First Baptist Church Temple: Recent Episodes
First Baptist Church Temple
- Our Hope is in Christ (15-19) Evidence of our commitment Prayer for our knowledge Significance of our calling
- Christ's Hope is in us (20-23) Power of Christ Position of Christ People of Christ
Acts 2:37 (NRSV)
Acts 2:38-40 (NRSV)
Now What? Repent & Be Baptized
Acts 2:41 (NRSV)
Acts 2:42
Now What? Teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer.
Acts 2:43-47
Now What? Model unity and generosity
What’s your Now What?
Action Steps: Repent and be Baptized Join the family Pray with someone. Eat with someone. Learn with someone. Fellowship with someone
Matthew 5:33-48
• A peacemaker is honest.
• A peacemaker does not try to get even.
• A peacemaker is generous.
• A peacemaker is compassionate.
Matthew 5:13-16
• The church’s relationship to the world
- Assimilation
- Isolation
- Transformation
• The church’s impact on the world
- Salt of the earth
- Light of the world
• The church’s resource for influence
- The nature of the church
- The work of the church
Matthew 5:4-8
• What is the goal of our society?
• What is the portrait of a Christ follower?
• What are the consequences of our choices?
Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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The Humiliation of Christ
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The Exaltation of Christ
Colossians 1:13-23 - Jesus has the authority to bring peace - He is the creator - He is the head of the church - He is the redeemer - Jesus has the power to bring peace - He has the power to rescue us from our sins - He has the power to transform us into His image
- Jesus is the logos in a world of chaos.
- Jesus is life in a world of death.
- Jesus is light in a world of darkness.
John 1:1-14 1. Our Message is the Cross 2. Our Calling is from God 3. Our Boasting is in the Lord
- 1 Kings 17:1-8
- Elijah confronts his culture by listening to God.
- 1 Kings 17:8-9
- Elijah surrenders his security by listening to God.
- 1 Kings 17:10-24
- God listens to Elijah.
- Elijah points to Jesus
- "It happened that i was so profoundly affected by the message of Jesus, so inexplicably transformed at the roots of faith and trust, that i felt myself in the grips of an undeniable impetus to give myself to God, whatever my ultimate career path. I never had cause to fret about the work to which God might call me; so steadfast are God's promises."
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Lamin Sanneh
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Jesus is still doing a new thing through his people.
Challenge: Listen to God's Word and Pray for God to act.
Evan Duncan's sermon on Luke 8:26-39
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We find ourselves in a scary story
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Evil has nothing on Christ
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Legion has lost his identity
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The townspeople choose security over miracles
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Fear causes them to send Jesus away
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This man was worth the trip
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Don’t listen to the legion of voices that discourage and attack.
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Listen to the voice of God
Challenge: “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”
Speaker: Evan Duncan
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” – Fredrick Buechner
1 Peter 2:4-10
Church is about Jesus
Church is WE, not I
We are a Chosen Priesthood
Our Priestly duties are: to proclaim the wondrous story of God
To participate in the wondrous story of God
How does you story fit into God’s story?
Challenge: Write our story
A Solid Foundation Matthew 16:13-19
Matthew 16:13-19
Characteristics of a strong and healthy church. Jesus must be the foundation.
Do you really know who Jesus is?
Peter’s declaration is the foundation of the church.
The Church Must be Victorious in Spiritual Warfare.
The Church must have the Right Keys for Locked Doors.
There are things we need to bind in our homes, marriages, and community.
There are things we need to loose.
Challenge: Let’s be The Church.
Try this quiz: 0 Never 1 Rarely 2 Sometimes 3 Often 4 Very Often
How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization? When you have a task that requires a lot of thought how often do you avoid or delay getting started? How often are you distracted by activities or noise around you? How often do you leave your seat in meetings in which you are expected to remain seated? How often do you feel restless or figidity? How often do you have difficulty awaiting your turn in situations when turn-taking is required?
