This Thursday we will honor all those who served in the Military. We remember their service and say “Thank you.”
(Have veterans stand.) On Memorial Day, we remember with appreciation all those who died for their country. And we remember with special days Lincoln and Washington, Martin Luther King, Christopher Columbus, mothers, fathers, grandparents, first responders etc.
Even in our families we remember birthdays and main events in the lives of our parents and other loved ones after they are gone. In August for example, I will remember the birthdays and wedding anniversary of my parents. We’ll also remember when family members pass away.
As we said last week, as a church, we are family made up of born-again Christians who love and worship together. Through December 12 we are talking about some of the characteristics of the church in light of being a family.
We do have a family memorial that allows us to focus on the head of our family, our Lord Jesus Christ. What is unique about this memorial is that Jesus himself instituted it. We call it a sacrament or an ordinance. We believe that Jesus gave two ordinances. One is baptism, which we’ll talk about next week, and the other is the Lord’s Table, which we will celebrate today.
The key words that we want to focus on are “In Remembrance of Me”. The key things we are remembering are his death for our sins. As a family, I believe that there is even More we can and should remember about our Lord.
REMEMBER JESUS AS THE PREINCARNATE CHRIST
- He Is God. John 1:1-2, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6
- He Is Creator. John 1:1-2, Colossians 1:15-17
- He is Angel of the Lord. Genesis 16:11-13, Judges 13:20-22
REMEMBER JESUS AS THE HUMAN CHRIST
- His Perfection – Matthew 4:1-11,
Hebrews 4:15
- His Teaching – Matthew 7:24-29, John 14:6, John 14:15
- His Actions as a Soul-Winner – Luke 19:1-10, John 4:1-30
- His Actions as Miracle Worker – Luke 8:22-25 Luke 9:12-17
REMEMBER JESUS AS THE SUFFERING CHRIST
- His Suffering Reflected in the Bread –
Luke 22:19, Isaiah 53:7-12
- His Suffering reflected in the Cup – Luke 22:20
1 Peter 1:18-19
REMEMBER JESUS AS THE RISEN CHRIST – 1 Corinthians 15:1-10
REMEMBER JESUS AS THE COMING CHRIST – 1 Corinthians 11:26
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First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)
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PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER – A KEY VERSE
FAMILY PRAYERS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH #2
Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV) - praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
· J. Sidlow Baxter - "...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons -- but they are helpless against our prayers."
- Ephesians 6:18 is a key verse for us to consider. What is the context of this verse (Ephesians 6:10-17) and why is this verse so important?
FREQUENCY OF PRAYER - ALWAYS
· Continual prayer is a Biblical principal. Psalm 55:17, Acts 6:4, 2 Timothy 1:3
· Read Philippians 4:6 - "In everything by prayer..." – What are some of the specific situations that should find us in prayer? Think creatively as you answer this question.
- Think of frequent prayer as staying in touch with headquarters. Luke 18:1
FULLNESS OF PRAYER - ALL
· Let’s not be like our friends who only contact us when they want something.
· The word "prayer" here is a general word that includes more than just asking for things.
- Prayer is to include praise or worship. Psalm 47:6-7, Psalm 96:1-2, Psalm 84:1-2 (ESV)
· Notice another part of prayer is thanksgiving. When we come to God in prayer, we are to come with thankful hearts. Psalm 107:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
· In two minutes, let’s name as many things as possible for which we are thankful.
· Prayer includes “supplication” or “petition”.
- Physical needs – “Give us this day our daily bread…”
- We can ask for guidance. James 1:5
- We can and should ask for forgiveness. Psalm 32:5
- We can pray for healing. James 5:13-16
- We can pray for Spiritual health. Colossians 4:12-13
FORCE OF PRAYER - IN THE SPIRIT
· We are to pray "in the Spirit", our prayers under His influence and control. Jude 20-21
- The Holy Spirit knows what to pray when we don’t. Romans 8:26-27
FOCUS OF PRAYER - WATCHING FOR ALL SAINTS
· Christians are to be on the alert. Watching and prayer go together. As I am alert to what is going on around me, I will know how to pray. Nehemiah 4:7-9, 1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
· What are the common ways that most of us pray for other Christians?
