Ethiopia Report number 1

We returned from Ethiopia 5 weeks ago, so it is time for my first report!  I will be posting the entries from my journal.

6/30/10-7/1/10

Our team of 20 arrived at RDU airport at 11 AM Wednesday morning.  We spent 90 minutes checking in and going through security.  No suitcase was over 50 lbs. by the time we shifted around supplies and personal items.  Most were between 47-50 lbs.  The airlines were going to charge $250 for an overweight suitcase!  Praise the Lord for His sovereignty in this.

We buckled our seat belts for the RDU-Dulles flight and Matthea felt nausea.  She looked at me and said, “I think I am pregnant!”  At this point, there was no turning back.  As the plane turned down to face the runway I thought, “Lord, here we go!”  I was quietly thanking the Lord that Matthea didn’t feel pregnant before that time.  It would have been much more difficult to get on the plan for a 17-day trip knowing she was pregnant!  The flight was bumpy with a lot of turbulence, especially for Matthea.

When we arrived at Dulles and checked in with Ethiopian Airlines, the guy at the gate didn’t weigh any of our cary-on luggage.  He simply took our passports and baggage claim tickets and entered the information.  This was another praise.  Several were planning on paying a little extra to have an additional carry-on, or an overweight carry-on.  We didn’t even have to worry!!  The man was so nich and helpful, he even gave BeckyLynn a free upgrade to First Class!

Our 17 hour flight was long and uneventful.  Matthea’s nausea came and went and came back again.  We arrived in Addis and only had to pay a small fee at customs, again an answer to prayer.  We were greeted by our brothers and sisters here.  That has become my favorite part of this trip.  It was great to see Demisse, Nigussie, and Fitzum again.  BeckyLynn had already assigned the rooms at the guesthouse (she is organized), and she had put Matthea and I in the “Honeymoon Suite”.

From left to right, Nigussie, Demisse, and Mercy

Removing the log from my eye

I am reminded this morning of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 about looking at the speck in your brother’s eye and ignoring the log in your own eye.  I have been checking the blogs of several friends who went to Ethiopia with our team of 21, and wondering “why haven’t they posted anything about our trip?”  Then I realized, “I haven’t posted anything yet either!”  So I write this morning to ask forgiveness from Jason, Ben, and Kevin (who has posted about the trip).  Dave has posted about the trip within hours (minutes) of returning to his home!

Or team of 21 was composed of people from 5 different churches.  We had 4 team members from Cresset.  This Sunday we will be sharing about our trip during the morning worship service.  My desire is to begin posting entries from my trip journal in the next few days.

I had an amazing time with God’s people, my brothers and sisters, in Ethiopia.  One of the many things I learned was that we all have the same struggles in trying to follow Jesus.  The same enemy puts the same obstacles in our paths.  There are the same subtle temptations whether you live in Durham, Roxboro, Alaba, or Nedele.  That has reinforced in my mind that “Missions” is not taking our Western ideas/thoughts/lifestyles to others places.  “Missions” is not attempting to civilize the uncivilized, it is not forcing Americanisms onto Africans…Missions is taking the unchanging, unaffected, unfiltered Gospel of Jesus Christ all around the globe!

May Jesus help us to have the right motivation in our “Missions” endeavors!

Ethiopia Prayer Itinerary

We appreciate your prayers.  Here is how you can best pray for us each day of our journey.  Ethiopia is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time, so before you go to bed, pray for us for the following day.  You can access this in an easier-to-print format here

Wed-Thurs, June 30-July 1…Travel of Burji Team to Ethiopia.  It takes about 28-30 hours total time from our homes to the guesthouse in Addis.  Pray for safety, for going to Customs (no fees), for emotions after leaving families. Pray for our wives & little ones left at home.  We have 4 unusually tall men that don’t fit well in the small airline seats; pray for them physically. Pray for those who struggle with fear of flying. Dave will fly separately, on stand-by; pray that he is able to get all his flights & connections. Pray for ease in handling 42 pieces of luggage… no lost or overweight luggage, no thievery, no strained backs.  We’ll check into the Guesthouse late Thursday; pray for electricity & hot water for showers 🙂  As we are traveling to Ethiopia, the Burji truck is coming up from Burji to Addis; pray for safety for them also.  Also pray that the construction of the new clinic building in Soyama will be completed, despite the unusual rains.

