The Vineyard- December 23, 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 2:1-21

-          What brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem?  Why was Bethlehem a significant city?

-          Who was Joseph a descendent of?  Why was this important?

-          The angels’ proclamation of peace on earth is actually universal in that God’s favor is shown to the entire earth through the birth of the Messiah.  How has Jesus brought peace to your life?

-          By the end of the story, the shepherds have taken on the role of the angels by proclaiming to all the good news of Jesus entry into the world.  Has your encounter with Jesus’ caused you to echo the angels’ proclamation of good news to all men?  If not, why?

Hebrews 9:1-10

-          Where was worship conducted under the old covenant?

-          What type of things were present in the tent where worship took place? 

-          What was in the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies?

-          What did the priest have to do on behalf of the people?

-          What was the sign that the way into the holy places was not yet open?

Prayer Requests- December 23, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Richard Polk, Carter Poole, Ray & Joyce Burge, Lois Nesmith, Pam Giles, Drake Martin, Priscilla Ackaret, Chris Cloud, Lois Johnson, Roger Richmond, Bob Peterson, Michael Fuller, Larry Randolph, Mike Nunnally, Margaret McDonald, Grayson Bieber, Darlene Holt, Claudette Ferrier, Sally Crooks, Charles Fletcher, Kathy Hardy, Arvis Midkiff, Kayla Austin and the baby, Sloan McInnis, Lynn King, Stacey Reeves, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Deborah Fuller

The victims of the shooting in Connecticut. 

Richard Polk’s family, who lost their home in a fire this past week. 

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

Deployed Military:  Joey Fix, Horace Greene, Tyler Johnson, Lance Ramsey, and 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, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Dr. Ghanta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Bob Granville, Gayle Gunter, Roger Johnson, Euna Jolibois, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Mattie McReynolds, Tammy Midkiff, Bob Morrow, Clark O’Banion, Jeanie O’Rorke, Lisa Osman, 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: Paige Johnson

Deaths: The families of Andy Ashworth, Kenneth Doyle, Louise Hudson, Linda Perkins, Michael Edwards, Michael Avery

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Anna Chapman is doing much better after her serious car accident.  Praise God!!  Also, Alton Johnson is doing better.  Bobby Fix celebrated his 30^th birthday by getting on a plane and returning home from Afghanistan for the final time.  He has spent part of every year since he was 23 in either Iraq or Afghanistan.  We praise God for the gift of safety, and for the sacrifice of so many over the years.  

The Vineyard- December 16, 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 1:39-56

-          Why does John leap in Elizabeth’s womb?  What is this meant to signify?

-          What does Elizabeth say that Mary is blessed among women?  What special role will Mary play in history?

-          In her song of praise, how does Mary characterize herself?

-          What are some of the different actions attributed to God in Mary’s song?

-          In her song, Mary says that the birth of her child will be a fulfillment of a promise.  How far back does that promise go? 

Prayer Requests- December 16, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Anna Chapman, Pam Giles, Drake Martin, Priscilla Ackaret, Chris Cloud, Lois Johnson, Andy Ashworth, Roger Richmond, Bob Peterson, Michael Fuller, Larry Randolph, Mike Nunnally, Margaret McDonald, Grayson Bieber, Darlene Holt, Claudette Ferrier, Sally Crooks, Charles Fletcher, Kathy Hardy, Arvis Midkiff, Kayla Austin and the baby, Sloan McInnis, Lynn King, Stacey Reeves, Horace Doyle, Cindy Pace, Deborah Fuller

The victims of the shooting in Connecticut. 

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

Deployed Military:  Bobby Fix, Joey Fix, Horace Greene, Tyler Johnson, Lance Ramsey, and 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, Donna Dyson, 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, Lisa Osman, 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: Paige Johnson

Deaths: The families of Kenneth Doyle, Louis Hudson, Linda Perkins, Michael Edwards, Michael Avery

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Alice Mays is doing better.  Also, Todd Babb has returned safely after traveling last week. 

GlenmoraChurchofChrist's photostream

GlenmoraChurchofChrist's photostream on Flickr.

II Thessalonians 3:6-18

II Thessalonians 3:6-18

I.                   II Thessalonians 3:6-12

a.       V. 6

                                                              i.      Parangellomen here means “command”

                                                            ii.      To disobey is to go against not just Paul, but Jesus Christ as well

                                                          iii.      Stellesthai, “withdraw”, or literally to furl a sail or gird a robe

                                                          iv.      Ataktos means not just “idleness”, but disorderliness. 

                                                            v.      They had received the tradition they should be living according to

                                                          vi.      This way of living as a community is unsustainable. 

b.      V. 7

                                                              i.      Paul offers up himself and his co-workers as examples to be imitated

                                                            ii.      Cf. I Thessalonians 2:9

c.       V. 8

                                                              i.      Paul does not accept support in order to distance himself from charlatans who fleeced members of society

                                                            ii.      Paul’s example brings to light two things

1.      The work he engaged in was difficult

2.      He did so despite his right as an apostle to receive support from the church

                                                          iii.      Paul didn’t accept bread for free, but he did preach the gospel for free

1.      Cf. II Corinthians 11:7

d.      V. 9

                                                              i.      Paul had the right to be supported, but waved it in order to be an example to them

1.      Cf. I Corinthians 9:3-18

                                                            ii.      Does Paul intentionally give them this example because of the situation in Thessalonica?

