May 12, 2013

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

OPENING HYMN: I Love To Tell The Story

DEVOTIONAL: How Much Christ Gives To Us. 1 Timothy 1:12-16

      "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into  the ministry. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

       This passage could also be titled, The Difference Christ Makes. For without Jesus, there is so much that we would not have. Redemption from sin, everlasting life, hope.

SUNDAY SCHOOL:   Defense Before King Agrippa       Acts 26:1-32

  Festus needed to send "formal charges" against Paul to Caesar and this was causing a problem for Festus, because he knew Paul was innocent. In a catch 22 Festus knew that sending Paul with out proper charges would make him look incompetent in his duties.

In Acts 23:11, Jesus tells Paul he will witness in Rome and in the last three chapters we have seen many steps taken that will fulfill that statement. Speaking his defense before Felix and now King Agrippa and his entourage, Paul was able to "witness before the heads of the government of Judea."* Paul's defense," was a testimony designed to present the gospel so that all those who heard him would know how to be saved and would have an opportunity to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus. Paul was able to accomplish his goal and he gave us a great example to follow in witnessing before a hostile audience."*

Repeating the story of his personal testimony, "Paul was preparing the ground work in the hearts of these evil rulers for the gospel to do its wonderful work."*

As the Holy Spirit began to convict Paul's audience, Felix loudly claimed Paul  was insane to which Paul calmly refuted that he was not and that everything he had said could easily be verified. It was at this time Agrippa declared he was almost persuaded to become a Christian. (Acts 26:28). "However, almost saved is still one hundred percent lost."*

And it is my prayer, much like Paul's, that you will accept Christ into your heart and allow him to give you eternal life.

*Adult Quarterly- Church Growth- Extension- Acts 15-28


HYMNS: Saved, Saved
                Standing On The Promises
                I Must Tell Jesus
                I Choose Jesus

PRAYER REQUESTS: Health Issues, Unspoken, Military, Schools

SPECIAL SONG: Still Blessed

SERMON: Genesis 29:32- 30:21

Being Mother's Day, when we search through the bible for mothers there is one that stands out.  Leah. The older, uglier sister of Rachel, her father tricked Jacob into marrying her. For the rest of her life she became the wife her husband didn't love. But Leah was strong in her faith and as such she gave her children worthy names that we still use today- this act in itself is unusual according to the times, for the fathers were the ones to name their children, not mothers.

First there was Ruben- behold a son- Leah thought her husband would now love her.
Simeon- hearing- God heard that she was hated.
Levi (the tribe of Levites come from Leah)- hoped her husband would be joined to since she had delivered him three sons.
Judah- the fourth son- praise the Lord.
And for years, Leah became barren. When she conceived again her fifth son was named Issachar- reward. Her sixth son Zebulun- honor.
Her seventh and final child, a daughter, Dinah- was beautiful.