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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation May 17, 2002

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In This Issue:
Sermon: John 20:30-31
Bible Study: Lamentations 3:1-66
Administratively Speaking
"Personal & Practical" order form

The Seven Signposts in John's Gospel
John 20:30-31

Signposts are very important to folks who journey across this great state. They serve the traveler in at least these four ways.

Signposts reveal where we are. Going west on Interstate 70 across the Missouri River,
a signpost tells us we're in St. Charles . . . then St. Peters . . . O'Fallon . . . etc.

Signposts show us the way to our destination. As Interstate 70 comes into Kingdom City,
a sign points south on Route 54 to Jefferson City.

Signposts tell us how far to our destination: "Lake of the Ozarks - 36."

Signposts list resources available: lodging, food, gas, rest area, etc.

"Truly Jesus did many other signs
in the presence of His disciples, which
are not written in this book; but these
are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that believing you may have life in His
name." John 20:30-31

John selects and erects seven signposts in his gospel to help readers to:
1. Believe the truth, and
2. Receive the life.
In fact, he reminds us that Jesus is the truth and the life in chapter 14, verse 6.

Turning water into wine (2:1-11)

This first sign reveals that Jesus, the Son of God, has the power to transform bland and ordinary water (as well as persons) into exciting and excellent wine. It says: "He creates!" John 1:3 states this reality. II Corinthians 5:17 speaks of believers being a "new creation."

Healing a nobleman's son (4:46-54)

This is the second sign John chose (v. 54). It teaches that the prerequisite to seeing signs and wonders is hearing and believing the word that Jesus speaks to us personally. It says "He speaks!" Repeatedly Jesus said, "He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 11:14. James 1:22 reminds us to be more than hearers . . . "Doers."

Dealing with the cripple at the Pool of Bethesda (5:1-15)

Only the first two signs of John actually were numbered. This third signpost says that Jesus knows each
individual's need, but in His sovereignty chooses where and when He will perform miracles. (He left many
unhealed people at the pool that day.) One key, however, is that He waits to hear what we want Him to
do for us . . . "He knows!" Although He knows our needs, He waits for our requests. "Ask and you shall
receive," Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:7. James states that "You do not have
because you do not ask," 4:2.

Feeding the five thousand (6:1-14)

Here is Jehovah-Jireh at work. But the underlying message implies that His followers are to give away
their meager resources to meet the needs of others. As we do, He multiplies those resources and provides
us with an abudant surplus. "He provides!" We receive by giving (Matthew 16:24-28) and "It is more blessed
to give than to receive," (Acts 20:35).

Walking on the sea (6:15-21)

This incident reveals that as we obey Jesus' orders, He observes our progress, stays nearby to help when
trouble arises, gets into the "boat" with us, and produces dramatic, sudden results in connection with His original
purpose and command. "He accompanies!" "I am with you always," Matthew 28:20; "I will never leave
you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5.

Giving sight to a man born blind (9:1-41)

This story shows that Jesus patiently and gently helps us through the gradual process of receiving spiritual
sight . . . from recognizing Him as "a man called Jesus" (11), to "a prophet" (17), to "a man from God" (33),
to "the Son of God" (35-38). "He enlightens!" The process of santification usually is a gradual one . . .
growing toward spiritual maturity (II Peter 3:18) into the likeness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-47)

This final signpost (not including Jesus' own resurrection) reveals that Jesus is the source of life . . . for an
individual and for a Christian ministry. Sometimes He allows "death" to occur so that He may be glorified when
He brings resurrection (11:4). He resurrects!" John writes of believers passing from death to life (I John 3:14),
and Paul writes "In Christ all shall be made alive," (I Corinthians 15:22).

Praise God for these seven large signposts pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ!
1. He Creates! 4. He Provides!
2. He Speaks! 5. He Accompanies!
3. He Knows! 6. He Enlightens!
7. He Resurrects!

Believe the truth . . . receive the life, (John 20:31).

Great Is Your Faithfulness!
(Lamentations 3:1-66)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter

1. Using the first person singular, Jeremiah identifies with Israel, describing
himself as sick and injured; as dead and buried; as a prisoner being
tortured; as a traveler making slow progress, being attacked by wild
animals and shot at with arrows; as an object of ridicule eating and
drinking bitter, contaminated food, vv. 1-24.
2. Jeremiah changes his writing style from poetry to prose and exhorts the
people on what they should do under the harsh discipline of the Lord,
vv. 25-39.
3. Jeremiah then identifies so closely with Israel that he speaks in the first
person plural: "we" and "us" rather than "I" or "you," vv. 40-47.
4. Jeremiah closes this third poem by returning to the use of the first person
singular, again "becoming" the suffering nation of Israel, vv. 48-66.

