The Vineyard- June 24, 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

Luke 15:1-10

- What do these parables tell you about God’s love for us?

- We often minimize how much God cares for us by thinking, I’m just one person.  According to these parables, does God see it that way?

- According to these parables, do sinners still have value in the eyes of God?

- Why do you think God wants all of the “sheep”, and all of the “coins”?  Why not be content with 99 of the 100, or 9 of the 10?

II Peter 2:1-22

-  Peter warns us against false teachers, and heresies in this epistle.  They are guilty of “denying the Master who bought them” and they “blaspheme the glorious one”.  What does this tell you about the nature of their false teaching?  What did it concern?

-  What does the character of these false teachers that Peter refers to seem to be?  When we see words like greed and adultery associated with them, what does it lead us to think about their lifestyle?

- By describing false teaching as a waterless stream, what is Peter trying to get us to recognize about it?

-  Have you ever returned to “wallow in the mire” of your former sinful life?  If so, in what ways can your faith be strengthened to prevent it from happening again?  

Prayer Requests- June 24, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Doug Johnson, Jody Clark, Charles Thigpen, Tommy McNichols, Allan Babb, Bill Verzwyvelt, Julia Glass, Helen Sonnier, Stacey Reaves, Karen Melder, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Clyde Dunn, Candy Gordy, J. W. Lott, Alton Johnson, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Jerianne McPherson, Jon Louis Schneider, Deborah Fuller, Presidential election

Begin praying for church camp, VBS, and our Service Sunday this summer!

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Haylee Cornett, Gage Fuller, Michael Fuller, Bill Goree, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Rita & George Lemley, Ralph McCluggage, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Alton Peters, Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Benny Richard, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

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

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock Larry Book, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Shirley Causey, Gleeta Chamberlain, William Chisholm, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Ava Dore, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Bob Granville, Darrell Guillory, Allie Harvey, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Christine Midkiff, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Matt Troll, Sam Tucker, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Pam Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, Tom Fuller, Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Ed Pebbles, Doris Polk

Travelling: Josh Dauzat; Vernon & Elaine Atkinson

Deaths: The families of Arlene Holloway and Mary Ellen Mason

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Andy Starns is home!!  

I Thessalonians 3:1-13

I Thessalonians 3:1-13

I.                   I Thessalonians 3:1-5

a.       V. 1-2a

                                                              i.      Paul’s sending of Timothy is motivated by the things he mentioned at the end of the previous chapter

                                                            ii.      To be alone in Athens is much better  than not knowing the fate of the believers in Thessalonica

                                                          iii.      He is commending Timothy, possibly, because he intends for him to be the bearer of the letter, and this would be standard rhetorical form as a means of authenticating the letter.  They would have already been familiar with Timothy because of the visit he had just completed

                                                          iv.      Timothy is referred to as God’s co-worker.  This not only speaks to his status and authority, but also to the nature of ministry itself, as something in which we co-operate with God

b.      V. 2b-3a

                                                              i.      Paul sends Timothy to strengthen and encourage them, especially in light of the trials that they have faced, and would continue to face

c.       V. 3b-4

                                                              i.      Paul reminds them that he predicted their persecution, and that in fact persecution is a normal and expected part of Christian living

                                                            ii.      Cf. Mark 13.7-8; Philippians 1:16; II Timothy 2:11-13

                                                          iii.      Paul frequently used his letters to remind churches of, or reinforce the teaching he gave when he was with them in person

d.      V. 5

                                                              i.      Paul sees Satan, “the Tester”, at work not only in preventing his return, but also in the opposition the Thessalonians themselves are encountering

                                                            ii.      “The Tempter”- it’s possible that their temptation is not in the form of attacks, but in the enticement of defection, or a return to their former, easier life

II.                I Thessalonians 3:6-10

a.       V. 6

                                                              i.      “the good news”- the gospel is the story, or good news of what God has done, but it doesn’t end there

                                                            ii.      “Your faith and love”- Paul’s first concern is their faith, his second is his relationship with them

b.      V. 7

                                                              i.      Paul sent Timothy to encourage them, but in a way the roles were reversed as Timothy’s report upon returning encouraged Paul during a difficult time

c.       V. 8

                                                              i.      “For now we really live”, Paul seems to live and die with the success, or failure of the Thessalonian church

