Easter discussion

 

https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-points-of-evidence-for-the-resurrection/

LESSON TWO - DEFENDING THE GOSPEL

From the Max Lucado commentary we're using.  This is the last week for posting our lesson.  Please order your personal copy by Lesson Three on March 5! Here is one source:   https://a.co/d/hWRMgG4

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. . . . It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. GALATIANS 1:11–12

REFLECTION

In one sense, life is all about our interaction with God. Some of us have run from him in the past. Others of us are finding our way back to him. What is your unique faith story?

[Your Response Here]

SITUATION 

Now that Paul has gotten his readers' attention with his opening remarks, he begins to set out the case for the true gospel of grace that he presented when he was with them. To do this, he will draw on examples from his past in Judaism and show how the process of how he went from being a fierce persecutor of the church to a set-apart minister to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Paul rehearses these particular incidents to show that he did not receive this gospel of grace from any person, but in truth, received it directly from God.

[Your Response Here]

OBSERVATION

Read Galatians 1:11-24

EXPLORATION

1. How does Paul describe the gospel that he preached to the Galatian believers?

[Your Response Here]

2. Why was Paul an unlikely candidate for becoming a Christian-much less God's appointed missionary to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:1-20)?

[Your Response Here]

3. Why does Paul make such a big deal about not getting advice or help from any person (or persons) after his conversion?

[Your Response Here]

4. What does Paul's testimony reveal about God's patience and mercy?

[Your Response Here]

5. When did Christ first become real to you more than just a name or an idea?

[Your Response Here]

6. Why do you think people get so fanatical about religion? How can you tell when zeal and passion have crossed over the line into fanaticism?

[Your Response Here]

INSPIRATION

Guilt sucks the life out of our souls. Grace restores it. The apostle Paul clung to this grace. To the same degree that he believed in God's sovereignty, he relied on God's mercy.

No one had more reason to feel the burden of guilt than Paul did. He had orchestrated the deaths of Christians. He was an ancient version of a terrorist, taking believers into custody and then spilling their blood. "Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:3).

In addition, he was a legalist to the core. Before he knew Christ, Paul had spent a lifetime trying to save himself. His salvation depended on his perfection, on his performance. "If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless" (Philippians 3:4- 6).

Paul had blood on his hands and religious diplomas on his wall. But then came the Damascus road moment. Jesus appeared. Once Paul saw Jesus, he couldn't see anymore. He couldn't see value in his résumé anymore. He couldn't see merit in his merits or worth in his good works anymore. He couldn't see reasons to boast about anything he had done anymore. And he couldn't see any option except to spend the rest of his life talking less about himself and more about Jesus. (From Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. What situations in your own life are proof that God doesn't give up on his children?

[Your Response Here]

8. What features of the Christian faith indicate it obviously wasn't fabricated by humans?

[Your Response Here]

9. How zealous are you? If you've lost your passion for Christ, how can you get it back?

[Your Response Here]

10. Scholars believe Paul spent his time in Arabia in study, reflecting, and preparing for the message he would share. How do you find time for reflection amid your busy life?

[Your Response Here]

11. Paul emphasizes how his experience with God was direct and not mediated through other people. How much of your knowledge of God is based on first-person experience?

[Your Response Here]

12. Paul's conversion resulted in a dramatic transformation that had every- one buzzing. What have been the most significant changes in your life since you met Christ?

[Your Response Here]

LIFE LESSONS 

It's often said, "The Lord works in mysterious ways." How true. Start with the gospel of grace. Are we to believe God offers enemies of the gospel unconditional pardon and adoption into his family? Or that heaven's most glorious riches are lavished on the least deserving? It all reads like a fairy tale. And it gets even wilder. God announces his intention to partner with the likes of us so others can experience his love and grace. He could use angels or employ supernatural means, but instead he uses us. And what do we do? Mostly, we stumble and fall and fail. Yet the Lord never gives up on us and never aborts his plan. He works in us, and through us, despite us. The villains become the heroes. What a mystery! What a miracle! What a God we serve!

