August 25, 2013 Pennyrile CHURCH OF CHRIST On the web: www.pennyrilechurch.com Follow us on twitter: @pennyrilechurch Email us at: [email protected]Come and See (John 1:35-46; 11:32-37) There is no doubt that one’s disposiƟon toward God affects how we see things. This point is made repeatedly in the Gospel of John. There were those that saw much of what Jesus did and yet they did not believe. At the other end of the spectrum we have Jesus saying to Thomas, who has just seen and believed, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Which is followed two verses later by the declara Ɵon of John, the writer of the Gospel, “. . . these are wriƩen that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:29, 31). The relaƟonship between faith and sight is one of the most evident of themes in the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John begins with the proclamaƟon of John the BapƟst who shares the good news, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! . . . And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29, 34). This proclamaƟon demands a response. The disciples responded in faith – they followed Jesus – without fully seeing or understanding what they were doing. When Jesus saw them following he issued an invitaƟon based on their faith – “Come and see.” This is the same thing Philip said to Nathaniel soon aŌer ward (1:46). It is a consistent paƩern (with only a few excepƟons) in John that believing comes before seeing, and those who see are the ones who learn who Jesus truly is. This morning we are going to review two dramaƟc stories in the Gospel of John with the idea of come and see in mind. Then we will think about how this may deepen our understanding of proclaiming the good news. First the story in chapter nine of the man who was born blind. This man’s physical sight was restored as soon as he (in faith) washed in the pool of Siloam. It was through the trial of being brought before the Pharisees that his spiritual sight came to him. The final scene of the story is where we have the dramaƟc and self-condemning response of the Pharisees, “Are we also blind?” To which Jesus responds – only if you say you see. (9:40-41) Second the story of the raising of Lazarus. Here we have a hearƞelt and pained by death plea for Jesus to “Come and see.” Indeed Jesus did go and see. He saw and he demonstrated his glory through the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Once again we have belief coming before seeing in the statement, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (11:40) It is our task to be proclaimers of the good news. There will be those who believe and come to see Jesus. It is for us to act in faith. It is only when we step out and act in faith, not knowing or aƩempƟng to control the outcome, understanding that we have stepped beyond our knowledge and capacity that we will be able to see the glory of Jesus.
Transcript
August 25, 2013
Pennyrile CHURCH OF CHRIST
On the web: www.pennyrilechurch.com Follow us on twitter: @pennyrilechurch Email us at: [email protected]
Come and See (John 1:35-46; 11:32-37)
There is no doubt that one’s disposi on toward God affects how we see things. This point is made
repeatedly in the Gospel of John. There were those that saw much of what Jesus did and yet they did not believe. At the other end of the spectrum we have Jesus saying to Thomas, who has just seen and believed, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Which is followed two verses later by the declara-‐on of John, the writer of the Gospel, “. . . these are wri en that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:29, 31). The rela onship between faith and sight is one of the most evident of themes in the Gospel of John.
The Gospel of John begins with the proclama on of John the Bap st who shares the good news, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! . . . And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29, 34).
This proclama on demands a response. The disciples responded in faith – they followed Jesus – without fully seeing or understanding what they were doing. When Jesus saw them following he issued an invita on based on their faith – “Come and see.” This is the same thing Philip said to Nathaniel soon a er-‐ward (1:46).
It is a consistent pa ern (with only a few excep ons) in John that believing comes before seeing, and those who see are the ones who learn who Jesus truly is. This morning we are going to review two drama c stories in the Gospel of John with the idea of come and see in mind. Then we will think about how this may deepen our understanding of proclaiming the good news.
First the story in chapter nine of the man who was born blind. This man’s physical sight was restored as soon as he (in faith) washed in the pool of Siloam. It was through the trial of being brought before the Pharisees that his spiritual sight came to him. The final scene of the story is where we have the drama c and self-condemning response of the Pharisees, “Are we also blind?” To which Jesus responds – only if you say you see. (9:40-41)
Second the story of the raising of Lazarus. Here we have a hear elt and pained by death plea for Jesus to “Come and see.” Indeed Jesus did go and see. He saw and he demonstrated his glory through the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Once again we have belief coming before seeing in the statement, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (11:40)
It is our task to be proclaimers of the good news. There will be those who believe and come to see Jesus. It is for us to act in faith. It is only when we step out and act in faith, not knowing or a emp ng to control the outcome, understanding that we have stepped beyond our knowledge and capacity that we will be able to see the glory of Jesus.
Thank you for worshipping with us today! Please introduce yourself by filling out an information sheet located in the maroon
binder at the pew ends. You may place that in the contribution plate as it passes. You are also welcome to include any prayer requests
or any needs that we can help meet.
We’re happy you’re here!
Order of Worship For Today
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Worship Leader: Mark Wilkerson Call to Worship: Tim Teel
Ancient of Days #508 A Wonderful Savior
Congregational Reading: John 11:25-26 Prayer: Kenneth Ashby
What The Lord Has Done In Me #18 Faithful Love Lord’s Supper
Bryce Kittinger David Stubblefield Gage Dillingham Hunter Mathis Hans Niestrath Jon Stubblefield Presiding: David Stubblefield #781 Thank You, Lord!
