1 Thessalonians 4:11-018 Grieve with Hope 1. give a place to grief 2. mourn some don’t have hope 3. grieve with hope For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 NRSV

Romans 7:1-6

Rom. 6:12-24

Rom. 6:4-11

Rom. 6:4-11

Rom. 5:20-6:5

Exodus 17:1-7 Water from the Rock Summary: How do you respond when someone around you is always complaining? Do you join them and complain too? Or do you get annoyed and wish they would stop? Do you not want to be near them? If we are honest, we all struggle at times with grumbling and complaining. Sadly God (and Moses) had to bear with the grumbling of Israel in the wilderness. Today we see God provide water again for His people. But He gives them much more than that. He provides mercy for their sin. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. God in the dock 2. God on the rock 3. God provides for His flock Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:4 ... For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are the things you most frequently complain about? 2. How does Israel heighten their complaint in Exodus 17? How is God on trial here? How do people put God on trial today? 3. Why is it significant that God took his stand on the rock and commanded Moses to strike it? How does Paul speak about this incident in 1 Cor. 10:4? 4. God constantly shows himself patient and forgiving with a complaining people. How should this passage shape us as we think about our sin, and God's mercy?

Rom 5.16

Matt 1.23

John 14.6

1 Cor 1.25

Covenant of promise

1 Kings 19:1-18 NRSV

Exodus 16:22-36 The Gift of Sabbath Summary: Did you know that Sundays are a gift from God? Today we're going to hear how God gave the gift of a one day Sabbath (rest) to Israel in the wilderness. He taught them to trust Him by giving them a two day's supply of manna on the sixth day of the week, so they could rest on the seventh day. God still gives us a day of rest as well, our Lord's Day (Sundays!). Let's listen in and find out what it means for us: Outline: 1. Sabbath is a tool to teach us to rest and trust 2. Sabbath is a gift of God's grace 3. Sabbath is a sign of God's salvation Verse: Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Questions for Devotions and Family Worship: 1. Why did God give Israel the gift of a one day Sabbath every week? Why does he give it to us? Why did Jesus say

Isaiah 9:6a

Rom 5.11

Rom 5.8

Romans 5:1

1 Kings 8:1-13 NRSV