Sunday, December 25, 2011

WHERE IS JESUS NOW? (The Real Story of CHRISTmas, part 4)

The popular image of Jesus and the Wise Men shows 3 devout kings kneeling with shepherds around the manger of an infant Jesus. According to the Bible, that image is wrong.

Discover the real story. Learn why the wise men and the evil King Herod where so obsessed with the question “Where is He?” Find out where Jesus actually was and how he got there. Then find out why it’s so important to ask yourself the question:
WHERE IS JESUS NOW?

Listen well.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Friday, December 23, 2011

THANK YOU

Thank you to the the members of Hall Memorial CME Church who signed up and showed up to minister at the Christmas Clothes Closet, December 19-23rd.  I am mindful of what it means to give up hours of your Christmas week.  You committed your time, and I noticed that every one of you gave more hours than you signed up for. 

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, (1 Thessalonians 1: 2, 3)

Thank you for carrying and folding, for sorting and labeling, and for setting up tables and racks (including the rack you had to fix after I knocked it over trying to unplug the Christmas tree in the dark).

You made each person who came in to the Christmas Clothes Closet feel like they were a v.i.p. customer entering an elite boutique.  You gave warmth to some who would have been cold that night.  You provided gifts for some who had none to give this Christmas. You took time for conversation and spoke comfort to folks who hadn’t heard much good in a while.   And, you gave at least one young man the first suit he’d ever owned in his life. 

God knows that you served joyfully and well. 
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6: 10)

Thank you, Rev. Perry, Jerome, Sis. Bibbins, Carol, Jerome, Cheylon, Sis. McReynolds, David, Gwen, Andre, Kathy, Minister Madlock, Inell, Stacy, Bro. Moore, Bro. Jackson, Shelia, and all kids and other adults who came by to quietly lend a hand without being seen.

I love being your pastor. 

Merry CHRISTmas,

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II

p.s. See you Sunday at 9 A.M.

Monday, December 19, 2011

WHAT WE DO at HMCME


Today, I heard Luke chapter 2 eloquently read by two African-American girls (Kaitlin & Alexis).

I watched 10 year old Alexis sit down at the piano and play  “Silent Night.” Then I listened to a 13 year old African-American male named Quinton play it on his trumpet. 

Moments later I watched a twenty-something year old sister named Cheylon perform a classical dance that moved her so deeply that she and several members of the audience, including me, were in tears by the end of the song. 

Shortly after that, a chorus of African-American males 13 years old and younger sang “Mary Did You Know.”

Leaving this place, I watched people hug and shake hands, pausing to share holiday plans and ask about each other’s family.  I saw people standing in front of a bulletin board, adding their names to a list of volunteers who’ll give out clothing to the needy in the week before Christmas.

This was no benefit concert nor holiday special.

This was just church at Hall Memorial.

You should join us.

Hall Memorial CME Church, 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, Alabama.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Real Story of CHRISTmas, part 3: LOOK WHAT GOD WILL DO

Take a walk through Luke 2: 21-40. Meet Simeon and Anna. Understand the realness of Joseph’s and Mary’s situation. See how God uses what looks like randomness and circumstance to deliver magnificent blessings to His people, and learn where you need to be to receive the blessing God wants to deliver to you.

But understand, you can’t get there with elves and reindeer.
Instead, LOOK WHAT GOD WILL DO when we understand The Real Story of CHRISTmas

Listen well.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BABY

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE BABY NAMED JESUS

We’ve all heard the story of Jesus’s birth and the shepherds who visit him many times, but have you been paying attention to the real story or to the bootlegged version. Why? Why does it even matter to get this story right? Maybe it has something to do with our traditions? Maybe it has something to do with our shopping plans? And, maybe there’s just something about the baby whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day?

To find out, pay attention.

No audio time, but the text of the latest sermon at Hall Memorial CME Church is available at the link below.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BABY NAMED JESUS.

http://media30.podbean.com/pb/c39c41813de9455c76d477f61209a4d3/4ee6ecf8/blogs30/46502/uploads/SomethingaboutthebabynamedJesus12_11_11.pdf  

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Sunday, November 27, 2011

4 DINNERS IN 1 MEAL (THE LUKE 14 DINNER)

The Thanksgiving meal prepared by my mother was enough to have been 4 dinners. Ironically, Jesus knows what that’s like—sort of. In Luke chapter 14, Jesus accepted the invitation to an after worship meal. Jesus didn’t bring a dish, but He did bring a lesson, actually a set of lessons. These lessons serve up 4 spiritual dinners, each with its on flavors of conviction, challenge, and hope.

