9 AM—3 PM

 These trips are designed for rising 1st—8th graders.  Preschool students are welcome if an adult comes along.  Bring a sack lunch and $5.  There will be a sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center  each week to register your child for the trips.  Everyone needs to complete a new permission slip for the summer.

Here are the trips planned for each week:

JUNE 5

WETLANDS WATERPARK

JUNE 12

STEELE CREEK PARK

JUNE 19

HANDS ON MUSEUM

JUNE 26

NATURAL TUNNEL

JULY 3

NO TRIP THIS WEEK!

JULY 10

WARRIOR’S PATH STATE PARK

JULY 17

CHINQUAPIN GROVE MINI GOLF AND PETTING ZOO

JULY 24

BARTER THEATER:  “THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE”

JULY 31

FUN EXPEDITION

Title:  The Nature of SIN

Text:    Genesis 2:16-17; I Corinthians 15:44-58

Article VII—Of Original or Birth Sin

Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

In the 5^th century a man named Pelagius was denounced as a heretic.  His heresy remains alive and well today because it lies at the very heart of sinful, human nature.  Pelagius taught that folk can discern for themselves the difference between good and evil, and choose accordingly.

If Pelagianism held truth, humankind:

• Has no need of a Savior.
• Would have no need for a relationship with God.
• Would have no need for grace.
• Would have no need for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Would be saved by self-righteousness.

It is interesting that Pelagius was greatly concerned about the moral decline of his culture.  It is interesting because I hear and see a great decline in the moral fabric of our culture.  Furthermore, I hear more talk about self-righteousness than I hear witnesses of how the Holy Spirit led a person out of the wilderness of sin.  I hear humankind, yes Church people, talking about their ability to make right choices, with no mention of their need for the Holy Spirit to guide their corrupt nature.  (Have we turned the Church into a self help conference?)

Looking at the article of religion we see that sin is the “corruption of the nature of every man…and of his own nature inclined to evil…”  Notice that sin is a corrupt nature.  Based on what I learned in the early part of life; I thought sin was my action.  As Flip Wilson said, “The Devil made me do it”.  In other words, sin is not my fault and or sin is some action I take.  (Smoking, drinking, sex, and rock and roll were most often spoken of as sin.)  Sin, then, I thought, was something I did.

As I read the Bible I got an entirely different understanding of sin.  The emphasis, I found, was not on action but on relationship.  Sin is the nature of NOT being in relationship with God.  Sin means that having ears I cannot hear God.  How can I do God’s will when I cannot hear God speak?  Or having eyes to see I cannot see what God sees in the misery of this world.  How can I do God’s will when I cannot see what God sees?

This is why humankind needs a Savior!  This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that a person must be born again by water and the Spirit.  Just as the Holy Spirit connected Jesus to the Father and led Him through the wilderness so we too must receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to navigate this wilderness of sin. When relationship becomes primary action follows according to God’s will.  (This is what we see in Jesus!  Herein is the way to the Father!)

Read Genesis 2 noting that neither Eve nor Adam ever consulted God about the serpent’s word.  Note that Eve trusted her judgment and that of the serpent, not God’s.  Notice how Eve misunderstands what God said about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Note that the fruit has nothing to do with apples.  The fruit of living a life that is not lead by the Holy Spirit is “evil and that continually”.  Sin, then, began by breaking Communion with God through the Holy Spirit and thereby judgment and evil became the nature of man. (Through prayer I have learned to ask God many more questions about living than asking for stuff that he plans to provide anyway! I have learned to give thanks for stuff and spend more time asking God questions and listening for answers.  I pray for the sick not because God needs to know but because I need to know how God would have me love the person.  Do we really need to convince God to heal the sick?  What was He trying to show us through the resurrection of Jesus?)

Read II Corinthians 15: 3-8 and 45-49 and listen for how far God goes to restore His relationship with humankind.

Look at Romans 5:12-14.

I have lived most of my life as a human-doing.  Work…work…work.  The work was both my job and trying to live by the Law of Moses.  I still work but I have been born again.  I am a human-being.  Listen to the difference.  Being is relational; it is a life led by the Spirit.

Drop by the office sometime.  I have endless stories of how the Spirit has taught me to love my enemies.  And, by the way, most of the enemies I learned to love are in me.  You will never love your neighbor until you are led by Spirit to love yourself.  (Check out the Great Commandment!)