Fri, July 2…This is a very important day of cramming lots of activity into 12 hours! We’ll go in 3 different directions. Becky & the Construction Team will shop all over Addis for supplies.  Dave & the new team members will finish orientation at a museum & church.  Kevin & the veterans will travel to Alaba to see the work there.  Pray for safety, for God to make our way straight & guide us in purchases, for clear vision of the Alaba church situation, for coping with jet lag.

Sat, July 3…”Burji or Bust” is our theme today.  Those in Addis will load into Demissie’s bus, departing at 3:30am.  We’ll carpool with the Burji Truck, loaded with supplies and our ministry suitcases.  We’ll meet up with the Alaba crew in Shashamanee Town, where they will board the bus.  We’ll drive as fast as is safe to get to Soyama Town before dark, if possible.  It is usually a 17-19-hour trip, dodging animals & people.  If there is still unrest in Ethiopia because of the elections, there will likely be many police road blocks.  Pray for safety, for Demissie as he drives, for us coping physically with a cramped bus & fatigue.  “How much longer to a potty stop?”  This trip I am refusing to answer this question….I’m referring it to the veterans!  Why?  Because in Ethiopia a clock & estimation of time is almost worthless! (Pray for the sanity of the veterans as they cope with the questions 🙂

Teams:

Medical: Dr. Rick, Lynette, Dale & Becky
Nedele Villages: Jon, Matthea, Humphries family/Nicole&Kaleigh
Mountain Villages: Cindi, Kevin, JasonH, Kimberly
Gomeda: Dave, Ben, Jamie, Nicole, Kaleigh
Construction: Ed, JasonE, Danny, Humphries family
Guji: Dave, Ben, Dr. Rick, Jamie, Becky

Sun, July 4…Hopefully, we had a good night’s sleep, and are ready to get in position for our ministries.  We’ll divide into our teams. The 9 people on two of the village teams (Nedele & Mountain, led by Jon & Cindi) and the 4 people on the Medical Team will go to their villages to join the churches for their morning service; the rest of us will stay in Soyama getting our supplies in order.  Pray for us as we split up; already we’re well-bonded & it’s hard to say good-bye; pray for good working relationships with our translators, the youth corps helping us & the church leaders.  Pray for Jon & Cindi as they guide their teams, to rest in the wisdom the Lord provides to His people. Pray for Demissie as he returns to Alaba with the bus.

Mon, July 5…Today the 5 people on the Gomeda Village team (led by Dave) will get into position; it is a 6-hour drive over rugged roads on the back of an open truck to get there.  En route they will drop off the 3 men on the Construction Team at a rural church to install their solar powered loudspeaker & lights.  Please pray for safe, uncomplicated travel & that the truck will get back in time to collect the Construction Team & bring them back to Soyama for the night.  Pray for the Lord’s hand to be upon the Construction Team in their work.  The Nedele & Mountain Teams will start their ministries in their villages; each church will be a 3-ring circus with men’s, women’s & children’s classes happening simultaneously, and with eyeglass distribution.  One of the great highlights is the distribution of Bibles to those who have completed the memory program. This year we are trying sunshades at the churches, since there are no trees for shade from the hot African sun; pray that these work well. Pray for there to be no rain during the daytime.  The Medical Team have a very high learning curve today, as they adjust to doing medicine in a third-world setting; pray for good relationships & communication with the clinic staff.  Dale will travel with the clinic chaplain to visit patients; pray for ease & comfort as he works apart from the team.  The last person on the team is Becky, who will start recording Bible classes in the local language, using some great veteran believers; pray that she will remember all the practice she has done.

