Pool Day

Come hang out with us this Wednesday (08/04) as we have fun around the pool!

Event: Pool Day

Time: 11am - 3pm

Place: Petra Baptist Church

Cost: $5 (lunch will be provided)

Make sure you bring a towel, sunscreen , change of cloths, and any pool toys you have.

Ladies must wear a one piece, a tankini, or a dark shirt and are not allowed to wear a bikini. If you have any questions or concerns about this please do not hesitate to call or email me and I would love to explain why our church holds this view.

For any questions or concerns please email me at josh@petrabaptist.com.

Hope to see you there!!

Revelation Timeline

Study through Jeremiah (1:4-19)

Jeremiah 1:4-19

(outline and application)

“The Call”

1. Jeremiah’s Call (v. 4-10)

a. The word of the Lord

i. “Jeremiah was designed by God to be His messanger.”

b. Jeremiah’s Response

i. “I’m to young and inexperienced.”

c. God’s Rebuttal

i. “it’s not about you it’s about Me!”

2. Jeremiah’s Visions (v. 11-16)

a. The Almond Branch

i. “A Stern Reminder”

ii. God was watching the people of Judah. He did not forget His promise of Judgment

b. The Boiling Pot

i. “A Message of Judgment”

ii. God would use Judah’s enemies from the North to exact His judgment.

3. God’s Challenge and Promise

a. A Challenge to Boldness

i. “Have boldness before the people or fall and fail.”

b. A Promised Protection

i. “No matter what happens I will be there for you.”

Application

· God has made you for a specific task to glorify Him (no matter what life stage). – Do you know what God has called you to do with your life? If not, that should be your main goal (Jeremiah 29:12-13). If so, are you completing the task that God called you to do or are you ignoring that call?

· God is with you because He has called you (appointed you). – There will always be a fight, and you may undergo persecution, but the God of the entire universe will be there to fight with you and protect you, if you are following His call.

· God must judge sin because He is perfectly just. If you are a follower of Christ then he does this through chastening. If you are an unbeliever then God will pour out His wrath upon you at the point of death. This is why Jesus came and died for you. To make a way out of wrath into His perfect calling.

Through Jeremiah (1:1-3)

Jeremiah 1:1-3

Introduction

The first 3 verses in Jeremiah gives the reader a great insight into the culture into which Jeremiah was born. To completely understand this book and the life of the prophet Jeremiah it is crucial that we understand the background, the person, and the people.

The Background

Before we can truly grasp the challenges of Jeremiah we must first understand where the nation of Israel is spiritually and culturally. The book of Jeremiah is known as a prophetic book, more specifically one of the major prophets (because of the length). The historical context of the people of Israel during the life of Jeremiah can be found in 2 Kings starting in chapter 21 and going on until the end of the book (chapter 25). At this point in Israel’s history, the nation had been split into two kingdoms (the northern kingdom, Israel & the southern kingdom, Judah). Israel has been conquered by the Assyrians as part of God’s judgment due to their rebellion. But Judah had remained (even though they had been under Assyrian domination since the days of King Ahaz; in 2 Kings 16:7-8) due to godly leadership. One of the godly leaders was Hezekiah (who reigned in Judah for 29 years). “He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following Him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses.” (2 Kings 18:4, 6) Unfortunately after his reign, his son Manasseh was an unrighteous leader. “He did what was evil in the sight in the Lord.” (2 Kings 21:2) Everything his father, Hezekiah, did to restore fellowship with God, Manasseh destroyed. He allowed pagan gods along with pagan morals to infiltrate Judah which spiritually blinded the people. Jeremiah was born during the reign of Manasseh (probably between 650 – 645 B.C.) during a time of religious and political instability.

The Person

Jeremiah was born in Anathoth (which was about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem) son of the priest Hilkiah (not the same person who found the book of the law in 2 Kings 22:8) in the land of Benjamin (one of the two tribes in Judah, the other being Judah). He was born during the reign of Manasseh who allowed the people to worship pagan gods. In this camp there were probably many priests who served and worshipped these pagan gods. Jeremiah’s parents were probably some of the few left who worshipped the true God of Israel (although most of this is just conjecture because Jeremiah does not write about it in his book). In verse 2 of chapter 1 we see the first affirmation by Jeremiah that these words are not his opinion, in fact we see that they are the very words of God given to Jeremiah (this is what kept Jeremiah going for 40 plus years). Many scholars believe that Jeremiah’s prophetic career started in 627 B.C. (in the 13^th year of the reign of Josiah) when Jeremiah was just 18-20 years of age. King Josiah became Jeremiah’s contemporaries as they tried to bring spiritual reformation to the land. Josiah repairs the temple and in doing so finds the lost book of the law (the Pentateuch). This drastically changes Jeremiah’s life as he begins his ministry by going on a preaching tour reading the book begging people to turn back to the Lord. This time of spiritual reformation would not last, unfortunately. In 609 Josiah dies and the rulers to follow would lead the people of Judah to exile under the rule of the Babylonians.

