Week Two - To Have Your Perspective Expanded
January 25th- John 1:43-51
Scripture Text John 1: Jesus Chooses Philip and Nathanael
43-44 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. There he met Philip, who was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Jesus said to Philip, “Come with me.”
45 Philip then found Nathanael and said, “We have found the one that Moses and the Prophets[a] wrote about. He is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46 Nathanael asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip answered, “Come and see.”
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said, “Here is a true descendant of our ancestor Israel. And he isn’t deceitful.”[b]
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
49 Nathanael said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God and the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered, “Did you believe me just because I said that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see something even greater. 51 I tell you for certain that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up and coming down on the Son of Man.”[c][Footnotes:
1.45 Moses and the Prophets: The Jewish Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament.
1.47 Israel. . . isn’t deceitful: Israel (meaning “a man who wrestled with God” or “a prince of God”) was the name that the Lord gave to Jacob (meaning “cheater” or “deceiver”), the famous ancestor of the Jewish people.
1.51 going up and coming down on the Son of Man: When Jacob (see the note at verse 47) was running from his brother Esau, he had a dream in which he saw angels going up and down on a ladder from earth to heaven (see Genesis 32.22-32).]
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for John 1:43-51
Verse 45
[45] Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Jesus of Nazareth — So Philip thought, not knowing he was born in Bethlehem. Nathanael was probably the same with Bartholomew, that is, the son of Tholomew. St. Matthew joins Bartholomew with Philip, Matthew 10:3, and St. John places Nathanael in the midst of the apostles, immediately after Thomas, John 21:2, just as Bartholomew is placed, Acts 1:13.
Verse 46
[46] And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? — How cautiously should we guard against popular prejudices? When these had once possessed so honest a heart as that of Nathanael, they led him to suspect the blessed Jesus himself for an impostor, because he had been brought up at Nazareth. But his integrity prevailed over that foolish bias, and laid him open to the force of evidence, which a candid inquirer will always be glad to admit, even when it brings the most unexpected discoveries.
Can any good thing — That is, have we ground from Scripture to expect the Messiah, or any eminent prophet from Nazareth? Philip saith, Come and see - The same answer which he had received himself from our Lord the day before.
Verse 48
[48] Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Under the fig tree I saw thee — Perhaps at prayer.
Verse 49
[49] Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Nathanael answered — Happy are they that are ready to believe, swift to receive the truth and grace of God.
Thou art the Son of God — So he acknowledges now more than he had heard from Philip: The Son of God, the king of Israel - A confession both of the person and office of Christ.
Verse 51
[51] And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
Hereafter ye shall see — All of these, as well as thou, who believe on me now in my state of humiliation, shall hereafter see me come in my glory, and all the angels of God with me. This seems the most natural sense of the words, though they may also refer to his ascension.
Sermon Story "God's Call brings Obstacles" by Gary Lee Parker with Scripture John 1:43-51 for Sunday, 25 January 2015
As we continue our journey to discover God's Call upon the original disciples as well as us, we journey to Galillee where Jesus sees a man named Philip. Jesus says to Philip to come and see Him who is The Messiah. Philip immediately went back to find his friend, Nathaniel. When Philip found Nathaniel and told him about Jesus from Nazareth, Nathaniel responded by asking if any good thing come out of Nazareth. Philip simply replied what Jesus said to him to come and see. As Philip along with Nathaniel went to Jesus and before Nathaniel was introduced, Jesus responded to and about Nathaniel that this is a true Hebrew with nothing wrong with him. Nathaniel asked Jesus how did he know him. Jesus repsonded to Nathaniel that before Philip came to you, you were sitting under a fig tree. Nathaniel responded that truly you, Jesus, are the Son of God and the Promised Messiah. Jesus responded back to Nathaniel that he believed because He say him under a fig tree, before long you will see angels ascending and descending from Heaven. How would you have reacted if you were Philip or Nathaniel? Would you have wondered what Jesus was talking about? How do you respond now when God Call's for His assignment? It seems as though there was a young man who was living in a small town in this large district or conference. Many of the people in other places of the region would make fun of the town this man was from by saying can any good thing come from this town which was similar to what Nathaniel said to Philip about Jesus. This man did not really feel good about himself, but he knew he could accomplish certain tasks in life because of what he heard positively from his family and his local church. This young man grew up and became a college graduate with this though still ringing in his ears. This young man felt he had to prove himself forgetting about God's grace to lead him. He did not accomplish much other than being a eacher for two years and raising his son as a single father, but God was still calling him. This man listened with doubts, but continued to follow in God's grace with hope. He now dreams and envisions God's vision for a fully inclusive church that community will be lived out on earth as it is in Heaven. How are you dreaming and envisioning God's call upon your life today?
Week Three - To Share Your Journey with Others
Feb 1st 1 Corinthians 8:4-13
Scripture Text 1 Corinthians 8:4 Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. 5 Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords. 6 We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.
