tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-289896022024-03-13T16:04:29.989-05:00Broken Steeplethe scribbles of matt snowdenMatt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.comBlogger467125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-18684474823033602582017-04-12T10:10:00.000-05:002017-04-12T10:12:53.997-05:00This Week in WacoI love this time of year. Meredith's flowers are blooming and the fish are biting. Signs of life abound. I'll plant vegetables on Good Friday just like may grandfather did. Holy Week, for me, is the height of Spring. It conjures all the Gospel's sound and fury. It brings people together. Here are some of the thing's we'll do in Waco this week.<br />
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Tonight - We will have a free supper in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 5:00 and then celebrate with children beginning at 6:00. Our neighbor's at The Silo's are planning an event for locals and we are providing parking as a gift to our community. Downtown Waco should be bustling. <br />
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Friday - We have a Good Friday Song and Communion Service in the Sanctuary at 6:00<br />
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Saturday - We have an Easter event at the Delta Inn Motel beginning at 11:00<br />
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Sunday - Well this is the big one. Ring your bells children of God. Join us for Sunday School and Church. Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-70415827595976952042017-03-12T10:17:00.000-05:002017-03-12T10:17:58.074-05:00Revival Services in Muscles Shoals, Alabama<br />
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I'll be in Muscle Shoals, Alabama this week preaching Revival Services at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church. All the services will be broadcast live, so if you would like to tune in, go to <a href="http://woodwardavenuebaptist.org/watch-us-live/">http://woodwardavenuebaptist.org/watch-us-live/</a>.Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-58358013914432835742017-03-01T11:36:00.002-06:002017-03-01T11:37:30.156-06:00Looking Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight at FBC Waco we will explore 2 Corinthians 7:1 and hear again the biblical invitation to pursue holiness. We join with Christians around the globe in a season of fasting that focuses our attention on the cross of Christ and our own humanity. </div>
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We have two resources at fbcwaco.org that you may find helpful over the next 40 days. We have a 2017 Lenten Devotional Guide from Baylor's Truett Seminary. Many of our fellow church members have contributed devotionals to this useful guide. We also have the message series - <em>Flourish</em>. These eight messages call us to personal transformation. Share these with your friends.</div>
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Please pray for those serving on ministry trips during the upcoming Spring break vacation. Our college ministry will be in Shaw. MS serving with Delta Hands for Hope. I will be with the Loachamins in Puyo Ecuador ministering at Esperanza Eterna Church this Sunday and at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama next Sunday. Pray that God blesses these gatherings. </div>
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We welcome to the pulpit Aaron and Grace Ogburn this week and will be blessed by the legendary Levi Price next Sunday. I am happy to be preaching in other contexts but I'm jealous about missing out on hearing these church members and friends. </div>
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We are rolling into Spring. Pray that the Holy Spirit turns this season into a season of refreshing for all of us. Have a great week.</div>
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Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-15774588084005444302017-02-22T10:43:00.000-06:002017-02-22T10:43:21.922-06:00Rinse Your Wishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control" (Proverbs 25:28). <br />
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The grace of self-control is a needed virtue in all our lives. We tend to think of self-control as it relates to bodily desire. This is certainly a part of it but we need to be aware that the call to self-control extends to our thoughts, emotions and speech. <br />
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I recently learned a spiritual practice that grows the virtue of self-control while reading Alexander Maclaren's exposition of Psalm 86. He instructs us to rinse our wishes:<br />
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<em>"...let us learn to make all wishes and annoyances material for prayer. Wishes that are not turned into prayers irritate, disturb, unsettle, Wishes that are turned into prayers are calmed and made blessed. Stanley and his men lived for weeks upon a poisonous root which if eaten crude, brought all manner of diseases, but steeped in running water, had all the acrid juices washed out of it, and became wholesome food. If you steep your wishes in the stream of prayer the poison will pass out of them. Some of them will be suppressed, all of them will be hallowed, and all of them will be calmed. Troubles, great or small, should be turned into prayers."</em><br />
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Life does not have to be eaten crude. We can rinse our anxieties and troubles in grace. This is a hopeful spiritual practice that can help us grow in self-control. This will be our teaching focus at FBC Waco tonight and Sunday. We hope to see you at 5th and Webster. Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-48255000957039382182017-02-10T04:05:00.000-06:002017-02-10T04:05:05.307-06:00Faithfulness <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pastor George Zamora of the Buffalo River Indian Baptist Church is a good story teller. He traffics in Native American tales and biblical narratives. We had lunch at the Lone Star Tavern this week and got caught up on life. I asked George about how he felt about his journey into ministry. He looked up from his beef tips and rice and said: <em>There was a man that wanted to serve God. God said, "Go out and push that boulder." The man did. Day after day he pushed from sun up until sun down. He eventually grew weary. He asked God, "What am I doing? I want to serve you and I haven't moved this boulder very far. Help me understand. God replied, "Look at your arms. When you began they were sticks. Do see that muscle? Look at your legs and back. You are strong. Now, you are strong.</em><br />
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When George finished his story he said, "That is how I feel about being a pastor." The fruit of faithfulness grows slowly and it is easy to become tired. George's story has a superficial resemblance to the story of Sisyphus. That doomed Corinthian keeps rolling his boulder in Tartarus. What nasty business. Faithfulness, however, is not hellish for the Christian because of God's presence, purpose and promises. George reminded me. He encouraged me not to grow wear in well doing. He flourishes in faithfulness. We can to.<br />