The People

In verse 3 of chapter 1 we see three kings and the captivity of Jerusalem mentioned. This goes to show the reader the political and spiritual instability of the people in the time of Jeremiah. Spiritually, Josiah leads a reformation that does not stick and the three kings after him turn the people away from the Lord. We see this back and forth with the people of Judah (really with the people of Israel as a whole). They turn to God for a brief period of time then the sin against Him and turn from Him. Politically things get worse as these kings rebel against the Assyrians and the Babylonians longing for independence, which does not come. Because of the spiritual instability God brings judgment through political instability which ultimately leads to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people of Judah.

Application

1. There is always a consequence for rebelling against God. We know that God is love and we tend to focus on that more than any other attribute that God has. We sing songs about God’s love, we tell people about God’s love, and we preach that God loves you. We can take great confidence that this is true that God does love you and I but God is also perfectly just and must punish sin. This is why He poured out His wrath on the people of Israel and the people of Judah, because they turned their back on Him.

a. Another reason God allowed the people of Israel to be conquered is so that eventually they would look up and see a loving God who was ready to have them follow Him again.

2. We also see the commitment and the faithfulness of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because, as we will read through this book, people did not listen to his message. In fact people threatened his life, mocked him, and beat him for speaking the very words of the Lord (v.2). How was he able to do this for 40 plus years? Because he was called to do this (we will read this in the next couple of verses) and disobedience was not an option.

a. How many times in your life and in my life do we let disobedience become an option? I ‘m encouraged to be more obedient to what I know God has called me to do (tell others about Him, study His Word, and pray without ceasing). I challenge you to do the same!

Time with God...

Paraphrase the account:

After talking to the disciples about being servant Jesus is troubled and tells them that one of them will betray Him. The disciples are stunned and try to find out secretly. Jesus tells Judas to go and do what he is going to do. After Judas leaves Jesus tells the disciples that He is getting ready to go to a place where they cannot follow (sitting at the right hand of the Father) and tells them that they must love one another as He had loved them. Then He tells Peter that he will deny Him 3 times before the rooster crows.

How can I apply this to my life?

Ø Jesus knows everything!

o Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him (Judas did not catch our Savior off guard). The cool thing is that even though Jesus knew, He didn’t try to stop it because He loves us so much!

o He knows everything about your life (and my life) too. You cannot hide anything from God or turn Him on or off. This is why in everything we do we have to try to bring glory & honor to God.

Ø Love other believers.

o Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

§ So many times we fight with and get angry at other Christians. This hurts the cause for Christ because an unbelieving world looks at us and says, “Look at those hypocrites!” We are called to love one another. This love comes out as overflow from our love and devotion to Christ! SO STOP FIGHTING (LAY YOUR WEAPONS DOWN) AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Time with God...

Thursday, March 18, 2010

John 13:12-20

Paraphrase the account.

Jesus instructs His disciples to be servants. He had just washed their feet before their meal to show them that even He (the Son of God) was a servant.

How can I apply this to my life?

Ø We are to serve others!

o By others I mean everyone. Those in the church, those in the world, and even your enemies (Matt. 5). Think about it Jesus washed Judas’ feet (who would shortly betray Him) and Peter’s feet (who would shortly deny Him).

o We can only serve others out of an overflowing love for God. You and I are born into sin and are inherently selfish. This means that we cannot be a servant on our own; we need help from the perfect, sinless servant, Jesus. This only comes by spending time with Christ through prayer and Bible study.

o Who have you served this week? Why have you served them? Was it to build yourself up or to glorify Christ (what was your motivation)? I’m challenged to serve and pray for God’s guidance and help.

Time with God...

Monday, March 15, 2010

John 12:23-36

Paraphrase the account.

Right after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem Andrew and Philip have a conversation with Jesus. Jesus reminds them to be focused on the kingdom to come (heaven) not where they are right now. Then Jesus begins to explain that this is the time that He will glorify the Father and God the Father speaks from heaven to agree with what Jesus had just spoken. Then Jesus tell the crowd that He must “be lifted up” (aka die). This causes some confusion with the people, because they thought the Son of Man was to reign forever, not die. Jesus again tell them that He will only be there a short while longer and that they should believe in Him.

How can I apply this to my life?

