|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 8:27:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 8:37:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 8:38:17 GMT -5
FRIDAY MORNING
THEME: “Learn From Me”—MATTHEW 11:29
|
9:20 Music
9:30 Song No. 5 and Prayer
9:40 CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS: Imitate Jesus—Why and How? (Luke 6:40)
10:20 SYMPOSIUM: Lessons From Jesus’ Word Pictures
- Observe the Birds and the Lilies (Matthew 6:25-30)
- “Have Salt in Yourselves” (Mark 9:50)
- Build Your House on the Rock (Luke 6:47-49)
11:10 Song No. 120 and Announcements
11:20 Follow Jesus’ Pattern—Keep On Asking, Seeking, and Knocking! (Luke 11:9-13; 22:41-44)
11:45 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “Concealed in Him Are All the Treasures of Wisdom” (Colossians 2:2-4; Matthew 5:17-20, 43-48)
12:15 Song No. 69 and Intermission
|
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 9:14:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 9:22:41 GMT -5
INTRODUCTION: Everyone has some kind of role model. The world models themselves after famous singers (Elvis), sportsmen and women or other famous people. People copy their mode of dress, actions and goals. As Christians we imitate JESUS (see Luke 6:40) The Apostles were also his disciples because they believed and followed Jesus teachings as should we.  I Imitating Jesus means we are imitating Jehovah. Jesus facilitates this because we cannot see God. (compare John1:18; Ephesians 5:1). Philip was told "whoever has seen me has seen the Father also" meaning Jesus reflected Jehovah's feelings and personality ( John 14: 7-10), he revealed both the name and the person behind the name. Jesus words, deeds teachings and examples helped people to really get to know them. As when a friend talks about someone they love, never having met them you also get to know them. II Imitating Jesus safeguards us from this wicked system of things. Jesus prayed that Jehovah " watch over" his disciples. Today we face many difficulties and by imitating Jesus to not cede to temptations. (Jude 24 John 17:11). Jesus conquered the world by keeping his integrity through his many trials. Hebrews 5:7, 8  III Imitating Jesus brings us greater happiness and joy. Jesus knew that his followers could keep their joy despite difficulties. [Example of an integrity keeper] This is because we can have the joy of knowing we are pleasing Jehovah (John 15:11) IV It attracts others to the truth. Jesus told his disciples to let their light shine" our christlike conduct and qualities can attract others to the truth.( 1 Pet 2:12) Malachi wrote the "clear distinction" between God's people and others would be clearly distinguishable [experience ] V Imitating Jesus is the only means by which we can gain everlasting life. All sheeplike people who follow Jesus are promised everlasting life, [experience of showing the loving concern for people] As we follow Jesus we have the objective not only of preaching but to reflect Jesus qualities. DO YOU REALLY KNOW JESUS? Before we can imitate Jesus we must really know him. Heb 12:2 tells us to fix our attention on Jesus [ Illustration: Following a car on a route we don't know] Distractions can hinder our spiritual progress. When Jesus was on earth people allowed themselves to adopted mistaken viewpoints. Nathaniel did not have enough information and came to a faulty conclusion. To his credit Nathaniel investigated and found Jesus had excellent credentials as did others (compare Mat 16:16 ; John 11:17, 25 - 27 ). Today many people have a wrong view of Jesus, his teachings and his position. (review w12 4/1 "conversation with a neighbour"). Some will listen and others will cling to their mistaken thoughts. How do we get to know him [illustration: Courting couple observe how their prospective partner treats others] This program will help us know Jesus intimately by observing his teachings, behaviour and attitude.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 9:53:31 GMT -5
10:20 SYMPOSIUM: Lessons From Jesus’ Word PicturesINTRODUCTION: As wonderful as the bible is, have you ever wished it had pictures. In fact the bible is full of "word pictures" (illustrations) that help us picture and therefore better remember the ideas and principles he was teaching. This symposium deals with three "word pictures" Jesus gave on the Sermon on the Mountain where he (Jesus) actually used about 50 "word pictures" in total. | Row 1 column 1 | Row 1 column 2 |  | - PART 1 Observe the Birds and the Lilies (Matthew 6:25-30)
- PART 2 “Have Salt in Yourselves” (Mark 9:50)
- PART 3 Build Your House on the Rock (Luke 6:47-49)
|
: Observe the Birds and the Lilies ( Matthew 6:25-30) - w14 1/15 p. 12 [100 years Kingdom Rule-- Birds: Notice the birds where not seen plowing or working in the fields, but they were simply doing what they were designed to do. Also we can note the instinctive wisdom of birds, for example migratory birds. The lesson: God has unlimited power to take care of us, and His remarkable interest in seeminly insignificant creatures. Jehovah knows our efforts and he will take care of our needs. -- The lilies of the field: When Jesus spoke about the "lilies" he also referred to vegetation in general - colourful flowers that we can see in the wild. Notice the flowers were "clothed" with different shaped petals. Yet they don't do the considerable amount of labor which is involved in making garments (sowing cotton, weaving, cutting measuring sewing...). Flowers are clothed more beautifully than the fabulously rich Solomon LESSON: If Jehovah lovingly cares for flowers how much more will he care for the necessities of his faithful flowers. [ interview: Pioneer who found herself unemployed but Jehovah provided essentials- What Challenges did you face?
- How did Jehovah provide for you?
