The Italian Memorandum

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations”

(Matthew 28:19)

“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians”

(Acts 11:26)

Introduction: From time to time, the church needs to return to its roots and re-examine what it means to be a Christian.

I. Matthew 28:19 – What does Jesus want all men to become? Note what he does not say. ________________

II. Acts 11:23-26 – If you’re not a Christian you cannot be saved (Acts 4:12), but if you’re not a disciple you cannot be a Christian!

III. Gospel of Luke – Letting Jesus define discipleship

A. 6:40 A disciple is ___________________

B. 5:1-11 A disciple has __________________

C. 9:18-20 A disciple is ____________________

D. 14:25-33 A disciple ______________________

Conclusion: Baptism is meant for disciples (Matt. 28:19). And, discipleship is meant to be ongoing (Matt. 28:20).

“And John left them and returned to Jerusalem”

(Acts 13:13)

Introduction: The renowned Scottish commentator, Barclay, calls him “The Deserter” (William C. Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, revised edition, p. 100). Is this assessment too harsh?

1. The __________ John Mark

2. The __________ John Mark

3. The __________ John Mark

4. The __________ John Mark

5. The __________ John Mark

Conclusion: There hangs in the church building of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy a mosaic of John Mark depicted in the courageous symbolism of a lion. Whatever happened to you?

“…because he did not give God the glory…”

(Acts of the Apostles 12:23)

Introduction: The events leading up to the death of Herod Agrippa I, as depicted in Acts 12:20-24, comprise a study in glory. Even today, there are still but two choices: personal insurrection or Jesus’ resurrection.

I. Acts 12:20 – glory is always ____________________.

II. Acts 12:21 – glory is about who’s on the __________.

III. Acts 12:22 – glory deserves a ___________________.

IV. Acts 12:23 – glory rightly belongs to _____________.

Conclusion: “Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day / Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away / Change and decay in all around I see / O Thou who changest not, abide with me” (Abide With Me, Alfred Tennyson).

Acts 12:24 suggests that the word of God is primary; Herodian glory transitory. Now, glory demands a response.

(from the Gospel of John)

“And many more believed because of his word”

(John 4:41)

Introduction: We feel for those who do not know how to make a living, but pity those who do not know how to make a life.

I. The criterion of a __________ ____________ with God (1:12; 6:29; 3:16-18; 20:30-31).

II. N.T. belief is stronger than the ________________
(6:69).

III. N. T. belief is ______________ determined (1:1-3,14;12:32; 14:1,11).

IV. The _____________ of John 20:29.

Conclusion: Four major components make Christianity different from all other belief systems: (1) Creation (2) Incarnation (3) Crucifixion, and (4) Resurrection (11:25-26; 3:36). R.S.V.P.

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”

(Alfred Tennyson, The Idylls of the King. The Passing of Arthur, I. 414)

Introduction: Our resource for this lesson is 1 Timothy.

A. Why 1 Timothy?

B. “O man of God” (6:11) –

1. 6:6-10 – Prayer calls for a breakthrough in one’s thinking about _____________.

2. 2:1 – Prayer gives ___________ (proseuchomai).

3. 4:15, 5; 5:5 – The _____________ of prayer

4. Re: These things…

a. Understand these things
b. Practice these things
c. Command these things

Conclusion: “A good man’s prayer is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, REB).

(3 John)

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul”

(3 John 2)

“Believe that I love you for I do.
Believe that I am yours forever for I am”

(The Lion In Winter)

Introduction: Have you ever needed someone to express to you how much you mean to them?

v.1 Salutation – There’s something to be said for verbalizing love.

vv. 2-8 You mean so much to me!

vv. 9-12 Diotrephes and Demetrius

vv. 13-15 A touching conclusion – Realizing the main theme.

Conclusion: “Heaven reaches us, before we reach heaven.”

“Thou hast made us for Thyself and we shall ever restless be until we find our rest in Thee”

(Augustine. see Ecclesiastes 3:11)

“Your Father knows that you need them”

(Luke 12:30)

Introduction: In this lesson, we will discuss your deepest needs.  Our primary biblical text will be the Letter of James.

I. Acknowledging the physical …

“the things needed for the body”

A. (James 2:14-17)

B. Security, strength, and satisfaction

II. Asserting the spiritual …

“the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”

A. (James 4:1-17)

B. Security, strength, satisfaction, and ____________

Conclusion: What is your primary deepest needs fulfiller: People, Things or God? The answer will determine your ultimate

__________, ____________, ____________, and ____________.

“I have winnowed them with a winnowing fork”

(Jeremiah 15:7)

Winnow, [ME. wynewen, to winnow, from wind.]

 

1. to blow the chaff from (grain) by wind.

 

           5. (a) to separate out or eliminate (the worthless  part or parts of something); (b) to extract or select (the good part or parts of something).

Introduction: If something very important was happening to you right now, wouldn’t you like to know about it?

I. What’s a Winnowing (Jeremiah 15:3-7)?

The Hebrew word zara means to _____________ (to winnow). A long wooden fork used by threshers to toss grain into the air so that the ____________ is ________________ away (TNBD, 418).

II. Crucial Winnowing Statements:

A. Psalm 1:4 identifies the chaff as ___________.

B. Lk. 3:17 identifies Christ as ______________ .

C. Lk. 12:13-21 identifies a _________________.

Conclusion: “See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor” (Ruth 3:2). “Reapers the hours are speeding, Jesus your help is needing / Shall he call in vain?”(Go into the Field).

(1 Samuel 25)

“…she was a beautiful and intelligent woman”

(1 Samuel 25:3, NEB)

Introduction: This message is about commitment.

I. Nabal, the Boor

II. Abigail, the Beautiful

III. Lessons:

1. ___________________________________

2. ___________________________________

3. ___________________________________

4. ___________________________________

Conclusion: Abigail was ready for commitment. The Lord will not fail Abigail, for Abigail did not fail her Lord.

“…to all those who in every place call upon

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

(1 Corinthians 1:2)

Introduction: Why is the set phrase, “to call upon the name of the Lord” so full of meaning for Christians today?

1. It conveys _____________ (see Gen. 4:26)

2. It conveys _____________ (see Gen. 12:8)

3. It conveys _____________ (see Deut. 4:7)

4. It conveys _____________ (Acts 2:21)

5. It conveys _____________ to Christ (1 Cor. 1:2)

Conclusion: Saul of Tarsus was told, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Most will refuse to be told anything. How about you? Will you call upon the name of the Lord today?