                                                          iii.      Perhaps he doesn’t want to get entangled in patronage relationships

e.       V. 10

                                                              i.      By using the word “willing”, Paul is allowing for circumstances beyond an individual’s control such as illness, disability, or tough economic times

                                                            ii.      This would seem to be an on-going problem, and not simply one that crept up after Paul had left Thessalonica

f.       V. 11

                                                              i.      Ergazomenoi= working, periergazomenoi= working intrusively

                                                            ii.      They were “busybodies”, as opposed to being “busy”, showing that their lack of productivity was a choice

                                                          iii.      How did Paul know the situation?  It’s possible he heard from someone who had come to Corinth from Thessalonica

g.      V. 12

                                                              i.      Hesychia refers to quietness, not silence

                                                            ii.      It is the unruly nature of idleness that disrupts the shalom of the community

II.                II Thessalonians 3:13-15

a.       V. 13

                                                              i.      Paul may be concerned that the behavior of the few is stifling enthusiasm for charity

                                                            ii.      Doing what is good is often more than doing what is right

b.      V. 14

                                                              i.      This happens in the context of an honor-shame culture

                                                            ii.      It is probable that the people being referred to are present for the reading of the letter

                                                          iii.      The purpose of the action is to restore the brother

1.      Cf. II Corinthians 2:6-7; 7:10

                                                          iv.      Would the restriction apply simply to communion? 

1.      Cf. I Corinthians 5:9-11

c.       V. 15

                                                              i.      The purpose is not to expel them but to keep them in the community

                                                            ii.      Paul is concerned that some might be over-zealous in their “shaming”

                                                          iii.      They might be shamed, but they are still family (“brothers”)

                                                          iv.       “Do not disconnect what is said here from what follows, where having said ‘have nothing to do with him’, he added ‘do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.’  Do you see how he urges us to hate the deed but love the person?  For indeed it is the work of the Devil to tear us apart, and he has always taken great care to destroy love, so that the means of correction will be gone, the sinner maintained in error and the way of his salvation blocked.” – John Chrysostom

III.             II Thessalonians 3:16-18

a.       V. 16

                                                              i.      Only usage of the phrase “Lord of peace” in the NT

                                                            ii.      Cf. Numbers 6:26; Isaiah 26:12-13; Galatians 6:16

                                                          iii.      The Lord be with you all (even the loafers)

b.      V. 17

                                                              i.      Cf. I Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; Philemon 19

1.      Probably a reference to the distinctive nature of Paul’s handwriting.  Signatures were not a common part of ancient letters

                                                            ii.      Could this be related to II Thessalonians 2:2?

                                                          iii.      “in all my letters”…how many did he write before this one that we do not have copies of?

c.       V. 18

                                                              i.      Unlike in I Thessalonians 5:28, Paul wishes for grace to all

                              ii. “grace” sums up God’s activity in the world, and in the lives 

The Vineyard- December 9, 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 85

-          How does this psalm describe God’s past actions?

-          Towards whom where those actions directed?

-          What seems to be the current situation of the psalmist and his countrymen?

-          For what is the psalmist asking God?  How is what the psalmist is asking for related to God’s prior actions on their behalf?

-          How are love, faithfulness, and righteousness described in the psalm?

-          What will go before God?

-          How does this psalm remind you of the coming of Christ?

Hebrews 8:1-13

-          Where is Jesus Christ, our high priest, seated?

-          Where does he minister?  What is the difference between his ministry in heaven, and the ministry of a high priest here on earth?

-          The author of Hebrews uses a quote from Jeremiah, which speaks of a new covenant.  What characteristics of this new covenant make it better than the old?

-          How does God promise to view our iniquities and sins?

-          What does the reality of a new covenant say about the old covenant? 

Prayer Requests- December 9, 2012

Prayer Requests:

Recent Requests:  Drake Martin, Priscilla Ackaret, Chris Cloud, Lois Johnson, Wayne Cook, Andy Ashworth, Alice Mays, Roger Richmond, Bob Peterson, Michael Fuller, Larry Randolph, Mike Nunnally, Margaret McDonald, Grayson Bieber, Darlene Holt, Claudette Ferrier, Sally Crooks, Charles Fletcher, Kathy Hardy, Arvis Midkiff, Kayla Austin and the baby, Sloan McInnis, 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, Bob Melder, Dot Melder, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Dewanna Polk, Thelma Polk, Richard Simmons, Myrtle Strother, Martha Townsend

Deployed Military:  Bobby Fix, Joey Fix, Horace Greene, Tyler Johnson, Lance Ramsey, and 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, Donna Dyson, 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, Lisa Osman, 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: Tobb Babb, Paige Johnson

Deaths: The Carter family.  Also, the families of Louis Hudson, Linda Perkins, Michael Edwards, Michael Avery, Danny Joe Maricle, Skeet Moore, Joe O’Banion, Rebecca Hudgens, and Don King   

Unspoken Requests

Praise: Carl and Lydia Holloway’s grandson, Aaron Sutton, was baptiszed on Sunday!  Angie Hill had successful surgery.  Tiffany Lambing, George Johnson, John Biard, Josh Johnson, and Vera Lee Johnson are all doing better.  Jason Mizell and Brian Anderson have returned safely.         

The Vineyard- December 2, 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 80

-          How is God referred to and described at the beginning of this psalm?

-          The psalm asks for God’s restoration?  How is that restoration described?

-          Why do you think God was angry with His people’s prayers?  Why are they being punished?

-          What is being described when the psalmist says “you brought a vine up out of Egypt, you drove out the nations and planted it?

-          What has happened to the vine since God planted it?

-          Who do you think the psalm is referring to when it describes the “man of your right hand”, and “the son of man that you have made strong for yourself”?

Hebrews 7:11-28

-          What does it say about the old priesthood, that God would replace it with another one?

-          If this new priesthood is eternal and perfect, what does it say about the priest who serves?

-          What confidence do we have when we go to Jesus to make intercession for us?

-          How does v. 26 described Jesus?

-          How does v. 28 say that Jesus is better than the old priests?