MARANATHA - SUNDAYS @ 6:00 - WORSHIP & BIBLE STUDY

Every Sunday @ 6:00 p.m. there is a "Home Bible Study & Fellowship". Prayer & Praise prepare our hearts to receive the Word of God. Then there is either a verse-by-verse study of a book of the Bible or an in-depth study of a topic critical to becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus. Lots of Q & A and discussion follow. Currently, April 10, we are in the Book of James chapter 5. Come prepared with your Bible and a notebook, an open heart and mind, and love for the Truth.

MARANATHA - WEDNESDAY NIGHT GATHERING - WORSHIP & BIBLE STUDY

You are invited to attend Maranatha @ 7:00 p.m. Every Wednesday @ our home in Greensburg. Currently we are in the middle of a 12 Week Series (March 2 - May 18) entitled "End Time Prophecy & the Book of Revelation". Bring Your Bible! Question & Answer Time Follows!

THE MEANING OF MARANATHA

Maranatha comes to us from the language of Jesus, Aramaic. It is a two-word Aramaic formula that was transliterated into Greek as Maranatha and which was not translated into English. You can find Maranatha used by St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians 16:22. The word can have a double meaning depending on how the greek word Maranatha is parsed. If we read it as Maran - atha it means "Our Lord has come" and is thus used as a creedal statement, a statement of faith as is written in 1 Corinthians 12:3 and Romans 10:9 - Jesus is Lord. If we read it as Marana - tha it reads as a command, "Lord, Come". Or as it is written in Revelation 22:20 in response to Jesus promise to come quickly, "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus". From this understanding we see that the word was meant to have a double meaning; "The Lord has come" and "Come, Lord Jesus" or "The Lord is Coming again". 

In the early church "Maranatha" was a watchword used as a greeting to remind one another that the Lord has come, and that the Lord is coming again. Simultaneously "Maranatha" is a greeting and a prayer. "Maranatha" is a word of encouragement and a bold declaration of triumphant faith and eternal hope - Jesus is coming!

In the early days of Christianity believers lived under adverse conditions of persecution, even martyrdom. The believers faith was energized by the hope of the coming again of Jesus. They were reminded that the Lord Jesus would be returning from heaven to establish His kingdom forever. From this Gospel truth the believers drew great comfort.

Today, we live on the brink of the revealing of the Antichrist, the son of perdition, that Wicked one whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, whose use of super deceptions will bring a great delusion upon the earth that even the Elect could believe the lie and fall away. Already many antichrists roam the globe spawning philosophies and religions contrary to the Truth of Jesus the Messiah and Savior of the world. In the face of these ominous end time realities we take heart in the knowledge of Jesus's promises to come again to judge the living and the dead and to create a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness and peace forever. Shout Maranatha!  

Let us reclaim this mighty greeting and prayer proclamation - MARANATHA - May all the believers of Greensburg and the surrounding countryside have this powerful word upon their lips. MARANATHA! MARANATHA! MARANATHA!

INTERCESSION FOR THE WORLD (ALL PRAY)

In peace let us pray to the Lord. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For the peace of the whole world, and the salvation of all mankind. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the children of the world, gather them all to your heart, and make known your love to them. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the fatherless, single parents, widows, and all the forgotten, grant them life, peace, mercy, grace, salvation, and visitation. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For the sick and the suffering, and all those oppressed with despair, grant peace and healing. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the Christians suffering persecution throughout the world, grant them peace and deliverance, visit them with your divine presence, and inspire love in them for their enemies. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all those taken captive against their will, save them, have mercy upon them, and deliver them. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the refugees of war, grant comfort, provision, and safe passage. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all those in prison, help them to be like the thief on the cross, and remember them when you come into your kingdom. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the people trapped in the darkness of false religions, illumine their hearts with the true lights of creation, conscience, and Christ. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all kings and presidents, and all civil authorities, turn their hearts as you turn the watercourses according to your will. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For favorable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, fresh air, pure water, healthy food, and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all of creation that now groans in expectation of the manifestation of the children of God: watch over every aspect of your created order: every herb bearing seed, all the green herbs, every tree bearing fruit, the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, all the land animals, and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the people living in Greensburg and the surrounding countryside, pour out the rain of your Holy Spirit upon each one, and may they be convinced of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, and may Christ Jesus dwell in their hearts by faith. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For our families and friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ here present, knit our hearts together in the love of Christ, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For divine appointments to preach your gospel, and divine opportunities to show your love, and for boldness to speak your word. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the faithful disciples of Jesus throughout the world, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with them all. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For the well-being and protection of all the holy churches of God throughout the world.> Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

For all the true Shepherds of your Holy Church, fill them with your Holy Spirit, and help them to rightly divide the word of Thy truth. > Lord, make known your Steadfast Love.