One in Christ,

Robert

Text: I Corinthians 15:19-34

Article III—Of the Resurrection of Christ

Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day.

It seems that a debate of some sort has always existed in the Church.  I suppose that such matters make sense when you consider that people are trying to know God.  I hear the apostle Paul telling the Corinthians that the only way to know God is through Jesus Christ.  I do not hear an exclusive claim herein.  No, he is giving faithful witness to the Good News. (See I Cor. 15:3-4) 

The Church struggles when it leaves, forgets, or refuses to give witness.  A witness “tells nothing but the truth” about what he or she has seen, heard and experienced.  (See 15:9-11 for Paul’s witness.  Note how he gives witness to how he caused the Church of Christ suffering.  Note that he was transformed; he joined the Church.  This is what Paul means by giving witness to Jesus suffering and death.  Saul died in Christ (see Romans 6:1-4) and was resurrected/transformed into a new creature, Paul.  

Moreover, a witness is not called to share what he or she thinks.  What I think about an experience is born of interpretation.  A witness is not called to interpret.  Interpretation falls into the realm of calling. (see Ephesians 4:11-16)  Therefore note that Paul shifts from giving witness (I Cor. 15: 3-4) to interpretation.  Thus he is a prophet, evangelist, and teacher.  (Ephesians 4:11)

“Since death came through a human being, the resurrection came through one too.  In the same way that everyone dies in Adam, so also everyone will be given life in Christ. “  (Verse 21-22) 

• ·         Who is the “subject” of the verb, death/die, in these verses?
• ·         Adam possesses a nature of sin.  Sin means that humankind’s nature is to think, act, and live separate of God’s will, word, and power.  If you think, act, and live in Adam what shall you receive?  (Resurrection or death?)  Note that living in Adam is to live in a body of death/sin!
• ·         When you think, act, and live in Adam to whom do you give witness?  (Christ or Adam?)

“It is necessary for him to rule until he puts all enemies under his feet.”  (verse 25)  Friends, Jesus says that we must humble ourselves, or take up our cross, or love our enemies.  In verse 25, Paul is saying the same thing in different words.  The enemies are not among our neighbors.  As Paul says, we are not in a battle against flesh and blood.  The enemies are within us.  Pride, ego, selfishness, anger, divisions and things like these are humankind’s greatest enemies.  Our enemies are rooted in shame, guilt, and blame. 

Jesus redeemed or purchased my shame, guilt, and blame.  It is through this wilderness of Sin that the Holy Spirit leads me, baptizes me.  When I experience pride, ego, selfishness…that turns to shame, guilt, or blame I know that my redeemer is near.  I cannot know my sin unless God tells me.  When I repent, confess and receive His forgiveness I die to self and am resurrected to newness of life in Christ Jesus.

I have stood in the place in Corinth were the sport of pitting human against lion occurred.  I hear Paul saying that when he fought the lion in Ephesus, and won, that the lion was easy in comparison to sin.  I hear him saying that he didn’t defeat the lion anymore than he defeated sin.  In Christ; with God all things are possible.

As I listened and watched General Conference this week it reminded me a lot of the lion’s pit I witnessed in Corinth.  I hear the cries and see the misery.  Honestly, it breaks my heart.  It seems that the pendulum has swung to the opposite side of Paul’s day.  In verse 19 Paul says that folk had great hope but only in this life.  They had no hope of life after death.  They did not live by faith in the resurrection of Jesus.  Today I hear and see the exact opposite.  Weekly, I hear folk say that they can’t wait for the resurrection.  Have we lost all hope that God is with us?  Do we believe that escaping earth is our only hope?

If we have hope only in heaven, then we are to be pitied more than the lost.  I cannot hope for Christ’s return when I hear the cries and see the misery all around me.  How hard must the heart be that desires so many people to be left behind or bound to hell? If I have no hope of escaping this body of sin, in this life, then God must not have sent his son from heaven to earth to show me the way to the Father.  If God did not send His Son from heaven to earth, then Jesus never taught me to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done , on earth…”  If I have no desire to do God’s will them I am damned to death in Adam. 

But…God did send His Son.  I have seen the light of His glory.  He leads me through this wilderness of Sin.  I have discovered still waters abide in the love of my enemies; shame, guilt, and blame.  I am tempted by my ego, but He delivers me from evil.  He restores my soul every time He redeems my sin with grace. I do not deserve it!  Yet, He pours it into this body of death that I might be like him.  How could I not give witness to such love?  But it is not I who do it.  God is the subject of my verb!  God is my witness!  God is my strength.  His power is made perfect in human weakness.