Following this sermon, the members of Hall Memorial CME Church put the lesson into practice. The church kitchen crew prepared a meal, and the church “fixed” their plates, but we didn’t eat a thing. We carried plates to the Greyhound bus station, back corners, convenience stores, and hotels frequented by the cyclically homeless and transient. We gave them our food and left it to God to bless us.

At one location, we found and fed 12-15 families living semi-permanently in a Day’s Inn.

It was a blessing well worth 4 DINNERS IN 1 MEAL.

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Thursday, November 24, 2011

LUKE 14 DINNER

What: Luke 14 Dinner for the Needy

When: November 27, 2011, approx. 12:30 p.m. (after morning worship)

Where: Hall Memorial CME Church is at 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, 334.288.0577

HMCME is well-known for the delicious soul-food dinners we serve after special afternoon services. On Sunday, Nov. 27th, after morning worship service, we will pile food on our plates for a traditional Sunday meal – with a twist. Rather than enjoying the meal ourselves, ...we’ll get into our cars and go out along the East Boulevard and other areas around Montgomery, handing our plates to the homeless, transient, and hungry.

As Jesus said in Luke 14: 12- 14, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
This is one way we tell Jesus, "Thank you." Join us and share in the the best meal you'll never eat.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

A CHARGE TO KEEP

Worship can be so moving, so exciting, so empowering; but the rest of the week (sometimes the rest of the day) can be so spiritually unproductive. Sometimes you experience powerful praise and worship and nearly as soon as you leave church you experience spiritual defeat.
What happened? Why?

Pastor Anderson T. Graves opens the Word and answers these questions in a sermon delivered for the Homecoming & Church Anniversary Celebration at Southside CME Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Learn why it’s so important to KEEP THE CHARGE.

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Sunday, November 13, 2011

UNDER DIVINE CONSTRUCTION

This road is not easy.  Sometimes it’s so rough that you don’t see how it’ll ever get any better.  Sometimes it seems like you’ll never get any better.  Will it?  How can you know?

Through the opening passage of the book of Philippians and his own story of a wreck/ wrecked life, Pastor Anderson Graves II shares a Word that answers these questions.   Follow along and learn THE SIGNS THAT YOU’RE UNDER DIVINE CONSTRUCTION.

1) Fellowship in the gospel
2) Sharing in the chains of others
3) Defense and Confirmation of the Gospel. 
4) Grace of God
5) Love,
6) Knowledge,
7) Discernment.
8) Spiritual Priorities,
9) Integrity
10) Righteousness
Listen well.



Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves 

Friday, November 11, 2011

PROVERBS 21: 29 -- STRONG BROTHERS

Proverbs 21: 29 A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

Brothers are often raised to be “hard.” And there’s a good reason. The reason is that the world is In fact a cruel & vicious place, & if you’re not strong enough it will chew u up & spit you out in soggy, flavorless chunks. A man can’t afford to be blinded by emotion, but neither can he afford to be hard-hearted & therefore blind to his feelings & the feelings of others.

In practice/ in life, the emotionally blind (hard brothers) & the emotionally blinded (‘soft” brothers) are the same. They both react out of fear; they both live w/out a plan.

Hard/ hard-hearted brothers are afraid so they fight when there’s nothing to fight over. Soft/ emotionally weak brothers are afraid so they flee when there’s nothing to flee from.

Hard/ hard-hearted/ emotionally blind brothers refuse good advice & refuse to consider the consequences of their actions either on themselves or on others. They do without thought/ plan. Therefore they fail.

Soft/ weak/ emotionally blinded brothers are incapable of refusing advice. They do what everyone tells them, hopping from path to path & never charting a clear direction. Therefore they fail.

The wise & godly balance is neither hard nor soft; it’s STRONG.

