1. Do you continue to have faith in the purposes of God even when you have to wait a really long time for them to be accomplished?
2. When your life is in turmoil, are you certain of God’s promise to bless you?
3. How can you intentionally find ways to talk about God’s Word with others (in your home, neighborhood, workplace, or school) on a daily basis?
4. Will you meditate on Colossians 3:12-14 throughout the day rather than just reading it over during your devotions each morning this week?
5. Steve encouraged you to write out the Scripture you’re meditating on in a journal. Are you willing to practice the Spiritual discipline of journaling in order to assist you in meditating on God’s Word?

1. How is it we gain desire and vigor for Christ as we repent from our sin?
2. Why is sexual sin so luring, yet so destructive? How can you fight against it and see Christ as satisfying?
3. What are passions which drive you, yet that you should work to rid your lifestyle from?
4. The sermon compared fighting sin like cutting away at a poisonous plant’s root, what are intentional habits you can cut away at sin patterns?
5. What does it mean to feed sin? How can you stop feeding your sinfulness?

1. Why should you examine your time and spending when examining if you’re seeking the things above?
2. Why must you not focus on your own ability to thrive by enjoy the things from Christ above?
3. How can you better taste the reality of Christ rather than feeding on your own sin?
4. What are ways you can “think God’s thoughts after him and desire his desires”?

1. Are you a Christian because of what Christ has done or because of what you do?
2. Is keeping up the appearance of having your life “all together” exhausting you?
3. Is your identity burdened with fulfilling an ideal vision of a spouse, mom, dad, employee or are seeking contentment in Christ?
4. Are you more zealous for the things you avoid or do we avoid them because of our zeal for Christ?
5. How can we know when we are over regulating ourselves and others?
6. Can we do whatever thing is in question as an expression for my love of Christ or as a way of growing in my love for Christ?

At last week’s Church Conference, the Missions Committee spoke with and approved financially supporting a foreign missionary to East Asia.

Below is a brief biography and information about Chris and his wife, Lisa (the absence of last name and photos are intentional for the protection of this family) . You can view it more permanently at the Missionaries page: jpbc.org/missionaries/. Chris and Lisa are the fifth missionary family JPBC is committed to supporting financially, praying for regularly, and cooperatively relying on God for he and his family’s blessing, protection, and for the Lord to use him to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus boldly.

 ___________________________

Chris and Lisa will, Lord willing, return soon to East Asia to serve alongside Mark and Megan (also supported by JPBC in East Asia). Evangelism among college students (most of whom have never heard the Gospel) and discipleship of young believers is their primary role on the field. They are trusting the Lord to raise up many college students, to be lifelong faithful church members and to boldly take the Gospel to their university, country, and places in the world where Jesus isn’t yet known. They have served together for one year and are currently stateside to welcome their first child, Andrew, into the world and to raise additional support before returning.

Please pray for Chris and Lisa in the following ways:

1. That God would provide the remaining monthly support needed, so that they can return to East Asia soon.
2. God’s blessing on continued language study as they return.
3. That God would use them to call many students to Himself, as they seek to clearly and boldly proclaim the Gospel among students who have never heard.

1. In what way is there no “next level” to the Christian life?
2. How should Christians now look at, and participate in, food, festivals, and the Sabbath?
3. What do you do on the Sabbath to find rest in God and focus on him?
4. Why is regular church attendance important?
5. How can you grow in longing for Christ and his word? And how can you flee from material things and symbols which are considered “Christian”?
6. How can you come to church more intentionally with the purpose of experiencing Christ in others and have others experience Christ in you?

1. What does it mean to be spiritually dead?
2. What does it mean to be given life by Christ?
3. How do the realities of “cancelled debt, forgiven trespasses” affect your life specifically?
4. How has God disarmed the rulers and authorities?
5. How do you view your sin in light of this disarming of the accusers?

The Easter season is the time of year we get to fully participate in the Annie Armstrong Missions Offering. This offering is a monetary collection that specifically supports the North American Missions Board, which is charged by the SBC to support and send pastors and missionaries within the United States and North American countries.

Our Goal

JPBC’s goal is to raise $3,800 for the Annie Armstrong North American Missions Offering. You’ll receive special envelopes before the service from one of the WMU women, or you can designate your giving to “Annie Armstrong”.

Who was Annie Armstrong?

As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of mission efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.

Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more for reaching people for Christ. As we continue to unite to make her vision a reality in North America today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be ours.

What Did Her Work Consist Of?

Annie believed in Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our mission efforts.  Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food and clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share Gods love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.

Video about the Annie Armstrong Offering

How You Can Support the Annie Armstrong Offering

1. Giving – one of the greater ways you can support domestic missions (taking the good news about Jesus to those in North America) is through supporting the NAMB with financial gifts. The NAMB is very good organization that JPBC whole heartedly supports with finances, trust and prayer.
2. Praying – probably the greatest way to support missionaries is to pray for them with regularity, passion, and longing for the Lord to use them to spread the news of Jesus.
3. Talking – it’s a great thing to talk to other people about Annie Armstrong. Spend time this Easter season talking with your children, parents, or friends about why we support missions, missionaries, and evangelism.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Annie Armstrong Mission Offering, please contact on the of the women in WMU or the pastor and deacons.

1. How do you trust/rely on your own sins rather than trusting the
sufficiency of the joy in Christ?

2. How do you trust God more than your doubts? How can you turn from
those doubts and rely on Christ?

3. Why is the doctrine of our union with Christ so important? How can
you remind yourself about your identity in Christ?

4. What would it look like for your heart’s desires to be fulfilled in
Christ? What personal trait or habit are you afraid to lose?

5. What “ways of the world” tend to capture your attention most?

1. What would it look like for JPBC to reflect the aroma of Heaven?
2. What is the difference between being a servant and a consumer?
3. What personal opinions and preferences do you have about our church that may not primarily reflect the aroma of Christ and his gospel?
4. What’s a way you could reach outside and serve in a sacrificial way?
5. What does it look like to teach and warn others in a gospel focused way?
6. Who has permission to warn you and teach you?
7. What are the practical differences between treasuring Christ and treasuring the things of this world and the dreams of life?