Sunday, June 22, 2014

Parables: The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-15) Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Dig Deeper

Jesus frequently taught the crowds by using parables; in fact Mark’s Gospel reveals a season when Jesus “did not say anything to them without using a parable.” (Mark 4:34) The gospels record several different kinds of parables, story parables, similitudes, parabolic sayings and metaphors. The parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16:1-15 is known as a story parable in that it is a story with a beginning, an ending and a plot. In their book, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, authors Gordon Fee and  Douglas Stuart describe the primary purpose of a story parables as “calling forth a response on the part of the hearer” (152).

Read Luke 16:1-15.

What is the setting? (Luke 16:1, 14)

What problem or issue is Jesus addressing in this parable? (Luke 16:15)

What response is Jesus calling for? (Luke 16:9-13)

Jesus said in Luke 16:8, ““The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd (prudently or wisely) in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” How do you imagine His different hearers reacting when He said this?

The disciples--

The crowds--

The Pharisees--

What insight about His hearers does Luke 18:9 offer for understanding Jesus’ purpose for telling this parable?

Application

How are you using what you have been entrusted? Jesus declares, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13b). How is the Holy Spirit leading you to love/serve God with your money?

Memorize This


Matthew 7:24-25— “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  NIV  

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Happy Father's Day! What's it like to be a dad? by the Skit Guys

Living Beyond Your Capacity, Part 6 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

On two occasions in the New Testament Christians are commanded to “pray in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18 & Jude 20). Praying in the Spirit means to pray consistent with the Holy Spirit’s leading similar to Jesus’ invitation to “ask anything in His name (John 14:14) or the confidence we have when “we ask anything according to his will (1 John 5:14). Rather than a certain type of prayer for special occasions, we are to pray in the Spirit “on all occasions with all kinds of prayer” (Ephesians 6:18).

Discuss/Reflect on the statement, “Prayer in the Spirit is much less about getting a desired response from God and much more about discovering and sharing God’s heart."

Read Romans 8:26-27 and 1 John 5:14. What insights do these Scriptures provide about the role of the Spirit in our prayers?

Ephesians 6:18 refers to “all kinds of prayers.” Using the acrostic ACTS what do the following Scriptures reveal about these different kinds of prayers?

A= Adoration (Worship)

2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 150:1; Matthew 6:9--

C= Confession

2 Chronicles 32:20-26; Psalm 51; 1 John 1:9--

T= Thanksgiving

2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalm 136; Ephesians 1:15-23--

S= Supplication (Requests)

Psalm 55:22; Matthew 6:11; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7--

Application

Set aside time this week to prayer through ACTS.

Memorize This


Galatians 5:16— So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. NIV  

Monday, June 9, 2014

Dr Robert Berry's Story


Here's the video of Dr. Robert Berry's story we viewed yesterday. Dr. Berry left his career as an ER doctor to start a clinic that provides compassionate healthcare for those in need. He has forgone a loss in income, a loss in reputation. Is it worth it? Watch as he demonstrates why it was worth the risk and why following God’s call to start this clinic has kept him from being “willingly blind”,  softening his calloused heart to the needs of his neighbor.

Remember, this is Dr. Berry's story. There are doctors whose calling is to the ER (my family has certainly benefited from great ER doctors). Ephesians 2:10 reads, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (ESV). To what good works have you been called to walk in?

Check out other stories of God's call here.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Living Beyond Your Capacity, Part 5 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Theologian Lewis Sperry Chafer explains that the Christian quenches the Holy Spirit “by any unyieldedness to the revealed will of God. It is simply saying ‘no’ to God, and so is closely related to matters of divine appointments for service” (He That Is Spiritual, page 86). After instructing his fellow Christians not to quench the Spirit, the apostle Paul makes clear the aim of the Spirit in the life of the Christian, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

To be sanctified means to be made holy or consecrated to God. The aim of the Holy Spirit is to lead every Christian to a sanctified life “through and through.” When this is resisted, the Spirit is quenched.

What do the following Scriptures reveal about God’s will for every Christian?

Romans 12:1-2--

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 5:18----

John 20:21; Acts 1:8--

Application

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 for the context of the command “Do not quench the Spirit.”

5:12-- How is the Holy Spirit leading you to acknowledge and honor those who care for you spiritually?

5:14-- How is the Holy Spirit leading you to warn the idle, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone and forgive anyone who has wronged you?

5:15-- What opportunities to strive for good has God opened to you?

5:16-18-- How is the Holy Spirit leading you to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances?

5:19-22-- How is the Holy Spirit leading you to dig deeper into the Scriptures?

Memorize This


Galatians 5:16— So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. NIV

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Venture Expeditions Northern Tour departs TODAY!

The Venture Expedition Norther Tour from Seattle to New York City departs TODAY. These cyclists will connect with churches and communities along the route, educating people about the realities of injustice and oppression facing children and families in Thailand and Burma; sharing tangible steps people can take to help end this horrible reality. In addition they are raising funds for mission work in Thailand and Burma working to provide educational opportunities, refugee feeding programs and the hope of the Gospel. The tour plans to join us Wednesday July 30th.

Check out this video put together last summer by cyclist Joe Han. NMBC is seen at the 7.02 mark.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Living Beyond Your Capacity, Part 4

Many of us on occasion have labored to know “God’s will” for a specific area of our life. These often involve life’s “big” decisions such as, “Whom shall I marry?” or “What vocation should I pursue?”  There is one aim of the Holy Spirit for which every Christian can be assured: holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and 7 reads, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification… For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (NKJV). Bible teacher and author Jerry Bridges defines holiness as “to be morally blameless… separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God” (The Pursuit of Holiness, page 19).

Positionally before God the Christian has been made holy at the moment of salvation (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Holy Spirit is at work day by day in the life of the Christian aligning his daily practice with his position. Jerry Bridges explains, “Progressive sanctification is not a partnership with the Spirit in the sense that we each - the believer and the Holy Spirit - do our respective tasks. Rather, we work as He enables us to work. His work lies behind all our work and makes our work possible.”

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 and Ephesians 4:25-32. What practical insights do these Scriptures provide for how we ought to pursue holiness in everyday life?

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8--

Ephesians 4:25-32--

Application

In Galatians 5:22-23 the Apostle Paul describes living holy as bearing spiritual fruit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is…” How are you observing the fruit of the Spirit in your life? What areas are you sensing the Holy Spirit leading you to greater reliance?

Love (1 John 2:10)                               

Joy (Philippians 4:4)                    

Peace (Philippians 4:7)                        

Forbearance (Philippians 4:5)

Kindness (2 Corinthians 6:6)                

Goodness (Ephesians 5:9)

Faithfulness (Matthew 25:21)              

Gentleness (Colossians 3:12)                 

Self-control (2 Peter 1:6)

Memorize This

Galatians 5:16— So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. NIV