Sunday School AND Sermon Notes 4/14/13

I enjoyed the Sunday School and Sermon today, so I wanted to share both (not that I ever don't enjoy either!) The Sunday school lesson is from the outline Brother Ricky makes for us each week, with the questions we use to discuss. I encourage you to answer the questions, and take some time researching if you want to know more. We always think and discuss a lot on Sunday mornings!

Sunday School - "How's My Walk With God?" Series, Bauman Road Baptist Church
4/14/13 "Don't Steal The Show" With Brother Richard Robinson

(Below is all from the outline Brother Ricky makes for us each week.)

We have a tendancy to think more highly of ourselves than we should. The day we attribute God's success to our own account, is the day we start going down hill.

Discussion...Acts 14:8-20
⁸ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

⁹ The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

¹⁰ Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

¹¹ And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

¹² And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

¹³ Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

¹⁴ Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

¹⁵ And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

¹⁶ Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

¹⁷ Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

¹⁸ And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

¹⁹ And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

²⁰ Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

(Thought Provoking Questions:)

• How were Paul and Barnabus presented with the opportunity to "steal the show?"
• What are some of the tricks that are being used today (in Christian circles), in order to "steal the show"?
• Are we guilty of misrepresenting ourselves and our relationship with the Lord?
• How would you compare this misrepresentation of our relationship with the Lord, with what other shysters out there are doing?
• Can you recall a time when you were tricked into doing something, and how it felt?
• When it comes to ourselves, many times we don't deceive people, and yet know they are mistaken and do nothing to set things straight. Is there a difference?
• What do you know about stoning? How was it done?
• When Paul was being stoned, do you think he thought about Stephen?
• "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me." Lets talk about what we say, and stoning people.
• After being stoned, Paul got up and walked back into the city. Do you think he was doing so in defiance, to show them he wasn't afraid of them? Why do you think he did it?
• In your opinion, what was today's lesson all about?

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Sermon -  Bauman Road Baptist Church - Sunday AM service
4/14/13 "Paul's Prescription for Peace and Joy" With Brother Adam Johnson
(aka Pastor Hubby to me!)

I Thess. 5:16-18

1.Rejoice Evermore

• Nothing should drag us down because we have been saved!
• Bad things will happen, but we always have something to be joyful about!
• Not always happy outside, but inward joy!

2. Pray Without Ceasing

• Take the time to pray for others (and not just a "bless them" type of prayer) and for ourselves
• We have not because we ask not or we ask amiss

3. Give Thanks

• Not just for food!
• Thank God for all He has given us!
• Thank God for all He has NOT given us!

Psalm 145:17-18

1. We have to embrace God in faith to feel the joy

• "I'm crucified with Christ" - the old guy is dead!

2. Give your heart to God (Romans 10)

• Not half-hearted, but WHOLE heartily
• be sincere!
• if not, don't expect the joy and peace

3. Obedience

• God's expectation is perfection
• We can't be perfect, but it's not a licence to sin!
• If we're not obedient, we will fall HARD!
• Follow God's word! Not man's word, or priest's, or anyone but God!
• Believe God's Word and Apply It!

Phil. 2:1-11 - The purpose of our existence - Glory to God!

1. Godly service requires Allegiance

• God HAS to be #1!

2. Godly service requires Genuine Love

• If you can't love your brother who you can see, how can you love God whom you can't see?
• If your left arm offend you, cut it off! Don't let anything keep you from serving God!

3. Godly service requires humility (James 4)

• Jesus hasn't changed, why has the church (we) felt the need to? To put on a show to make us look better!?
• Service doesn't have to be made fanciful!

God expects us to be joyful! He has given us Joy and Peace! (not happy on the outside or to put on a fake smile, but to be truly joyful!)

And I know I've already posted this song before, but it is one of my VERY favorites and we sang it in worship this morning! So, I'm sharing it again:

 

Proverbs 31:27

Proverbs 31:27

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

This morning I was determined to write another blogpost for myself and for whoever else may read. I say every time I go to write a blogpost that I'm just going to sit down, write a blog, then get up and do laundry, dishes, vacuum, etc. etc. etc. (and yes I just said this aloud like the king in The King and I...lol) Well, I sit down, write a blog, then I check my e-mail, then I check my facebook, then I watch videos on youtube, then I check pinterest...and you get the drift...before I know it it's 1:00 on my only day off (and only good time I have to really clean and do things around the house) and the only productive thing I've done is write a blogpost...ugh. Then my back hurts from sitting in the computer chair so I have to go lay down until it stops hurting and there goes some more time. So, this morning I kept saying to myself "Sit down, write a blog, get up!" I wasn't sure what I was going to write about quite yet, so I searched through the chapter of the virtuous woman (after all this is what the blog is all about) and I came to this verse...PERFECT for me today! I waste way too much time doing pointless stuff...I mean truly pointless! What good is looking at videos on youtube going to do me? It's just a distraction and an excuse to procrastinate longer on what I really need to be doing! Why do I do it? Probably 1 or 2 reasons. 1. LAZY...that's all there is to that one... 2. Worn out and tired from working a full time job all week and feel like I dont have enough energy to get around to cleaning. Well, if I'm tired, watching videos on youtube is NOT going to make me less tired to get stuff done. I need to take a little catnap, or exercise, or eat a healthy meal to charge me. Maybe even all 3. Also, if you take better care of things and get done what needs to get done, you can be able to sleep better at night. If it's being lazy, I just need to get started....that's the hardest part! Once you get started, it's not so bad! (and yes, I'm talking to myself here...a self pep talk! lol) And you feel much better and can relax once it's done! AND YES we do need a day of rest...this is what Sunday should be for...after all the work for the week has been done! God worked hard and created the world in the 6 days and THEN rested on the 7th...He should be our example in all we do. So that's what I have to say about that...but all of that is just blubblering...what really matters is what God's word says! So let's see some other verses!

