Mar 27, 2009

My sermon notes for this coming Sunday's AM Service, enjoy:

Key Verse: (John 16:24) Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Title of Message: "Four things that I need for my journey and why I need them"

1. I need my wallet…It tells me who I am. (God the Father)

(Acts 9:15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
(Acts 9:16) For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

2. I need my GPS…It tells me where to go. (God the Holy Spirit)

(John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
(Acts 16:6) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
(Rom 8:14 KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

3. I need my Cell Phone…When I need to call home. (God the Son)

(John 16:15 ) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
(John 16:24) Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

4. I need my Bible…To stay the course.

(John 17:8) For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Are you sure that you are on the right road?
Here is the text and questions for my class this Sunday, enjoy:

PASTOR JERRY DEPOY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH MARCH 29, 2009 EZEKIEL 47:1-12
THE PROMISE OF A NEW LIFE: “THE WATER OF LIFE”

1Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
· What “house” is being referred to in this verse?
· Where did the waters in this verse come from? Where were they going to? What is so significant about “water?”
· Can you share a testimony of when God brought “water” to you were you were dry and thirsty?

2Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. 3And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
· Where was the prophet standing in this verse? How far is a thousand cubits? Why would the angel bring him “through” the waters?
· Why was the angel referred a man in this text?
· How deep was the water at this time?

4Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. 5Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. 6And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this?
· What was happening to the water each time that it was measured in this text? Why do you think that it was getting deeper? How big had the waters become?
· Why do you think that God had made the waters so vast that the prophet could not swim across this river? Can you swim?
· Are you a “deeper life” Christian? How vast is the wisdom and the power of God?
· What was the literal interpretation of this verse?
· What devotional interpretation can you make of this vision for your life?
Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. 7Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. 9And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
· What was the first thing that the prophet saw now that the river was flowing through the desert place?
· What effect did the waters have upon the “Dead Sea?” How did the Dead Sea become dead to begin with?
· What is this vision showing us a picture of?
· How would having a multitude of fish in the sea that was once dead, be a help to the people of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom?
· Can you share a testimony of how that the Lord has ever brought you through a healing experience when others had thought of your situation as being impossible for you to overcome?

10And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. 11But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. 12And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
· Is it Biblical for a person to be a vegetarian when God provides the seas with so many fish that are to be eaten? Did God put fish into the sea so that we might eat them or just for us to look at them? Did Jesus ever eat fish? We will eat food in Heaven? Is meat food?
· Scientifically, is it possible for a sea to be fresh water and for the swamps to be salt water? Why would God make it to be this way?
· How can trees grow meat? Does the Bible refer to fruits and vegetables as meat? Why would this prophecy be a blessing to the future hopes of Israel? What is the promise being made in these verses?
· What is meant by “medicine?” Can you get medicine from leaves?

Mar 19, 2009

Sunday School Class notes and questions for this coming week, enjoy:

PASTOR JERRY DEPOY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH MARCH 22, 2009 EZEKIEL 37:1-14
THE PROMISE OF A NEW LIFE: “A VISION OF A NEW LIFE”

1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
· Is this passage speaking of a literal event or is it that of a vision?
· What did Ezekiel see? Who do you believe that these bones represented? Could these “dry bones” ever have represented you?
· Why do you think that these bones were seen as “very dry?”
· Can you share an example of how God provided a miracle for you when you thought that the situation seemed “hopeless?”

3And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. 4Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
· How would you have responded to the question asked in verse 3? Can dry bones live?
· What did God tell Ezekiel to do to make the dry bones live? What does this tell you concerning the power of the Word of God?
· What did God say would happen when Ezekiel preached to the dry bones? Can we claim this as a promise for us today?
· What was the order of events that would take place in the of this miracle? What is meant by “skin?” What is meant by “breath?”