· Think of how the Lord’s Prayer can be prayer for other Christians.
- We should watch for the Spiritual needs of other Christians, including the prayers in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 2 Thessalonians.
FAITHFULNESS OF PRAYER - PERSEVERANCE
· We are not to pray with vain, empty repetition. However, God wants us to "hang in there" until He chooses to send the answer.
· A classic parable on persistent prayer is found in Luke 18:1-8.
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PSALM 100:3,5 – SEVEN CERTAINTIES FOR THE SAINTS
We leave in a world of constant change and upheaval.
We cannot count on things being the same, because they won't stay the same. In this time of difficulty, it's nice to know that God never changes.
Psalm 100:3,5 lists seven of these unchangeable truths.
1. THE LORD IS GOD
2. THE LORD IS CREATOR
3. WE ARE THE LORD'S PEOPLE (If we are saved.)
4. WE ARE THE LORD'S SHEEP (Again, if we are saved.)
5. THE LORD IS GOOD
6. HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING
7. HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS
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Psalm 103:1-8 – THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS
Psalm 103:1-2 (KJV) - Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Here are some reasons to “Bless the Lord” this Thanksgiving
- WE ARE FORGIVEN – Vs. 3
- WE ARE HEALED (Spiritually) – Vs. 3, Isaiah 53:4-5
- WE ARE REDEEMED – Vs. 4
- WE ARE CROWNED – Vs. 4
- WE ARE SATISFIED – Vs. 5
- WE ARE DEFENDED – Vs. 6
- WE ARE SHOWN – Vs. 7
- WE ARE LOVED – Vs. 8 – The word mercy means “love”.
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AMOS – LEARNING GOD’S AUTHORITY
A COMPLETE LESSON
- What positive lessons have you learned from the people in this Church?
- What positive lessons have you learned from your parents?
- What positive lessons have you learned from Bible Characters?
- Why are lessons about Bible Characters so important? Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This man, the prophet Amos bursts on the scene with some very forceful words. His emphasis is on God's Authority. According to Fred M. Barlow, Amos uses the phrase "Thus saith the Lord" fourteen times and phrases like "saith the Lord", or “ saith the Lord God” another 28 times. So, over 40 times in 9 chapters Amos points to the Lord as the authority for his message. The lesson we learn from this man is very valuable. It is the Prophet Amos who teaches the importance of God's Authority in our lives.
BACKGROUND: Just what do we know about the Prophet Amos?
- He lived when Israel was divided into two smaller countries, Israel (Samaria) and Judah.
- Amos was a “southerner”, living in Tekoah, about 10 miles south of Judah in the southern kingdom of Judah.
- Amos was “among the herdsmen”, which probably means “sheep breeder”.
- According to Amos 7:14 we know that Amos was also a farmer. He grew sycamore figs, which bore fruit 3 or 4 times a year.
- Amos didn't do his preaching in his own country of Judah, but he preached in the North, specifically in Bethel, which was one of the two centers for Israel's false worship. Bethel was where the King of Israel worshiped.
- Amos came roaring into town and started proclaiming in Amos 1:2 - …The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
- At first when Amos started to preach he condemned many of Israel's neighbors in chapters 1-2. This would have made his audience very happy.
- But in Amos 2:5-16 the prophet "lowers the boom", so to speak, on Israel.
And from this little book we learn something about the authority of God. We begin with:
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK
Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
It is not God’s responsibility to agree with me, but my responsibility to agree with God. Why?
- GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK ABOUT SALVATION
Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, John 14:6, Romans 5:1
- GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK ABOUT BAPTISM
Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47-48
- GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK ABOUT BEHAVIOR
Matthew 22:35-40, 1 Peter 1:15-16
- GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER HOW I THINK - MY THOUGHT PATTERNS
Psalm 19:14, Psalms 119:11, Philippians 4:8
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHERE I GO
- We already told you that Amos was a Southerner, from Judah. He was sent north to Samaria. How could he have argued with God about where he would serve?
- Why do we sometimes argue with God about where we are sent?