                                                            ii.      “If you continue to stand firm”- faith is developmental, rather than static

d.      V. 9

                                                              i.      This news of their faithfulness adds to Paul’s joy in God’s presence, leaving him wondering how he can repay God

e.       V. 10

                                                              i.      His prayer is that he may see them again, to supply what is “lacking”.  This is more a statement of the progression of faith, rather than a statement regarding any deficiency of their faith

f.       There is a concern for the faith of others elsewhere, so that the church is shown to be more than just a group of people in one geographical setting

III.             I Thessalonians 3:11-13

a.       V. 11

                                                              i.      “Lord” had become a synonym for God, and specifically for Yahweh to Jews of Paul’s day, so that to refer to Jesus as Lord, is to recognize his divine nature

                                                            ii.      “It is worthy of notice that this ascription to our Lord of a divine power in ordering the doings of men occurs in the earliest of St. Paul’s Epistles, and indeed probably the earliest of the New Testament writings: thus showing that there was no time, however early, so far as we are aware, when He was not so regarded.” – J. B. Lightfoot

                                                          iii.      Paul has no problem praying to God the Father and the Lord Jesus as one Rather than battling Satan directly, Paul turns to God’s help, specifically in the person of Jesus Christ

b.      V. 12

                                                              i.      Even when one loves, there is room for growth, just as earlier when they had faith, there is room for development of that faith

                                                            ii.      Paul sees the continued development of our capacity to love as a part of our faith and its growth

                                                          iii.      Cf. Galatians 6:10

c.       V. 13

                                                              i.      Cf. Zechariah 14:5

                                                            ii.      Cf. Mark 8:38

The Vineyard- June 17, 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

Luke 15:11-32

- How would you characterize the behavior of the younger son? 

- How would you characterize the behavior of the father toward the younger son?

- What is the older son’s reaction to his brother’s behavior, and his father’s forgiveness of his brother? 

- What does the father do for both sons?  When the younger son returns, what does the father do?  When the older son is upset, what does he do?

- What does the father’s behavior teach us about God’s love?  What does it teach us about how father’s should love?

II Peter 1:1-21

- Peter tells us that we have everything we need for our Christian walk.  What is he referring to?  How are these things helpful for our spiritual development? 

- It is evident that becoming a Christian is the beginning of a process through which we are continually growing in faith.  How have you grown recently in your faith?  If you haven’t grown, what steps can you take so that growth will begin to happen?

- Peter clearly remembers the words of Jesus and God the Father, as he references Jesus prediction that he (Peter) will die for the faith, and also God’s glorification of Jesus during the Transfiguration.  How does remembering the words of Jesus help our faith?

Prayer Requests- June 17, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Sunshine & Drew Babb, Julia Glass, Helen Sonnier, Stacey Reaves, Karen Melder, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Clyde Dunn, Candy Gordy, J. W. Lott, Alton Johnson, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Andy Starns, Jerianne McPherson, Jon Louis Schneider, Deborah Fuller, Presidential election

Begin praying for church camp, VBS, and our Service Sunday this summer!

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Haylee Cornett, Gage Fuller, Michael Fuller, Bill Goree, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Rita & George Lemley, Ralph McCluggage, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Alton Peters, Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Benny Richard, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

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

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock Larry Book, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Shirley Causey, Gleeta Chamberlain, William Chisholm, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Ava Dore, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Bob Granville, Darrell Guillory, Allie Harvey, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Christine Midkiff, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Matt Troll, Sam Tucker, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Pam Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, Tom Fuller, Janie Jenkins, Helen Johnson, John Kenner, C.J. Meyers, Ed Pebbles, Doris Polk

Travelling: Josh Dauzat; Darwin & Mary Jones and family; Vernon & Elaine Atkinson

Deaths: The families of Arlene Holloway and Mary Ellen Mason

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Elaine Melder’s cancer is in remission!  

The Vineyard- June 10, 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

I Peter 5:1-14

- How does this text say that elders are to lead?  When do you think servant leadership and leading by example are learned?

- Why do you think Peter instructs the younger among them to be humble, and listen to their elders? 

- Why would Satan prowl around like a lion, actively looking to interfere with our faith?  How does this fulfill his purposes? 

