The 101 Bible Study

Dear 101. The following is a helpful article by Ed Welch. If you have time please read. Thanks.

Your Conscience Can Tell You Bad News, Not Good

Feeling guilty is natural. Be human, feel guilty. You don’t need any particular ability to feel guilty. It’s called the conscience, and it comes standard. H. L. Mencken said it is “the mother-in-law whose visit never ends.”

The conscience is a fine thing, but has limitations

The conscience is a fine thing. It reminds us that we live before the God who judges the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4:1). It is that spark of light that is nearly impossible to extinguish. It is a little island of sanity in a world of relativism. Three cheers for the conscience and its willingness to make moral judgments.

The conscience does have its limitations though, and they are significant. For one, it can only make you feel bad. Every once in while you might have a clear conscience—meaning that there is nothing you have to hide—but it only lasts for a moment. That’s just the conscience being the conscience. It has the power to make us feel guilty but not innocent. It has the power to say “don’t do that” but not the power to keep us from doing it.

Here is the problem. The conscience, when it is our only source of information, will end with some form of penance or self-salvation strategy. Deny yourself, punish yourself, try harder, and so on. It is good for what it was intended to do and only for what it was intended to do. It is not able to give direction on how to be right with God. The conscience is a natural ability, not an enlightened one. The conscience is a valuable asset, but you can’t get to any place good from there.

We need a new way of seeing

The conscience must give way to a new way of seeing. We call this faith, and it is different in every way. One looks inward for truth, the other looks outward. One sees judgment, the other tender mercies. One sees us naked and alone before the judge, the other sees Jesus.

Have you ever made yourself cross-eyed by staring at a Magic Eye picture? With your normal way of seeing, the picture looks like a two-dimensional array of random designs. Now look more deeply. Focus farther away. Keep looking. Don’t give up until you see a completely different scene. Refocus until you can see the world in three-dimensions. Once you see it, enjoy it.
The next time you pick up the Magic Eye book you will need a little less time to find this new world. With practice, you will see it even more quickly.

In the same way, to be able to see the new world of grace and faith you must access it in a very different way. It is unnatural and counter-intuitive; you need your spiritual eyes. There is nothing natural inside us that will lead us to discover the wonderful exchange in which “Christ takes away all evil that our conscience tells us we have, and gives us every good thing that our conscience tells us we lack.”
To get from the guilt-producing conscience to the ‘every good thing’ you must switch from one system to the other. Two-dimensions to three.
You feel guilty – that is the easy part.

Now, use your spiritual eyes. Don’t stop until you can see the good stuff.

George

Beloved 101,

Well, I thank the Lord for the clear presentation of the Gospel focusing on the resurrection presented by our dear brother Rafael last Friday. What an encouragement to my heart to remember our hope is not in a dead Savior but in a living One, who conquered death and sin and is coming back! I hope you had the chance to thank Rafael for all his hard work in preparing that sermon.

Well, I wanted to let you know we are back to Galatians this Friday specifically Galatians 1:18-24 and I have some homework questions for all of you faithful students out there:) Please read the passage and try answering these following questions:

1) What allegations were the Judaizers’ leveraging against Paul? (review question)
2) Why does Paul only spend 15 days in Jerusalem? (vs 18)
3) Why does he say "I assure you before God that I am not lying?" (vs 20)
4) Why does he leave Jerusalem? (vs 21)
5) Why is it important that Paul mentions that the Judean believers were
glorifying God because of him? (vs 24)

***Extra Credit Question***: What did Paul do in Arabia? (vs 17)

Notice: For those of you who do all the HW questions for all of Galatians will receive a special gift at the end of our
study in this book. Just saying.

Dear 101,

Really excited and looking forward to spending the weekend together with you gathering around the truth of repentance. I talked to Mark this morning during our Crossroads morning leadership meeting with Pastor Austin and he shared the approach he was going to take with the sermons. It’s going to be good yall. We are all in for a real blessing.

Please pray that the Lord would use this time to reveal specific sins in your life and for a subsequent repentance. Please also pray for our speaker Mark Z.

Since we will be having the retreat, there will be no 101 this Friday.

Excited!

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

Dear 101,

How are you all doing on your HW assignment? If some of you weren’t there last Friday, you still have time to read all of Galatians before this Friday night. We will be starting our study of Galatians this Friday so please come prepared to think Gospel!

This Friday is the last Friday to sign up for the retreat. Please sign up. If you need financial assistance please don’t hesitate to talk to me for help. We don’t want anyone to miss the retreat for financial reasons:)

Looking forward to the fellowship this Friday. Please continue to be in pray for one another yall. Thanks!

In Christ Together,

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

Happy New Year 101!

Trust your holiday season went well for all of you and that you’re ready for another new year of God’s amazing and abundant blessings.

Just wanted to remind you that this Friday we will start back up at the 101. Hope to see you all there at Midori’s as we introduce our vision for the year and the book we will be studying through together.

Also, we still have plenty of space left for this year’s winter retreat on the topic of repentance. Time is running out to sign up. Please sign up soon.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ Together,

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

Beloved 101,

Just a quick reminder 101 will not meet this Friday and next!! We will meet back up on 1/6.

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

Greetings 101,

Our Christmas party is a couple days (**NO 101 THIS FRIDAY IN LIEU OF CHRISTMAS PARTY**) away and I just wanted to give you the some more info:

First of all, we will have a few parking attendants to direct the Crossroaders to park in the neighboring streets, however, our senior staff/elders as well as those who are unable to walk distances, are welcome to park on Wimer Country Road. Please do try and carpool though.

