This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 5/1/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on The 7 Churches of Revelation. This week, the focus is on  Thyatira.

 On Thursday, 4/2/13, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice.

Our regular Sunday Morning Service will be on 5/5/13, at 10:00 A.M. Children's Church will also begin at 10:00 A.M.

Sunday Morning Series - Give God Something to Work With - Do I Have That?

Text:  Genesis 32 - 33

Before we get into the main part of the message, we need a little background. Isaac and Rebecca married when he was 40 years old. Twenty years later, Rebecca finally gets pregnant. The babies are wrestling within her, and she goes before the Lord. He shows her that there are two nations within her, and the older shall serve the younger.

When we struggles in life, we can  come out having built up our faith, patience, strength, and hope OR we can come out with a bad attitude. Isaac love Esau because he was a hunter and brought him meat. His love was based on his son's performance. Jacob, on the other hand, was loved by Rachel simply for himself.

At 40, Esau takes two wives from among the Hittites. These women cause Isaac and Rebecca a lot of grief. When he realizes his choices displease his parents, he takes a third wife from the Ishmaelites because they're related. He does so not based on a principle of what is right, but in hope of gaining favor. He's learned from his father that favorable actions produce favorable responses and vice versa.

When Isaac is tricked into giving Jacob the birthright, Esau pleads with him. However, Isaac says that everything was given to him. He ignored the word Rebecca got about the boys, and made no provision for Jacob. Esau is furious, and gets a bad attitude. His mother hears about his plans to kill Jacob once Isaac is dead, and sends Jacob to her family.

Years later, Jacob returns with his wives, children, and servants. Knowing his brother's attitude toward him makes him fearful. When messengers come and report that Esau is coming with 400 men, he's more than afraid. He's terrified. He divides the company up, putting the least favored family members up front and his beloved Rachel and Joseph in the rear.

When Esau approaches, Jacob sends many gifts. It's unnecessary, however, because Esau's attitude has changed. He's no longer holding a grudge, and reunites with his brother.

Our attitudes toward people (friends, foes, and others), places, situation, jobs, God, and life in general are not inborn, given to, or conferred upon us. We develop them with our thoughts, meditations, and the words we speak. Bad attitudes are easy to form and must be resisted to keep them from taking root.

To hear the entire message, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. Our telephone number is (215) 343-7686. We look forward to meeting you!

Miscellaneous Announcements

Book Recommendations

Brother Jolly recommended two books at last week's meeting:

1.  Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay

2.  Evangelism is...How to  Share Jesus with Passion and Compassion by David Earley

Susan J. Reinhardt's book, "The Moses Conspiracy," is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo books. Currently, it is only available in ebook format.

Bible Reading Plan

Last week, we launched the CHAPTER A DAY reading program that will take us through the New Testament in a year. It runs from Monday through Friday, so if you fall behind, you can catch up on the weekend.

A compact schedule was in your bulletin on Sunday. If you did not get one, see an usher. We hope you will not only read through the New Testament on your own, but also interact with others on the church  Facebook page and when you see each other. Share your thoughts on what you've read.

If you have any questions, see Keith.

Quotable Quotes

"Prayer is talking to God about your problem. Faith is talking to your problem about God" - Mark Batterson (via Facebook)

This Week At Zoe

On Wednesday, 4/24/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on the 7 Churches of Revelation.

 The Worship Team will meet for practice on Thursday, 4/25/13, at 7:00 P.M.

On Saturday, 4/27/13, at 10:00 A.M., the Ladies' Brunch will be held in the Children's Church Auditorium. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible. All welcome!

On Sunday, 4/28/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll meet for our regular Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church will also meet at the same time in the Children's Church Auditorium.

Sunday Morning Series - Give God Something to Work With - The Wrong Stuff!

Text:  Numbers 16:1-40

In the movie, The Matrix, things seemed real to the characters, but they were not. A lot of times, we think we're giving God something He can use, but we're not.

Korah was one of the sons of Levi. He was cousin to Aaron and Moses. Although he was well known and held an important position, he became dissatisfied with his role. He became rebellious toward Moses.

A rebellious person is in pursuit of what someone else has and feels they're more deserving of it. They challenge the authority of those above them. It's tough to talk logic to someone like  this. Korah felt God was on his side. Most people who are rebellious don't esteem what they're doing for God.

4 Reasons We Disobey God

1.  Ignorance - we don't know any better
2.  Disbelief
3.  Disobedience - I'm not going to do it or refrain from doing it.
4.  Rebellion - There's animosity between them and the one in authority.

When we're disobedient, God will correct us. Rebellion, on the other hand, will bring judgment on our heads.