A strong brother doesn’t react out of fear. A strong brother acts out of love & righteousness. A strong brother chooses his response based on how to do right by others (love) while always doing what is right (righteousness).

A strong brother listens to advice & correction, but makes the final decision his own. A strong brother understand his place in His plan & makes his personal plans according to His Divine will & Word.

A strong brother doesn’t move blindly along a random path. A strong brother consciously establishes his way.

Soft breaks. Hard shatters. Strong endures.

Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

LOVERS, SPOUSES, STALKERS, & SHAME

In a way everyone---saved or not, believers or not----everyone has a relationship with Jesus.  The big question though is:  What kind of relationship do you have with Jesus?  Beginning in the love poems of Song of Solomon and continuing into Jesus’ parable of 10 potential brides all pursuing the same groom---- hear what the Word has to say about the love of Christ.  Take a romantic view of His love.
Consider what the Spirit has to say about LOVERS, SPOUSES, STALKERS, & SHAME.

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves 

Sunday, October 30, 2011

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE



You can learn a lot from comic books. One thing you learn is that knowing your identity is key to putting your power to work. That’s also true in the real world of spiritual truth. Sometimes we live perpetually wounded and powerless lives not because we are wounded and powerless, but because we don’t realize that we are healed and powerful.

In this sermon you’ll learn the connection between the Christian walk and the life of Pastor Graves’s favorite superhero. Learn why you aren’t as victorious as you somehow think you’re supposed to be. Learn how you can to turn that all around if only you will
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves   

Monday, October 17, 2011

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOAT (the b-o-a-t, not the b-o-x)





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Anybody can think outside the box, but are you ready to think outside the “boat.”   Look anew at the calling of Jesus’ first disciples in Matthew 4 and the occasion of Jesus and Peter walking on water in Matthew 14 connect that with a real life example from ministry at our church. 

Find out what boat you’re in (cause you’re in one) and learn how to
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOAT (the b-o-a-t, not the b-o-x)

Listen well.


Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

WHO'S GOT WHOSE BACK?

There are just some things that you can’t handle alone even though you’re left alone to handle them.  In those times you wish we there was somebody who really had had your back.
Somebody does. 

Find out who that is in this message originally delivered for Youth Revival at Oak Grove M.B. Church in Monticello, MS. 

Find out WHO’S GOT WHOSE BACK.

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

MONTGOMERY AREA PRISON OUTREACH CONFERENCE

What? MONTGOMERY AREA PRISON OUTREACH CONFERENCE
When? October 15th, 9 A.M.- noon

Where? Hall Memorial CME Church,
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116

Who? Ministries, churches, non-profits, government agencies, law enforcement, and all groups & individuals who care about prison outreach.

Why? As we at Hall Memorial CME Church and our partners at Gateway Benevolence Ministries ministered to the men and women in the jails and prisons we found that their needs didn't end with the classes and Bible studies we brought to them behind bars. We found that when they were released even those who accepted the invitation to connect with our churches were often ill-prepared to live legitimate, productive lives. We also discovered how ill-prepared we were to meet their many needs.

As we searched for help, we found many, many others who are doing good work, potentially filling the gaps in each others’ resources.

The MONTGOMERY AREA PRISON OUTREACH CONFERENCE on Saturday, October 15, 2011 is about getting all of those people together and saying to each other, "This is what we need. This is what we have. Let's share."

How much? Free. But registration is required. Register online at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2KR7C2S3Q4L

If you have questions or want more information, email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com You can also join in the conversation by joining the facebook group Montgomery Area Prison Outreach

Sunday, October 9, 2011

FOR HIS NAMESAKE (NAME'S SAKE)

Here is the problem: People get saved and then, after they’re saved, they sin. And yet, God continues to show mercy to people who mess up even after they’ve received the great gift of salvation. What would He do that for?

For His Name’s Sake (Namesake)

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: 334-288-0577
Email: hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves 

Monday, October 3, 2011

TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN

From small deviations in our regular schedules to national tragedies and cataclysms, there is no shortage of events and incidents that can turn our world upside-down. But, is that always a bad thing?

In Acts chapter 17, an angry mob accuses the early Christians of coming into town and “turning the world upside-down.” Maybe, just maybe that’s what we’re supposed to do.

