.             Galatians 4:31-5:1

a.       V. 31

                                                              i.      Refer back to Galatians 3:29

                                                            ii.      There are two ways to be Abraham’s child, via the slave-woman or the free.  Which is better?

b.      V. 1

                                                              i.      An inscription from Delphi: “For Freedom, Apollo the Pythian bought from Sosibus of Amphissa a female slave whose name is Nicaea…The purchase, however, Nicaea has committed unto Apollo for Freedom.”

1.      This references a practice where pagan gods would serve as the legal initiators of emancipation for slaves, with the slaves paying the cost into the temple treasury

                                                            ii.       Cf. Acts 15:10 and I Timothy 6:1 where Paul also refers to the law as a yoke

                                                          iii.      Theology (Christ’s mission) is tied to ethics (how we live our lives)

The Vineyard- January 8, 2012

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 10:17-31

- Jesus states that sometimes, riches can get in the way of our serving God.  How can our material possessions become curses rather than blessings when it comes to our spiritual life?

- We’ve all heard the saying “less is more”, and Jesus seems to be saying that the same is true for possessions and our spiritual life.  In what ways might it be easier for the poor to focus on God?

-  Jesus promises that following Him will not only bring suffering, but rewards as well.  What rewards have you already experienced in your life as a Christian?  What rewards are you anticipating in the future?

Psalm 100

- What does it mean to serve the Lord with gladness?  How is worship a part of that service?  What else besides worship does this entail?

- How does it help us to remember that we belong to God, and that He is the one who made us?  How does it help to think of ourselves as His sheep?

- The psalm speaks of dwelling in the presence of God, or entering his gates.  How can we do that now, even prior to Christ’s return?

Prayer Requests- January 8, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Suzan Johnson, Charlie Wilson, D. C. Carruth, Gage Fuller, Presidential election, Carson Scarborough, Josie Caldwell, Keith Townley, those who have lost jobs, especially at Cabrini and the hospital in Oakdale, Stan Broussard, Vonnie Johnson, Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk, James Johnson

Continuing Requests:  Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, 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, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, 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, 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, Glennell Stanley, 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: Ferrell Eaves family, Ruby Brady family, James Reynolds family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Sylvie Johnson is thankful for an answered prayer.  

The Vineyard- January 1, 2012

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 10:1-16

-          We see that divorce came about as a concession from Moses, but was not originally intended as part of God’s plan.  What do we learn about marriage by reviewing the creation accounts of man and woman?

-          Jesus says that divorce came about because of the hardness of men’s hearts.  How can softening our hearts improve our relationships with others and with God?

-          Children came to Jesus powerless, and he tells us that we should come in a similar fashion.  Do you come to Jesus powerless, trusting that He will love you nonetheless? 

Psalm 124

-          This psalm calls the people of Israel to remember.  By remembering the way that God had acted on their behalf in the past, they gained confidence in God’s faithfulness in the present.  What ways has God acted in your life?  How often do you remember them?

-          By referring to God has the maker of heaven and earth, the Israelites reminded themselves of how mighty their God was, and the vastness of His power.  Do you sometimes need to be reminded that God is big enough to handle all of your problems?  What ways do you remind yourself of that fact?

Prayer Requests- January 1, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Carson Scarborough, Josie Caldwell, Keith Townley, those who have lost jobs, especially at Cabrini and the hospital in Oakdale, Stan Broussard, Vonnie Johnson, Alton Peters, Allie Mae Doyle, Thelma Polk, James Johnson

Continuing Requests:  Bernice Thibodeaux, Bill Goree, Mary Ann Fuller, Tonya Chelette, Benny Richard, Roanne Ballio, Mrs. Joe Danton, Martha Townsend, Dot Melder, 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, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Jody Corbet, 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, 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, Glennell Stanley, 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

Deaths: Ferrell Eaves family, Ruby Brady family, James Reynolds family, Blake Kellogg family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: George Johnson was been able to join us the past two Sundays for worship.  Alton Johnson, Clyde Carruth, Charlie Wilson, and Jimmy Parks are all doing better!