Through Suffering to Joy – Hebrews 12:1-13

Feb 8, 2015 Prayer Requests Danny Lovato and Family Ruth Gawith Don Rob Milton Davis & Kathy Davis Lua McNew Ginny & Jim Jellison Lucy McKinney Young families – Gods guiding in upcoming changes. Gods leading and direction in our Church Families College Students Luke Haynes – UCL healing Keith McNew-Christ’s working in his life. James Alexander -- Dialysis Unspoken

SandraGreat Britain DavidMexico Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia RuthIndia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand Keith & Ruth Switzerland SarahSwaziland WayneAfrica Two Albanian women bring God's love to Roma community On Mondays Broli faithfully walks to the dump, which is near her own home, to teach the Bible to the Roma people. “We have the service outside because they don’t have houses, they have just these little wood things. They don’t even have any stools to sit on, they sit on the ground,” Broli said. “They were very hungry for the Word of God. They always are after us to listen more to the Bible, because most of them can’t read.”

Praying for the US & Canada Richie Merryman: NY, NM, CA Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ) Jellisons: UT, TX, AK Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI L. Kilgore: VA, MI T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast) C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation Adams: NM, CA, MA B. Brown: GA, OR, ON B. Vito: NY,ID M15 opens with focus on Nazarene history, theological identity The opening session began on Monday evening with Pasadena, California, First Church of the Nazarene Senior Pastor Scott Daniels exploring our theological identity. During a dramatic presentation he traced the Church of the Nazarene's roots back to the early Church, General Superintendent Phineas F. Bresee who dreamed of where the denomination would be in 100 years.

Hebrews 12 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 5

Embrace the Race 6 START RUN PERSEVERE FINISH Do not grow Weary & lose Heart!!!

Hebrews 12 (NIV) 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7

Hebrews 12 (NIV) 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 8

9 What is the difference?

Hebrews 12 (NIV) 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 10

Embracing Discipline What is the essence of discipline? How is it achieved? What are the results of discipline. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy (NIV) 11

Next Week Unit 2: Hebrews: The Superior Sacrifice Lesson 7: Peace & Holiness Hebrews 12:

SundayTeacher.com Lesson Password: Priest Illustrated Bible Life Password: Rest

God Spoke in Times Past 2 God also said to Moses, “I am the L ORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the L ORD I did not make myself fully known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the L ORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the L ORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the L ORD.’” 14

God Spoke in Times Past I am the Lord … I appeared … I established … I give … I have heard … I have remembered I will bring you out … I will free you … I will redeem you … I will take you as my own …, I will be your God I will bring you to the land … I will give it to you … I am the Lord. 15

How to help Ebola relief Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator Daniel Gomis suggests the following activities to support Ebola relief efforts: Have a time of fasting and a time of prayer at least once a week Pray for God to bind any fear and loose peace in the hearts of the people of West Africa Pray for our district superintendents, pastors, leaders, and churches in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Conakry, that the Lord will use them powerfully as agents of hope and salt and light of Jesus in these difficult days Pray for God's wisdom and protection over the medical doctors and health personnel in the Ebola-affected countries Pray for God's wisdom for the head of nations and decision makers in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea Conakry Inform and educate by checking the World Health Organization and International SOS websites for updates Funds contributed through the Africa Emergency Relief Fund will go toward Ebola education programs, prevention and hygiene supplies, and food and vitamins for individuals and families in affected communities. 16 The Eurasia Regional Office is inviting Nazarenes across the Eurasia Region to link hearts with our brothers and sisters in the Africa Region by joining them in prayer and fasting for the people suffering from the Ebola virus outbreak in Western Africa, for those who are sick, those who have lost loved ones, communities impacted negatively by quarantine, fear, loss of producers and earners, and for those brave medical workers treating the sick.