Tue-Thurs, July 5-8…Ministry in place.  The Construction Team, the Nedele Team and the Mountain Team will be moving about, from place to place for their respective ministries.  Continue to pray for them, as they “gel” in their work.  Pray for health, for wisdom, for grace, for Spirit-filling, for good communication, for good response to their work, for relationships with translators, etc.  In some ways, these are the “high” days of the trip, before fatigue sets in. Also, pray for the translators and the  Youth Corp that is working with our team members in the villages.  This work requires not only the sacrifice of our Team, but also of many Ethiopian believers who sacrifice to make it happen.  Pray that the bonding of the team with the helpers will produce spiritual fruit. Continue to pray for the Medical Team; we will have TONS of patients, because this is malaria season, and because word has gone out that a doctor is here.  Pray for stamina as they see patients all day & then do in-service training for the staff in the evenings. Pray the staff will absorb the instructions. Pray for health in the midst of infectious diseases & for wisdom in coping with serious illnesses.

Fri, July 9…Shifting around.  On this day, the Gomeda Village team returns to Soyama and splits up.  Pray for safety in travelling the long, rough road back to Soyama.  Nicole & Kaleigh will swap places with the Humphrey family on the Nedele Team; the Humphrey family will join the Construction Team, which will begin work in earnest on the new clinic building; pray for safety, wisdom & God’s grace to multiply the materials for the work.  Pray for adjustment to all the changes & new partners in ministry.  About now, the Team will be getting tired; we have been pushing our bodies hard for the sake of the Kingdom, but we need to finish the race well.  Pray for self-discipline & diligence in ministry.

Sat, July 10…Guji ministry starts.  Today several of us will meet up from the various teams to go to the Guji Tribe.  Bible teaching, mobile medical work, evangelism, & relationship-building/encouragement will be our focus.  We’ll also distribute the first Bibles to those who have completed the memory program in the Guji tribe!  Praise God for this new outreach, which began in Nov, 08 with the trekking of Dave & Jason & (now martyred) translator James.  (I think James would be very happy to see this result of his ministry.)  Pray for good translators, for effective ministry, for good working relationships and for spiritual fruit.  Today the Nedele & Mountain Village Teams move to their third village; pray for dealing with fatigue.

Sun, July 11…On this day of rest & worship, the Construction Team will be in Soyama Town, the Nedele & Mountain Village Teams will be in their villages & the Guji Team will be in Gujiland.  Pray for good rest, spiritually & physically, for translators, youth corps & team alike.

Mon-Tues, July 12-13…Finishing ministry.  All the various Teams will complete their work and make their way back to Soyama; they will be very tired, ready for a bath, ready to be reunited.  We will meet with the church leaders & have our last evening all together; pray for wisdom.  Pray for Demissie as he returns with the bus.

Wed, July 14…Return to Addis guesthouse.  The long road back, we basically sleep the whole way!  Few people ask when is the next potty stop 🙂  Pray for safe travel, for Demissie, for the bus operation…and also pray for the Alaba Team & the Ultrasound Team that are departing USA today.  This is the day to pray for safety and wisdom in travel…all over the globe!

Thurs, July 15…The day is spent in shopping, chilling, tying up loose ends.  A final supper together with our Ethiopian helpers, then to the airport.  Pray for safe travel, good seats, no lost luggage, leg room for the tall men,  etc.  As load the Burji Team onto the airplane, we receive the Alaba Team and the Ultrasound Team off the airplane! Pray for ease thru Customs, no lost luggage, etc.

Fri, July 16…Arrivals & departures.  The Burji Team arrives back in North Carolina, the Alaba Team explores Addis with Dave, and the Ultrasound Team travels 17 hours to Burji with Becky.  Keep praying for all of us!  Don’t give up now!

Alaba Team: Alan, Danny & Dave
Ultrasound Team: Connie, Patsy, Babs & Becky

Sat, July 17…The Alaba Team travels 6 hours to Alaba & gets settled.  Pray for good travel & the establishment of good working relationships with translators.  The Ultrasound Team starts teaching the clinic staff about sonography.  Pray for good communications, rapid understanding, good relationships.  The clinic staff might be tired, having just had the Burji Medical Team on site for 1 1/2 weeks; pray for diligence to learn.

