Glory of Christ Fellowship

How Shall I Make Atonement? 2 Samuel 21:1-22 September 25, 2016 Study Questions 1.   Read 2 Samuel 21:1-9. How long did the famine last in Israel? What did David do in response to it? What specifically did the Lord say to him and what does this teach us about the justice of the Lord? 2.   Why did David ask the Gibeonites what he should do to make atonement rather than the Lord? What was their answer and how does it play into greater biblical themes? Was this a just solution to the problem? 3.   Read 2 Samuel 21:10-14. Who was Rizpah and what did she do after the death of Saul’s sons? What did David eventually do and why? Once David’s deed was done, how did the Lord respond to the famine and why? 4.    Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22. When was the last time we heard about the Philistines? Why do they come back into the story at this point? How did David respond to them and with what results? Since Gath was Goliath’s hometown, why is the defeat of the fo...

Announcements—September 25,  2016   GCF Quarterly Meeting, Sunday October 2:    We will be holding a quarterly meeting on Sunday, October 2 following the Agape Meal. Members of GCF are asked to attend while all attenders of GCF are welcome. See the back of the announcements for details about the Agape Meal. Respect Life Month—Abba PRC Baby Bottle Boomerang! Celebrate Respect Life Month and bless Abba Pregnancy Resource Center in Elk River. On Sundays ,  October 2 and 9 , baby bottles will be available to take home and fill with coins, currency, and/or checks. There will be a sign-up sheet on the Missions table for number of bottles to be checked out.. Please return the bottles to Shelley Herzog by Sunday October 23 . The donations from these bottles make a huge  difference in the lives of the clients, babies and unborn babies. Thank you for showing God’s love to the ministry of Abba PRC. Men’s Retreat: Attention men! The 2...

2016-2017 GCF Sunday School Offerings Sunday School Begins September 18 Catholics and Evangelicals: What's the Difference? Adult Sunday School – Gymnasium This twelve-session course is designed to help Catholics and Evangelicals engage in meaningful and respectful conversation that they might grow in their understanding of the Bible and their love for Jesus. The course is taught by Pastor Charlie. Gymnasium What Is Gospel Community? A Path to Covenant Membership Adult Sunday School – Room 107 This eight session course explores and celebrates the relationship between the gospel, gospel community, covenant membership in the local church, and the mission of the church in the world. While it does not obligate one to become a member of Glory of Christ, it must be completed before one can be a member. The course is taught by Dave Fergus. Grasping God’s Word: A Hand’s-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting and Applying the Bible High School and College – Room 111 ...

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.  Proverbs 18:2 One of my favorite Proverbs, although it really shouldn't be. This part of God's word confronts my communication patterns like no other, particularly my listening. Lets face it, culturally speaking, social media is making it easier to speak and harder to hear. Take me for example, this blog even. I am doing all the talking, expressing myself again...oh the hypocrisy of it all. Since you are here, let me share an insight (I said  insight , not  opinion ). There is a big difference there, I will have to explain that at a different time. For now, on with the insight. The biblical notion of "fool" is someone who removes themselves from God. One who claims autonomy from God and lives as if he doesn't exist. One who rejects God as creator and the rightful parent of all mankind. The fool is the one who is "wise in their own eyes." The Bible is no...

Steadfast Love and Justice 2 Samuel 20:1-26 September 18, 2016 Study Questions 1.   Read 2 Samuel 20:1-3. Who was Sheba and why did he rebel against David? Why do you think Israel so quickly followed him? Who were the ten concubines mentioned in verse 3 and why did David decide to do with them what he did? 2.  R ead 2 Samuel 20:4-13. Who was Amasa and why did David put him in command over the army? Why did Joab also go out against Sheba? What did he do to Amasa and why? 3.   Read 2 Samuel 20:14-26. Where did Sheba go and why? Who was the wise woman in the city and what was her counsel? Was her counsel indeed wise? What did Joab do upon Sheba’s death? 4.  Compare 2 Samuel 8:15-18 with 20:23-26. Why do you suppose the author provides the same kind of information in both places? What similarities and differences to you see? 5.   What’s the most important thing you learned from the sermon and your personal study? 6.   How has today’s mess...

Announcements—September 18,  2016 Sunday School Begins Today: Our Sunday School classes for all ages are beginning today. See the inside page of the bulletin for class assignments and descriptions. Student Ministries Gathering: Students grades 6-12 are invited to attend the first meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 21 at the Handke from 6:30-8:45 p.m. Women’s Ministry Event : Join us at Jenny Arant’s home in Big Lake for Cry Out! simulcast , a national night of prayer from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 23 . Men’s Retreat: Attention men! The 2016 men’s retreat is scheduled for October 13-15. Please mark your calendars. Wednesday Morning Prayer Meeting : Anyone who would like to join in corporate prayer may do so. The prayer time is 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. at the church office. Next Week’s Fighter Verse …”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my ...