Contribution Dismiss for Children’s Church
#560 Living By Faith #342 We Saw Thee Not
Scripture Reading: Byron Pruitt;; John 1:35-39a Sermon: Sean Niestrath Prayer: Brock Shoulders
#496 O Listen To The Wondrous Story Benediction
ALTERNATES: Please meet
in case you are needed to serve as a substitution for the
Sunday, September 1, 2013 Worship Leader: Joshua Lee Call to Worship: Byron Pruitt
Prayer: Roger Matheny Prayer: Steve Stoltz
Scripture Reading: James Allen Monitor: Hans Niestrath Nursery: Sam Curry
Serving the Lord’s Table
Dan Rust Quincy Stephenson Bruce Kittinger Joshua Scott
Curt Frederick Pete Shoulders
Presiding: Dan Rust
Children’s Church—Krista Teel
Prepare communion:
September: Alberta Rust
For The Record: Last Sunday Bible Class 74 Worship 119
Contribu on $3,956.00 Wednesday: 78
TODAY: Meet at the park from 5:30—7:30. Guys bring a two-liter and Girls bring chips/extras Rain or excessive heat will move this to Bryce & Whitney’s home.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: August 28 at 5:30 pm—next Wednesday night meal Sept 8—Pull-put devotional; Friday, Sept 13- Madisonville Scavenger Hunt for teens—(adult drivers will be needed; let Bryce know if you can help) September 22—kickball & cookout at Hanson with area youth groups
If you are participating in ANYTHING this fall, please give Bryce your schedule!
The Sunday 6 pm Encouragement Group will meet at the building tonight.
There will be a Wedding Shower for Laura Stoltz TODAY from 2—4 pm. She is registered at The Gi Horse, Target, and Macy’s.
LIFE SKILLS classes at West Broadway Elementary School will be offered on the following Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30: October 1, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19. Please let Sean know if you are willing to teach or help!
We have a mature Chris an couple coming to town for 2 weeks during the Christmas holiday and they are in need of a house to rent or a house si ng/pet si ng situa on that would provide them a place to stay. Please contact Cindy Unland 339-4139, [email protected] for details.
retirement party Honoring 1st Sergeant James Chip Palmer on Sunday, September 1st from
2—4 pm at Providence Church of Christ. More informa on is on the bulle n board.
Anyone willing to help or lead Children’s Church, let Bryce know so he can put you on the schedule.
Magi Project It’s that time of year again! Please start gathering, wrapping, and bringing Magi boxes (Christmas in a shoe box). This year, thanks to the generosity of yard sales, the Honduras account will pay for shipping for every box. Donations are always welcome, too. Do NOT let the $7.00 shipping hold you back! We’ve got that covered. Magi boxes will start growing in the foyer under the coat rack. Please join in the joy of giving. We have a goal of 150 boxes for Ramon Amaya Amador by September 22. Thank you in advance, Pennyrile family. Marvin appreciates your efforts and I sure do, too. Elizabeth
SMALL GROUPS will begin on Sunday, September 8th. We encourage you to become involved in a small group! This is a perfect setting for bringing friends! Find one that fits you best from these options: 1. Bible Study—meet at noon on Sundays, share a meal followed by Bible study. 2. Encouragement Group—meet 3 Sunday evenings at area nursing homes, the 4th week at the building for cards and a meal. 3. Afternoon Service Group—meet from 1:30-2:30 Sunday afternoon to do various service projects. 4. Dinner and a Question—meet Sunday evenings to discuss a question around a meal. 5. Worship at the building—meet at 6 pm Sunday evenings with a meal following on the 4th week. See the bulletin board across from the office for additional information and sign up!
Remember in Prayer: *Joann Sneed Crawford, friend of Barbara Frederick’s
* Todd Walker, ALS
*John Cunningham
*Jana Scott’s mother, Joann Leonard, recovery from a broken hip *Jim Wolfe, friend of the Stanley’s, leukemia *Dr. Terry Cunningham, is in need of a stem cell transplant *Rita Frazier, Barbara Frederick’s sister-in-law, stage 4 lung cancer *Terry & Faye Rakestraw, cancer *Louis Stanley’s sister, Genevieve *”Tip” Herrin, Teresa Herrin’s father, lung cancer *Michael Skultety, cancer *Len Obryant, cancer *Marcie Winstead, breast cancer *Eunice Randolph, lung cancer *Larry & Bonnie Sims, friend of Allen’s, health issues *Aaron Reding, friend of Keith Tapp, late stage ALS *Denise Baxter, Reva McConnell’s niece, breast cancer *Harry Gregory, terminal illness
Deacons Byron Pruitt Dan Rust James Rust Ronny Stubblefield
Pennyrile Christian Counseling Elizabeth B. Webb, LMFT, LCSW
To make an appointment, call 270-825-8746.
Ministries Benevolence-Dan Rust Foreign Missions-Roger Matheny Youth-Bryce Kittinger Website-Bryce Kittinger Small Groups-Randy Travis West KY Youth Camp- Ronny Stubblefield
Lions Recycle for Sight If you have used eyeglasses you no longer need, place them in the box in the office. Lions accept prescrip on and reading glasses, sunglasses and plas c and metal
frames. Children's glasses are especially needed.
Grapevine Elementary Weekend Backpack Program
This program distributes around 50 backpacks full of weekend food to children
who would not otherwise have food. Please continue to bring in your items! A
list of suggested items is on the table in the foyer for your
reference. Juice and Main Meal items are especially needed!
Look for KELLOGG’s products with a free book coupon from Scholas c! Bring those boxes in to Krista and we can get
