Sincerely,
Bookmark: http://theresurgence.com/greatest-battle
Lesson Plans, Events and Happenings within the Class and our Church
Bookmark: http://theresurgence.com/greatest-battle
Much can be said of a person's character by the way they use their tongue. Sanaca once said, "Speech is the index of the mind." Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Mat. 12:34) According to Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." In James 3:6, the Bible says that the tongue is "a fire, a world of iniquity", and James 3:8 calls the tongue a "deadly poison." As a fool would carelessly play and prank with a loaded gun, so many Christians today do likewise with their deadly tongue. If only we could fully realize the untold damage that we are doing to the body of Christ! If only we could see the full effect of the words we use! Perhaps a closer look into the Bible can help. God made man, and God made man's tongue, so surely God should be qualified to comment on the subject. Surely God should have some good counsel concerning the use and misuse of the human tongue. Let us consider some sins of the tongue as we find them revealed in God's word. The Lying Tongue Proverbs 25:18 says, "A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." So a lying tongue is a misuse of a deadly weapon. It can be used to harm others near at hand (a maul), a few feet away (a sword), or a great distance away (an arrow). Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and God said that he hates a lying tongue (Pro. 6:17). All liars will have their part in the lake of fire, according to Revelation 21:8. The Flattering Tongue Flattery is also a sin of the tongue. The Bible speaks of flattery as a characteristic of the wicked, not the righteous: "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue." (Psalm 5:9) Imagine the improvements which could be made in our nation if voters elected leaders on the basis of the RECORD rather than on the basis of the flattering speeches! Flattery is just a form of lying, and it has no place in the life of a Christian. The Proud Tongue The Bible also speaks of the proud tongue. Psalm 12:3-4 says, "The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" The most annoying Christians in the world are those with proud tongues because a proud tongue usually comes with two closed ears! Proud- tongued Christians are generally so full of themselves that they learn very little from anyone else. A proud-tongued Christian will talk much of his knowledge and service, but very little about the Lord. In a church, a proud-tongued Christian will make all sorts of suggestions about how the church should function, yet his suggestions, if received, will place burdens on everyone but himself. A proud- tongued Christian is hard to teach or reason with because he thinks he knows everything. Friend, God hates a proud tongue. Allow the Holy Spirit to use your tongue in the way of humility and kindness because pride will only quench God's Spirit and damage your testimony. The Overused Tongue Some people sin by simply overusing their tongue. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says that "a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." People think they appear smart by much talking, but the Bible states just the opposite. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." God doesn't like a blabber mouth. You say, "Well, that's just the way I am!" Then REPENT! Confess your sin and repent. Stop justifying your wickedness and ask God to help you repent. The Swift Tongue Some people are guilty of speaking too swiftly when they really need to wait before saying anything. God's word says the following in Proverbs 18:13: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." How many times have you had to "eat" your words because you spoke too swiftly? James 1:19 warns us to be swift to HEAR and SLOW to speak. Why do you suppose God gave us two ears but only one mouth? The Backbiting Tongue Proverbs 25:23 and Romans 1:30 make mention of a backbiting tongue. A backbiter is someone who uses their tongue against you when you aren't present, yet they will not face you with their charges when you are present. This is a cowardly backbiter who would rather stir up problems than solve problems. A backbiter would much rather talk ABOUT the preacher than talk TO the preacher. A backbiter would much rather talk ABOUT some weak Christian in the church than offer some words of encouragement TO them. A backbiter is of no use to anyone, and no one has ever been strengthened or edified through backbiting. Beware of the backbiters, especially the ones who sow discord among brethren (Pro. 6:19)! The Talebearing Tongue Proverbs 18:8 says, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Leviticus 19:16 says, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people. . ." Every Christian has the duty to deny his own desires and seek to edify other Christians (Rom. 14:19; Philip. 2:3). Talebearing runs wholly contrary to Christian edification. Talebearing (carrying and telling tales) spreads all sorts of hurtful information around, and Satan uses such information to hinder and tear down God's work. A victim of talebearing, according to Proverbs, is a "wounded" person. God forbid that a Christian should wound another Christian, but it does happen all the time! Some Christians live as though they think God has "called" them to bear tales on other Christians. Many "Christian" newsletters are dedicated to informing the body of Christ on the latest news about someone's ministry or personal life. There are many nice words and phrases used to justify such conduct, but the Bible word is TALEBEARING. The Cursing Tongue Some people, Christians included, have a nasty habit of using their tongue for cursing. Romans 3:13-14 says, "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." This passage deals strictly with unsaved people and their ungodly ways, yet there are a great many professing Christians who curse regularly. Friend, why would you want to identify yourself with someone whom God describes as being DEAD, DECEITFUL, and POISON? "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones."(Psalm 109:17-18) Many people curse because their life is miserable. They are unhappy so they make it known with their degenerate speech. This text says that God keeps them unhappy BECAUSE of their speech! God curses those who curse! Christian, don't expect God's blessings when your mouth is filled with cursing. The Piercing Tongue Another sinful tongue is the piercing tongue. Proverbs 12:18 speaks of this tongue by saying, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." Some people have a sharp piercing tongue which Satan uses to offend and insult others. The Bible commands Christians to have their speech dominated by GRACE (Col. 4:6), yet most churches have a few people who use their tongue like a sword to pierce their brethren in Christ. It was Teddy Roosevelt who said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick," but the truth is that if you speak softly you won't need a big stick! Titus 2:8 commands us to use sound speech which cannot be condemned. Friend, do you use graceful speech which cannot be evil spoken of, or do you possess a piercing tongue? Every Christian's prayer should be, "Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them." The Silent Tongue A silent tongue is also a sinful tongue because we have been commanded to speak up and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." We, as Christians, have an obligation to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus. To be silent about Christ is to sin against Christ. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38) Christian friend, if you do not want to be ashamed of yourself when the Lord returns, then don't be ashamed of Jesus today. Pray for opportunities to speak up for your Saviour. Don't be found guilty of having a silent tongue. "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2) |
I just read this in a devotional magazine I use. Below is a synopsis of the material. (Of course I threw in my own comments) Jesus was addressing the end-time church in Revelation 3:19 - "You say 'I am rich - and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked - I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore...repent" Why would Christ say such strong words to us? Here are some reasons. 1. Instead of believing God for New Testament results, we say God doesn't do miracles anymore. 2. We've tolerated division in the name of denominational loyalty. (It's more important to be "Baptist" than to be a follower of Christ - and this comment is from a SOUTHERN BAPTIST to the core.) 3. We've taught that Christianity is mainly about avoiding things. As a result we've lost our joy, because intimacy with Christ cannot be achieved through performance. (To me this is an incredibly truthful statement. The world sees Christians as people who are not ALLOWED to do anything "fun" - therefore they think we have no joy in our life!) 4. Many of our leaders have stopped modeling servant-hood and forgotten that Jesus washed feet and rode on a donkey. (How blessed we are at Grace to have a pastor that is a servant! Now if everyone would just follow the example of Christ as a servant - how far could we take the Gospel?) 5. Instead of using our financial blessing to reach the world for Christ and care for the poor, we're acquiring and splurging on ourselves. (OUCH) 6. We get upset when somebody uses contemporary methods to reach the younger generation. Instead of engaging the culture - we're hiding from it. (AMEN and AMEN) 7. Instead of "occupy till I come", we'd rather fly away. We read rapture novels when we should be praying for those living on the verge of martyrdom all around the world. I thought these were some incredible thoughts to ponder for all Christians. Love, Regina |
If you have trusted God with your eternal life, shouldn't you trust Him with the details of your earthly life as well?
Let us learn to trust Him for who He is.
Elisabeth Elliot
Eight Habits to Be Spiritually Healthy
Here is the question to ponder today, how hard is it to die when you have so much wealth? Consider this...
People who lay up treasures on earth spend their life backing away from their treasures. To them, death is loss.
People who lay up treasures in heaven look forward to eternity; they are moving daily toward their treasures. To them, death is gain.
Those who spend their life moving away from their treasures have more and more reasons to despair. Those who spend their life moving toward their treasures have more and more reasons to rejoice.
Is the passing of time causing you and me to despair or rejoice? God's ownership of everything is the reference point for all of us who serve the Lord.[1]
God's Word teaches us 8 habits that can keep us spiritually healthy until death. Wouldn't it be great to be in robust spiritual health, looking forward to Heaven? The habits recorded in Psalm 116 are not just for those who have one foot in the grave, they are actually good habits for all of our lives.
Here are the simple habits that make our death precious in the sight of the Lord. These are the marks of a healthy spiritual life that takes the sting out of death.
v. 1 Believe in Him that He is listening and watching and respond in love.
v. 2 Cry out to Him. Get used to talking to the Lord. Pour out your heart, your fears, your woes - share them with Him.
v. 9 Follow Him through your daily life. He is the Shepherd and we are His sheep.
v. 13 Drink Him. He is our cup of salvation. We thirst and He alone satisfies. Let Him into your life to meet your deepest needs!
v. 14 Obey Him. Do what He says. Give in and submit to Him.
v. 16 Serve Him. Tell Him that, say it aloud and offer it as an offering.
v. 17 Thank Him. Think through all the many blessings and benefits the Lord has heaped upon you. If you have troubles, listen to some children pray. They thank the Lord for eyes to see, warm "blankies" to sleep under, food to eat and all the other simple and sweet blessings of life.
v. 18-19 Live for Him. From now on live for His glory, talk of His blessings, come into His presence, worship and adore Him.Do your plans and priorities for the rest of 2009 mirror what the Lord desires? His desires are clearly laid out in His Word.
by Dr. John Barnett
Dr. John S. Barnett has been teaching the Word of God for over thirty years. For five years he served as Associate Pastor to Dr. John MacArthur at Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, CA.) He is now the teaching pastor at Calvary Bible Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Eight Habits to Be Spiritually Healthy
Here is the question to ponder today, how hard is it to die when you have so much wealth? Consider this...
People who lay up treasures on earth spend their life backing away from their treasures. To them, death is loss.
People who lay up treasures in heaven look forward to eternity; they are moving daily toward their treasures. To them, death is gain.
