Falls Presbyterian Church (OPC)

The New Testament church is a godly suffering community - like personified Jerusalem - that keeps returning to The LORD our portion. -1. Discovering and confessing how far we wandered from God. -v.40-47--2. Grieving and repenting with rivers of tears. -v.48-54--3. Pleading for and hoping in God's rescue and protection. -v.55-66--In what way are we like the ancient city of Jerusalem---When is it time to examine our souls-- Psalm 139-23-24-Which kind of sorrow shows true hearts-- 2 Cor. 7-10, Is. 29-13-Who is viewed as the scum of the world-- 1 Cor. 4-13

Intro to Micah, and chapter one.

The statements of the formerly blind man illustrate his development in following Jesus.-1. Statements to the neighbors -8-12--2. Statements to the Pharisees the First Time -vs. 15-17--3. Statements to the Pharisees the Second Time -vs. 24-38-

Between our current suffering and our future relief, we have a limited opportunity to lament, while God uses this time to produce something good.-1. While we lament that waiting itself has become our new hardship, we discover afresh the goodness of The Lord. -v.25-27- -2. While we lament, The Lord reassures us that our suffering will end. -v.28-33--3. While we lament under God's design, we gain true contentment. -v.34-39--What is unique about times of pain and suffering---Why is there always a future aspect to hope-- Romans 8-24-When is it harder to submit to God's will-- 1 Peter 2-21-25-Whom does the Lord chastise and why-- Hebrews 12-6

During hardships, we are lovingly led by our faithful God to a breakthrough of finding hope again.-1. Hardships feel dark, overwhelming, and hopeless- -v.1-18--2. Breakthrough to hope- -a- we appeal to God to see our hardships -b- we call to mind the truth about God, -c- we re-interpret our hardships, daring to hope again. -v.19-21- -3. Re-interpretation- The LORD is all we need for hope and comfort during our hardships. -v. 22-24--Where do you reach for hope and a reason to go on---Who is on our side when we have sinned-- 1 John 2-1-How does this remind you of Christ's sufferings-- Is. 53, Ps.22-Why should we not be anxious during difficulties-- Rom. 8-28

Intro to Jonah, then chapters 1 - 2.

Watch Out- do not be led astray into speculating when the world will end, but rather trust Jesus, enjoy His good news, testify, and endure to the end.-1. Watch out- do not be led astray- -by buildings, persons, events- The end is not yet- -v.1-8--2. Watch yourselves- -spread gospel, testify, trust-. -v.9-11--3. Endure to the end- -family may oppose you, people may hate you for Jesus' sake-. -v.12-13--What tempts us to be anxious about the end of the world---What is our motivation for enduring all things-- 1 Cor. 13-7-What are our 3 stock approaches to troubles-- Romans 12-12-How is Christ an example of enduring-- Hebrews 12-2

When we suffer, we are to return to its Source, asking Him for comfort and aid.-1. The LORD became like an enemy- -v.1-10--2. The LORD intended our suffering. -v.11-17- -3. The LORD teaches us to cry out to Him- -v. 18-22--Why does God not stop all of our hurting right away---What is the undergirding principle for pain-- Galatians 6-7-What is encouraging about our suffering-- Hebrews 12-6-Of what else is God the source-- 2 Cor. 1-3-9

After the man was healed of his blindness, he goes through similar experiences that other believers do, and yet has the same Savior to come to his aid as we do.-1. Confusion and Anger -vs. 8-17--2. Disregard and Abuse -18-34--3. Compassion and Defense -vs. 35-41-

In our suffering and sorrows, we cope like Christians by turning to God to seek His compassion and righteousness.-1. Lord, look and have compassion- -v.1-11--2. Friends, look and have compassion- -v.12-17- -3. Look, O LORD, in Your righteousness- -v. 18-22--How are Christians to deal with guilt, pain and loss---Why are we urged to avoid sin-- 2 Corinthians 7-1-How does Jesus know what our grief is like-- Isaiah 53-3-When will our tears be wiped away-- Revelation 21-4

Ch. 1-2 speeches against six countries nearby, then speeches against Judah-Israel--Ch. 3-6 a longer speech against Israel, including the warning that exile is coming.--Ch. 7-9-1-10, the preaching of Amos - five visions of coming judgment.--Ch. 9-11-15 a nice ending- Days of blessing, Israel-David's fam. can go home again.

The Lord Jesus reversed the perceptions of the disciples, teaching them that giving is a window into our hearts.-1. Some people make a big production about giving a lot, yet they remain quite comfortable, having a lot left over. -v.41--2. Other people quietly and joyfully give to God sacrificially, knowing that God will take care of them. -v.42--3. Jesus sees why we give. -v.43-44--How much was God's gift to us-- 2 Cor 9-15 -What religion is pure and undefiled before God-- James 1-27-Who is rich towards God-- Luke 12-21, James 2-5-Where does God look when measuring-- 1 Sam. 16-7, Mt. 6-21

Since grace was shown to their exiled King, then God had not abandoned His exiled people- later in Jesus, the new and better Jehoiachin, there is more grace to come. -1. The exiled king was brought out of prison. -v.31--2. The exiled king received kindness, while in exile. -v.32-33--3. The exiled king had his daily needs met, until the day of his death. -v.34--When our king is in exile, is there hope for us---What will happen to those in slavery-- Heb. 2-14-15-When does more grace come to us-- Jer. 31-2, Gal. 4-4-How did God provide for us-- 2 Sam. 7-1-16, Heb.12-28

Because God was faithful to cause uprooting and destruction -Jer. 1-10-, exiles can trust God to be faithful to re-build and re-plant. -1. The slaughter of the nation's leaders -religious, military, - government-- -v.24-27a--2. The uprooting of Judah from its homeland. -v.27b--3. The carrying away captive the surviving covenant people. -v.28-30--After the loss of the land, is there hope---Why did they lose the homeland-- Jer. 52-3-Why are these verses repeated in 2 Kings 25-18-21---How did God provide for us-- Hebrews 10-10-18