The Vineyard- November 25, 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

Psalm 93

-          What is the Lord robed with?  What does he wear as a belt?

-          What does the establishment of the world have to do with the Lord?

-          How old is the Lord’s throne, when was it established?

-          What did God overcome when they lifted up their voice? 

-          How is God’s might described?

-          How are God’s decrees described? 

-          What characterizes God’s house?

Hebrews 6:13-7:10

-          When God makes a promise, who does he swear by?

-          Where does Jesus go as our forerunner?

-          Jesus is a high priest forever after the order of whom?

-          How do we know that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham?

-          How do we know that Melchizedek was greater than Levi?

-          If Jesus is a high priest of an order greater than that of Levi, what does it say about Jesus as a high priest?

Prayer Requests- November 25, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Chris Cloud, Lois Johnson, Wayne Cook, Andy Ashworth, Donna Dyson, Alice Mays, John Biard, Roger Richmond, Josh Johnson, Dakota Shockley, Bob Peterson, Vera Lee Johnson, Bob Melder, Michael Fuller, Rob Johnson, Larry Randolph, Mike Nunnally, Angie Hill, Margaret McDonald, Grayson Bieber, Darlene Holt, Claudette Ferrier, Sally Crooks, Charles Fletcher, Kathy Hardy, Arvis Midkiff, Kayla Austin and the baby, Sloan, Lynn King, Stacey Reeves, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Deborah Fuller

Those recovering from Hurricane Sandy. 

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Conner Bouchie, Kathryn Hardy, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Richard Simmons, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

Deployed Military:  Horace Greene, Tyler Johnson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Bonnie Bradley, Leonard Butter, Shirley Cameron, Shirley Causey, Gleeta Chamberlain, William Chisholm, Jerry Cole, Sharon Cook, Rodney Cotton, Dorothy Crane, Ruth Ann Fisher, Dr. Ghanta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Bob Granville, Gayle Gunter, Alton Johnson, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Tammy Midkiff, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows, Elaine Simonson, Connor Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Sam Tucker, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Pam Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Travelling: Jason Mizell, Brian Anderson

Deaths: The Carter family.  Also, the families of Danny Joe Maricle, Skeet Moore, Joe O’Banion, Rebecca Hudgens, and Don King   

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Madison Strother, Charles Richie, Betty Paul, Johnny DeFee, Mamie Grantham, and Bill Goree are doing better.  Ava Dore is cancer free!!  Madeline McInnis’ parents were able to take her home from the hospital. 

The Vineyard- November 18, 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

Matthew 6:25-34

-          What does this passage tell us not to do?

-          How is it possible for us to not be anxious? 

-          What does this passage tell us about our worth in God’s eyes?

-          Is there a difference between planning for tomorrow, and being anxious about tomorrow?

-          Is your anxiety about the future driven more by not having things, or not having certain kinds of things?

-          Is your life defined by the pursuit of things, or the pursuit of God?  Which do you think is more likely to lead you to lasting joy?

Thanksgiving

-          What type of material blessings do you have to be thankful for?  Does your desire for better things, ever hinder your ability to be thankful for the things that you do have?

-          What relationships do you have that you are thankful for?  Do you ever allow relationships from the past, or relationships you wish you had, blind you to the value of the relationships you have now? 

-          What are you thankful for regarding your relationship with God?  Do you ever elevate other relationships, or even other things, above that relationship?  How can you live your life in a way that demonstrates your thankfulness? 

Prayer Requests- November 18, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Alice Mays, Madison Strother, John Biard, Charles Richie, Roger Richmond, Josh Johnson, Dakota Shockley, Bob Peterson, Betty Paul, Dr. Ghanta, Vera Lee Johnson, Bob Melder, Michael Fuller, Rob Johnson, Larry Randolph, Mike Nunnally, Angie Hill, Margaret McDonald, Grayson Bieber, Darlene Holt, Claudette Ferrier, Sally Crooks, Charles Fletcher, Kathy Hardy, Arvis Midkiff, Kayla Austin and the baby, Sloan & Madeline McInnis, Lynn King, Stacey Reeves, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Alton Johnson, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Deborah Fuller

Those recovering from Hurricane Sandy. 