Words, words, words…they are all for nothing until the words become flesh.  This is the Good News.  Jesus is the Word made flesh.  This is how he shows us the way to the Father.  Become the Word and then you will know it!  Be the Word and you will find hope in this life!  Only when your flesh submits to being the Word of God, as revealed in Scripture and Prayer, will you understand what it means to be under his feet! 

The amazing grace of being is that it does not require thinking!  O, Father, I hope for the day your Church will Be… revealed in witness.  Amen

Text:    II Samuel 7: 1-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-37

1. 1.       Who is Jesus? 
   1. a.       Luke 1:31-33

i.      A child born of Mary. (He is human, like Mary.)

ii.      He will be great.

iii.      The son of the most high  (He is Divine, like God.)

iv.      He sits on the throne of David – therefore King.  (His kingdom begins on earth.)

v.      He rules Jacob’s House. 

1. 1.       Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed.  He prevailed because he refused to turn loose of God until he received the blessing.  Jacob got a new name, Israel.   

vi.      His kingdom has no end.  (His kingdom reaches beyond the heavens.)

1. 1.       His kingdom reaches beyond heaven because He was with God and was God before creation.
2. b.      II Samuel  7: 13-16 and Isaiah 9:6-7

i.      Why is the son of David who is destined to build God’s temple Jesus, not Solomon?  (Look back at Luke 1:31-33.)

1. 1.       Has God ever desired to live in a temple or house built by human hands?  II Sam. 7: 7-8 and I Peter 2:1-5 and Ephesians 2:20-22 and Mark 15:29-30
2. 2.       Do you see that Mary is a “living stone”; that the human body, the new Adam, is the house/temple/tent built by God, in His own image?
3. 2.       What is the Power of His name?
   1. a.       Luke1: 34-36

i.      God’s power, the Holy Spirit, came upon Mary.  Luke 2: 19; Mary treasures these things in her heart.  In other words, the power of the Holy Spirit transformed her heart, emotions, and mind, her thinking. Thus Mary was transformed from the inside out.  When a person’s heart and thoughts change, their actions change.

ii.      Mary is a foresight of how one becomes a member of His kingdom that has no end.  The Holy Spirit, God’s power, seeks entrance and authority in every person’s heart, mind, and soul.  The transformation begins inside but is delivered outside.

iii.      Therefore His kingdom has no end.  He is Lord of emotion, heart, and thoughts, mind, and action, soul.  That which is transformed inside the heat, mind, and soul is delivered into the world like and infant.

iv.      Therefore the power of His name transforms sin into holiness.  Verse 35 says Jesus is holy.

1. 3.        In the name of Jesus, what are you and I to be about?
   1. a.       Luke 1: 38
   2. b.      I am a servant of the Lord.  The Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, tells me and teaches me what to say and do in communion with my neighbor.
   3. c.       I am the Lord’s servant, not my neighbors.  My neighbor may receive the benefits of my serving the Lord but I desire only to let it be with me according to His word, not mine, yours or Satan’s.

Text:  Genesis 1: 1-5 and John 1:1-5

Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

You will recall from last week that United Methodist approach scripture seeking  “everything necessary for salvation”.  As we seek salvation – United Methodist approach salvation as a way of life, not a singular event – we read scripture discerning God’s presence, peace, and power at work among His people.

God’s presence, peace, and power are revealed to humanity in three ways but of ONE substance.  We are not polytheistic.  We believe in One God revealed in three ‘substances’. 

1. 1.       Read Genesis 1:1-5 seeking God’s presence, peace and power revealed in three forms, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
   1. a.       Note that in verse 2 the earth was without form/substance.  Before you and I existed God was!

i.      God as Holy Spirit is revealed in verse 2b.  Think about the location of the Holy Spirit.  The void the Spirit hovers upon is traditional interpreted as chaos.  Do you find chaos in your life…the world…the church?

ii.      What have you learned so far about God’s presence?  Is the Spirit at war with chaos or poised for peace? 

1. b.      In verse 3 we hear God for the first time.  To this point we have listened to the narrator.  What are the implications of the scripture being written down by humanity, inspired?  Didn’t the writer experience God’s presence, peace and power. 

i.      In verse 3 we meet God the Father/Creator for the first time.  How does the reader experience God as Creator in the passage? 