7So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
· What happened when Ezekiel preached to the valley of dry bones? Do you think that a “shaking” must take place before a person can be considered truly saved?
· Can a person be “saved” if they have only “skin” and no “breath?”
9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
· Who was Ezekiel to preach to in this text? What do you believe that the wind represented? Why was he to preach to the “four” winds?
· Why do you think that Ezekiel referred to the skin and bones as those who had been “slain?”
· What happened when Ezekiel preached to these dry bones? Are the people of our Church a people of dry bones?
· Can our Church be described as an “exceeding great army?”
· How should we apply these verses to the Nation of Israel?

11Then he said untooo me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 12Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in yooonur own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
· What did God tell Ezekiel was the meaning of this vision that he saw?
· Why did God speak to Ezekiel in a vision? Why did Christ speak to his disciples in parables?
· Is this vision to be taken literally? Will God cause the people of Israel to come out of their graves to live and rule in the land of Israel some day?
· Did Jesus have the power to cause people to come out of their graves?
· When the rapture takes place, what is going to happen to those who have died in Christ Jesus? Is there going to be a bodily resurrection?
· Should we encourage people to “cremate” their loved ones when they die? Can God cause a person to rise again even from the ashes?
· Where in the Bible does it say, “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust?”
· What is the significance of the rapture?
· If the rapture were to take place today, do you know for certain that you would be called “up?”
· How soon do you expect for the rapture to take place?
· Where in the Bible does it speak about the rapture?
· Does this text teach us anything about the "rapture?"

Mar 11, 2009

Here is the Sunday School Lesson for my class Sunday March 15, 2009, enjoy:

PASTOR JERRY DEPOY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH MARCH 15, 2009 EZEKIEL 36:22-32
THE PROMISE OF A NEW LIFE: “A NEW SPIRIT WITHIIN”

22Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
· According to verse 22, why did God say that he was going to do a work with Israel? What does “For my holy name’s sake” mean?
· Do you believe that God ever blesses us in spite of ourselves? Wouldn’t that mean that God would have to reward evil?
· Would kind of testimony had the people of Israel among the heathen?
· Do you believe that our US military has left a good testimony to those that they have served around the world? Should that concern us?
· Do you care what other people think of you? Does God care what other people think of you? Do you care if God cares?
· What does the word “sanctified” mean in verse 23? Have you been sanctified? How did God perform this miracle in you?
· What is God’s promise to the people of Israel in verse 24? Has that promised happened yet? When will it happen?

25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
· According to this verse, is there such a thing as “holy water?” Does water have the power to make us clean inwardly? What is God about in this verse then?
· Is this verse talking about baptism? Has a person been truly baptized if they have only been sprinkled? Have you been baptized?
· How is the Word of God likened unto water? Can a person read the Bible and not be affected by it?
· What is the importance of the “blood of Christ” when it comes to the cleansing of a person’s soul? Why is the “blood” so important?
· Can you give a commentary over 1 John 1:9? Does a person have to confess their sin in order to be forgiven? Confess to whom?
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
· What was wrong with the old heart that it needed to be made new?
· What is the “heart” of an individual? What does God mean by the word “heart?” What is the deference between someone’s heart and someone’s bowels? Where is the seat of man’s emotions?
· What is the difference between the heart of a lost person and the heart of a saved person?
· What is meant by “heart of flesh” and “heart of stone?”
· What part does the “head” or the “mind” play in the matter of salvation?
· Does a lost person have a “spirit?” What does it mean to be “born again?” What is the difference between God’s Spirit and our spirit?

27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
· Why is having the God’s spirit placed within us so important according to this verse? How do you know if you possess God’s Spirit?
· Can a lost person keep God’s judgments and statutes? How much of the Old Testament is their for us to obey? Are Gentiles under the Law?
· Why is it important for us to keep the “laws of God” if we are saved by grace? Is it possible for a saved to person be lost and go to Hell?

28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
· Who is this verse talking to? Are the Jews dwelling in the land again?
· What about the twelve tribes of Jacob, will they all dwell in the land too?
· According to this verse, who is in charge of the weather, Al Gore or God?

30And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 31Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
· How is God going to fulfill verse 30? Is God going to become a farmer?
· Is it good for a person to “lothe” themselves according to verse 31?
· What did God say was his motivation for saving Israel, verse 32?