DEVOTION

Father, you amaze us. Thank you for the beauty and power of the gospel that you have given to us. We open our hearts to you today and invite you to work through us. Transform us. Make our lives a continual tribute to your goodness and grace.

JOURNALING

How do you react when you consider the type of grace that God is offering to you today?

Lesson One Second half

INSPIRATION

What is the work God wants us to do? Pray more? Give more? Study? Travel? Memorize the Torah? What is the work he wants?

Sly is this scheme of Satan. Rather than lead us away from grace, he causes us to question grace or to earn it... and in the end we never even know it.

What is it, then, that God wants us to do? What is the work he seeks? Just be- lieve. Believe the one he sent. "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29).

Someone is reading this and shaking his or her head and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven with no good works?" The answer is no. Good works are a requirement. Someone else is reading and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven without good character?" My answer again is no. Good character is also required. In order to enter heaven, one must have good works and good character.

But, alas, there is the problem. You have neither.

Oh, you've done some nice things in your life. But you do not have enough good works to go to heaven regardless of your sacrifice. No matter how noble your gifts, they are not enough to get you into heaven.

Nor do you have enough character to go to heaven. Please don't be offended. (Then again, be offended, if necessary.) You're probably a very decent person. But decency isn't enough. Those who see God are not the decent; they are the holy. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

You may be decent. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean conscience. But apart from Christ you aren't holy. So how can you go to heaven?

Only believe.

Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross. Only believe...

It's that simple? It's that simple. It's that easy? There was nothing easy at all about it. The cross was heavy, the blood was real, and the price was extravagant. It would have bankrupted you or me, so Jesus paid it for us. Call it simple. Call it a gift. But don't call it easy.

Call it what it is. Call it grace. A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. Why do you think it is so hard for people to grasp the concept of grace?

[Your Response Here]

8. What are some things (other than Christ) that Christians tend to rely on to try to establish their approval in God's sight?

[Your Response Here]

9. How would you answer the person who read this passage and said, "I don't get why Paul is so upset over a few theological semantics?"

[Your Response Here]

10. When you look at your church, do any trends "astonish" you or cause you to "marvel" (in a negative sense)?

[Your Response Here]

11. Is the gospel message you share with others marked by radical and riskysounding grace? Why or why not?

[Your Response Here]

12. How will you respond the next time you hear someone share a distorted version of the gospel?

[Your Response Here]

LIFE LESSONS

Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every religion in the world. God offers his unearnable salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life not as a reward but as a free gift. Nothing-absolutely noth- ing-is required on our part except to believe. There is no fine print and no strings attached. When we trust in what Christ has done and rely solely on his promises, all the treasures of heaven are ours. It doesn't matter how miserably we've failed in the past. It's irrelevant how messed up our lives are right now. Grace is true and certain no matter what we might do or fail to do in the future. It sounds too good to be true... but that, in a nutshell, is the simple gospel. The only question is this: Have you received Christ's remarkable gift?

[Your Response Here]

DEVOTION

Father, thank you for the gospel. We could never earn your favor, but we can be recipients of your grace. We can enjoy all your blessings simply by trusting in Christ as our all-sufficient Savior. Help us to live this message. Help us to show it by our lives and share it with our lips.

JOURNALING

When were you first struck by the "free" nature of the gospel-that faith, not works, is the doorway to peace with God?

[Your Response Here]

FOR FURTHER READING

To complete the book of Galatians dur- ing this twelve-part study, read Gala- tians 1:1-10. For more Bible passages on the gospel of grace, read Acts 15:6-21; Romans 3:21-24; 1 Corinthi- ans 15:1-11; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Titus 3:4-7.