Maybe it’s time for us to be more like those early believers who TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.

Listen well.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: 334-288-0577
Email: hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Sunday, September 18, 2011

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR

When it comes to asking God for a blessing, we worry most about how to be sure we get the answer we seek.  Maybe we should be more concerned with what happens when we actually get the answer we’re after.  Every answer brings change and conditions.  It’s the new conditions that decide whether our answer from God turns out to be a blessing or a curse.

Take a look at King Saul’s downfall in 1 Samuel 15 and the Jesus’ parable about day laborers in Matthew 20.  See the connections and learn why it’s so important to

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR


Listen well.

 Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: 334-288-0577
Email: hallmemorialcme1@aol.com    
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

Sunday, September 11, 2011

DON'T WAIT FOR YOUR LAST CHANCE

The book of Exodus could be called the book of 2nd chances. Throughout the text nations, tribes, families, and individuals are given chances to correct their lives and align themselves with God’s will. Among these stories of 2nd chances is one we’ve overlooked--- The story of all the 2nd chances that God gave – to Pharaoh.

Take a new look at the 10 plagues and Pharaoh’s role in them. See yourself in his story. Hear the Lord say,
“Don’t Wait for Your Last Chance.”

Listen well.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: 334-288-0577
Email: hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

Sunday, September 4, 2011

DON'T WORRY. IT'S ALL PART OF THE PLAN


Trouble comes.  Frustration happens.  People oppose you when all you want to do is serve God.  What about when you put your heart into His service and other people don’t listen to you or receive the vision you know God has given you? 

The Word from the Lord is look back at Exodus.  Remember the revolution that God brought about through Moses. 

Listen and learn that You Don’t Have to Worry.  It’s All Part of the Plan!



Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

Saturday, September 3, 2011

MONTGOMERY AREA PRISON OUTREACH CONFERENCE

What? MONTGOMERY AREA PRISON OUTREACH CONFERENCE

When? October 15th, 9 A.M.- noon

Where?  Hall Memorial CME Church,
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116

Who? Ministries, churches, non-profits, government agencies, law enforcement, and all groups & individuals who care about prison outreach.

Why?  As we at Hall Memorial CME Church and our partners at Gateway Benevolence Ministries ministered to the men and women in the jails and prisons we found that their needs didn't end with the classes and Bible studies we brought to them behind bars. We found that when they were released even those who accepted the invitation to connect with our churches were often ill-prepared to live legitimate, productive lives. We also discovered how ill-prepared we were to meet their many needs.

 As we searched for help, we found many, many others who are doing good work, potentially filling the gaps in each others’ resources.

The MONTGOMERY AREA PRISON OUTREACH CONFERENCE on Saturday, October 15, 2011 is about getting all of those people together and saying to each other, "This is what we need. This is what we have. Let's share."

 How much?  Free.  But registration is required.  Register online at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2KR7C2S3Q4L


If you have questions or want more information, email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  You can also join in the conversation by joining the facebook group  Montgomery Area Prison Outreach

Sunday, August 21, 2011

GET READY FOR THE REVOLUTION (No, Not that Kind of Revolution)

We live in a time of changes that is-----well, revolutionary.  God is not surprised.  In fact, the story of Moses opens to us a Word from God that shows His hand in this season of change. 

Listen well and GET READY FOR THE REVOLUTION!
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: 334-288-0577
Email: hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

Saturday, August 20, 2011

BEFORE YOU PLAN, CHECK THE MASTER'S SCHEDULE

Delivered for the planning meeting of the Montgomery-Phenix City-Opelika District of the CME Church, this message presents a Biblical challenge to our usual way of planning.  Pastor Graves shared how the Holy Spirit convicted and deepened the way he views his calendar and offered instruction for how the church should look at its schedule.

Listen well and learn how to Adjust Your Plans to the Master’s Schedule.


Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church (541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116)
Phone: 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

Friday, August 19, 2011

DO YOU WANT YOUR LIFE BACK?

What's happened to your life? What's happened to your church? What does that which was promised "life and that more abundantly" feel so ----- dead inside? For those who ask themselves these questions, there is an answer and a solution.

Listen well to the Word delivered for the opening night of Revival 2011 at 1st CME Church, Montgomery, Alabama.


