Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Jan. 17, 2008, edition 1 / Page 23
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Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him Lesson Scripture: Luke 14: 7-11, 15-24 Lesson Aims: to explain the parables in the lesson, to understand the relationship between humility, sacrifice and discipleship, and to fol low Jesus faithfully. Background: Our studies this quarter have revealed more about Jesus' life, teach ings and ministry than ever before (for some of us any way).. The final lesson centers on humanity's response to the Great Invitation. Luke 14 opened on a Sabbath day when Jesus was dining at a prominent Pharisee's hou?e. All eyes were on Him as He spotted a man suffering from dropsy (edema). Jesus posed the question; "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" Everyone was silent. Jesus knew the Law better than they did! "Rabbinical interpreta tion allowed medical tfeat mcnt in cases of life and death" (Bible Expositor and Illuminator). Knowing their hearts. He healed the man and sent him on his way. A second question was raised. "If a son or oxen of theirs fell into a well on the Sabbath, will they not immediately pull him out?" The dinner guests kept their mouths closed. Throughout his Gospel, Luke presents Jesus as "Lord of the Sabbath" who models com passion daily. Lesson: While the guests continue to eat, Jesus notices them "jockeying" for position at the table. He uses their behavior to teach about humility. A guest Himself, Jesus becomes the host a^He presents motfe parables. Both parables today recognize two opposing groups - the elect and those deemed the non elect. When the invitation to the wedding or banquet is issued, how should believers respond? Like the lawyer Mildred Peppers Sunday School Lesson from last week, should a believer promote self? God isn't fooled by self promo tion!! Jesus teaches that the first (the elect) shall be last and the last (the non-elect) shall be first>?Matthew 19:30, 20.16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30). What does it mean? Rest assuredly, it doesn't mean to come late! Simply put, don't think more of your self due to an education, a title, a neighborhood, a car or who you know. Instead sit at the back (humility) to allow the host to invite you closer. If the believer isn't careful, their- self-importance will make them appear foolish. There is no room for arro gance as a disciple of Jesus, the Christ! What about those who are unclean - the crip pled, the lame, the blind and the poor? God invites every one to the table! This means that the non-elect are just as important as the elect! Luke has expanded the former cate gory. In the second parable, the invitation is given three times. Society's elect gives three excuses why they can't attend the banquet - the recent purchase of land, oxen bought, and a new wife must be attended to. The second invitation goes out to soci ety's outcasts in the streets and alleys. They come but there is room" at the table for more When tfie invitation is extended a Jhirdirfhe to peo ple who live fa^way (hedges and highways) the house becomes full!! All of the invitees who didn't come will simply miss out. Jesus (goes on to teach that humility and sacrifice are the qualities that disciples must posses (vs. 25 27). Application? Like all parables, the characters and places mean much more than the simple words! The ministry of Jesus is based on love and compassion for all. The unity that Jesus refers to crosses all lines of division ? religion, race, sex, physical condition, economic status, education acquired, and the like. Old folks used to sing abbut sitting at the , Welcome Table, what a time what a time! The last banquet table (the eschatological one) will be full with' those who accept the Great Invitation (Matthew 11: 2?) and live faithfully. Living faithfully includes fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19 20) and loving God first, and then our neighbors as our selves. This?is the Great Commandment found in Matthew 22: 37-40. Ministry as we all know is doing. The Model Teacher set the stan dard; use no other to measure yourself. What does the Lord require? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Ronee Walker performs at a Juneteenth event in 2005. Walker from page BIO Aerobics." She has also appeared in TV commercials for Winn-Dixie Stores, Subaru, Payless Stores and VanGrak Sports Wear. Walker has appeared in industrial films, as well as print and department store modeling for Nordstrom's, Meier & Frank and J.C. Penny. In 1992, Minister Ronee appeared .off Broadway, in the critically acclaimed stage drama, "Sister's Under the Rainbow." The 2001 YMCA Adult Black Achiever honoree is also a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Announcers and the Screen Actor's Guild. Walker recently celebrat ed 15 years of service with the Pepsi Bottling Group. She plans to retire within the next 5 years to devote time to her daughter, Aaliyah, now 7, to explore entrepreneur endeav ors and to continue to develop her Worship and Arts Ministry. f Overall, she wants to help build the kingdom of God with her time, talent and resource^. Walker is the mid dle child of James Zell Walker II and Jeanette (Walker) Mason. Her siblings include. Jimmy, Debra, Freda and James (Zelton). Exodus United Baptist Church is located at 2000 Wilbur St. in Winston-Salem. Calendar from page Bit) the "2008 Word of the Lord, The Year of the Open Gate" service to-be held on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at 901 Peter's Creek Parkway. Apostles Theophlius and Valarie Jones are pastors. Cain72T-T 792 Tor more infor-" mation . Jan. 26 Ladies Fellowship The S.I.S.T.A'S Program at Holy Trinity Full GospeJ Baptist Church is seeking ladies to be a part of their pro gram on Saturday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. at the church, 651 Akron Dr. This program is designed to provide mentoring and activities that strengthen the roles of wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and ladies of all statue. For more information, call 744-9293. Jail. 27 Van drivers appreciation service Mount Calvary Holiness Church of Winston-Salem, Inc., will sponsor a Van Drivers Appreciation service on Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. The guest church will be Alpha and Omega Church of Faith. Bishop John Huntley, Sr., will render the service. The church is at 1615 E. 22 St. Wardlow Frazier, Sr. is the pastor. The public is invited to attend. For more informa tion contact the church secre- ' tary at 767-0105 Jan. 29 Church anniversary Greater Higher Ground Ministries will celebrate its 15th church anniversary on Sunday, Jan. 29 with an e v e n i-n g service at 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Host pis tors are Bbkf Hrath Bishop John H. Heath and Pastor Janice O. Heath. For more information, call the church office at 759-11 25. Feb. 1 Express yourself % Life Changing Transformation Church Ministries will present "Express Yourself' on the first Friday of each month at 7 p.m. Whether you dance, sing, play an instrument, recite poetry or read, come out and "Express Yourself' unto the glory of the Lord. This event is sched uled by the Youth L/epSftment, Minister Carl Archie, Youth Minister. The church is located at 690 Brookstown Ave. Call 336 725-4755 for more informa tion. Pastor Alice Mitchell is the host Pastor. Feb. 3 Superbowl party RICH Community Development Corporation M.A.L.E. program is sponsor ing a 2008 Superbowl party on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m at Holy Trinity Full Gospel Baptist Church, 651 Akron Dr. The party will be a night of food fun, fellowship, door prizes, games and more. Bring the entire family, there will be fun for everyone. For more information, call 744 9293. ? Put on the full amor of God. . We offer FREE HOME BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSES! Wiy not send for yours today' Eastside Church oT Christ # 536 Barbra Jane Ave. Winston-Salem. NC 27101 (336) 722-2088 Macedonia Holiness Church Of God Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc. Bishop Rl. ft Ise. Sr DD; S.T.D. ? Pastor Sunday Services Sunday School Morning Worship M Y P L" Wednesday Services . . . . 9:45 a m. . . . 11:00 a.m. . . . . 6:30 p.m. Prayer & Bible Study ...... 7:30 p.m 4111 Whitfield Drue Phone: 336-767-3700 Fax: 336-767-7006 Sound system solutions! Sales ? Training ? Repair Contact Brent Jones 336-403-6452 pianomanjones@yahoo.com The death of a loved one is enough of a burden without it becoming a financial one, too. Plan ahead and save. * Peace of Mind ? est IV 7V For more information contact: (336) 788-4959 Help Stop Infant Mortality Your Hold Your Babv ; Future in Your Hands A Healthy Baby Begins with You Tonya Lewis Leo Writer and Piodu< er U.S. Dnpartmorit of Health and Human Servie.v wwwomhrc.g< >v 1-800-444-647?
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Jan. 17, 2008, edition 1
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