- What is tragic about failing to go where God sends us to share the Gospel?
- When Jesus sent out the disciples, where did he send them first? Acts 1:8
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I DO
- Amos 7:10-13 - The high priest complained about Amos to the king. He also told him to go back home and make his living as a prophet there. They didn't want to hear it!
- Amos 7:14-15 - Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I SAY
- All through this little book Amos quotes God. God had the authority over Amos' words.
- How do we know when God has authority over our words?
- What are some of the different kinds of words and people that God might have us speak to?
Hebrews 3:12-13, Mark 16:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Galatians 6:1
- How can we be ready to share the Word of God with others? Psalm 19:14
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JOHN 2:1-12 – MIRACLE CONDITIONS
What is a miracle? A miracle is anything which God does, which man
can not do! God is capable of doing above and beyond what we could
ask or think. Jeremiah 32:17, 27, Luke 1:37. Genesis 18:14.
There are many examples of miracles in the Bible (Name some of your
favorites.). People often wonder are there miracles today. The answer
of course, is yes. Every new life in Christ is a miracle (2 Corinthians
5:21). Every answer to prayer is a miracle! Every victory in our lives,
in the lives of others and in the world in general, is a miracle.
People often wonder what conditions are needed to see miracles. I
believe we have the answer in this text where we see the conditions
necessary for God to work miracles. We can ask ourselves the following
questions:
1. IS GOD PLEASED? - Vss. 1-2 - Jesus, by His attendance, showed
approval on the wedding. For us to be in a position to see God work
miracles we must be pleasing Him. First we must be saved. Second we
must live a Godly life. Isaiah 59:2, Psalm 66:18.
2. IS THERE A NEED? - Vs. 3 - There was a need for wine, a symbol
of joy. To be out of wine was a disgrace. God works miracles when
there is a need to work miracles, not just to please the whims of
people. Also, remember that God works according to His own will and
plan, not ours!
3. IS THERE PRAYER? - Vs. 3-4 - Mary's motives may not have
been right, judging by Jesus' response. However, she had the right
idea. She was asking the right person. We need to ask God, when we
have needs. Jeremiah 33:3, 1 John 5:14-15, Luke 18:1
4. IS THERE FAITH? - Vs. 5 - Mary showed her faith by instructing
the servants to obey the Lord. When we ask God for help, we must
have faith to believe that he will answer. James 1:5-8, Mark 11:23-24
5. IS THERE OBEDIENCE? - Vss. 5-10 - Jesus worked the miracle
as the servants obeyed. Some miracles God will work without any
help from man. Other times, He will call on us to fulfill His will. As
we obey His leading, He will work.
6. IS GOD GLORIFIED? - Vs. 11 - God will work miracles to bring
glory to Himself. Will the miracle that is being sought bring glory to
God or man> If it is designed to bring glory to man, don't expect a
miracle!
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COLOSSIANS 3:15-17 – THANKFUL!
THANKFUL THROUGH PEACE – Vs. 15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
THANKFUL THROUGH PRECEPT – Vs. 16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
THANKFUL THROUGH PRACTICE (or PERFORMANCE) – Vs. 17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
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HEBREWS1:4-2:4 – THE SUPERIOR SON
CONCERNING THE SON
His Name - 1:4-5, Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14
His Position – Hebrews 1:6
His Righteous Reign 1:8-9, Psalm 45:6-7
His Joy – Hebrews 1:9
His Creative Acts – Hebrews 1:10, Psalm 102:25-27
His Permanence – Hebrews 1:11-12
CONCERNING HIS SERVANTS (THE ANGELS)
Their Song (worship) Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 97:7
Their Service
To Christ – Hebrews 1:7
For Saints – Hebrews 1:14
Their Subordination – Hebrews 1:13, Psalm 110:1
CONCERNING SAINTS AND SINNERS
Conduct – Hebrews 2:1 - Saints and Sinners alike are to "take heed".
Caution – Hebrews 2:2-3 - Saints and Sinners alike are not to "neglect so great salvation".
Confirmation – Hebrews 2:3-4 - The message to Saints and Sinners was confirmed by signs, wonders, and miracles.
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