Rev. Anderson T. Graves II, pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church. 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Phone 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

Sunday, August 14, 2011

IF YOU GET THE BREAD, YOU CAN STOP ASKING FOR THE SIGN

In the book of Matthew, God spends 3 chapters (14-16) talking about bread.  Bread for 5,000 people, bread eaten with defiled hands, bread on the children’s table, bread for 4,000,  signs and leaven.
Clearly God was making a point. 

The point is  “If You Get the Bread, You Can Stop Asking for the Sign.”

Listen well.





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Rev. Anderson T. Graves II, pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church.
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com    
Phone 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves   

Monday, August 8, 2011

DON'T FORGET THE LAST LESSON

How soon we forget. Sometimes we find ourselves lost in a storm, sinking in sin---not because we don't know how to get out, but because we failed to remember or to apply the lessons that are the key to our deliverance. The disciples experienced this.

Listen well to their story. Learn the lessons---and remember.


Rev. Anderson T. Graves II, pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church.
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  
Phone 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Sunday, July 31, 2011

PARTICIPATE IN YOUR PROVISION

What do you do when you’re tired and running at less than 100%?What do you do when you have meet the needs of others while trying to deal with your own?

You become an active participant in God’s plan for your provision.

The miraculous feeding of 5,0000+ hungry people shows that to be a participant in God’s plan of provision you must follow these 6 steps:
1. Acknowledge- Say what you need
2. Assess-See what you already have
3. Allocate- Give God what you have
4. Accept- Receive whatever God gives you
5. Accomplish-Glorify God for His provision

You’ll understand, if you listen well.


Rev. Anderson T. Graves II, pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church.
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  
Phone 334-288-0577
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

TEACHER NOTES ON : Relationship Study Lesson 2, Part 1:

Bible Study:   RELATIONSHIPS

Lesson 2: Failure & Redemption in the First Marriage

Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II, pastor-teacher

Genesis chapters 1 & 2 present the ideal marriage.  Genesis chapter 3 gives a step-by-step narrative of how a good marriage can fall apart.  The purpose of this lesson is to understand what went wrong and how to deal with it. After all, at the end of all their problems, remember that Adam and Eve stayed married & gave birth to everybody.

Study Part 1

1.      Look at Genesis 3: 1, 4.  Note the qualifying words (indeed, surely) in the serpent’s questions and statements to Woman.  How do these qualifiers more effectively create doubt than a straightforward invitation to disobey God?
Genesis 3:  1     Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2     And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3     but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
4     Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5     For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

-          Satan didn’t technically call God a liar.  Had Satan said, “God’s lying” or “God is wrong” the woman likely would have gone off and the conversation would have been over.  Instead, he simply implied that there might be another, easier interpretation of God’s Words. 
-          “That’s not really what God was trying to say, was it?” 
-          “I know He said you’d ‘die,’ but do you really think He meant you’d ‘die-die,’ like literally ‘dead-die’?”

-          He planted seeds of doubt about something that had been absolutely certain the moment before. 
-          He made Eve think, “I know that what the Word of God said, but is that really what God meant?”
-          The doubt about the Word provided an opening for the suggestion/ temptation.  The doubt opened a window for Eve to rationalize her sin & justify it as a more liberal/enlightened interpretation of the Word of God.

-          Any interpretation of the Word that justifies sin is a mis-interpretation.    

-          Application: Doubt can be the death of a healthy marriage.  (Remember that at this point in history, Adam & Eve do in fact have a healthy marriage.) 
-          Eve falls for a trick satan continues to use today, especially (though not exclusively) on women:  Over-interpretation.
-          Generally, men communicate literally.  “I’m tired” means “I am tired.”  It doesn’t mean “I’m bored with you and want to find someone younger and more exciting.”
-          Over-interpretation can take a clear, simple, loving message and twist it 180 degrees.  God’s “Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge or you’ll die” was over-interpreted into “It would be a godly thing to eat from the tree of knowledge.”
-          In a marriage, over-interpretation can create resentment over statements that were never intended to offend.  It can cause a spouse to see signs of infidelity where there is nothing but faithfulness and genuine commitment. 