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Check out last Sunday's FBC Waco podcast for a message on faithfulness. This Sunday we hear Colossians 3:14 and think about love.<br />
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<em>And about all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity</em>.Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-31666017864495557482017-02-03T06:00:00.001-06:002017-02-03T06:14:05.146-06:00Backwards and Forwards 2 - 3 - 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jack Taylor said, "Goodness is doing what you can in the Spirit's dynamic." Goodness is a marriage of God's presence in our lives and a willingness to work for the benefit of others. Last Sunday we looked at three factors in the production of goodness from Galatians 6:6-10. Be sure to check out the podcast if you missed the message. <br />
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Wednesday night we continued to study goodness by looking at Barnabas. Luke described him as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24). Barnabas provides a host of leadership values and skills that define Spirit-filled faithful service. Here is a sampling from Acts and Galatians:<br />
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<li>Trustworthy </li>
<li>Celebrates God's work</li>
<li>Encourager </li>
<li>Seeks to bond men and women to God</li>
<li>Connector </li>
<li>Generous</li>
<li>Risk Taker</li>
<li>Well differentiated self</li>
<li>Failure overcomer</li>
<li>Good communicator </li>
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This Sunday morning we turn our attention to faithfulness. <br />
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"When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion" Acts 11:23 (NRSV). <br />
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Have a great weekend! We'll see you Sunday.Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-35389735296922731382017-01-27T12:43:00.002-06:002017-01-27T12:43:19.895-06:00Backwards and Forwards 1-27-17<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUo4CI7Nk5c#action=share" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUo4CI7Nk5c#action=share</a><br />
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Patience and kindness are in short supply today. We explored these Christ honoring virtues last Sunday at FBC Waco. As an added plus I got to put a Rambo knife on B.H. Carroll's pulpit. Rumor has it he used to keep a pistol there. <br />
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We dug in further Wednesday night by studying 1 Samuel 25:1-32. In this fantastic story David in convinced not to be quick to wrath through the wise advice of Abigail. Here are some takeaway principles that come in handy when faced with an opportunity to settle a score:<br />
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1. Don't let a fool make you foolish. v.25<br />
2. Remember whose and who you are. v.29<br />
3. Consider the consequences. v. 31<br />
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This Sunday we turn our attention to the virtue goodness. The focal text will be Galatians 6:7-10. Read up and show up Sunday at 5th and Webster.Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-73670770886347265082015-04-30T10:48:00.001-05:002015-04-30T10:48:21.424-05:00Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christianity is a historical faith. Our way like Judaism before us is fundamentally based on remembering the saving acts of God in human history. Past tense matters. It enlivens the present and nurtures hope for the future. Remembering can be a very spiritual act. Scripture calls on us to remember.<br />
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I will preach a message series in May titled, Remember. I pray and hope that God will use it to renew our passion for him and our commitment to his work in the Earth. The focal texts for the series are:<br />
May 3 - 1 Chronicles 16:8-36<br />
May 10 - Isaiah 49: 14-16<br />
May 17 - Deuteronomy 8:1-18<br />
May 24 - Philippians 1:3<br />
May 31 - Hebrews 13:2-3; Galatians 2:10<br />
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Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-26413327655416344972015-04-08T11:27:00.002-05:002015-04-08T11:27:31.973-05:00Doorways and Disciples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Taylor Holleyman and I will be leading an interactive prayer and study experience on Wednesday nights. Join us at 6:00 in the Fellowship Hall as we are become better equipped to share the love of Christ with our neighbors and the nations. </div>
Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-78534276007502298592015-02-18T14:53:00.001-06:002015-02-18T14:53:31.017-06:00The Work of Witness
<a href="http://www.fbcwaco.org/">http://www.fbcwaco.org/</a>#<br />
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Work of Witness<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the work of witness, the daily conversational use of words
in the service of the gospel...</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Matt/Documents/The%20work%20of%20witness%20FINAL.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of us realize that our physical
bodies must function properly in order for us to have good health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A function can be defined as “a necessary,
characteristic action of an organism, without which the organism will
die.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breathing, as an example, is one
of those functions for our bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
do not breathe, we do not live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly,
the church has crucial functions to perform in order for the church to
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four functions of the church are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Worship<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ministry (care for the needs of one another and
of those in our community)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nurture/education (discipleship) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proclamation/witness (evangelism, witness,
missions, outreach)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The church carries out its
mission through worship, proclamation and witness, nurture and education, and
ministry<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This lesson deals with the essential action of the church to proclaim
and witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></i>This action
includes the church’s efforts to preach, to witness, to evangelize, to do
missions, and to reach out to persons who need to hear the gospel of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So let’s look at the church’s