Second, the party is happening outdoors in the cul-de-sac and surrounding areas, however the homes will be open for restrooms as well as a warm refuge with couches when you need a break from the cold.

Third, the flyer is attached for your convenience.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!!

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

christmas party 11 flyer single.pdf

A good one for this Thanksgiving week.

Thanks with a Grateful Heart

by Phil Johnson

hanksgiving (the constant kind, not the once-a-year variety) is a good exercise for the out-of-control tongue. Ephesians 5:4: ” Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

Thanksgiving for what? “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And especially be thankful that “God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). That’s plenty to be thankful for.

As a matter of fact, thankfulness to God is more than just a tongue-taming exercise. It is a remedy for any kind of temptation to idolatry, uncleanness, or immorality (Ephesians 5:3)—because it focuses our hearts properly away from self and sin, and it fixes our minds on God. Just as covetousness, filthy talk, and bad morals act like a leaven to spread evil into every aspect of our lives, gratefulness and gracious speech arrest that leaven and season our hearts and minds with grace.

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

Dear 101,

It’s that time of week again where I get the pleasure and opportunity of reaching out to you on this small way. Praying for you all and hoping you are all hoping in the Lord Jesus for your source of contentment and joy. Because nowhere else can it be found. Just wanted to share some reminder announcements:

This Friday please don’t forget to sign up for our Winter Retreat in January. This is coming up quick so please sign up. The topic is on repentance.

You’re all invited to the Crossroads Christmas party at Pastor Austin’s house on Dec. 9, Friday. Yay Crossroads! I will share more details this Friday but from what I’ve learned this far, this will most likely be the greatest Christmas party you have ever or will attend. No exaggeration. Please consider inviting some friends.

Last but not least I’ve included some more wise and convicting words for your personal edification from our friend Donald Whitney’s chapter, titled “Fellowship Face to Face, Part 2.” I hope you guys are reading this. It takes quite some time to type all this out”) haha.

Enjoy.

“UNTIL WELL INTO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, MOST RELATIONSHIPS existed within a short distance-perhaps even a short walk-from home. Contact with friends, family, church members, merchants, and others typically happened face to face and took place in stable communities. Today we can do much of our job, communicate with friends and family, bank, shop, buy gas, and pay bills, and never come within shouting distance of another human being. Because of our increased mobility, we live so far from the people we do see at work and church that we never see them any other place or time. We can’t pretend this has had no effect on relationships, including fellowship between Christians.

What can we do? First, recognize what’s happening. With all its benefits, one of the special challenges of our age is learning to adapt to world where everyday contact with real people is diminishing. Technology has brought far-flung friends and family closer to us, yet it doesn’t bring them close enough. We can read or hear their words, but we cannot shake their hand, kiss their cheek, or sit beside them and talk. Technology even permits us to have frequent contact with strangers, but it can estrange us from those nearest to us.

Recognize not only the tendencies of technology to separate us, but also how relationships weaken when urban sprawl and thickening traffic increase driving time and stress. Once home, and the drawbridge of the garage door closes us into our castle, just the thought of hurrying off again and driving several miles-even though to gather with other believers-is often too exhausting too consider.

Second, resist the socially centrifugal forces that push us apart. Beware of the temptation to sit at the computer or engage in electronic chats at the expense of face-to-face fellowship. We shouldn’t be content merely watch relationships and begin to “know” the people on TV better than our nearest neighbors or almost anyone in our church family. (ouch!!)

Third, understand that such resistance probably requires being more intentional about face-to-face Christian fellowship. Participate in the aspects of church life that involve more than just sitting and listening. Don’t rush off after church events. Linger and talk, especially about the things of God. Eat together with other church members whenever possible. Look for ways to have people from church in your home every month or two.

Hebrews 10:25 is a timeless and God-inspired reminder to maintain some simplicity about getting together with believers. Like the original recipients of this letter, we also need the basic exhortation about “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.” It was the pressure of persecution that tempted the first readers of these words to give up gathering with other believers. Technology, distance, and the pace of life are more likely causes for isolating ourselves with other believers today. But our God-given need to meet with Christian people face to face and the God-glorifying purposes of such gatherings remain unchanged by time or culture.”

Amen. Have a great week in the Lord thinking and praying about ways you can close the relational gap between you and other believers!

See you all Friday!!

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)

Greetings 101 Saints,

I just wanted to send out our July schedule. As mentioned, we are taking the month off in July with no formal gatherings so we can focus on participating at Crossroads Super Study. The theme will be on Bibliology with some really great speakers. There will be no 101 this Friday and the first Super Study will be on July 6th with Pastor Rick Holland, one last time before he heads off to his new church. Please try to make an effort in being a part of this great time.

We will also be having a few informal events on our usual Friday nights just to unwind and have a little fun together. Please consider bringing some unbelieving friends to these events in a more casual setting:) Details for the informal events will come as we get closer to those Fridays. For now please see the following July schedule for Super Study and 101 Month of Fun combined:

(2011 | Bibliology: Thursdays @ 7 in the basement of the J Building)

July 7 – The Book with Three “I’s” | Rick Holland
July 8 – 101 Informal Event: K-town Karaoke and BBQ
July 14 – Will Varner
July 21 – I Once was Blind: The Doctrine of Illumination | Jesse Johnson
July 22 – 101 Informal Event: Dodgers Game (vs. Nationals at 7pm; please email Manosh to sign up if you haven’t yet)
July 28 – Michael Mahoney
July 29- 101 Informal Event: Game Night at Midori’s
August 4 – Austin Duncan
August 5- 101 ‘Back to School’ Kickoff with Mark Z. as our guest speaker

Together in Christ,

George
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21)