Galatians Lesson One for Split Squad

Here's the first half of the first lesson as we look at Galatians... From the Max Lucado commentary we're using. Please order your personal copy soon! Here one source:

https://a.co/d/hWRMgG4

  Next half of the lesson is on January 15.

Introduction of Galatians by Bible Project

https://youtu.be/vmx4UjRFp0M

LESSON ONE 

LEAVING GRACE?

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all."

GALATIANS 1:6-7

REFLECTION

Most people do not enjoy confrontation. Few go through life looking to pick a fight. And yet, conflict is an unavoidable fact of life. What is your typical course of action when you find you have to speak hard truths to a friend, neighbor, or colleague?

[Your Response Here]

SITUATION

During Paul's first missionary journey, he and Barnabas planted a number of churches in the Roman province of Galatia. It was a successful trip, but upon his return, he learned that other teachers had arrived in the region and were preaching a different gospel-one based on salvation through works and adhering to Jewish laws and customs. Paul was troubled to hear that many people in the churches he had founded were being easily swayed by this idea that salvation was not through grace alone. In response, Paul forgoes his words of "thanksgiving and praise" for the believers so common in his letters and gets straight to the heart of his con- cerns.

OBSERVATION

Read Galatians 1:1-10 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.

EXPLORATION

1. The first sentences of Paul's letter to the Galatians have an abrupt and somber feel. Why do you think Paul chose to open in this manner?

[Your Response Here]

2. Paul begins by presenting his "credentials" as an apostle. Why do you think he felt the need to do this? When is such an action valid or invalid?

[Your Response Here]

3. What reason does Paul give for being "astonished" (verse 6)?

[Your Response Here]

4. Why is the "new gospel" the Galatians are embracing not good news?

[Your Response Here]

5. The word "curse" Paul uses in verses 8 and 9 means "eternally condemned." What does this suggest about tinkering with the gospel or altering Christ's message?

[Your Response Here]

6. What is the "simple gospel" (see also 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)?

[Your Response Here]

Christmas Caroling 2022 at ULF

O come, all ye faithful G maj

O come, all ye faithful

joyful and triumphant

Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

Joy to the world! D maj

Joy to the world! the Lord is come!

Let Earth receive her King

Let every heart

prepare Him room

and heaven and nature sing

and heaven and nature sing

and heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns

Let all their songs employ

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders, of His love

O little town of Bethlehem Bb maj

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

the silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark street shineth

The everlasting Light

The Hope and fears of all the years

are met in the tonight

Hark! The herald angels sing G maj

Hark! The herald angels sing 

Glory to the newborn King

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinner reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim

"Christ is born in Bethlehem" 

Hark! The herald angels sing 

Glory to the newborn King

The First Noel

The first Noel the angels did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as the lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel

Good Christian men rejoice

Good Christian men rejoice

with heart and soul and voice

give ye heed to what we say: 

News! News! Jesus Christ is born today

Man and beast before Him bow, 

and He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today,

Christ is born today.

Away in a manger

Away in a manger no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus 

laid down His sweet head

The stars in the sky

looked down where he lay

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

Go tell it on the mountain 

Go tell it on the mountain 

over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain 

that Jesus Christ is born

Go tell it on the mountain 

over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain 

that Jesus Christ is born

Silver Bells

City sidewalks busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style

In the air there's a feeling of Christmas

Children laughing, people passing

Meeting smile after smile

And on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells silver bells

It's Christmas time in the city

Ring-a-ling hear them ring

Soon it will be Christmas day

Let it Snow

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping

And I brought some corn for popping

The lights are turned way down low

Let it snow! Let it snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight

How I'll hate going out in the storm

But if you'll really hold me tight

All the way home I'll be warm

And the fire is slowly dying

And, my dear, we're still goodbying

But as long as you'd love me so

Let it snow! Let it snow and snow!

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow

In a one-horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

Bells on bobtails ring

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh, hey

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh

Silent Night in Spanish 

Noche de paz, noche de amor,

Todo duerme en derredor.