Popular opinion means nothing to God. Obedience is what He values. When you give God obedience, you give Him something to work with.

To hear this message in its entirety, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download the message to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We also have Bible Study on Wednesday evening at 7:30 P.M. Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686.

Quotable Quotes

"What planting and watering is to a seed, obedience is to God's promises and instructons." - Doug Jones (via Facebook)

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 4/17/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue teaching on the 7 churches of Revelation.

 The Worship Team will meet for practice on Thursday, 4/18/13, at 7:00 P.M.

Calling all men! Come out on Saturday, 4/20/13, at 8:00 A.M., for the Men's Breakfast. We'll meet in the Children's Church Auditorium. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

On Sunday Morning, 4/21/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our regular Sunday service. Children's Church will also begin at 10:00 A.M.

Sunday Morning Series - Give God Something to Work With - Give Up to Move Up

Text:  Matthew 19:16-30

A man approaches Jesus and addresses Him as, "good teacher." The word "teacher" in the Greek is "agathos," meaning good in the sense benefit, beneficial. Jesus' response does not mean He's denying that He is good, just challenging the man to see if he knows what he is saying.

The man asks Jesus what good thing he must do. He's in a works mentality. How many times have people said to us, "I've never murdered anyone," etc. The thought of good outside of our own actions is a foreign concept to most.

The man wants to know how to inherit eternal life. He doesn't believe he has it yet. It's easier for our flesh to rely on something we do, instead of something already done.

To hear the entire message, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can also download the message to your MP3 player or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is 215-343-7686. We'd enjoy meeting you!

Quotable Quotes

"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts." - John Locke

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 4/10/13, at 6:30 P.M., the leadership will meet for Prayer. At 7:30 P.M., we will have ALL CHURCH prayer.

 On Thursday, 4/11/13, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice.

On Sunday, 4/14/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll have our regular Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church will also start at 10:00 A.M.

Immediately after the service, we'll have our Covered Dish Dinner. Please bring a main dish, as well as a side or dessert for your family and a little extra to share.

Sunday Morning Series - Give God Something to Work With - Improvements and Modifications

Text:  Mark 10:46-52

Blind Bartimeus sat along a well-traveled road, looking for alms from those passing by. When he heard a crowd, I'm sure his first thought must have been the opportunity to get more money. He'd heard of Jesus before. When he knew Jesus was coming, he saw a different kind of chance - a chance to be healed.

He cried out, and was severely rebuked by many to keep quiet. Yet, he ignored their warnings. He cried out, calling Jesus the son of David. Bartimeus was saying he recognized who Jesus was. Jesus stopped and asked that the man be brought to Him.

Now, Bartimeus had on an official beggar's garment. This told people he was the real deal and authorized to beg by the town. Think of it as a license. When Jesus called for him, he cast the garment aside. He was utterly convinced Jesus would heal him, and he'd no longer need it.

In Mark 2:1-12, we see the story of the paralytic being brought to Jesus. They planned to bring him in the house, but couldn't get inside. They changed their approach and tore up the man's roof. They were determined to get him to Jesus.

Faith involves having a plan. If the plan doesn't work, try something else. Don't keep doing what doesn't work. Do it God's way.

To hear the entire message, please go to our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. If you cannot make the Sunday Morning Service, we also have a Wednesday night Bible Study at 7:30 P.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA.

Quotable Quotes

"What you're silent about dies - what you're verbal about grows." - Doug Jones (via Facebook)

This Week at Zoe

On Wed., 4/3/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on The Seven Churches of Revelation.

 On Thursday, 4/4/13, at 7:00 P.M., the Worship Team will meet for practice.

On Sunday, 4/7/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our regular Worship Service and Children's  Church.

At 2:00 P.M., there will be a Memorial Service for Robert Hecht, Pastor Steve's father, who passed away on Thursday, 3/27/13.

Resurrection Sunday

Text:  Luke 24:1-24

Jesus taught that He would die and be raised from the dead on the third day. An empty cross fulfills a promise.

1) Sin's penalty is paid in full.
2) We are washed clean.

Since the cross is empty it means that:

1)  Jesus died.

2)  The Romans did not remove live people off of their cross. If the individual wasn't dying fast enough, they broke the legs. This prevented them from pushing upward to get air into their lungs.

3)  To verify the person was dead, they pierced the side with their sword. Depending on what came out, they knew if the person was dead.

The empty tomb means there is no hell for the believer.

The Empty grave clothes speaks of no feeble body. When Jesus arose, He left the clothing of this life behind and took on the clothes of the resurrected body.

To hear the entire message, please go to our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686.