-          CAUTION: Over-interpretation can work both ways.
-          Statements and actions that are clearly wrong can be twisted to make them seem right. 
-          For example: If a man hits a woman it does not mean “He loves me so much he couldn’t control himself.”  It means “This is a man who hits you.”
-          We prevent over-interpretation by
o   1) developing godly discernment daily through Bible study & prayer
o   2) seeing the context of the relationship instead of obsessing over a single act, word, or emotion
o   3) understanding our issues (more on this with question #3) and our spouses

2.       Look at Genesis 3: 5,6.  What did Satan present as enticing about the tree of knowledge?                                Looking at Genesis 3: 6, what did Woman find appealing about the tree of knowledge?

Genesis 3:  5     For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6     So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.

-          For satan, who is a power obsessed ego maniac, the most enticing thing was power. 
o   Isaiah 14: 12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

-          *Because power was satan’s issue,  he approached Eve assuming she would be enticed by the same thing.

-          In fact, what tempted Eve wasn’t power.  Verse 6 shows that Eve was tempted byt beauty, taste/ pleasure, and wisdom---none of which are necessarily sinful.

-          This is the work of temptation at its most dangerous.  Take something/ someone with traits which are in themselves positive, but put thing/ person in conflict with God’s commands. 



-          Example: Nothing’s wrong with good conversation between friends.  It’s not a sin to enjoy the company of someone of the opposite sex other than your spouse.  He’s/She’s a good person (maybe even a Christian).   All of these are positive traits.  But, when time with that person begins to be an escape from your marriage/spouse or when thoughts arise to do the opposite of what God & your vows say you should do---that person, that time w/ them is no longer innocent.  It’s forbidden fruit.



-          *Quick note.  When someone first tempts you, they reveal their own issues. The 1st appeal will be based on what tempts them.  They’ll give you a reason for doing what they want.  When that doesn’t work, they won’t change what they want you to do, but they’ll come at you with a different reason why you should do it.

-          Once they understand better what makes you tick, they’ll tailor their temptations to your issues.

3.      Did the woman give in to the serpent’s temptation solely based on his words or was some of the temptation from within herself?    In other words, did the devil make her do it?  (Consider James 1: 13-15.)

James 1: 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

-          The Woman was tempted by satan, but she was not possessed by him.  The devil enticed her to do wrong & encouraged her to do wrong; but the devil didn’t make her do wrong.  Sin was Eve’s free choice.

-          Marriages never fail for just one reason.  In all the divorce situations I’ve dealt with as a pastor, friend, educator, & family member, I have never seen a situation in which it really was totally one person’s fault.  The other person was a participant or an enabler.

-          Point?  Neither spouse can put the responsibility for the marriage’s success or failure on the other person. 

-          Factors exist against marriage.  The attack Satan began in Eden continue today.  Statistics may be against you, but marriages don’t fail because of statistics or because of satan.  Marriages fail because husbands and wives fail their marriages.


-          Each individual in a marriage brings his/ her own desires, goals, ambitions into the family.  You don’t cease to be an individual when you get married.

-          These ambitions may not be sinful in themselves, but when the desire to see them achieved blinds you to your responsibilities to God and to your spouse, then the desires have become issues.

-          Eve was led away by her own desire for the physical beauty, physical pleasure, and promise of wisdom that she saw in the Tree of Knowledge.

-          Pretty things (shopping), physical pleasure (pampering), and knowledge/ information (gossip)became Eve’s issues. 

-          To protect your marriage, husband and wife must each consider themselves, their ambitions, issues, and emotional baggage.  When you understand yourself, you can anticipate the types of temptations to which you’re susceptible.  (Galatians 6:1-4)

-          You can anticipate the devil’s approach, recognize it when it comes (2 Corinthians 2: 11), and avoid “the fall.”

4.      Where was Adam when his wife ate from the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3: 6)?

5.      Woman ate the forbidden fruit first, then Adam after her.  Whose eyes “were opened” first?

6.      Compare Genesis 3: 7 to Genesis 2: 25.  What’s changed? 

7.      Considering the discussion in lesson 1 (question #19) about what it means for a husband and wife to be naked and unashamed, what are the implications of Genesis 3:7 for modern marriages?