“Healed by Jesus”

It’s here! Our official move to Sunday mornings. We’ve had a great time on Saturday evenings laying the foundation for our church and building relationships with one another. But now we stop talking about what we’ll do and we start doing it.

For the month of November, we’re going to look at stories of Jesus’ healings. We will look at a different story each week, trying to better understand what Jesus’ intentions were as He healed different men and women throughout His ministry. This first week, we’ll be looking at the paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12).

We will still be at Raymond & Nikki’s but we’ll now be meeting at 10 a.m. on Sunday. I pray that your week is fruitful and fun and I look forward to seeing you Sunday morning!

Tony

As Believers, what are we supposed to do? (not what is the church supposed to do for us)

Tony as been, and will continue to discuss the purpose of the Church as described in Acts.  But what is the role of the individual, born again, believer? Paul had more than a little to say about this in the 5^th chapter of his first letter to the Thessalonians, whom many believe to be the first book written in the New Testament.  Below is the 5^th chapter of 1 Thessalonians, with my humble outline interspersed, beginning with the 4^th verse.

1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

First, we are to be awake, aware, and sober.

4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

Next, we are to be protected, as “Christians in Complete Armor”.

8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

Now, we are to encourage one another.

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

We are to be good stewards of the faith.  Respecting our pastors and teachers, being patient with members of the faith who are different than we are (and who is not different?), guiding, correcting, and growing together.  

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

We are not to “get even”, or “Get ahead”, but to forgive in Christ.

15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

And, we are to understand that God is on His throne, and regardless if we can see His hand in our lives, to acknowledge that it is, and be thankful for it.

16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Remember, the Bible is God’s Word, and The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

19Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil. 23May 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. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25Brothers, pray for us. 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Amen

- Cliff

New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Some of my favorite Jeff Foxworthy redneck jokes:

You may be a redneck if:

You have a rag for a gas cap!

You’ve ever made a Christmas wreath out of a tire!

You’ve ever cooked with WD-40!

You know for a fact that a sock can be used as toilet paper!

I have done this one:  Moved furniture in a horse trailer!  ha ha ha

I’ve done this as well:  Blown my nose and checked  the oil using the same rag!  Sad but true!

Jeff Foxworthy always makes me laugh.  Hopefully you just did.  I think I am a redneck?  Ask Nikki!