Sun-Sun, July 18-25…Ministry days.  In the Alaba Team, Alan will be teaching I Corinthians to all the church leaders, Danny will be teaching I Timothy to prisoners, and Dave & Danny will be going village to village teaching.

On Sundays, they will each be preaching in various churches.  Pray for good receptivity, for organization (Alaba’s culture is fairly unorganized), for Spirit-guidance, for team-work.  Meanwhile the Ultrasound Team will be teaching sonography all day, with lectures and hands-on learning.  Pray for the staff to understand & ‘get the hang of it’ quickly.  We have only 7 days to teach them; it’s a high learning curve, and we need the Spirit’s help!  As the days pass, the fatigue sets in & self-discipline becomes crucial.  Pray!  For everyone, Ethiopians & Americans, pray for health.

Mon, July 26…Tying things up.  The Alaba Team will have one last day to connect with the evangelists that have been their prayer partners, and to meet with the elders.

Pray for wisdom & bonding.  The Ultrasound Team will spend all day traveling back to Addis. Pray for safety in travel.

Tues, July 27…The Alaba Team will join the Ultrasound Team in Addis; they will have a few hours to shop, and then will have a last supper together before we all board the airplane.  Pray for Dave & Becky as they have last meetings & tie up loose ends.  Pray for safe travel; again, Dave will fly separately from the rest of us.

Wed, July 28…Everyone will, Lord willing, arrive safely in their homes in the USA.  Pray that the seeds of truth & training will remain in the hearts & minds of the Ethiopians, and that God will bring Himself glory as His Word accomplishes His purposes.  Pray for the clinic staff to retain & practice what they have learned.  Pray for the Ethiopian church leaders, translators & youth corps as they recuperate & absorb their ministry experience.  Pray for all your prayer partners that are around the globe; thank God for their faithfulness alongside of you, in upholding this work.

And thank God for the absolute privilege you have had in being a part of the Ethiopia Team of July, 2010!

only going to church at the church causes you to miss being the church

For a few years I have been concerned about the ambiguity in the English language regarding the word “church”.  Depending on the context, the word “church” can mean a denomination (“I am in the Catholic Church”), building (“I left my coat at the church”), worship service (“I went to Sunday School and church today”), an organization (Cresset Baptist Church), or a group of people (“as the church submits to Christ” Eph 5:24).  It is obvious that this can be confusing.  What does the Bible say about this word?  If we look to the New Testament there were no denominations, so that usage is out.  Also in the New Testament there were no buildings designated for believers to meet in, so that usage is out.  If we look to the New Testament, we don’t see an emphasis on a worship service that happened weekly at 11AM, so that usage is out.  In the New Testament, there was some organization of believers in various locations.  In the New Testament the primary usage of the word “church” denotes a group of people.  Sometimes this is localized, “the church of God in Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2) and sometimes it refers to the Universal Church “I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18).

Now that we have cleared up some ambiguity, I am concerned that believers today can often miss being a part of the church when they only come to the Worship Service.  I know what you’re thinking, “here is a preacher just trying to get more people involved in ministry…”  Perhaps so, but there is a reason.  I have read through Acts and I don’t see a weekly church gathering which focuses on a sermon.  I am a Baptist and we value the Word of God and preaching, but this should not be the focus of our weekly gatherings.  In the New Testament the church (people) gathered to pray together, to encourage one another, to break bread together, to study Scripture together, to minister to one another, and to utilize their spiritual gifts in His Kingdom work.