FIRST CENTURY WORSHIP / LAST CENTURY LIVING

The Wind of the Spirit was blowing through the land  where it willed, and people were being swept into the Kingdom of God. The days of the primitive Church were marked by the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ. The Name of Jesus was lifted on high, He was proclaimed as Lord. The Word of God increased as boldness filled the disciples to speak the Truth as they raced throughout the land. The Holy Spirit was upon the people of God, leading them, anointing them, working miracles through their prayers. The disciples had all things common, and considered nothing as their own. They were people of "the Way" (Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22)

Skip ahead 2000 years and we cry Maranatha - O Lord Come. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!!! We find ourselves living in the midst of a perverse and demonic  generation, perilous times have descended upon us, the beast and the spirit of antichrist looms large. Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth when He returns. We humbly say yes, by God's grace...Maranatha is a Gathering of people who share this vision of "First Century Worship & Last Century Living".

MARANATHA FAITH

I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten, not made, of one essence with Father, by whom all things were made, who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man, and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried, and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father, and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have be no end; And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets; and I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge One baptism for the remission of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

MARANATHA SPIRITUAL LIFE

The heart of "The Spiritual Life" is the teaching of Jesus found in the "Sermon on the Mount". By doing the sayings of Jesus we build our house on the rock which will then be able to withstand the storms of life. Jesus outlines for us His commands: first the "blessed" commands of the kingdom of heaven: to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to be a peacemaker, to rejoice when persecuted, to be the salt of the earth, to be the light of the world; then He instructs us to keep the ten commandments with His deeper, spiritual understanding; Thirdly He commands us to keep the three basic spiritual practices of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting; then He commands us to serve God rather than money(mammon), "for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also", the eye of your heart is to be focused on God, we are to "take no thought" for the necessities of this life, but we are to seek first the kingdom of God. Then He commands us to "judge not" our brother, to guard holy things and spiritual pearls, and to ask, seek, and knock repeatedly for the "good things" of God. Jesus commands the golden rule be kept, and that you must enter the kingdom at the narrow gate and follow the narrow way of suffering and difficulty. Then you are commanded to "beware of false prophets", to discern who the ravening wolves are who come to mislead you. Just because these false teachers say "Lord, Lord" and claim to prophesy, cast out demons, and work wonders, does not mean they are true prophets. Do their lives(fruits) reflect genuine spirituality as taught by Jesus?

Jesus says, "Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock".

MARANATHA PRAYER

The Praying Church: Jesus said, "It is written(Isaiah 56:7), My house shall be called the house of prayer..."(Matthew 21:13). Following the teachings of Jesus on "the spiritual life/the heavenly kingdom life" in the "Sermon on the Mount" we endeavor to be a praying people, as a "gathered community", at home with our families, and moment-by-moment in our personal walk with God.

When We Gather for Worship or Bible Study: We are exhorted by the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 2:1-8) "...that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty...I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." We will pray together; for the world, for the Church, for our loved ones; "the great litany", "the fervent supplication", "the Psalms of praise" and other ancient prayers that fullfill the Apostle's directive to "pray" in this divinely inspired order.

"The Prayer Corner" in Your Home: "Evening, and morning, and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice"(Psalm 55:17). The early Christians believed that their homes should be a "little church". This can be done by dedicating a space in your home to prayer. It could be an entire room, or a corner of a room, or on a wall facing east. You can have a wall cross, a table for your bible, and candles. The presence of a "sacred space" in your home will call you to prayer.


"The Prayer Rule" Of The Believer: Every believer should have a "rule of prayer" which can be recalled by memory. This can be your "evening, morning, noon" prayer, as well as your prayer while on the run throughout the day. Having a "rule of prayer" will fix your heart on God as well as form Christ in you, and inform your extemporaneous intercessory prayers. Study more about this at the link below.

Mikes Bible Notes on the "Rule of Prayer"
www.mikesbiblenotes.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-rule-of-prayer.html