1. 1.       Have you ever seen a voice?  Word without action leaves the void of verse 1 in a state of chaos.  (see Matthew 7:24 and James 2:17)
2. c.       We have discovered God as Father/Creator and God as Holy Spirit.  Now let’s look for the third way God reveals himself to humanity.  God incarnate.  The Word of God with form that can be seen with the human eye.

i.      God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Look closely at what happens herein.  God as Father/Creator is invisible.  A WORD cannot be seen.  It can only be heard.  Yet, the Word is transformed into, Light, something visible. 

ii.      Look at John 1:1.  The WORD herein is identified as Jesus, The Son of God.  God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s Presence, Peace and Power become Flesh.

iii.      Back to Genesis, in verse 4, we experience duality.  Darkness and Light are in one another’s Presence, in a state of Peace.  More over God calls it Good!

iv.      Is God limiting the “Good” to the existence of Light and Dark or could He also be calling what we see as duality Good.  The Peace of Light and Dark will play out later as Sin and Holiness.  (See Romans 6:10)  In Jesus peace is made between sin and holiness…dark and light.

Title: The Holy Trinity:  God’s Revealed Substance, Power, and Eternity

Text:  Genesis 1: 1-5 and John 1:1-5

Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

You will recall from last week that United Methodist approach scripture seeking  “everything necessary for salvation”.  As we seek salvation – United Methodist approach salvation as a way of life, not a singular event – we read scripture discerning God’s presence, peace, and power at work among His people.

God’s presence, peace, and power are revealed to humanity in three ways but of ONE substance.  We are not polytheistic.  We believe in One God revealed in three ‘substances’. 

1. 1.       Read Genesis 1:1-5 seeking God’s presence, peace and power revealed in three forms, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
   1. a.       Note that in verse 2 the earth was without form/substance.  Before you and I existed God was!

i.      God as Holy Spirit is revealed in verse 2b.  Think about the location of the Holy Spirit.  The void the Spirit hovers upon is traditional interpreted as chaos.  Do you find chaos in your life…the world…the church?

ii.      What have you learned so far about God’s presence?  Is the Spirit at war with chaos or poised for peace? 

1. b.      In verse 3 we hear God for the first time.  To this point we have listened to the narrator.  What are the implications of the scripture being written down by humanity, inspired?  Didn’t the writer experience God’s presence, peace and power. 

i.      In verse 3 we meet God the Father/Creator for the first time.  How does the reader experience God as Creator in the passage? 

1. 1.       Have you ever seen a voice?  Word without action leaves the void of verse 1 in a state of chaos.  (see Matthew 7:24 and James 2:17)
2. c.       We have discovered God as Father/Creator and God as Holy Spirit.  Now let’s look for the third way God reveals himself to humanity.  God incarnate.  The Word of God with form that can be seen with the human eye.

i.      God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Look closely at what happens herein.  God as Father/Creator is invisible.  A WORD cannot be seen.  It can only be heard.  Yet, the Word is transformed into, Light, something visible. 

ii.      Look at John 1:1.  The WORD herein is identified as Jesus, The Son of God.  God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s Presence, Peace and Power become Flesh.

iii.      Back to Genesis, in verse 4, we experience duality.  Darkness and Light are in one another’s Presence, in a state of Peace.  More over God calls it Good!

iv.      Is God limiting the “Good” to the existence of Light and Dark or could He also be calling what we see as duality Good.  The Peace of Light and Dark will play out later as Sin and Holiness.  (See Romans 6:10)  In Jesus peace is made between sin and holiness…dark and light.

Title: The Holy Trinity:  God’s Revealed Substance, Power, and Eternity

Text:  Genesis 1: 1-5 and John 1:1-5

Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

You will recall from last week that United Methodist approach scripture seeking  “everything necessary for salvation”.  As we seek salvation – United Methodist approach salvation as a way of life, not a singular event – we read scripture discerning God’s presence, peace, and power at work among His people.

God’s presence, peace, and power are revealed to humanity in three ways but of ONE substance.  We are not polytheistic.  We believe in One God revealed in three ‘substances’. 

1. 1.       Read Genesis 1:1-5 seeking God’s presence, peace and power revealed in three forms, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
   1. a.       Note that in verse 2 the earth was without form/substance.  Before you and I existed God was!

i.      God as Holy Spirit is revealed in verse 2b.  Think about the location of the Holy Spirit.  The void the Spirit hovers upon is traditional interpreted as chaos.  Do you find chaos in your life…the world…the church?

ii.      What have you learned so far about God’s presence?  Is the Spirit at war with chaos or poised for peace? 

