March 9, 2008 by PastorMark.

#304, In the School of Jesus, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 03-09-2008

Text: Matthew 10:24-25
Theme: Jesus uses known human relationships and rules to help the disciples understand their relationship to Him. (The first relationship He mentions is student/teacher.)

INTRODUCTION:

1. “Power to become Christlike” seminar by Pastor Wes D. What impacted me most was the importance of being teachable.
2. Jesus taught whoever would come to Him.
   1. Through His miracles and wisdom, He could have traveled the world.
   2. He aimed at depth, not just breadth.
   3. Without commitment, the Gospel would be lost.
   4. Jesus gathered and formed disciples.
3. What is a disciple? Discipleship?
   1. “mathetes” = a learner, pupil, disciple
   2. “Discipling is an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip, and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well” – Greg Ogden (Transforming Discipleship)
4. Jesus taught His disciples to serve, minister.
   1. After being with them for a while, He sent the out on a mission.
   2. Before they went, He called them to Himself and gave them authority, instructions, warnings.
   3. One warning was persecution.

Text: Matthew 10:24-25

Note: Jesus uses known human relationships and rules to help the disciples understand their relationship to Him. (The first relationship He mentions is student/teacher.)

Jesus wants you in His school of discipleship

WHAT DO I NEED TO BECOME A GOOD STUDENT?

1. You need to know the purpose of the school.
   1. If you don’t latch on to the purpose, you’ll fail or drop out.
   2. What is the purpose of the “school” of Jesus?
   3. To bring glory to God by becoming like Jesus.
   4. “It is enough for the student to be like his master.” Matthew 10:24
   5. A disciple is “a person who recognizes Jesus as Savior and has made a firm commitment to obediently follow Jesus in every area of life, to become more like Jesus in purpose, understanding, wisdom, attitudes, character, action, and Spirit empowerment.” - Dr. Steve Lim
2. You need to press past the obstacles.
   1. What did the disciples of Jesus encounter?
   2. Outward obstacles – people’s misinterpretation of Jesus, hardness of heart, satanic opposition, the spirit of the world.
   3. Inward obstacles - the most deceptive. Jesus had to correct, rebuke, and constantly train the disciples.
   4. What about our obstacles?
   5. We face increasingly outward pressure to confirm to the world
   6. Our world emphasizes the temporal and physical.
   7. Relationship with God is relegated to “private life.”
   8. Our inward obstacles are the greatest challenges.
   9. Preoccupation with other things (daydreaming).
   10. Laziness
   11. Pride.
3. You need to develop the habits of a good student.
   1. What can we learn from the disciples in the Bible?
   2. Learn to listen to God.
   3. Receive correction.
   4. Stay in close relationship with the Teacher.
   5. Learn from other disciples.
   6. Jesus wants to teach you to be more like Him*

How do you answer the school of Jesus? You answer His call to enroll.

What are the class hours? Life is the classroom.

Graduation is coming!

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March 9, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  We will share together in Holy Communion.
  Pastor Boucher, “In the School of Jesus,” Matthew 10:24-25
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
• PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, 1:00 PM, Pastor Mark’s office
• EVENING SERVICE at 6:30 PM
  We welcome special guest Pastor Marc Bryant.
• CHILDREN’S PLAY REHEARSAL at 6:30 PM in the Youth Chapel

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 8:30 AM—Hannah Prayer Group (Trainques)
  7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY 9:30 AM—Coffee Break Women’s Bible Study
  6:30 PM—Prayer for Israel
  6:30 PM—ESL (English for All Nations)
  7:00 PM—Oh Lord, What is Your Vision for My Life?
  7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  Effective Personal Soul Winning
  Adults/Youth: Dennis Cole (sanctuary)
• THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Ladies’ Night Out
• FRIDAY 6:30 PM—Children’s Play Dress Rehearsal
• SATURDAY 7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will meet today, March 9, 1:00-3:00 PM, in Pastor Mark’s office. (This is a change for March only; they usually meet the third Sunday of each month.) Join any time! Contact Alice Stacy for details at astacy@juniper.net.
• HANNAH PRAYER GROUP for women meets tomorrow, 8:30-9:30 AM, at Rita Trainque’s home (19 Buono Avenue, Leominster). Please call Rita at for directions.
• PRAYER FOR ISRAEL is this Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Do you want to learn how to pray more effectively for and have a greater burden for Israel? Then you’ll want to be at this special time of prayer.
• FROM IMPACT STUDENT MINISTRIES: (1) Youth group will meet in the sanctuary this Wednesday for the dramatic sermon; and (2) Fine Arts applications are due no later than March 26.
• FREE ITEMS: A hockey table game and an old soda machine (both needing repairs) are available to anyone who wants them. You can view them over in the Youth Chapel (see Jess DeFilippo or Jay McCaffrey for assistance).

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

• Happy Birthday to RAY and RITA TRAINQUE today! Ray is celebrating his 75th! Thank you for your works of love and care among us here at Leominster Assembly. We love and appreciate you both!

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Seekers of Light men’s study (Sullivans)—Sunday, 3:00 PM
• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Gardners)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Young Adult Discipleship (Bells)—Thursday, 6:45 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries.

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Mortgage: $600,000
• 30-month Offerings Goal: $405,000
• 30-month Total $ Pledged: $216,436
• Offerings/Payments: $95,542
• Current Mortgage Balance: $504,458

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• A young man was recently hired by a construction company and is in need of some tools. Please call Jason at 978-235-7162.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Eusey Press has two openings for continental shift work (6:00 PM to 6:00 AM). Call Ray Trainque at 978-534-4742 for info.
• Five hundred new solar industry manufacturing positions will be opening at Devens. An Open House will be held this Tuesday, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Check the foyer bulletin board for details.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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March 9, 2008 by PastorMark.

Before David became king of Israel, he lived in various places trying to hide from Saul. One day during this time, David became extremely angry at a neighbor named Nabal who insulted him and his men. David, along with 400 men, strapped on their swords and headed out to kill Nabal and all his men (see 1 Samuel 25:12-13). He was determined to gain revenge…until Nabal’s wife Abigail intervened. After she explained the situation and asked for mercy, David declared, “Praise be to the Lord…may you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and for avenging myself with my own hands (1 Samuel 25:33). Because David was teachable, he received correction from God and avoided a great mistake. The Holy Spirit will help us by setting up “roadblocks.” Instead of trying to crash through them, we can pull over, analyze the danger, and choose another path. Let’s heed the Spirit’s “checks” and be willing to change course.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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