Entre sus astros que esparcen su luz

Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús.

Brilla la estrella de paz,

Brilla la estrella de paz.

Noche de paz, noche de amor,

Todo duerme en derredor.

Sólo velan en la oscuridad

Los pastores que en el campo están

Y la estrella de Belén,

Y la estrella de Belén.

Noche de paz, noche de amor,

Todo duerme en derredor.

Sobre el santo niño Jesús

Una estrella esparce su luz,

Brilla sobre el Rey,

Brilla sobre el Rey.

Prayer-walking

Prayer-walking involves taking our prayers to the very places where we desire to see God’s presence manifested and our prayers answered. Prayer-walking is the powerful dynamic of praying on-site with God's sight.

Prayer-walking uses the sights, sounds, even smells to engage both body and mind in the ministry of prayer.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

Joshua and Caleb walked throughout the Promised Land with a desire to see it as God saw it. They walked in godly vision. In identifying enemy powers, do so in the context of the vastly superior power of God. We need to be aware of the enemy BUT in awe of God – seeing things as they really are not as they appear to be (II Corinthians 4:18). There were giants in the land and cities with great walls, but Joshua and Caleb believed that “(God) will lead us into that land ... we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.” (Numbers 14: 8b, 9b)

In Nehemiah we see a person with a God-given burden and a sensitive heart. Before Nehemiah ever set foot in Jerusalem, the Scripture tells us he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for the city (Nehemiah 1:4). When he finally arrived, his eyes saw the rubble, the burned city gates, as had others before him. However, when a person with a God-given burden and a God-sensitive heart saw them, things changed!

ATTITUDES OF PRAYER-WALKING

First of all, realize that we prayer-walk before the throne in an attitude of worship. Exalting Jesus, magnifying God from the very place(s) where we stand.

Worship fosters faith inside us because worship focuses on the character of God. Three elements that should be a part of our prayer-walking worship experience are, (1) thanksgiving, (2) praise and worship, and (3) repentance. Thanksgiving is how the psalmist says we are to enter God’s presence (Psalm 100:1). When we exalt in our Lord and lift Him up, Jesus is lifted up (John 12:32). Demons tremble at His name! (James 2:19)

Like Isaiah, as we truly see God for who He is, our response is one of unworthiness, a broken and contrite heart before God. God will not turn away from a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). We cannot repent for others, but Daniel and many others expressed a humble attitude of repentance before God on behalf of the people (Daniel 9:2-19).

Second, we prayer-walk amidst the evil powers with prayers of warfare. All people belong to the kingdom of Satan until God sets them free. We need to understand that the enemy has blinded the minds of people, so they are not able to see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus is the light of the world and has defeated Satan. (I John 3:8)

Third, we prayer-walk throughout the community of people with prayers of blessing. We can pray blessings of peace upon families, dorms, offices, etc. We can pray prayers that welcome Jesus to our campus/city in all His love, forgiveness, healing and cleansing. We can pray that God would be honored, adored, lifted up, revealed and praised by name among the people of the community.

Pastor Jack Hayford prayed this prayer of blessing for Los Angeles: “Now Lord, we are the seed of Abraham and we speak blessing upon the people of this community. Let your salvation, healing, deliverance and reconciliation settle over this community.”

Taken from Cru website 

Genesis 24:1-67

1. Who have you prayed for? 

2. Who have you cared for? 

3. What has God done for you recently in your life? 

4. What has God taught you?

As Abraham enters the twilight of his spiritual journey with God, he still has some work to do. He has retired from many of his duties, but he can’t retire from God ... and neither can we. As long as our hearts are pumping and our brains working, we have work to do as well.

Let’s see how this works through the four principles found in this passage. This morning we are going to view these principles from the perspective of the church rather than a single believer like Abraham. Now many view the church as a building, but the Bible never refers to the church as a building. Rather, it defines the church as a body of believers. We are the church.