1. b.      In verse 3 we hear God for the first time.  To this point we have listened to the narrator.  What are the implications of the scripture being written down by humanity, inspired?  Didn’t the writer experience God’s presence, peace and power. 

i.      In verse 3 we meet God the Father/Creator for the first time.  How does the reader experience God as Creator in the passage? 

1. 1.       Have you ever seen a voice?  Word without action leaves the void of verse 1 in a state of chaos.  (see Matthew 7:24 and James 2:17)
2. c.       We have discovered God as Father/Creator and God as Holy Spirit.  Now let’s look for the third way God reveals himself to humanity.  God incarnate.  The Word of God with form that can be seen with the human eye.

i.      God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Look closely at what happens herein.  God as Father/Creator is invisible.  A WORD cannot be seen.  It can only be heard.  Yet, the Word is transformed into, Light, something visible. 

ii.      Look at John 1:1.  The WORD herein is identified as Jesus, The Son of God.  God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s Presence, Peace and Power become Flesh.

iii.      Back to Genesis, in verse 4, we experience duality.  Darkness and Light are in one another’s Presence, in a state of Peace.  More over God calls it Good!

iv.      Is God limiting the “Good” to the existence of Light and Dark or could He also be calling what we see as duality Good.  The Peace of Light and Dark will play out later as Sin and Holiness.  (See Romans 6:10)  In Jesus peace is made between sin and holiness…dark and light.

Title: The Holy Trinity:  God’s Revealed Substance, Power, and Eternity

Text:  Genesis 1: 1-5 and John 1:1-5

Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

You will recall from last week that United Methodist approach scripture seeking  “everything necessary for salvation”.  As we seek salvation – United Methodist approach salvation as a way of life, not a singular event – we read scripture discerning God’s presence, peace, and power at work among His people.

God’s presence, peace, and power are revealed to humanity in three ways but of ONE substance.  We are not polytheistic.  We believe in One God revealed in three ‘substances’. 

1. 1.       Read Genesis 1:1-5 seeking God’s presence, peace and power revealed in three forms, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
   1. a.       Note that in verse 2 the earth was without form/substance.  Before you and I existed God was!

i.      God as Holy Spirit is revealed in verse 2b.  Think about the location of the Holy Spirit.  The void the Spirit hovers upon is traditional interpreted as chaos.  Do you find chaos in your life…the world…the church?

ii.      What have you learned so far about God’s presence?  Is the Spirit at war with chaos or poised for peace? 

1. b.      In verse 3 we hear God for the first time.  To this point we have listened to the narrator.  What are the implications of the scripture being written down by humanity, inspired?  Didn’t the writer experience God’s presence, peace and power. 

i.      In verse 3 we meet God the Father/Creator for the first time.  How does the reader experience God as Creator in the passage? 

1. 1.       Have you ever seen a voice?  Word without action leaves the void of verse 1 in a state of chaos.  (see Matthew 7:24 and James 2:17)
2. c.       We have discovered God as Father/Creator and God as Holy Spirit.  Now let’s look for the third way God reveals himself to humanity.  God incarnate.  The Word of God with form that can be seen with the human eye.

i.      God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Look closely at what happens herein.  God as Father/Creator is invisible.  A WORD cannot be seen.  It can only be heard.  Yet, the Word is transformed into, Light, something visible. 

ii.      Look at John 1:1.  The WORD herein is identified as Jesus, The Son of God.  God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s Presence, Peace and Power become Flesh.

iii.      Back to Genesis, in verse 4, we experience duality.  Darkness and Light are in one another’s Presence, in a state of Peace.  More over God calls it Good!

iv.      Is God limiting the “Good” to the existence of Light and Dark or could He also be calling what we see as duality Good.  The Peace of Light and Dark will play out later as Sin and Holiness.  (See Romans 6:10)  In Jesus peace is made between sin and holiness…dark and light.

Title: Scriptural Authority

Texts: Exodus 3:1-12 and Amos 9: 9-11 and Mark 8:31-33

United Methodists are unique!  We are evangelical and sacramental.  In other words we believe we are commissioned by God to proclaim the “way of Salvation” (evangelical) as we give witness to the “presence, peace, and power” of God who is with us (sacramental). 

