Hopefully none of you missed our study tonight. But just in case you did, here's a recap:
We made it to Romans 9:3 tonight. There we read that Paul would go to hell if only his countrymen could be saved. What a remarkable statement! I read this in preparation for our study weeks ago and haven't been able to get it out of my mind since. How many sleepless nights have I had worried about the salvation of the lost? Not nearly enough, I know that. This really got me thinking about some things.
What is church? Is it a building that we meet in? No, the church is the people. The building is a building. Sing it with me, "We are the church, we are the people." Oh, sorry, never mind that. But its true. We, as individual believers, make up the church. Tonight we looked through various places in the New Testament and never once came across a passage that said the believers were "going to church."
What is its function? Three things:
• To exalt God (1 Pet. 2:9)
• To edify the saints (Col. 1:28)
• To evangelize (Matt. 28:19,20)
We then looked at a couple of scripture passages to challenge us.
• Matt. 5:14-16 If we are the light of the world, we need to be shining. Instead of shining, are we hiding our light under a basket?
• 1 Cor. 1:26-29 Are you intimidated by not knowing enough? Do you think you aren't well enough equipped to be used? Poppycock! I would say its easier to be too well equipped to be used than not well enough equipped.
We then looked at Rom. 10:1. Here we see the key. Paul prayed for his fellow countrymen.
So here's what I want us to do. We finished our night by talking about what friends God has put in our path that need to be saved. We talked about our need to be praying for them. I would like to make the comment board of this post a bit of a prayer board. Over the next weeks and months let's put up comments here about how God is opening doors for us to share with those friends we are praying for. By doing so we can encourage each other to keep pushing on, as well as remind us to keep praying for each other. So name the friend or friends you're praying for, and from time to time update us on the progress.
If comments are off track, I'll moderate them, so keep the small-talk for the other posts.
Next Tuesday we'll look at some more practical ways to share.
17 comments:
I'll be the first to comment. I 've been opening the gym at Bend High three days/week lately and am meeting some kids that way. I need to be praying for all of them, but there are three in particular I want to really commit to. They are Keith, Zach, and Andrew.
My roommate, Matt. He is pretty off track, but i believe he can be saved. Ive came so close to get him to come to church with me numerous times, and we talk about that kinda stuff all the time, but i havent broke him yet. In two weeks there is a speaker coming to our bible study, she is a national speaker, used to be athiest and then converted, and she is talking basically to the audience of athiests. Pretty sure i got matt to come to that :)
3 dudes from school are Anthony, Kyler, and Evan. There are many opportunities to share w/them, considering I see them every day. If fear of evangalism comes up, remember Paul
man dude, i don't eve n know where to start. most of the people i can pray for i hardly see. but just to name a few are Eva, Kayli, and Jake.
Well i thought that i would comment, its been awhile, but the study was really good! Ben good job, it really spoke to me. Well i have a couple people..one is my really good friend jessica, i invite her to youth group alot, and she is considering coming which is a big step. But the only thing is she is wanting me to go to her church, which is catholic, so im just a little scared that if she comes, then i will feel kind of pressured to go to her church. so its hard. sorry this is so long. Another friend is Cherise, she is struggling with alot right now, she has a boyfriend..which im sure tells you alot. so yeah these are some of the people i will be praying about. and thanks again ben, the study really helped me out!
Hey guys & girls, its good to see you guys putting up some comments on people you are praying for. We as leadership are praying for you guys, too.
Julia, thanks for the encouraging words on the study. I think God spoke to us all last night.
Yeah, I have been thinking and praying about what has been stopping me. Thanks Ben.
Since Tuesday night, fear has not intervened at all. In fact, I think I have a kid who wants to learn more about Christ. (If you read my other comment, his name is Anthony) There are countless people @ school that say they are a Christian, but it is very clear that they have no relationship with Jesus. If you would, pray for those people, as well as my strength to share w/them.
i just remembered a few more: Daniel, Glenn, and Ilia
My grandma was diagnosed with diabetes a couple of weeks ago. Praying for her... she is really, really discouraged.
Anyone else?
did it work?
oh yeah ben checks huh?
ok this is ashlee.... i'm praying for a bunch of my friends at school and trying to get them to come to church.....but most are busy bee's. and there's been a whole lot of stuff going on in my life.. so yeah. keep praying for me please... by the way i hardly ever use this thing so if you want to talk to me it will have to be in person.....
well things have been goin' slow but keep me in prayer as well as a friend that i would like to try get to come to youth group and church hopefully his heart may open up to come.i talk with him alot so maybe some doors will open up. thanks guys. appreciate it.
Hopefully you guys are still checking in on this post, too. One of the students that has been coming to play BBall during lunch is going through a tough time right now. His name is Zach. He may be moving to Beaverton this week to live with his grandma. Pray for him.
Rian - what's the name of your friend? We are going to have a Friday night hang-out the first Friday of December. A prime time to invite your friend.
sweet 1st friday of december i'll remember that. his name is mike.
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