Welcome to AFC! Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?

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Sing Thru the Bible “The Gospels” Words and Music by Kenneth Berding

Sing Thru the Bible In all gospels, John the Baptist speaks Peter confesses, five thousand fed Anointed feet, a triumphal ride Judas betrays, and Jesus’ arrest Peter denies, Pilate sentences The crucifixion, and the burial Women arrive at an empty tomb In all four gospels

Sing Thru the Bible In Matthew, Jesus is the King In Mark, the servant sacrifice In Luke, the perfect Son of Man In John, he is the Son of God

Sing Thru the Bible ‘Synoptics,’ Matthew, Mark and Luke The temptation, a paralytic healed Choosing the twelve, and stilling a storm Jairus’s daughter, the twelve are sent Transfiguration, and a rich young man The Sower’s story, ‘give Caesar’s due’ Woes to scribes, Olivet Discourse In Matthew, Mark and Luke

Sing Thru the Bible In Matthew and Mark, John the Baptist’s death A fig tree wilts, four thousand fed In Mark and Luke is the widow’s mite A demonized man at the synagogue In Matthew and Luke is the Lord’s Prayer The Lost Sheep, and the Talents Also many sayings shared by Sermons in Matthew and Luke

Sing Thru the Bible In Matthew alone are the wise men An Egypt flight, a Sermon on the Mount ‘Come to me, I’ll give you rest’ The Tares, Two Sons, and The Laborers Ten Waiting Virgins, and The Sheep and Goats The guards at the tomb, and their report ‘Go, disciple the nations’ All in Matthew alone

Sing Thru the Bible In Luke alone, John the Baptist’s birth Shepherds and angels for Jesus’ birth A Sermon on the ‘Plain,’ a Good Samaritan A Rich Fool, and a Prodigal Son An Unjust Steward, ten lepers healed The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus Mocked by Herod, The Emmaus Road All in Luke alone

Sing Thru the Bible In John alone, water into wine Nicodemus, and the woman’s well Many I AM’s, like the bread of life A woman’s adultery, a man born blind Lazarus raised, Jesus washes feet The Discourse in the Upper Room ‘Peter, if you love me, feed my sheep’ All in John alone

Exploring Jesus…

Being A Disciple…

What is a Disciple? Someone who follows someone. For a Christian, it is someone who follows Christ.

Why do we follow Christ? Because of who He is.

How do I follow Christ? By doing what He says.

What if I deliberately do not do what Jesus says? Then I do not follow Jesus. Then I am not a Disciple of Christ

What does Jesus tell us to do? Love God… Love Your Neighbor… As you love yourself

The 12 Disciples Peter Thomas* Andrew Matthew James James* John Thaddaeus* Philip Simon Bartholomew* Judas* 3 – Purposes in choosing the 12

Foundation of the Church Purpose? ~ Demonstrate the reality of God within the World Tough to Do! ~ Requires us to do what God says… exactly ~ We are not told exactly how to do it…

Foundation of the Church What we know for sure… Servant Leadership Elders Deacons Pastors Lay Leaders Disciples (followers) Delegation of Duties Partnerships Organized Missions How How these elements are supposed to work together we are not told… -Congregational -Presbyterian -Episcopal

What did Jesus do? Had thousands following him (Matt 14:13) Sent out 72 (Luke 10:1) Picks out 12 (Luke 6:12-19) Chooses 3 out of the 12 (Luke 9:28-36) Chooses 1 out of the 3 (John 13:23) Any risk of favoritism?

The 12 Disciples Peter Thomas* Andrew Matthew James James* John*** John*** Thaddaeus* Philip Simon Bartholomew* Judas*

Cases of Disagreement? Acts 15:36-41 (Paul, Barnabas and Mark) ~ We will not all get along ~ There will be some who will enjoy the company of others more ~ Reason we come together is Christ

In the Case of a Large Church… Observations from John Piper (Paraphrase) Facing an innumerable enemy you may not know the name of the soldier fighting five miles away from you for your very own King. But for a day, if not for a moment, you will cheer together in the hour that you are given victory for together you fought side by side for a common purpose.

In the Case of a Large Church… ~ We are counting on each other even if we may not know each other ~ There will be a day when we will need each other ~ We may not always like each other, but the reason we are together is larger than any one of us ~ We are here for Christ alone…

In Christ Alone In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save ‘Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand ‘til He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Scripture Passage Following God’s Commands 1 John Ch 2