I have been concerned about incorporating this pattern in our weekly gatherings.  I have sometimes wondered if we should allow any all people to stand and teach whenever they feel moved to do so.  I have wondered if we should provide lunch every week following the service.  I have come to a satisfying conclusion recently.  We can be like the New Testament church when all the believers are involved in more than the weekly Worship Service.  Our church (organization) has Sunday School prior to the Worship Service.  This is the best place for people to pray together over specific needs, encourage one another in their daily lives, break bread together (Krispy Kreme will do), study Scripture together, minister to one another, and utilize their spiritual gifts.  Each class gives people an opportunity to be intimately involved in the lives of others.  There is time for sharing and praying together.  There is time to mentor and disciple one another.  We share about opportunities to minister in our community and abroad.  If you want to be more like the New Testament Christians, you should be involved in a small group like Sunday School.

I can now step back and feel comfortable with all that we do on a Sunday morning.  We function most like New Testament believers from 9:30AM-10:30AM each Sunday.  After that we provide the opportunity for a large group gathering for corporate singing, praying, giving, studying Scripture, sharing about opportunities to minister to others, etc.  So if you only go to church (Worship Service) at the church (building), it causes you to miss being the church (people).

Bible in 5 Weeks Part 5

Here is the 5th part of my 5 part series preaching through the Bible.  Again, I am including the outline on here.

Bible in 5 weeks pt. 5

Birth, Expansion, Victory

April 11, 2010

I. Birth

A. Disciples commissioned to be witnesses for Jesus – Acts 1

B. Day of Pentecost, Peter’s Sermon, 3000 saved – Acts 2

C. Peter and John arrested for preaching about Jesus – Acts 4

D. Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit and die – Acts 5

E. Deacons chosen to serve the church – Acts 6

F. Stephen arrested, questioned, and martyred – Acts 7

G. Saul the persecutor is converted to Jesus – Acts 9

H. James writes Book of James – “Works are evidence of faith”

II. Expansion

A. God shows Peter that he must reach Gentiles too – Acts 10

B. Barnabas and Saul in Antioch, new base of the church – Acts 11

C. James is martyred, Peter is jailed and released – Acts 12

D. Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey – Acts 13-14

E. Jerusalem Council settles matter of Gentile converts – Acts 15

F. Paul writes Galatians – “Justification by faith alone”

G. Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey – Acts 16-18:20

1. Arrested in Philippi and Jailor converted – Acts 16

2. Paul in Athens preaching to philosophers – Acts 17

3. 1 Thessalonians – “Promise of His return shapes our conduct”

4. 2 Thessalonians – “Corrects confusion about Lord’s return”

H. Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey – Acts 18:21-21:17

1. Romans – “Doctrine of salvation”

2. 1 Corinthians – “Overcoming problems in the church”

3. 2 Corinthians – “Defense of Paul’s apostleship”

I. Paul arrested in Jerusalem, on trial, appeals to Caesar – Acts 21-26

J. Paul travels to Rome and is under house arrest – Acts 27-28

1. Ephesians – “Unity in Christ”

2. Philippians – “Rejoice in serving the Lord”

3. Colossians – “Combating false teaching”

4. Philemon – “Restoring a slave brother”

K. Paul is released and goes on a 4th Missionary Journey

1. Titus – “Proper relationships in the church”

2. 1 Timothy – “Dealing with false doctrine”

L. Paul is arrested again, writes 2 Timothy – “Encouraging faithfulness”

III. Victory

A. Hebrews – “Jesus is our Great High Priest”

B. 1 Peter – “Encouragement in Suffering”

C. 2 Peter and Jude – “Warning about false teachers”

D. 1 John – “Sound Doctrine and Love”

E. 2 John – “Warning about false teachers”

F. 3 John – “Walk together in Love”

G. Revelation – “Victory is ours!!” – Revelation 22

Bible in 5 Weeks part 4

Here is part 4 of my sermon series “The Bible in 5 Weeks”  It covers the Life of Christ.  How do you preach the life of Christ in 1 sermon??  The same way you preach through the Bible in 5 sermons…talk fast.