responsibilities that are in this essential function, focusing especially on
our outreach efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Exploring Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proclamation/witness is part of
our calling as followers of Jesus, and it flows naturally from our relationship
with God in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a wonderful
story recorded in John 4:1-42. It illustrates the work of witness. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was
gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 </span></sup>although in
fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 </span></sup>So he
left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 </span></sup>Now he had to go through Samaria. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 </span></sup>So
he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had
given to his son Joseph. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">6 </span></sup>Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus,
tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">7 </span></sup>When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said
to her, “Will you give me a drink?” <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">8 </span></sup>(His disciples had gone
into the town to buy food.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">9 </span></sup>The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I
am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not
associate with Samaritans.<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span></sup></span></i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A1-42&version=NIV#fen-NIV-26166a" title="See footnote a"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">a</span></sup></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup>)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">10 </span></sup>Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and
who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have
given you living water.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">11 </span></sup>“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw
with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">12 </span></sup>Are
you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it
himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">13 </span></sup>Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will
be thirsty again, <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">14 </span></sup>but whoever drinks the water I give them
will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring
of water welling up to eternal life.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">15 </span></sup>The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so
that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">16 </span></sup>He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">17 </span></sup>“I have no husband,” she replied.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">18 </span></sup>The
fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your
husband. What you have just said is quite true.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">19 </span></sup>“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a
prophet. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">20 </span></sup>Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you
Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">21 </span></sup>“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is
coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in
Jerusalem. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">22 </span></sup>You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we
worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">23 </span></sup>Yet
a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the
Father seeks. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">24 </span></sup>God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship
in the Spirit and in truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">25 </span></sup>The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called
Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">26 </span></sup>Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I
am he.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">27 </span></sup>Just then his disciples returned and were surprised
to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why
are you talking with her?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">28 </span></sup>Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to
the town and said to the people, <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">29 </span></sup>“Come, see a man who told
me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">30 </span></sup>They
came out of the town and made their way toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">31 </span></sup>Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat
something.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">32 </span></sup>But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you
know nothing about.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">33 </span></sup>Then his disciples said to each other, “Could
someone have brought him food?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">34 </span></sup>“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who
sent me and to finish his work. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">35 </span></sup>Don’t you have a saying,
‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at
the fields! They are ripe for harvest. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">36 </span></sup>Even now the one who
reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and
the reaper may be glad together. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">37 </span></sup>Thus the saying ‘One sows
and another reaps’ is true. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">38 </span></sup>I sent you to reap what you have
not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the
benefits of their labor.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">39 </span></sup>Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in
him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">40 </span></sup>So
when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he
stayed two days. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">41 </span></sup>And because of his words many more became
believers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">42 </span></sup>They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just
because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that
this man really is the Savior of the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Samaritan woman in this narrative had a life changing encounter with
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She became a witness to Christ.