- When we suffer for being a Christians, do we suffer alone?  Who else suffers with us?  How does this provide any comfort?

Psalm 39

-  David finds himself in this situation because he was unable to do what?

- What words are used in this psalm for God’s punishment of the wicked? 

- By saying that it is God who will “discipline a man with rebukes for sin”, David is merely commenting of the nature of God.  How is this comforting?  

- The source of David’s grief, and yet also his deliverance, is whom?

- Ultimately, we all have to face God.  When that day comes, will we see it as a blessing (Numbers 6), or a curse? 

Prayer Requests- June 10, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Carl Giles, James Otis Dunn, Helen Sonnier, Stacey Reaves, Karen Melder, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Clyde Dunn, Candy Gordy, J. W. Lott, Alton Johnson, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Andy Starns, Jerianne McPherson, Jon Louis Schneider, Deborah Fuller, James Wells, Presidential election

Begin praying for church camp and VBS this summer!

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Haylee Cornett, Gage Fuller, Michael Fuller, Bill Goree, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Rita & George Lemley, Ralph McCluggage, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Alton Peters, Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Benny Richard, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

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

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock Larry Book, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Shirley Causey, Gleeta Chamberlain, William Chisholm, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Ava Dore, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Bob Granville, Darrell Guillory, Allie Harvey, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Christine Midkiff, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Matt Troll, Sam Tucker, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Pam Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Travelling: Josh Dauzat; Darwin & Mary Jones and family; Barbara Anderson; Mark Johnson, Lisa Strother & family; Melissa Reynolds & family

Deaths: The families of Arlene Holloway and Mary Ellen Mason

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Ashley Dauzat, Aunt Charline Babb, Carol Phile, and Harry Prather are all doing better.  Huey and Eraine Clark have returned home safely from their trip.  

The Vineyard- June 3, 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

I Peter 4:1-19

- Peter refers to the fact that “the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.”  What have you wasted your time on in the past?  How will you ensure that you don’t waste the present, and the future on similar sinful or superficial things?

- We see that we should use the present time to love, speak and serve.  Who is really behind each of these actions?  What enables us to love, speak, and serve as we should?

- If we are to endure suffering, how should we endure it?  Whom should we be serving?   

Camp & VBS

- Take time to say a special prayer for the plans that are being made for both camp and VBS, as well as for the workers who will be giving of their time, energy, and talents in both efforts.

- Also, say a special prayer for the kids and teens involved in VBS and camp.  Pray that God will use those times to build up their faith, and increase their knowledge of who Jesus is, and how they can best serve him in their lives.  

Prayer Requests- June 3, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Stacey Reaves, Karen Melder, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Clyde Dunn, Candy Gordy, J. W. Lott, Alton Johnson, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Andy Starns, Jerianne McPherson, Jon Louis Schneider, Deborah Fuller, James Wells, Presidential election

Begin praying for church camp and VBS this summer!

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Haylee Cornett, Gage Fuller, Michael Fuller, Bill Goree, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Rita & George Lemley, Ralph McCluggage, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Alton Peters, Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Benny Richard, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

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

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock Larry Book, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Shirley Causey, Gleeta Chamberlain, William Chisholm, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Ava Dore, Ruth Ann Fisher, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Bob Granville, Darrell Guillory, Allie Harvey, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Elaine Melder, Christine Midkiff, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug and Claudia Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Donny Shows, Linda Sipco, Carlos Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Matt Troll, Sam Tucker, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Pam Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Travelling: Josh Dauzat, Darwin & Mary Jones and family

Deaths: The families of Arlene Holloway, Mary Ellen Mason, Connie Carter, Doris Andrus, Cindy Tate, LaNell Fee, Gene Conway, and the Carlton family

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Ashley Dauzat, Aunt Charline Babb, Carol Phile, and Harry Prather are all doing better.  Huey and Eraine Clark have returned home safely from their trip.  