Bible in 5 weeks pt. 4

Here is the outline:

Public, Private, Passion

April 4, 2010

I. Public

A. Birth of Christ – Luke 2

B. Jesus with teachers at the Temple – Luke 2

C. John the Baptist’s Ministry – Luke 3

D. Jesus is Baptized by John the Baptist – Luke 3 & John 1

E. Jesus is tempted by Satan over 40 days – Luke 4

F. Jesus calls His first Disciples – John 1

G. Jesus turns water into wine – John 2

H. Jesus Tells Nicodemus he must be born again – John 3

I. Jesus ministers to the woman at the well – John 4

J. Jesus teaches in Nazareth and infuriates the leaders – Luke 4

K. Jesus heals and forgives a paralytic man – Luke 5

L. Jesus calls and eats dinner with a tax collector – Luke 5

M. The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7

N. Jesus teaches in parables and explains why – Mathew 13

O. Jesus feeds 5000 men and walks on water – Matthew 14

P. The first mention of the church and its mission – Matthew 16

Q. The Pharisees have a confrontation with Jesus – John 8

R. Jesus heals a blind man and infuriates the Pharisees– John 9

S. Jesus refers to Himself as The Good Shepherd – John 10

T. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead – John 11

U. Jesus enters Jerusalem and cleanses the Temple – Matthew 21

V. The Pharisees plot with Judas to kill Jesus – Matthew 26

II. Private

A. Jesus washes the disciples feet and predicts betrayal – John 13

B. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit – John 14

C. Jesus tells of the Holy Spirit’s work – John 16

D. Jesus prays for disciples and for us – John 17

III. Passion

A. Jesus is arrested – John 18

B. Jesus is put on trial – John 18-19 & Matthew 26

C. Jesus is Crucified – John 19, Luke 23, Matthew 27, Mark 15

D. Jesus is Raised! – John 20, Luke 24, Matthew 28, Mark 16

E. Jesus appears to His Disciples – John 20, Luke 24

F. Jesus Commissions His Disciples – Matthew 28

Bible in 5 Weeks pt. 3

Here is my sermon from this past Sunday.  It’s the third in the 5 part Series Preaching through the Bible.  I am also including the notes.