Ø STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS…ETERNITY! Jesus says, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep in for eternal life.

o Do you love your life here in this life? Do you ever think about life in heaven? I strongly encourage you to think about what life will be like in heaven on a daily basis. Remember if you are a Christ follower then you are just a stranger passing through with your home being heaven. If we can get focused on that the things of this world will slip from our minds and will be replaced with a great joy for our home (heaven) with Christ.

Ø Our main purpose in life is to glorify the Father.

o Jesus knew this too. Verse 27 shows us that part of Jesus’ goal in His death on the cross was to glorify the Father. What have you done today to bring glory to God? This can be done in many ways.

§ You can spend time with Him in prayer and in reading the Word

§ You can share what you know about Him with others

§ You can do the things He has commanded you to do with a correct motive

o I challenge you to make it you goal every day to bring glory to the Father and to be an imitator of Christ (Ephesians 5).

Time with God...

Thursday, March 11, 2010

John 11:30-44

Paraphrase the account:

In this passage we see the compassion and the greatness of Jesus. Mary leaves her home and comes to find Jesus. When she finds Him, He asks were His friend (and her brother) is buried. And on the way everyone is weeping, even Jesus! When they arrive at the tomb of Lazarus Jesus tells them to roll away the stone in front of the cave, prays to God, and then calls Lazarus by name and Lazarus walks out of the tomb alive! AWESOME!

How can I apply this to my life?

Ø What a beautiful picture of salvation here in these verses. We were dead in our sin but Jesus offers the free gift of salvation and if we take that gift we are raised to life in Christ. But we still struggle with the flesh (our sin nature). This was also the case for Lazarus, he was raised from the dead back to his old body (that would eventually die again) not his glorified body (which we will receive in heaven).

o Do you look forward to the day when Jesus calls you by name and leads you to a place where there is no more crying, dying, hunger, pain, etc? Or do you hope that event takes place further down the road? As Christians we should pray for Christ’s return on a daily basis.

Ø We know that Jesus was 100% God and 100% human but we see the humanness of Jesus here in these verses. We see the compassion of Jesus as He weeps for his friend Lazarus.

o Do you see Jesus as someone who compassionately loves you? Or do you see Him as someone with a huge list of things to do and not to do?

§ Don’t miss this JESUS LOVES YOU AND HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE! How we view God affects how we bring Him glory.

Time with God...

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

John 11:1-15

Paraphrase the Account:

Lazarus the Brother of Mary & Martha is very sick. So the sisters sent messengers to Jesus asking Him to come see Lazarus. Jesus tells the messengers that the sickness is not life-threatening but that Lazarus is sick to show the glory of God. Jesus waits a couple of day then tells the disciples that they are going back to Judea because Lazarus has died.

How can I apply this to my life:

Ø When you are worried about someone or someone you know is sick you should take that concern to Jesus (like Mary & Martha did). How many times do we just brush it out and forget that Jesus is the great healer and eventually raises Lazarus from the dead.

Ø Nothing is going to stop Jesus from getting the job done. In verse 8 the disciples question Jesus’ decision to go back to Judea, reminding Him that people almost tried to kill Him on their last visit. But Jesus goes anyway to reveal Himself to the disciples and to glorify the Father.

o If you don’t do what God has called you to do He will find someone else to get the Job done. No matter what God will accomplish what He set out to do.

o Will you trust God even when things don’t seem to make sense or will you just write Him off and go your own way? If the disciples went their own way they would have missed the miracle glorifying the Father.

Time with God...

Friday, March 05, 2010

John 9:26-41

Paraphrase the account.

The Pharisees continue to interrogate the formally blind man. The man gets a little sarcastic with them and then tries to speak truth about Jesus. When he does this the Pharisees tell him to scram. After his conversation with the Pharisees the blind man meets Jesus for a second time (now with the ability to see Him). Jesus asks if he believes in the Son of Man and the man tells Him that he does. “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

How can I apply this to my life?

Ø God wants our total dependency. A blind man is completely dependent on the people around him. I think Jesus was saying that He came for those who would be totally dependent on Him. The Pharisees were the exact opposite. They were dependent on their selves and the law. And their practice of religion had blinded them to the Son of Man who was standing right in front of them.

o How many times are we blinded by the circumstances and business of life that we miss Jesus standing right in front of us. Are you totally dependent on Christ?

Ø I love that the blind man confesses Jesus as God and then right away begins to worship Him. That is what true belief will lead us to…worship!

Time with God...

Thursday, March 04, 2010

John 19:13-25

Paraphrase the account.

John continues his story of the blind man who was healed by Jesus. The people in the community who had seen this miracle go and bring the Pharisees to the formally blind man. The Pharisees hear the man’s story and immediately attack Jesus’ character (b/c Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath). They even call on the blind man’s parents to make sure the man was even blind to begin with. The parents confirm their son’s story and again the blind man is questioned. He just tells what happened to him, because that’s all he really knows.