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Conner Bouchie, Johnny DeFee, Bill Goree, Mamie Grantham, Kathryn Hardy, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Richard Simmons, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

Deployed Military:  Horace Greene, Tyler Johnson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Bonnie Bradley, 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, Gayle Gunter, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows, Elaine Simonson, Connor Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Sam Tucker, Will Tulos, Dalton Welch, Pam Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Geraldine Willis, Charles Young

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

Travelling:

Deaths: The Carter family.  Also, the families of Skeet Moore, Joe O’Banion, Rebecca Hudgens, and Don King   

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Pat Paul, Kevin Snyder, Meagan Tate, Susie Prather are doing better.  

The Vineyard- November 11, 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

Psalm 130

-          From where do we cry to the Lord?  What have been some of the depths in your life from which you have cried to the Lord?

-          If God kept track of sins, how many people would stand before Him blameless?

-          Luckily, the psalmist tells us that with God there is forgiveness?  What does it mean to you, that God will not count your iniquities against you?

-          For whom should our soul wait?

-          This psalm moves from the personal, to the communal, and even national.  What does this tell you about national renewal?  Where does it begin?

Hebrews 6:1-12

-          Why do you think the author says that it is impossible to restore those who have tasted the goodness of salvation, but then turned their backs on God?

-          Why would such behavior be seen as crucifying Jesus all over again?

-          According to the author of Hebrews, we will be judged based on what kind of crop our lives produce?  What do you think this means?  What type of crop is your life producing?

-          Who does the author of Hebrews encourage us to imitate?

Prayer Requests- November 11, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  John Biard, Kevin Snyder, Pat Paul, Skeet Moore, Meagan Tate, Charles Richie, Roger Richmond, Josh Johnson, Dakota Shockley, Bob Peterson, Betty Paul, Dr. Ghanta, Vera Lee Johnson, Bob Melder, Michael Fuller, Rob Johnson, Larry Randolph, Mike Nunnally, Susie Prather, Angie Hill, Margaret McDonald, Grayson Bieber, Darlene Holt, Claudette Ferrier, Aunt Charlene Babb, Sally Crooks, Charles Fletcher, Kathy Hardy, Arvis Midkiff, Kayla Austin and the baby, Sloan & Madeline McInnis, Lynn King, Stacey Reeves, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Alton Johnson, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Deborah Fuller

Those recovering from Hurricane Sandy. 

Continuing Requests: Roanne Ballio, Conner Bouchie, Johnny DeFee, Bill Goree, Mamie Grantham, Kathryn Hardy, George Johnson, Darwin Jones, Dot Melder, Billy Joe Monroe, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Richard Simmons, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

Deployed Military:  Horace Greene, Tyler Johnson, all those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Bonnie Bradley, 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, Gayle Gunter, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Doug Pinkston, Wes Roberts, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows, Elaine Simonson, Connor Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, 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:

Deaths: The Carter family.  Also, the families of Joe O’Banion, Rebecca Hudgens, and Don King   

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Todd Babb is doing better.  Allan Babb was moved to ask us for prayers on his behalf for personal issues, and that he might be a better leader in our church.  Praise God for Allan’s tender heart, and desire to continue to grow as a Christian and a leader.  

II Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

II Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

I.                   II Thessalonians 2:13-15

a.       V. 13

                                                              i.      The “we” makes a sharp distinction between believers and the lawless ones described in the previous verses

                                                            ii.      Echoes of II Thessalonians 1:3

                                                          iii.      Cf. Deuteronomy 33:12

1.      Paul was a Benjaminite (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5)

                                                          iv.      For the love of Christ for followers, cf. Romans 8:35; II Corinthians 5:14; Galatians 2:20

                                                            v.      Trinitarian formula

1.      Chosen and called by God, loved by the Lord, saved through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit

                                                          vi.      “First-fruits” in Thessalonica

1.      Some who are persecuting them would one day be their brothers and sisters in Christ

b.      V. 14

                                                              i.      Echoes I Thessalonians 1:5; 5:9

                                                            ii.      For a connection between the call of God and the preaching of the gospel cf. Romans 10:14; Galatians 1:6

