The Augusta Church

Sunday Lesson Notes from 4-18-2023

Several individuals at church on Sunday shared a verse or song that really encouraged them in their daily walk with God. Here is a sample of what was shared by various individuals:

1. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

• The bible reminds us to encourage each other with the words of the gospel and to hold firmly to the teachings.

2. Read Romans 8:31-39

• Remember, as Christians, we are more than conquerors and cannot be separated from the Love of God that is in Jesus our Lord.
• God doesn’t move away from us, we are usually the ones that move away from God. Jesus intercedes for us to help us stay close to God, he takes the bullets for us and protects us in our daily walk with God so that we can stay close to God. 

3. Read Psalm 46:1-11

• God has been pursuing us from the beginning of time and will always be there to help us in our lives.

4. Read Acts 17:24-28

• God has set us up in our lives to seek him and to find him, he always makes a path for us that leads back to his presence.

5. Read Philippians 4:4-9

• God wants to hear from us. We do not have to be worried about anything as long as we turn everything over to God and give thanks. Remember to fill your mind up with thoughts of heaven so that peace will dwell in your heart. 

6. Read Philemon verse 4-7

• As Christians, we can encourage each other with our faithfulness to God.

7. Read John 20:24-29

• Even when we have doubts in our lives, Jesus takes the time to come to us and make sure we believe. Look back at all the events of your life and recount how God was present and helped you to continue to believe in Him.

8. Read Romans 5:3

• It’s ok to suffer sometimes in our lives. This builds up our character and faith in God. 

9. Read Revelation 21:1-7

• We live in a world that is full of bad news stories, however, we can read these verses and remember the Good News that Jesus is with God and is preparing a new place for us to come and dwell with him.

10. Read Philippians 2:1-11

• Jesus was willing to give up everything he had for us so that we could have a chance to be with Him and God. We will one day be together with Jesus and God!

Sunday Lesson Notes, April 8, 2023

1. What does Palm Sunday mean to you?

• You may remember playing with tiny palm branches at church on Sunday
• You may remember making crosses out of palms
• You may remember wearing your best church clothes
• What really happened on that day?
  • Read Luke 19:35
  • Kings were inaugurated on donkey’s in the past as part of Israelite culture; it was also a sign of a king coming to make peace during war
  • Saul was the first king to ride into the city on a donkey
  • Jesus asked for a donkey as a fulfillment of the messianic prophecy in Zechariah 9:9
  • Donkeys represent the king in a humble, servant state; it may be a sign he is coming to make peace or to save the people
  • When a king rides into a city on a horse, it is a sign of victory and celebration or to bring judgment on the people and take control
  • In the Book of Revelation, Jesus returns to us on a White Horse, symbolizing his victory over satan and death and to bring judgment on those unwilling to acknowledge him

2. Why were the Pharisees upset when the people referred to Jesus as Lord?

• The Pharisees refused to acknowledge that Jesus was from God
• They thought he was a fraud and they did not want to lose their position as the religious leaders of the day by accepting Jesus as the true Lord

3. Why was Jesus weeping?

• He was weeping as he entered Jerusalem because he could see past the beauty of the city with its 100 foot wall. He knew the fate of Jerusalem. The temple would be destroyed and all the Israelites would be scattered with Judaism in ruins. He could see the suffering that was about to take place.
• He was likely remembering Jeremiah’s prophecy that predicted the destruction of the temple and Shiloh would be in ruins. Shiloh was the place where the Ark was stored before David brought it into Jerusalem. Eventually, the Philistines captured the Ark and destroyed Shiloh. In 70 AD these predictions came true again as warned by Jesus. 

4. What did Jesus mean by “the time of your visitation”?

• The Jews of the day did not recognize that Jesus was the Davidic Messiah. He rode in on a donkey, like the prophecy of old, when new kings would ride into a city on a donkey as part of their inauguration. Unfortunately, many of them still missed the clue. 
• What are some other “times of visitation” in the old testament that demonstrate onlookers missing the clue?
  • Noah and the Ark- Noah sent from God to save
  • Ninevah and Jonah- Jonah sent from God to save
  • David and Goliath- David sent from God to save
  • Sodom and Gomorrah- the Angel sent from God to save

• Read 1 Peter 2:12
  • Peter predicted Jesus’s future day of visitation where believers will glorify God.
  • Remember to keep doing good deeds, this will be pleasing to the Lord and help others to be saved and glorify GOD!
  • Jesus was accused of many false actions, but he never gave up. He persevered and was able to save the world who recognized and accepted him, thereby bringing glory to God!