Bible in 5 Weeks pt 3

Wisdom, Wickedness, Renewal

March 28, 2010

I. Wisdom

A. David commits adultery with Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11-12

B. Sin’s consequences in David’s family – 2 Samuel 13-18

C. David becomes prideful and God rejects him – 2 Samuel 24

D. David prepares Solomon to be King – 1 Chronicles 28-29

E. Solomon is King and he asks God for wisdom – 1 Kings 1-3

F. Solomon displays the wisdom God has given – 1 Kings 3

G. Solomon writes Song of Solomon – a story of love

H. Solomon writes Proverbs – a book of wisdom & instruction

I. Solomon begins construction of the Temple – 1 Kings 5-9

J. Solomon sins against the Lord and is punished – 1 Kings 11

K. Solomon writes Ecclesiastes – a book about godly priorities

II. Wickedness

A. Rehoboam becomes King and is a wicked man – 1 Kings 12

B. Jeroboam sets up false gods to worship – 1 Kings 12

C. Kingdom Divides into 2 parts, Israel and Judah

1. Israel had 19 Kings.  All but 1 were evil

2. Elijah the Prophet confronts sin – 1 Kings 17-18

3. Elijah appoints Elisha to be a Prophet – 1 Kings 19

D. God sends many prophets to speak to the people

1. Main message was repent and worship God alone

2. Prophets spoke of coming judgment

E. Assyria overtakes Israel in 722 BC – 2 Kings 17

F. Judah is overtaken by Babylonians in 586 BC – 2 Kings 24-25

G. In exile, Jeremiah writes Lamentations

H. Ezekiel writes about the new hope to come – Ezekiel 37

I. Daniel and friends are persecuted – Daniel 3 & 6

III. Renewal

A. King Cyrus allows God’s people to return – Ezra 1-2

B. Temple is rebuilt – Ezra 3-6.  Haggai preaches – Haggai 1

C. Zechariah preaches concerning God’s salvation – Zech. 9

D. God uses Esther to spare many of His people

E. God uses Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

F. Malachi writes about judgment and blessings – Malachi 4

G. John the Baptist is born and Messiah is coming – Luke 1

I.  Pre-Exile Prophets

1. Obadiah – Judgment is coming on the nations, but there will be future blessings

2. Jonah – When God calls us to obedience, we must respond to Him

3. Amos – Judgment coming to the nations, judgment coming to Israel and Judah, but there will be a future restoration

4. Micah –There is coming judgment, but there will be restoration as well

5. Hosea – God’s people have committed adultery, but God will buy them back for Himself

6. Isaiah – Judgment and punishment is coming, but God will bring restoration with the coming Messiah

7. Nahum – Assyria will be destroyed for capturing Israel, even thought God used them, He always punishes sin

8. Zephaniah – Judgment is coming because the people are lukewarm towards God

9. Habakkuk – Judah will be punished, Babylon will be punished, but patient on the Lord to restore

10. Jeremiah – God punishes sin, but will give His people a new heart in order to be His people

II.  Prophets During The Exile

1. Lamentations – Jeremiah writes about his sorrow over God’s judgment of Israel and Judah

2. Ezekiel – Judah must be judged because God takes sin seriously, but God will be glorified through it all

3. Joel – A call to repentance and a promise of God’s future restoration of His people

4. Daniel – God always has faithful believers who stand for Him.  Also a book with end-times prophecies

III.  Post-Exile Prophets

1. Haggai – Rebuking God’s people and encouraging them about the future blessings

2. Zechariah – Giving hope about God’s future plan to restore people by the Messiah

3. Malachi – Rebukes the priests and tells of God’s coming blessings

Bible in 5 Weeks part 2

Here is the second in my 5 part series preaching through the Bible in 5 weeks.  Again, I am posting the outline that I handed out.

Bible in 5 Weeks pt. 2

Wanderings, Sinfulness, Presence

March 21, 2010

I. Wandering

A. God provides manna for the Israelites – Exodus 16

B. God gives Moses the 10 Commandments – Exodus 20

C. God gives instructions for the Tabernacle – Exodus 25-31

D. Israelites make a idol to worship – Exodus 32

E. God gives instruction concerning the 5 Offerings – Leviticus 1-7

F. Nadab and Abihu disobey God – Leviticus 10

G. God gives His people more Laws to obey – Leviticus 11-27

H. Israelites are afraid to enter the Promised Land – Number 13-14

I. Moses disobeys God and cannot enter the Land – Numbers 20

J. Moses instructs God’s people a second time – Deuteronomy 1-32

II. Sinfulness

A. Joshua is the new leader – Joshua 1

B. Joshua sends in the spies – Joshua 2

C. Crossing the Jordan – Joshua 3

D. Jericho walls fall down – Joshua 6

E. Conquests and Conquering the Land – Joshua 7-24

F. Book of Judges covers 335 years of history with a “cycle”

1. Cycle – Sin, Slavery, Crying, Salvation

2. Phrase – “Did what was evil in the Lords sight” 7 Times

G. Book of Ruth displays God’s faithfulness to His people

1. Ruth is a Moabite woman; marries Boaz, an Israelite

2. He redeems her as a picture of Christ’s work on our behalf

III. Presence

A. Hannah is a godly woman with a son named Samuel – 1 Samuel 1

B. Samuel is called by God to be a Prophet – 1 Samuel 3

C. Israel loses the Ark and regains it from Philistines – 1 Samuel 4-7

D. People demand a King and Saul is chosen – 1 Samuel 8-10

E. Saul disobeys God the first time and is punished – 1 Samuel 13

F. Saul disobeys God the second time and is punished – 1 Samuel 15

G. David is anointed King and fights Goliath – 1 Samuel 16-17

H. Saul promotes David and later tries to kill him – 1 Samuel 18-27

I. Saul dies and David becomes King – 1 Samuel 31 – 2 Samuel 5

J. David attempts to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem – 2 Samuel 6

K. David sings a song of praise to the Lord – 2 Samuel 7