] REVIEW: We are touched by Jehovah's concern for birds and lilies and this instills absolute confidence in Jehovah's desire and ability to care for us. |
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:24:07 GMT -5
SYMPOSIUM Part 2: “Have Salt in Yourselves” ( Mark 9:50) - w14 1/15 p. 12 [100 years Kingdom RuleINTRODUCTION Salt has been considered very valuable in the past and even today we appreciate its ability to enhance and flavor food. [ Watch short Video Clip] Jesus used salt's ability to enhance the flavor of food to illustrate our ability to improve our relationships by being considerate, tactful kind and humble. Jesus used the a child to show the value of humility and innocence. Jesus was always kind and tactful in addressing the problems his disciples had. THE LESSON: Due to our imperfections we will meet challenges with one another, if we have salt in ourselves we will be able to apologise and seek to be gracious and tactuful. Or recognise there is "there a time to keep silent" (Ecc 3:7) and refrain from speaking: [ Demon #1 : Irrate householder's initially unpleasant response to a sister is calmed by the her calm reply] [ Demo #2 Irrate brother is calmed by his brother who repeatedly "pours on the salt" apologising several times to make peace after a difference of opinion.] Be quick to pursue peace, afront a lack of humility be tactful.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:24:22 GMT -5
SYMPOSIUM Part 3: Build Your House on the Rock ( Luke 6:47-49) - w14 1/15 p. 12 [100 years Kingdom RuleINTRODUCTION: Jesus refers in Math 7:24 to a man building his house on rock. Jesus thus was encouraging his listeners to actually act on what they were being taught. [ Short Video] If we build by diligently reading, studying and meditating we will withstand the world's immoral windstorm. Children are especially vulnerable. Luke 6:47 indicates that the differences between the two houses were not necessarily in different locations and met the same problems but the difference came because the wise man took the time to labor perhaps while his neighbour was relaxing. We must learn to enjoy deep bible study, we must make the effort to develop a close relationship with Jehovah acting and applying hard found principles. [interview: Sister who lost her child who highlighed the value of prayer]
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:25:32 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:30:37 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:36:42 GMT -5
INTRODUCTION: Jesus was a man of prayer are we following his example ( 1 Pet 2:21); An unnamed disciple, who possibly wasn't present on the earlier occassion, asked Jesus to "teach us how to pray". Jesus helped us to appreciate our attitude to prayer with an illustration. Many bible translations simply say "ask" "seek" but the Greek word is in the continuous sense so it reflects Jesus wanting us to continuously ask for what we need. Would we should not be embarrassed about it any more than a neighbour would when warning of a coming disaster. Is Jehovah reluctant to answer our prayers? Far from it. God is happy to give good gifts to his children, like a father giving his child food. Jesus, the greatest man that ever lived saw the need to be persistent in prayer (Mat 26: 39, 42, 44) Not be mechanical or repititious (repeating prayers by rote)) TYPES OF PRAYERPetitions. Supplications are requests. They can cover our basic daily needs (Heb 5:7; Luke 11:3), prayers for forgivenss... Petitions can cover major decisions in life: a sister asking for a marriage mate, a brother that loses his job... also we can pray for the welfare of others physically and spiritually (natural dis Supplications Supplications are intense entreaties. Jesus supplicated Jehovah in the Garden of Gethsemene on the night before he died with a series of intense pleas (Luke 22: 41-44) Am I following this pattern? When I'm faced with serious issues (health, persecution) how ernest and frequent are my prayers? The man that kneels before God can stand before any man. Interview: Sister faced serious health issues. How have prayers and supplication helped in enduring your trials? Thanksgiving. Expressing sincere appreciation to Jehovah for all the blessings he has done for us and will do for us. Our prayers should not be " lopsided" but should be balanced with thanks for Jehovah's provisions. Be specific and remember to thank Jehovah for answering our prayers Praise. (Mat 11:25) Offerings of praise for Jehovah creatorship, his humility in allowing us to serve him(Rev 4:11) Praying persistently is like knocking at a door and waiting for Jehovah to answer. In these "critical times" we need to be persistent in prayers, leaning, "lingering" in prayer (Lk 6: 12, 13). If we make ample time for prayer we will be more alert spiritually. Public Prayers: Theses should be short, pertinent and to the point. The closing prayers as special events can be longer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:43:04 GMT -5
INTRODUCTION: Some people spend a lot of time and money looking for "hidden treasures"; there is a hidden treasure in the bible - it's refered to as a "sacred secret" (Col 2: 2, 3). Jesus is the focal point of this secret, which involes more than the identification of God's son but the purpose of that one. (Administration). JESUS The "real" Jesus is a stranger to most so-called "Christians" This is because understanding is a gift from God given to the humble. Jesus is the central figure in all prophecy and he is refered to by titles in prophecy. He best explains and demonstrates the Father's personality wisdom and will. The sermon on the Mount exemplifies that Jesus also reveals divine wisdom revealing the timeless principles behind the law (Mat 5:17-20). The Pharisees added many burdensome legalistic laws which actually undermined Divine law and obscured the clear principles (ex. the Sabbatical laws) Jesus was the opposite, he taught people to discern the root causes of sins (Mat 5: 21, 22) The principle is like standing well back from the edge of a cliff. The law is not to stand at the edge. Divine Wisdom is far superior to anything this world has to offer, indeed searching for more wisdom from a worldly source is like a billionaire trying to get richer by searching through trash. Worldly wisdom is often folly. Do we appreciate the happiness we enjoy because we look to Jesus for guidance and are we willing to share these treasures (Mat 5: 43, 48; Lk 6:35).
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 10:46:08 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 15:28:12 GMT -5
NOTES:
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jul 11, 2015 15:30:36 GMT -5
|
|