Her experience is exemplary. Recall what happened - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She met Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She became a witness to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She invited others to meet Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Others followed Jesus because of her testimony
and their experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Questions to Explore<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who led you to know the saving power of Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is your “Samaria” – what segment of our community
needs to hear the gospel from you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
are considered outcasts by some who need to be befriended by you and me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For whom can you pray – the family that will buy
the home for sale in your neighborhood, the persons who will rent the vacant
apartment near you, the acquaintance who knows your name but does not know your
Lord, the stranger who connects with you in some small way with whom a
relationship can be built, a co-worker, a neighbor, others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are some tangible ways that you can begin
to reach out to these persons – pray for them, share time with them, have a
meal with them, invite them to join you in an activity, others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The woman left her water jar to tell others
about Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you willing to
leave behind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How has Jesus changed you
so that you will find an urgency to share the gospel with the persons
identified above?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 15pt;">
<span style="color: windowtext;"><span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Explore the Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Witness flows
naturally from our relationship with Jesus. It is also a commitment. Witness is
a spiritual and social practice that requires focus and alertness. Paul
addressed this in Colossians 4:2-6:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 </span></sup>Devote yourselves to
prayer, being watchful and thankful. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 </span></sup>And pray for us, too,
that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery
of Christ, for which I am in chains. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 </span></sup>Pray that I may proclaim
it clearly, as I should. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 </span></sup>Be wise in the way you act toward
outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">6 </span></sup>Let your
conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
text helps us “get started”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God can use
it to awaken us to steps we can take in our journey as witnesses to Jesus. It is
a call to alertness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alert in Prayer<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prayer kindles our love for God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prayer strengthens our fellowship with other
Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prayer focuses our attention on others and
conditions us for proclamation/witness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alert to
Opportunities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Open Doors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- Paul wanted them to pray for his missionary activities. We can engage
the mission of God by embracing opportunities to support organized missionary
efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Outsiders <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have an individual <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and congregational call
to witness to others in our local setting. Some need to enter a relationship
with Jesus. Some need to enter a vital relationship with a local Christian
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You may
recall the principle of rows we introduced during the sermon series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fieldhands. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can be alert to opportunities to witness to
the:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neighborhood (ministries of FBC Waco)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neighbors/FRANS (friends, relatives, associates
and neighbors)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Newcomers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alert to Speech<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel must be shared in deed
and word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our speech must be gracious,
salty and responsive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work of
witness is the daily conversational use of words in the service of the
gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using words is necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor rgb(79, 129, 189); border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 15pt;">
<span style="color: windowtext;"><span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Application<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make a list of persons you know who need Christ
– your relatives, your neighbors, your co-workers, your acquaintances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set a time to pray for each, by name, asking
God to give you an opportunity/open door to speak with each of them about
spiritual matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Identify the various local missions ministries
of our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep the list with your
prayer list for persons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the next
month, pray about your involvement in one of these ministries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commit to exploring your involvement with one
of them in the next three months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel is shared both in what we say and in
how we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you living a life
worthy to be called a follower of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make a list of your actions that point others to Christ, even if you
never said a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a list of your
actions that distract from your witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make these matters a part of your prayer life, asking God to make you an
instrument for the spreading of the gospel in our community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Analyze your role in the church’s essential
function of proclamation and witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you alive and well, and helping the church to be so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, what steps can you take to help our
church be alive and well in this regard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Share your thoughts with the outreach leader in your class</span>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Matt/Documents/The%20work%20of%20witness%20FINAL.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Eugene Peterson, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reversed Thunder: The