Verses about not being lazy/idle:

Prov. 18:9 "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster."

Prov. 6:6-11 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."

Prov 10:4 "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich"

Prov 21:25 "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour."

2 Thess. 3:10-12 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."

2 Cor. 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

So what does a virtuous woman do instead of idleing?

Grocery Shopping (for healthy food while being wise with the money...)(or gardening is even better! Healthier and cheaper...the more work you put into it, the more rewarding the outcome):
- Prov. 31:14 "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar."
- Prov. 31:16 "She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."

Budgeting for wise use of money:
-Prov. 31: 18 "She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night."
(Also note how she considered the field, in verse 16, before buying it)

Cooking:
-Prov 31:15 "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens."

Providing clean clothes for her and her family to wear (for us this means laundry, buying clothes when they NEED something [this is the problem...we like to clothes shop in abundance sometimes...be wise with the money, but provide for the needs], or sewing and mending clothes (again cheapest and most rewarding.):
-Prov. 31:19 "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."
-Prov. 31:22 "She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."

Meditating on Scriptures:
-Joshua 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Teaching scripture (and how to live them) to her children and being a good example:
-Deut. 6:6-7 "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
- Titus 2:4-8 "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

Get some exercise (although, if you're working hard enough, it's a good workout in itself):
Prov. 31:17 "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms."

Prepare for rough times ahead of time:
-Prov. 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." (also applies to providing clothing for your family)

She brings in money, too, with her craftiness:
- Prov. 31:24 "She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."

Keeps her home tidy and orderly:
- Prov. 24:3 "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:"
- Prov. 14:1 "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."
(Also in Titus 2:5 above "Keepers at home"...Part of being wise with money is taking good care of the homes we have. If you let your house get dirty and gross, it gets worn down a whole lot faster, and you have to spend a LOT more money on repairs than you would have to on upkeep. Also, it's important to keep your family healthy, and isn't a family healthier if there isn't dirt and grime floating around everywhere? And our God is ordly in everything, so shouldn't we be too? Now, I'm not saying the virtuous woman's house has to be spotless at all times...it can be lived in! Just orderly and well kept. But, don't focus on the cleaning so much that you miss important time with God and your family)

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men"

Col. 3:23

Spiritual Drift: Sermon Notes 4/7/13

These are sermon notes from my husband's sermon today...I always enjoy hearing him preach:

Pastor Adam Johnson : Bauman Rd. Missionary Baptist Church : 4/7/13

Things that cause us to drift:

 1. Time
       A) We can grow weary of good (Galatians 6:9)
       B) We can lose the ferver of our devotion (Revelation 2:4)
       C) We can rest on past laurels and quit pressing forward (Phillipians 3:13-14)

2. Familiarity Breeds Contempt
     A) As we are familiar to the truth, it can seem common place to us
     B) We may lose our sense of novelty about it
     C) We may take it for granted
     D) We can stand in danger of losing our first love

3. Society
     A) Modern opinions easily seduce us (I Cor. 15:33)
     B) Being bombarded by secular humanism, false religions, and fake Christianity can cause us to waver
     C) These can move us away from the simplicity in Christ (II Cor. 11:2-3)

4. The Flesh
     A) Our warfare is not without, but also within (I Peter 2:11)
     B) Our flesh is constantly waging war with our souls (Galatians 5:16-17)

So, How do we keep from drifting?
TRUST in the LORD and His provision!
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Prepare Yourself First

At the church my parents attend, the one I grew up in and was saved in, they have JOY club. JOY stood for Jesus then Others then You. You are supposed to put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. This is true, but there are some areas you need to focus on yourself first. This includes fixing yourself before you try to fix others. If you don't you'll easily be ignored or called a hypocrite. If you're not living right or not having a close relationship with God, how can you positively influence others to have a good relationship with God? You cannot! And, let's face it, we pretty much all try do it anyway. And this is something I need to work on more (Just like everything else in my walk...ugh..sin nature is frustrating!). Let's read a parable from Luke 6:39-40:

"³⁹ And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?⁴⁰ The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.⁴¹And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴² Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.⁴³ For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

In order to influence others positively for the Kingdom of God...we must (in similar order):

1. Study what God's Word says: 2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"
2. Get your relationship right with God: 2 Chron. 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
3. Live what God's Word says: James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" and Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
4. Develop a true love for others (truly caring about their souls): John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
5. Let your light shine: Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (notice, you should not be doing good works to make yourself look better or for you to be praised {so don't expect it, or you'll be let down and miss the JOY that comes with serving}, but so you can be an example for others to turn to God and give Him glory)
6. Share what God's Word says: Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
7. Put your spiritual gift to practice: Eph. 4:11-12 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
8. Disciple to Others and Encourage them to Live what God's Word says: 2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

So Ready Yourselves and get out and Share God's word until the whole world hears! And I pray the world see more of You, Lord, and less of me!