Psalm 73:21-25-28 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. It wasn't always this way, you know. This Psalm of Asaph. He wasn't always worshipping God the way we see him do in verses 25-28. Look at what he says: " there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you...but for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge."  This is a man of great faith, right? The answer is yes. But it wasn't always that way. He got to this point of contentment in God but he came to it kicking and screaming, like a snobby rich kid who had to stay at a 3 star hotel instead of the usua...

Psalm 72 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations se...

Steadfast Love and Mercy 2 Samuel 19:1-43 September 11, 2016 Study Questions 1.  R ead 2 Samuel 19.1-8a. Why was David mourning in a time of victory? Why were Joab and others upset about this and what did Joab threaten if David did not change his disposition? 2.   Read 2 Samuel 8b-15. Why was Israel eager to bring David back into the land? Why was Judah reluctant? How did David persuade Judah to bring him back home? 3.   Read 2 Samuel 8:16-43. As David entered the land, who all came out to meet him and why? How did David respond to each of those who came out to him? What does this demonstrate about David’s character and the work of the Lord in his life? 4.  W hat’s the most important thing you learned from the sermon and your personal study? 5.   How has today’s message helped you to grow in love for God and others? 6.  W hat is the most important thing Jesus would have you do in light of 2 Samuel 19? 7.   Take some time to wor...

September 11,  2016 Sunday School Classes for All Ages Start September 18:  See the Family Ministry table for information about each of the classes being offered. If you are interested in serving in the Sunday School ministry this year, please contact Pastor Kevin. We have a few needs for Preschool and elementary age classes. Student Ministries Fall Kickoff September 14:  Parents and students are invited to attend our annual Student Ministries Kickoff on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. Join us for a picnic at Otsego Park. Women’s Ministry Event : Join us at Jenny Arant’s home in Big Lake for Cry Out! simulcast , a national night of prayer from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 23 . Men’s Retreat:  Attention men! The 2016 men’s retreat is scheduled for October 13-15. Please mark your calendars. There will be more information available soon. Pivot Meeting:  The college age (and beyond) ministry meets on alterna...

Over the last year I’ve been working on a book, a course really, entitled, Catholics and Evangelicals: What’s the Difference? It began as an assignment for a doctoral course at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and eventually grew into what it’s become today. Since I plan to teach the course during the second hour at Glory of Christ this fall and winter, I needed to complete the current phase of my work on it. So several weeks ago I began to search for a place where I could get away and do that, and by the grace of God and the kindness of their hearts, the staff at Oak Forest Retreat Center near Frederic, Wisconsin provided me with a room, free of charge, from September 1-7. I had to be in town for some meetings and for Sunday worship, so I was only able to use the room for five of the seven days but in that time the Lord was immensely gracious to me. Not only was I able to finish the course, but I also made significant progress on another book that’s coming out this fall entitled...

O My Son, Absalom! 2 Samuel 18:1-33 September 4, 2016 Study Questions 1.   Read 2 Samuel 18:1-5. Precisely how did David organize his troops for battle? What does this imply about how many people went into exile with him? What were his instructions with regard to Absalom and why? 2.  R ead 2 Samuel 18:6-18. Where was the battle fought? What was the outcome of the battle and why? How is it that the forest devoured more than the sword that day? 3.  W hy did the man who found Absalom hesitate to kill him? Why did Joab ignore David’s clear instructions? What was done with Absalom? How did Absalom seek to preserve his name? 4.   Read 2 Samuel 18:19-33. Why was Ahimaaz so eager to bring David the news of the battle? Why did Joab want to send a Cushite (non-Israelite) instead? When he reached David, what precisely did Ahimaaz say? Was he being honest? How did David react on hearing the news of Absalom’s death and why? 5.  W hat’s the most important...

Announcements—September 4,  2016 Sunday School Classes for All Ages Start September 21:  We are looking to fulfill all of our teacher needs before we can begin. If you are interested in serving in the Sunday School ministry this year, please contact Pastor Kevin. We have a few needs for Preschool and elementary age classes. Student Ministries Fall Kickoff September 14:  Parents and students are invited to attend our annual Student Ministries Kickoff on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. Join us for a picnic at Otsego Park. Men’s Retreat:  Attention men! The 2016 men’s retreat is scheduled for October 13-15. Please mark your calendars. There will be more information available soon. Pivot Meeting:  The college age (and beyond) ministry meets on alternating Thursday evenings. 7:00 p.m. at Josiah Lee's house. The next meeting is on Thursday, September 8. Wednesday Morning Prayer Meeting :...

The 46th…and The 47th By Pastor Charlie Handren For the sixteenth-century Reformers, Psalm 46 was one of the most important Psalms. In our day, we tend to think of the Reformation as a theological movement but for them it was as much a political revolution as a battle over the Bible. The nations were indeed raging specifically because some courageous men and women took a stand for biblical truth and would not back down, even at the cost of their lives. Their families. Their countries. It was, therefore, a great comfort for them to hear the blessed words of Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” This verse, and this Psalm, in fact became an anchor for their souls and for their movement, so much so that they came to refer to it as “The 46th.” Each day I read a Psalm, and as the Lord would have it, I read The 46th early this week. The next day I read Psalm 47 and immediately wondered how I had never n...