7 Not everyone knows these things. In fact, many people have grown up with the belief that idols have life in them. So when they eat meat offered to idols, they are bothered by a weak conscience. 8 But food doesn’t bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don’t eat, and we are no better off if we do.
9 Don’t cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this, and so it doesn’t bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So if I hurt one of the Lord’s followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for 1 Corinthians 8:4-13
Verse 4
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
We know that an idol is nothing — A mere nominal god, having no divinity, virtue, or power.
Verse 5
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
For though there be that are called gods — By the heathens both celestial, (as they style them,) terrestrial, and infernal deities.
Verse 6
[6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Yet to us — Christians.
There is but one God — This is exclusive, not of the One Lord, as if he were an inferior deity; but only of the idols to which the One God is opposed.
From whom are all things — By creation, providence, and grace.
And we for him — The end of all we are, have, and do.
And one Lord — Equally the object of divine worship.
By whom are all things — Created, sustained, and governed.
And we by him — Have access to the Father, and all spiritual blessings.
Verse 7
[7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Some eat, with consciousness of the idol — That is, fancying it is something, and that it makes the meat unlawful to be eaten.
And their conscience, being weak — Not rightly informed.
Is defiled — contracts guilt by doing it.
Verse 8
[8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
But meat commendeth us not to God — Neither by eating, nor by refraining from it. Eating and not eating are in themselves things merely indifferent.
Verse 10
[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
For if any one see thee who hast knowledge — Whom he believes to have more knowledge than himself, and who really hast this knowledge, that an idol is nothing-sitting down to an entertainment in an idol temple. The heathens frequently made entertainments in their temples, on what hath been sacrificed to their idols.
Will not the conscience of him that is weak — Scrupulous.
Be encouraged — By thy example.
To eat — Though with a doubting conscience.
Verse 11
[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? — And for whom thou wilt not lose a meal's meat, so far from dying for him! We see, Christ died even for them that perish.
Verse 12
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Ye sin against Christ — Whose members they are.
Verse 13
[13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
If meat — Of any kind. Who will follow this example? What preacher or private Christian will abstain from any thing lawful in itself, when it offends a weak brother?
Sermon Story "Sharing God's Call" by Gary Lee Parker with Scripture 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 for Sunday, 1 February 2015
As we continue to explore our call from God and seeking to share this call with other people, we hear from the Apostle Paul as he shares about the food we eat. There are some weaker brothers and sisters who will not eat meat that was offered to idols. Even though we may know that the idol gods are no gods at all and there is nothing wrong with the meat, we refuse to eat the meat among the weak brothers and sisters in order to build them up, not tear them. How would you have responded to Paul even though the meat means nothing to you? How would you build up others rather than tear them down? How do you live out your call towards other people? This reminds me of many white Christians who practiced a faith that said they were superior to other cultures or races when deep down in their hearts they knew they were all equal in God's eyes. Yet, too often we have sat silently by while other Christians would put down or even kill other people just because they were different in culture, race, or skin color or even if they are differenly abled in their mind or body. Too often, God is calling us to be more inclusive, but we resist the call until we are fed up with the violence against our brothers and sisters who are different than us or we have a family member who is different from us. This call of inclusiveness extends towards all people in the church, God's Kingdom, and society no matter what our beliefs or lack of beliefs in the One True God is. How are you doing in God's call upon your life?
Week Four - To Be Taught a Holistic Faith
February 8th- Mark 1:29-39
Scripture Text Mark 1: Jesus Heals Many People
29 As soon as Jesus left the meeting place with James and John, they went home with Simon and Andrew. 30 When they got there, Jesus was told that Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever. 31 Jesus went to her. He took hold of her hand and helped her up. The fever left her, and she served them a meal.
32 That evening after sunset,[a] all who were sick or had demons in them were brought to Jesus. 33 In fact, the whole town gathered around the door of the house. 34 Jesus healed all kinds of terrible diseases and forced out a lot of demons. But the demons knew who he was, and he did not let them speak.
35 Very early the next morning, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36 Simon and the others started looking for him. 37 And when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come.” 39 Then Jesus went to Jewish meeting places everywhere in Galilee, where he preached and forced out demons.[Footnotes:
1.32 after sunset: The Sabbath was over, and a new day began at sunset.]
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Mark 1:29-39
Verse 29
[29] And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Matthew 8:14; Luke 4:38.
Verse 32
[32] And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
When the sun was set — And, consequently, the Sabbath was ended, which they reckoned from sunset to sunset.
Verse 33
[33] And all the city was gathered together at the door.
And the whole city was gathered together at the door — O what a fair prospect was here! Who could then have imagined that all these blossoms would die away without fruit?
Verse 34
[34] And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
He suffered not the devils to say that they knew him — That is, according to Dr. Mead's hypothesis, (that the Scriptural demoniacs were only diseased persons,) He suffered not the diseases to say that they knew him!