The sermon series for this Spring and Summer comes from the United Methodist Articles of Religion.  (They are listed at the end of this document.)  I hope that folk will purchase Ted A. Campbell’s book, Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials, Revised Edition.  I am using his book as a reference and springboard to organize the sermon series.  My hope is that people will buy the book, study it, and the Scriptural Text I will provide weekly, and experience how to fulfill our “Theological Task”.  We will learn the Methodist “Way of Salvation” and how to experience Scripture as God’s Word that “contains everything necessary for salvation”.

• ·          Article V—Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

• The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. The names of the canonical books are:
• Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the Greater, Twelve Prophets the Less.
• All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.
• Article VI—Of the Old Testament
• The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

Our Theological Task calls us to discover God’s saving Presence, Peace and Power in our current experience of life.  Revelation, God revealing Himself to individuals and all of creation, transforms lives and inspires persons to live as peace-makers in God’s presence through the power of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit. We read and study scripture to see how God’s presence, peace and power were revealed to the ancients.  United Methodist accept God’s Word, Scripture, as the primary source for understanding revelation. 

1. 1.     Presence:  God’s presence through the Law, His spirit on the Prophets, and in human form, Jesus.
   1. a.      Read each text.  Note that we have a reading from The Law, Exodus.  We have a reading from the Prophets, Amos.  The last reading comes from Mark, a selection from The Gospels. 

                                                              i.      Limiting your answer specifically to the text where and how do you find God’s Presence with His people?

1. 2.     Peace:  The Prophets remind us that sin, breaking the Law, cause death of the relationship with God.  The Prophets reveal how God and Sinners will come to Peace.  Peace is restored intimate Presence with God.
   1. a.      In the text from Amos you have already observed God’s presence.  He is present with the prophet Amos.  God speaks through Amos just like God did through Moses.  God is present with sinful Israel.  God will “sift” Israel.  God is present as a “sieve”.  God is present in and through The Law.  Sinners will die by the sword.  (You might see Hebrews 4:12 to note the double edge sword.)

                                                              i.      Look at Amos 9:11.

1. 1.     How does God promise to establish Peace between himself and Israel, the House of David?
   1. a.      Will God repair the damages of sin or the buildings Israel’s enemies laid waste?
   2. 2.     What will God rebuild?  Is God into rebuilding our temples of sticks and bricks or His relationship with His children?
   3. 3.     Look at verse 12:  Look at who is included in God’s Peace- Making.  Edom is Israel’s enemy.  The Gentiles are the un-clean people the Israel failed to bless.  (See Genesis 12:1-4.)  Note that God promises to fulfill the Law of Genesis 12:1-4.
2. 3.     Power:  The Law reveals the power of Sin in our lives.  Our nature is to break God’s Law.  The Prophets reveal God’s power and desire to establish peace with sinners.  In the Gospels God reveals Himself as Jesus.  Jesus is human and God.  Through Jesus God reveals His power over sin and death. 
   1. a.      Jesus will “suffer”.  He who is without sin will become sin to show us the way of Peace.
   2. b.     Jesus will be “killed”.  God told Adam that sin is death.
   3. c.      Jesus will be resurrected from the dead.  Herein is God’s power over death.  God is the Peace Maker.  We must have Peace with God before we can Make Peace with neighbor.  If you have Peace with God you will be a Peace Maker who studies the Law to learn that only God can keep it.  If you want Peace with God you will read how the Prophets hold The Law and Peace together at the same time.  Soon very soon you will transformed into the image of Christ.  You will find peace with sin and death and offer it to your neighbor.

Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Article II—Of the Word, or Son of God, Who Was Made Very Man

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

Article III—Of the Resurrection of Christ

Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day.

Article IV—Of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

Article V—Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. The names of the canonical books are:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the Greater, Twelve Prophets the Less.

All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.

Article VI—Of the Old Testament

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

Article VII—Of Original or Birth Sin

Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

Article VIII—Of Free Will

The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.

Article IX—Of the Justification of Man

We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.

Article X—Of Good Works

Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

Article XI—Of Works of Supererogation

Voluntary works—besides, over and above God’s commandments—which they call works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required; whereas Christ saith plainly: When you have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.

Article XII—Of Sin After Justification

Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here; or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

Article XIII—Of the Church

The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

Article XIV—Of Purgatory

The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshiping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.

Article XV—Of Speaking in the Congregation in Such a Tongue as the People Understand

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.

Article XVI—Of the Sacraments