How can I apply this to my life?

Ø Do not be like the Pharisees who completely missed the miracle of Jesus because they were so wrapped up in their religion. When miracles happen praise God, do not question Him or judge whether He did something good or not (in your eyes; b/c everything God does is good).

o When God does do something awesome do you miss it b/c you are too busy? Do the circumstances of your life shadow the mercies that God pours out on you daily? FOCUS ON CHRIST & BRING HIM GLORY!

Ø As Christians we need to be like the (formally) blind man. He did not understand the whole picture but he knew that Jesus has healed him, and he told others his story. We may not understand everything about God and His plan but we are called to tell others of how God miraculously saved us from our sin (and death).

o Have you told your story to someone this week? Are you excited about your story or ashamed (Rom. 1:16)?

Youth Pastor Summit Recap

I just got back from my first youth ministry conference and got to hear some amazing speakers talk about ministry. Speakers included Ed Stetzer, David Ferguson, Darren Whitehead, Brent Crowe, & Eric Geiger. The event was two days held in Orlando, FL. I also was able to connect with other youth pastors from all over the place. I just want to share with you some of the things that I learned and recap the two days for you!

The thing that I really enjoyed about this conference is that everything was focused on Christ. Ed Stetzer said that, "if you are the face of your ministry then you need to repent or resign! Christ should be the face of your ministry." David Ferguson encouraged us to stop telling our students what they can and cannot do (a list of do's and don'ts), and to instead teach Jesus and see them make the right choices. Whether it was our personal life or our ministry life we were encouraged to love and focus on Christ.

Other things I learned:

1. The dropout rate of students after high school is not as high if they are deeply rooted in the Bible. This means that we have to teach the Bible and think about what we want our students to look like when they leave our ministry. Ed Stetzer gave three components of depth - The pastor / preaching - small groups - and personal devotion & Bible study. We need to connect students to Christ, the Bible, and godly leaders.
2. We were challenged to rethink our view of Christ. In John 14:15 Jesus declares, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. " What do you think Jesus' demeanor was when He said that. Do you see Him with an inspecting / disappointed attitude? David Ferguson showed us that this statement was a promise from a loving Savior who is excited to have a relationship with us. He also explained that Jesus characteristics include sensitive, approachable, patient, gentile, & kind. He showed us that Jesus comforts those who are hurting, He pursues those who are falling, He prays for us, He provides for us, He welcomes us, and that all our hope can be found in Him. This is important because, as a Christian, our identity is found in Christ.
3. We learned that a disciple of Christ is more than someone who just knows more or does more than someone else. A true disciple has those qualities but also lovingly relates to God and others. We have to make students disciples of Christ by showing them that they belong in God's plan (they are a part of His big picture) and by encouraging them that they can change the world (Darren Whitehead). We were also taught to stay away from complexity and stay on mission so we don't drift away (Eric Geiger). We must have a clear process to simplify, deepen, expect, and multiply (Ed Stetzer).

It was an encouraging time that has made me rethink why we do the things we do for our students at Petra and what do we need to add so that students catch Christ's vision for their lives.

I'll close with a great question Brent Crowe asked. "When was the last time you rested your head in the chest of your Father (Christ) and knew you were at home?

Where did God come from??

Every once and I while this semester I'll share with you what I'm teaching our youth on Wednesday nights. This Wednesday night (1/27) I'll be teaching on the topic: "Where did God come from?" As I was studying God's Word and some of the Trek materials (that our youth use) I came up with what I thought was a decent illustration:

We think of time as being linear; left and right (past and future). God is not part of the linear time line He is all around it. Meaning God can go up, down, and all around because He is not bound to time. Physics shows us that time came into existence because matter came into existence. And God created matter, meaning that before there was anything there was no time, but there was God (Genesis 1:1)

I think the fundamental problem is the question itself. It is like asking, "What does the color blue smell like?" If someone asked this question you would look at them as if they were dumb! But do not take my word for it, always look to God's Word for the answers to tough question. Blogs, ideas, thoughts, and conversations are all good but we always must Go back to God's Word for the final answer. So check out these verses to see that the Bible states that God has always been! (Psalm 77:19, 90:2-3, 93:2, Job 36:26 - just as a few good verses).

If God is over time and space then He is over everything else too! Matthew 28:18 states that Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and in earth! This means that God exercises His sovereignty over everything! This is a crazy cool concept (that the God we serve has unlimited power everywhere)!! This has been encouraging to me and I hope it encourages our youth as well.

If you have any other thought please feel free to leave your comments. If you have any cool illustrations, Scripture, or any thoughts on this topic let me know! Thanks Everyone!!