Those who spend their life moving away from their treasures have more and more reasons to despair. Those who spend their life moving toward their treasures have more and more reasons to rejoice.
Is the passing of time causing you and me to despair or rejoice? God's ownership of everything is the reference point for all of us who serve the Lord.[1]
God's Word teaches us 8 habits that can keep us spiritually healthy until death. Wouldn't it be great to be in robust spiritual health, looking forward to Heaven? The habits recorded in Psalm 116 are not just for those who have one foot in the grave, they are actually good habits for all of our lives.
Here are the simple habits that make our death precious in the sight of the Lord. These are the marks of a healthy spiritual life that takes the sting out of death.
v. 1 Believe in Him that He is listening and watching and respond in love.
v. 2 Cry out to Him. Get used to talking to the Lord. Pour out your heart, your fears, your woes - share them with Him.
v. 9 Follow Him through your daily life. He is the Shepherd and we are His sheep.
v. 13 Drink Him. He is our cup of salvation. We thirst and He alone satisfies. Let Him into your life to meet your deepest needs!
v. 14 Obey Him. Do what He says. Give in and submit to Him.
v. 16 Serve Him. Tell Him that, say it aloud and offer it as an offering.
v. 17 Thank Him. Think through all the many blessings and benefits the Lord has heaped upon you. If you have troubles, listen to some children pray. They thank the Lord for eyes to see, warm "blankies" to sleep under, food to eat and all the other simple and sweet blessings of life.
v. 18-19 Live for Him. From now on live for His glory, talk of His blessings, come into His presence, worship and adore Him.
Do your plans and priorities for the rest of 2009 mirror what the Lord desires? His desires are clearly laid out in His Word.
by Dr. John Barnett
Dr. John S. Barnett has been teaching the Word of God for over thirty years. For five years he served as Associate Pastor to Dr. John MacArthur at Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, CA.) He is now the teaching pastor at Calvary Bible Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Chapter 11
The Triumphal Entry
The Barren Fig Tree Is Cursed
Cleansing the Temple Complex
The Barren Fig Tree Is Withered
Messiah's Authority Challenged
Hi Lee,
How are you? I was hoping your Sunday School class could do ours & Grace for Life a HUGE favor. Since the dates for the fair have changed, we have an issue with our SS class's scavenger hunt. The date for the hunt was planned around the fair, and now that the fair dates have changed, we have a conflict. Since most of Grace for Life's members are in the Young Couples SS class, they had planned on going to the Scavenger hunt and I really don't want to keep them from that. Do you think your class could help us with the fair on Saturday?
This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and have people see Jesus through the church. All we are asking people to do is pass out balloons or give a bookmark to teens. I have several types of literature so that if someone asks a question, for instance, "What about rape?", you can just hand them a pamphlet. Simple as that.
Here are the times left:
Wednesday, 23rd, 2:45 - 5; 7:30 - 10 (this is Kiddie day)
Friday 25th, 5:45 - 8 (need 1); 8-10 (need 1) or if someone would like to watch my kids Andrew can do 5:45 - 8 with me, or if a couple wants that spot, I can bump up to 8-10
Saturday 26th 2:45 - 5; 5-7:30, (if you are not planning on going to the Scavenger hunt)
Warning. This video is clean but many of his has some bad language.
You should hear him on this though.
The Gift of A Bible <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9JE_ZVL88>
--
Sincerely,
Lee Daniel
www.hdins.com
770-382-8954 office
770-386-4081 fax
Dear Class, We have an opportunity to put feet to the lesson we have been studying in Exodus. Just as Moses asked the Israelites to bring offerings to help build the Tabernacle, we are being allowed to bring food offerings to build up our youth during Reveal Weekend (Aug. 29th-30th). Please bring as many 2 liter drinks and bags of cookies as you possibly can this Sunday morning. If we all chip in, we should be able to provide more than enough drinks and snacks for everyone. We will also have a box and take cash donations for other items needed for the weekend. The Youth leaders will use these funds to purchase pizzas for dinner on Saturday. Any help will be greatly appreciated. There are no funds whatsoever in the budget for this event. Reveal Weekend was originally planned to kick off our Youth ministry for the entire school year. It gives our kids a chance to invite unchurched friends in for a big event where they can hear the Gospel - The pure unadulterated Good News of Jesus Christ. Let's do all we can to minister to these kids. Some of them may hear the Gospel for the very first time next weekend. For some, it may be their last opportunity to respond to the call of the Holy Spirit. Isn't it awesome that the Lord is allowing YOU to take part in this event? Bring all your offerings to class this Sunday. If you read Exodus 36, you will see where Moses had to actually ask the people to STOP bringing offerings. Wouldn't that be incredible to witness such a "problem"? Please prayerfully consider what the Lord wants you to do this week. Pray, pray and pray some more for this incredible outreach opportunity. Let all our thoughts and actions be focused in such a manner .... that ALL may know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Love, Regina |
Matthew 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; Ephesians 1:3-14
Remember, Tommy will be bringing the lesson this Sunday. Please be prepared for a great lesson. Please lift him up in prayer as he prepares.
16If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
18We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.