Let's get started.

1. The church is responsible to ensure that God’s mission continues to the next generation. (Genesis 24:1-9)

God uses the church, people like you and me, to carry out his mission. It's our responsibility. It was Abraham's responsibility. Now, for God's mission to continue, Abraham's son Issac had to get married and have kids. During that time arranged marriages were the rule, not the exception like today. So it was Abraham's responsibility to find his son that wife.

Having lived in the land of the Canaanites for decades, he knew that he didn't want his son to marry one of those girls, so he sent his servant back to his homeland to find a wife. We don't know much beyond this, but the little that we do know we can infer that the Canaanite's hearts were far from God ... they were faithless.

Incidentally, in one of the letters written to the Corinthian church, God warns the church not to marry outside of the faith because of the pitfalls of trying to navigate through life with two different worldviews. (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) It seems Abraham intuitively knew this. This is good instruction for us as well.

This task to advance God's mission by finding a wife for his son weighed so heavy on Abraham, that he made his servant swear by an oath that he would faithfully execute Abraham's desire. I sometimes wonder ... does the church today have that same burden of responsibility when thinking of passing our faith to the next generation?

Let's think in terms of the Great Commission. Remember, right before Jesus ascended to heaven he gave his last instructions to his disciples. He said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20).

In the twilight of his life with God, the apostle Paul wrote this to his spiritual heir, Timothy: "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:1-2)

We are responsible. Are we burdened by it? Let's take it to heart. Start with your children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, and move out from there.

2. The church should be confident that the Lord will lead them in their faithful activities. (Genesis 24:10-27)

This is the intersection of God providing and us praying. Remember that God is in control. He is all-powerful. He is all-knowing. He is present with us for he will not abandon us or forsake us. He answers prayers. His plans will not be thwarted. He provides. Notice how the Lord, by way of an angel clears the path of Abraham’s servant: before he finished praying, the girl for whom he had been praying appears. (Genesis 24:15)

As much as God has the power to provide, we must pray for that provision and rely on him to make it happen. This is what the servant did. (Genesis 24:12-14) Imagine this: You have been instructed to go find a spouse for you boss' son in a foreign land. No physical description was given to you. How on earth are you going to accomplish this?

Prayer, right? and Lord, give a sign that I am on the right path. This is what Abraham's servant did and he was confident that the Lord would provide for his faithful activities.

Is this true in our life?

3. The church must give priority to completing God’s work. (Genesis 24:28-60)

As the servant enters Rebekah's home, her family wants to eat and visit. Yet, he tells them he wants to get down to business first. There is a sense of urgency and priority to complete his task.

I don't know if the Lord has burdened your heart to share some thoughts with someone or not. If he has, you will know exactly what I am about to speak about. There are times that you might show up to share something with someone and they invite you to watch the game or eat some food or play a game. You go with the flow and before you know it, it's time to go and you haven't had "the time" to share with them.

So, take care of business first. Now, notice how he takes care of his business. He recalls the whole scene in vivid detail to make it unmistakably clear that God's fingerprints are all over this ... in essence, he is saying "This is not a coincidence, but the living God ... the God of Abraham is in this." Now, even Abraham's family, who are not faithful followers of God, sees the power of God in this. (Genesis 24:50) The same is true today. This is how some come to faith. They come to faith through the testimonies of others. So share yours because you never know how God is working in someone's heart.

4. The church may rest assured that the Lord will complete the good work he has done. (Genesis 24:61-67)

The family releases Rebekah to Abraham's family and she marries Isaac ... and God's mission continues to the next generation. God is making good the promise he made to Abraham ... that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. (Genesis 15:5)

We can find that same assurance in him as well. He will complete the good work that he started in you ... that he started in this church body 69 years ago (Philippians 1:6) for he is faithful and will be with us until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Principles adapted from Allen Ross’, Creation and Blessing (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1998) pp. 418-423.