II. Meditation: on some key verses in this chapter

1. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His
compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is Your
faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I
hope in Him!'" vv. 22-24.
2. "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of
the Lord," vv. 25-26.
3. "Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let
us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven," vv. 40-41.
4. "You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, 'Do not fear!' O
Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my
life," vv. 57-58.

III. Revelation and Applications: as a Christian, I need to

1. Hope in the Lord's mercies, His compassions, His faithfulness, and His
promise to be my "portion" (my inheritance and providential supply),
Psalm 16:5-6; Philippians 4:19.
2. Wait patiently for the salvation (deliverance) of the Lord, Psalm 27:14.
3. Examine my ways; repent of my sins; lift my heart and hands to the Lord;
ask for His mercy and grace, Acts 20:21; I John 1:9.
4. Draw near to the Lord; hear His words of encouragement; receive His
redemption, James 4:8; Galatians 3:13; Revelation 5:9.

Administratively Speaking
by: Terry A. Coker

Committees!!!

Just the thought of another committee meeting makes most ministerial types cringe! Meeting with a group of people to secure permission or prompt a creative thought for futuristic thinking in most church circles generates snickers or deep sighs. Committees have been praised for very good work. Committees have also been scourged for failure to do an appropriate job. How can pastoral leaders work with committees whereby a highly motivational atmosphere stimulates everyone in the group to work to his/her very best?

First, evaluate the committee's charter. Is the committee still viable for the church? Too often, lack of motivation inside committees is stimulated by failure to understand their job description or they personally believe the committee no longer belongs in the overall scheme of the church. It is often wise to evaluate the charters to keep them fresh, or perform a nice burial led by the Committee on Committees.

Second, examine the personalities sitting on the committees. Are their spiritual gifts and expertise complimenting the work of the committee? Placing a body on a committee for the sake of filling a committee is a sham. Encourage your Committee on Committees or Nominating Committee to place people on committees whose call and life-orientation are a natural fit.

Finally, be bold in leading the committee. I know too many Pastors who believe they have no input in a committee's work. We may not be the chairman of committees, but most of us are ex-officio members of every committee in the church. The power of influence is great. Share your vision, negotiate, ask pertinent questions, and serve your committee members. Over time committees will work with pastoral leadership for the fulfillment of your vision, but be careful not to "lord it over them."

These are methods I choose in working with our church committees. In eight years, we have made very major decisions involving all aspects of church life. It has been a joy more than a burden. I hope it works for you!

"Personal & Practical" Bible Studies on Software

Dr. Curt Scarborough, out of his background and experience of almost a half-century of Christian ministry, has written a complete 5-volume set of Bible studies entitled "Personal & Practical" which will be available soon on CD. This new software package includes a chapter-by-chapter study on every book in the Old and New Testaments.
Personal & Practical - The 5 Books of Law
Preaching and teaching outlines and notes on
all 187 chapters of Genesis through Deuteronomy
Personal & Practical - The 12 Books of History
Preaching and teaching outlines and notes on
all 249 chapters of Joshua through Esther
Personal & Practical - The 5 Books of Poetry
Preaching and teaching outlines and notes on
all 243 chapters of Job through Song of Solomon
Personal & Practical - The 17 Books of Prophecy
Preaching and teaching outlines and notes on
all 250 chapters of Isaiah through Malachi
Personal & Practical - The 27 Books of The New Testament
Preaching and teaching outlines and notes on
all 260 chapters of Matthew through Revelation
"Personal & Practical" is a result of at least four hours of daily study and writing over a period of more than three years . . . a total of 5,000 plus hours of study and meditation. It is easily adaptable for private devotional use, aimed toward personal spiritual growth. Although it is designed to build discipline in personal study, it also provides practical, easy-to-understand Christian principles for teaching within a Bible class or prayer service.
"Personal & Practical" contains one full page of outline/study notes for each of the 1,189 chapters in the Bible. It is presented in a sentence outline format, with references, and is suitable for expository teaching. Intensely practical, each study in the series contains four main headings: concentration, meditation, revelation, and application.
The study, which allows for systematic through-the-Bible teaching, comes packaged on a single compact disk, designed for easy duplication of study notes to be distributed to Bible class or the congregation. It contains enough useable material for two expository sermons or Bible teaching sessions per week for more than 11 years!
The five "Personal & Practical" books serve as the main texts for the Spiritual Mentoring track of the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity founded by Dr. Scarborough in 1992. It introduces serious students of the Scriptures to his innovative MERE Bible study system, a new revelatory method which emphasizes meditating upon God's word and opening to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, I John 2:20, 27.
Special Introductory Pre-release Offer
$39.95 including postage, shipping and handling costs
Save $10 off the regular price of $49.95
Offer good through May 31, 2002
For a sample of "Personal & Practical" Bible study, visit our website at
www.freewayfoundation.org
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money will be refunded!
Mail check or money order to:
FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Drive
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Detach Here

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