I Thessalonians 2:13-20

I Thessalonians 2:13-20

I.        V. 13-16

A.      V. 13

i.         The message preached by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was from God, it was not their own.  Multiple messengers, but one message.

ii.       It is “the word” that is at work, or active in their lives

iii.       “accept” lays more emphasis on the action of the hearers

B.      V. 14

i.         Paul often instructs Christians to imitate, but here he says they have already become imitators

ii.       The church’s geographical location is in Judea, but its actual location is in Christ Jesus

iii.      It was the Jewish Zealots who were probably the source of the Judaizing faction we see in Galatians

·         Paul himself could have been one of the Jewish, or Judean, persecutors

iv.      Clearly identifies the persecutors of the Thessalonians, at least the ones Paul is referring to in this instance, as being gentiles

v.       They did not deliberately seek to imitate the Judean churches, but it happened because of circumstances

vi.      Since church simply means “the called out”, or “called together”, “in Christ Jesus” specifies those Paul is referring to as Christian churches, not synagogues

·         “In Christ Jesus” ties together the diverse Thessalonians and Judeans

vii.    That the Thessalonians so doggedly held to their new faith, shows that they had sincerely adopted the Christian worldview, that to them it “made more sense”

C.      V. 15

i.         It would be more accurate to describe Paul’s language as anti-Judaism than anti-Semitic

ii.       “the Jews” is a restrictive clause

iii.      “kill” is a general term reflecting the role of the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ death

iv.      Pagan critiques of Jews were socially driven, Paul’s was theological

v.       Cf. I Kings 19.10-14; II Chronicles 36.15; Jeremiah 2.7-8; Ezekiel 14.9-11; 34; Matthew 23:31-36; Hebrews 11.32-38

vi.      Elsewhere, Paul expresses his love for the Jewish people (cf. Romans 9:1-3)

·         Hard to paint Paul as being anti-Semitic since his policy was to go to the Jews first.

D.      V. 16

i.         The being blocked from proclaiming the gospel to the gentiles anticipates Satan blocking them from returning to the Thessalonians

ii.       Their sins are heaped up because they become an active barrier to others receiving the gospel

iii.      God’s anger or wrath on Israel was an OT theme

·         The governor of Judea at the time of Paul’s writing was Cumanus (r. 48-52 AD).  During his rule, thousands of Jewish pilgrims were butchered during the Passover of 49 or 50 AD, and internecine war almost erupted between Jews and Samaritans.  In fact, the high priests and some other Jewish leaders were sent to Rome in chains

·         Claudius’ banishment of Jews from Rome in 49 AD.  Cf. Aquila and Priscilla arriving from Rome in Acts 18:1-3

·         Or was the wrath of God is about to come on the Jews mentioned by Paul?

II.      V. 17-20

A.      V. 17

i.         Paul and Silas were “orphaned”, or “torn away” from them.  In the ancient world, orphan could apply to parents separated from their children, as well as children separated from their parents

ii.       Implies that this letter comes fairly soon after Paul’s stay in Thessalonica

iii.      Paul’s desire was partially motivated by the forced separation from the Thessalonians

iv.      Separation is in person, but not in heart

B.      V. 18

i.         How was Satan involved?  Is it a reference to their prior experience in Thessalonica and Berea? 

ii.       Paul’s references to Satan occur in letters to Corinth or written from Corinth

·         Cf. I Corinthians 16:12; II Corinthians 2:11; 11:13-15; also I Thessalonians 3:5

iii.      Satan couldn’t stop Jesus at the cross, but he can stop the message of God’s victory

C.      V. 19

i.         The Thessalonians are their joy and their hope, similar to how parents view their children

·         Paul doesn’t have hope for them, they are his hope

·         Cf. I Corinthians 1:29-31 & Jeremiah 9:23-24

ii.       Crown is not the mark of royalty, but rather the crown, or wreath bestowed on those victories in the races or games held in Paul’s day.  A sign of victory and achievement, not power or royalty. 

·         Crown=stephanos

·         Cf. Proverbs 16:31

·         Cf. Philippians 4:1

iii.      Could its use with the Thessalonians be an acknowledgement of Thessalonica’s relationship with the emperor, as the term would be used to refer to any visit he made to the city

·         “in the year 69 of the first parousia of the god Hadrian in Greece”- an inscription from Tegea dated 192-193 AD

·         Cf. I Corinthians 15:23 for the only use of parousia  outside of the Thessalonian letters

D.      V. 20

i.         “Glory” becomes a substitute for “crown”, because “crown” implies an ending.