                                                          iii.      The obtaining of “the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ” is also mentioned in Romans 8:17, 29f.; I Corinthians 15:43; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:21; and I Thessalonians 2:12

1.      According to Romans 3:23, we lost the glory of God due to our sin

c.       V. 15

                                                              i.      “stand firm”, a reference back to v. 2

                                                            ii.      Standing firm is connected to holding firm to tradition (written and oral)

II.                II Thessalonians 2:16-17

a.       V. 16

                                                              i.      Differences and similarities to I Thessalonians 3:11-13

                                                            ii.      Prayer is directed to both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet a singular verb is used

                                                          iii.      “who loved us”

1.      Cf. Romans 5:8

                                                          iv.      “For Paul, God and Christ together are the source of spiritual blessing.” – I.H. Marshall

                                                            v.      “by grace”

1.      “These gifts reflect the character of the giver rather than the merits of the recipients.” – Ben Witherington, III

b.      V. 17

                                                              i.      Paul’s wish is that the inward encouragement they receive be reflected in their outward behavior

1.      Cf. II Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 3:17

                                                            ii.      “They have been given a good hope but they are not to let their minds linger on this and neglect their ordinary and everyday duties; a good hope ought to work itself out in a good life.” – Ernst Best

                                                          iii.      Paul doesn’t just say, “I’ll pray for you”, but he gets specificà we can learn from this

III.             II Thessalonians 3:1-5

a.       V. 1

                                                              i.      Paul asks for their prayers, having just prayed for them

1.      “for us”- Paul, Silas, and Timothy

2.      Cf. I Thessalonians 5:25

                                                            ii.      Paul desires prayer for two things:

1.      That the “word of God” may spread swiftly

a.       Cf. Psalm 147:15

2.      That the word of God would be honored

b.      V. 2

                                                              i.      Paul prays for their deliverance after he prays for the success of the gospel

1.      Cf. II Corinthians 1:8-11

                                                            ii.      Paul was tried before the proconsul Gallio in Corinith in late 51 or early 52 A.D.

                                                          iii.      Their wickedness is a result of a lack of something…namely faith

1.      Cf.  Romans 10:16

c.       V. 3

                                                              i.      Christ is placed in juxtaposition to the wicked unfaithful

                                                            ii.      In the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew, Jesus prays similarly. 

1.      Cf. Matthew 6:13

                                                          iii.       “He will not only place you in a firm position, but also maintain you there against assaults from without.” – Joseph B. Lightfoot

d.      V. 4

                                                              i.      He is commending the obedient, and indirectly exhorting the disobedient

                                                            ii.      By use of “command”, he gently invokes his apostolic authority

                                                          iii.      For Paul correct behavior is at least as important as correct beliefs

                                                          iv.      Paul usually commands when dealing with issues of ethics, or church practice

e.       V. 5

                                                              i.      For God directing hearts cf. I Chronicles 29:18 and Proverbs 21:2

                                                            ii.      For “love of God” cf. Romans 5:5

                                                          iii.       “Christ’s perseverance”- a prayer that Christ will endow them with the kind of perseverance he displayed in a life destined for the cross

1.      Cf. Romans 15:4f.

The Vineyard- November 4, 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

Psalm 34

-          What does David invite us to do at the beginning of this psalm?  (v. 3)

-          How does David characterize those who look to the Lord?  (v. 5)

-          How do we “taste and see that the Lord is good”? (v. 8)  In what ways have you tasted the Lord’s goodness in your life?

-          What does David tell us to keep away, and turn away from?  (v. 13-14)  What does he tell us to seek and pursue?  (v. 14)

-          Towards whom are the eyes and the ears of the Lord directed? (v. 15)

-          To whom is the Lord near?  Who does he save?  (v. 18)

-          What promise do we find in v. 22?

Hebrews 4:1-13

-          Why did the good news not benefit some who heard it in the past?  (v. 2)

-          What is it that we should strive to enter?  (v. 11)

-          How is the word of God described in this passage?  (v. 12-13)

-          What does it mean for the word of God to discern “the thoughts and intentions of the heart”?  (v. 13)

-          How does the word of God expose us to the eyes of God?