Revelations of John and the Praying Imagination</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;">, 106.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-14128349070540090732014-07-03T09:52:00.001-05:002014-07-03T09:52:03.680-05:00Others<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=99224&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=99224&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-53091229873361409822014-05-01T10:29:00.002-05:002014-05-01T10:29:30.238-05:00Friendship With God: A Conversation with Darin Davis and Paul WadellDarin Davis, director of Baylor University's Institute for Faith and Learning, and Paul Wadell of St. Norbert's College stopped by FBC Waco to talk about friendship with God. I am grateful for their time. I think this conversation will encourage you in your walk with Christ.<br />
<br /><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFaVitTHslk&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFaVitTHslk&feature=youtu.be</a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-21396098144106357952014-04-18T13:40:00.000-05:002014-04-18T13:40:10.622-05:00Palm Sunday Psalm 118<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=93861&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=93861&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-48372646223700287032014-04-12T17:22:00.000-05:002014-04-12T17:22:02.860-05:00Don't Waste Your Life<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=93388&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-21901078600726116952014-04-03T11:51:00.000-05:002014-04-03T11:52:18.941-05:00Running The Race: Ambition<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=92279&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-13142773006715162452014-03-18T13:53:00.004-05:002014-03-18T13:53:29.561-05:00Church Trends: Missional Engagement - Ethics Daily<a href="http://www.ethicsdaily.com/church-trends-missional-engagement-cms-21613" target="_blank">http://www.ethicsdaily.com/church-trends-missional-engagement-cms-21613</a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-79802484822719652892014-03-18T13:48:00.003-05:002014-03-18T13:48:23.000-05:00Grace and Spiritual Gifts<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=91543&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=91543&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-82294518959831667052014-02-06T15:24:00.005-06:002014-02-06T15:24:48.402-06:00Arise, and be baptized<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=88519&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=88519&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-69419836672768494192014-01-29T10:20:00.002-06:002014-01-29T10:20:09.560-06:00Believed From The Heart and Baptized<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=87936&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=87936&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-46592494476522713212014-01-23T13:57:00.002-06:002014-01-23T13:58:32.644-06:00Baptism<a href="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=87425&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=87425&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-86042860762577929752014-01-23T13:53:00.003-06:002014-01-23T13:53:33.296-06:00Blessed<a href="http://www.truthcasting.com/player.aspx#showSermon=87439" target="_blank">http://www.truthcasting.com/player.aspx#showSermon=87439</a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-3138598066052490452013-11-12T15:22:00.002-06:002013-11-12T15:22:47.104-06:00Schemes: Factionalism<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=82766&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=82766&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-62323938795742411162013-11-06T12:23:00.004-06:002013-11-06T12:23:46.740-06:00Schemes: Cynicism<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20id=%22TruthCastingEmbedPlayer%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22360%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20style=%22overflow:hidden;%20border-style:%20none;%22%20src=%22http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=82337&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360"></iframe>" target="_blank"><iframe height="360" id="TruthCastingEmbedPlayer" scrolling="no" src="http://www.truthcasting.com/embedframe.aspx?id=82337&start=0&end=600&width=640&height=360" style="border-style: none; overflow: hidden;" width="640"></iframe></a>Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-33884376570500135592013-11-06T10:14:00.006-06:002013-11-06T10:16:26.094-06:00...a season of giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>November
is a season of harvest and gratitude. We celebrate God’s bounty and return thanks.
November is a good time to consider the practice of giving. I am rereading Jack
Hayford’s book, The Key to Everyting, this month as part of my
devotional practice. Pastor Hayford argues that giving is the key spiritual discipline.
I would like to share some of his thoughts with you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“…learning
and applying the Key to Everything involves the growing of a heart attitude of
giving, which gives the right thing at the right time in the right way for the
right reasons. Such giving takes many forms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times to give up, not in resignation
or in abandonment to despair, but in a surrender of self-righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times to forgive, that is, to release
what otherwise could be retained as a grudge…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times to give over, to place into the
hands of the Creator-Judge of the universe matters which only his might or his
justice can sufficiently handle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times to give to, providing with
generosity in assisting the circumstances of another human being or group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times to give in through simple
obedience…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times to give wisely because we
understand reciprocal laws of God which promise a bountiful return if we give.
And that return is his way of making possible our learning to give over and
over again with increasing resources and joyfulness. “<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What will you
give during this season of giving? Will you give thanks? Will you forgive? Will
you give money as a thanks offering so that others may hear? Will you give
yourself by giving your time? Give. It just may be the key to everything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28989602.post-5442941866637838012013-10-17T12:19:00.000-05:002013-10-18T08:38:42.258-05:00FBC Marion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaogTArTfjY/UmAZXv0Q76I/AAAAAAAAAls/1Tyqf6nuw9o/s1600/FBC+marion+ms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaogTArTfjY/UmAZXv0Q76I/AAAAAAAAAls/1Tyqf6nuw9o/s320/FBC+marion+ms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our crew is traveling to Marion, MS next week. I will be preaching in an old school revival at FBC Marion. This church is served by Drew and Emily Dabbs. Drew and Emily are a fantastic couple. They both graduated from Truett Seminary and are doing a great job sharing Christ's love with their community. The church is multi-generational and has a vibrant outreach to children in their community. We will focus on the gospel from generation to generation. Pray that I share the gospel plainly. Pray that this church is refreshed. Pray that Jesus is honored. <br />
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I am grateful that Todd Still will preach for FBC Waco while we are away. Matt Snowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226430967272870040noreply@blogger.com0