Verse 35
[35] And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Rising a great while before day — So did he labour for us, both day and night. Luke 4:42.
Sermon Story "In Our Call, Seeing God's Healing" by Gary Lee Parker with Scripture Text Mark 1:29-39 for Sunday, 8 February 2015
The disciples whom Jesus Have called to follow and see that He is truly the Messiah promised. Jesus healed many sick people and even people who were domon possessed. At this town, Jesus went into the house that belonged to Peter, Andrew, James, and John healing people who were brought to them. After the Sabbath which was after sundown, many of the townsfolks came to the house bringing many people who were also healed. This went on into the evening until it was time to lie down and sleep for the night. Very early in the morning, Jesus awoke and went off to a quiet place to commune with His Father. As the disciples awoke, they searched for Jesus and found Him alone saying that the people are asking for Him. Jesus response was simple, we must go into our towns and places to tell them the Good News about His Presence. How would you have responded if you were one of the townspeople? How would you have responded if you were one of Jesus' disciples? How do you respond to God's healing in your life, family life, and community life? As we journey this way, we see how many changes have come to the acceptance of people who are differently abled or differently than us by skin color or even language or faith tradition, but there is still a lack of full understanding because of the exclusion of people who are different than our little group. When Jesus called the disciples to come and see than to go to all places in the region, they may have wondered what he was talking about as we do we He calls us to include all people in our churches and community with God's unconditional love. I have seen a family member cured from cancer to live some 41 years after the cancer first appeared. I have seen a family member living some two to three years after he had a very serious heart attack. I have seen a church embrace a family with a child with disabilities to begin a ministry with all people who are differently abled calling the ministry after the first child after the child died. There has been the inclusion to find ways to educate people who are intellectually impaired and for people who are mentally ill to live in the same community as all other people. Yet, the church has still been slow in their full inclusion of people who are differently abled and people who happen to have different skin color as brothers and sisters as God calls us to be. How are you doing in this call of building up the weak brothers and sisters in their faith rather than putting them down?
Week Five - To Be Transformed
February 15th- Mark 9:2-9
Scripture Text Mark 9: The True Glory of Jesus
2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him. They went up on a high mountain, where they could be alone. There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. 3 And his clothes became much whiter than any bleach on earth could make them. 4 Then Moses and Elijah were there talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 But Peter and the others were terribly frightened, and he did not know what he was talking about.
7 The shadow of a cloud passed over and covered them. From the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to what he says!” 8 At once the disciples looked around, but they saw only Jesus.
9 As Jesus and his disciples were coming down the mountain, he told them not to say a word about what they had seen, until the Son of Man had been raised from death.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Mark 9:2-9
Verse 2
[2] And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
By themselves — That is, separate from the multitude: Apart - From the other apostles: and was transfigured - The Greek word seems to refer to the form of God, and the form of a servant, {mentioned by St. Paul, Philippians 2:6,7,} and may intimate, that the Divine rays, which the indwelling God let out on this occasion, made the glorious change from one of these forms into the other. Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28.
Verse 3
[3] And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
White as snow, such as no fuller can whiten — Such as could not be equalled either by nature or art.
Verse 4
[4] And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Elijah — Whom they expected: Moses, whom they did not.
Verse 7
[7] And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
There came a (bright, luminous) cloud, overshadowing them - This seems to have been such a cloud of glory as accompanied Israel in the wilderness, which, as the Jewish writers observe, departed at the death of Moses. But it now appeared again, in honour of our Lord, as the great Prophet of the Church, who was prefigured by Moses.
Hear ye him — Even preferably to Moses and Elijah.
Sermon Story "The Transfiguaration or The Tranformation" by Gary Lee Parker with Scripture Text Mark 9:2-9 for Sunday, 15 February 2015
After four weeks of hearing about Jesus calling His disciples to come and see His work, we come to the time when Jesus took only the first four disciple with Him up on the Mount, now called the Mount of Tranfiguration. As all five of them, Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, arrived on the top of the Mount, the four disciples sleepily saw Jesus talking with two people from their Jewish Heritage, Moses and Elijah. We know that from the Passover Meal, the Jews were expecting Elijah, but were not expecting Moses. After all Moses died and his body was taken and buried by God's Angels, but Elijah was taken alive in a whirlwind up to God with a chariot of fire. As they sleepily saw this, Peter spoke up and asked Jesus if they could build three tabernacles on this Mount in honor of seeing Jesus, Elijah, and Moses with Jesus being whiter than anything they ever saw before. As they spoke, a cloud descended down on the Mount and a face speaking up saying this is my Beloved Son, I am well-pleased with Him and you should obey everything that He speaks about. The cloud disappears and all they see is Jesus and each other. How would you have responded if you were one of these four disciples? Would you have spoken up as Peter did or how would you have spoken up or kept silent? How do you respond when there is transformation occuring in your life or the life of people around you in or outside the church?
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