If you scored 11 Harvard Medical School thinks you may have ADHD.
Luke 10:38-42
Are you a Mary or a Martha?
Martha opened her home, Mary opened her heart.
Martha was distracted by all the preparations.
Mary knew the importance of resting at Jesus’ feet.
God did not create us for work; he created us for a relationship.
Overworking can cause depression and anxiety.
Matthew 11:28- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
It is in moments of quiet devotion to God that we gain strength and character.
Challenge: Spend more time sitting at Jesus’ feet.
Luke 10:25-37 How can I inherit eternal life? The Law points us to our need for God. How can we justify ourselves before God? To whom should I be a neighbor? Jesus is the Great Samaritan. Challenge: Be a Good Samaritan to someone this week.
Reflection Questions: 1. How does a person inherit eternal life? 2. Why do we have a tendency to try to earn God’s favor? 3. Who do you consider to be your enemy? 4. How can we bless people who persecute us?
// Sermon from College Pastor Evan Duncan//
Christian love leads to reconciliation.
Philemon 1-7
Paul advocates within his relationships
Philemon 8-9
Philemon 10-11
Paul stands with his “child.”
Philemon 12-16
Paul wonders at God’s working
Paul stands in for his ‘child.’
Philemon 17-25
Paul relies on his community
Paul imitates Christ
“For Christ emptied himself of his rights and came to the Father with love and humility, so that the Father put away his wrath and rights, and receive us into favor for the sake of Christ, who so earnestly advocates our cause and heartily takes our part. For we are all his Onesimus’s if we believe.” – Martin Luther
"When people allow the cross to shape their own lives, the love of God is set free to change and heal in ways we cannot at that moment even imagine.” – N.T. Wright
Challenge: Christ sets us free to fight for the freedom of others. Who are you fighting for? Is there someone in your life who you can call “my child” and advocate for? Someone who you think of that fights for you? Find someone today. Become a mentor or find a mentor.
James 4:1-12 The progression of an idol; I desire – I demand – I judge – I punish Human conflict is rooted in spiritual adultery. “Every time a Christian sins, he is in that moment suffering from an identity crisis.” - J.I. Packer Christianity is not about making bad people good, it is about making dead people live. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis Repentance is simply when we agree with God about our sin, grieve it, decide to leave and then flee to Christ to cleanse. Sin in its essence is turning our back on God and giving our heart to our enemy. Repentance is turning our back on our enemies and giving our heart to God.” – Darrin Patrick Submission to God is revealed in submission to others.
Challenge: Draw close to God.
Reflection Questions: 1. How have you chosen to live by the world’s wisdom rather than God’s lately? 2. What does it look like to be a fiend with the world? 3. How can we balance living in the world but not following the ways of the world?
James 2:14-26New International Version (NIV)
Faith and Deeds 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 1:19-25 - Live by God's Word - It is possible to be charmed by God's Word but not changed by it. - All Christians are under the instruction of the Bible. - The law provides freedom. - Jeremiah 31:33, "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts." - Our freedom in Christ is directly tied to our obedience. - The blessing is related to doing, not listening to the Word. - Challenge: Live by God's Word. 1. Read it intently. 2. Write down what God says to you. 3. Ask questions.
- James 1:13-18
- God is not in the business of tempting His children.
- Sin enslaves us, consumes us, and then addicts us.
- There is a way back from sin.
- God is good all the time.
- Challenge: Avoid the dangerous intersection of desire and opportunity.
Reflection: What is the definition of temptation? How is it helpful to know God does not tempt us? What is the process of evil desire? What does it mean to be God’s first-fruits?
James 1:1-8 - Trials are added value to our lives. - We should be good stewards of our trials. - Perseverance is a requirement. - Ask and believe God for wisdom. - Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
- Challenge: Plan to be a good steward of your next trial.
- Samuel had a spiritual weakness. (Judges 16:15-16)
- Samson's spiritual weakness was exploited. (Judges 16:17-21)
- Samson made a spiritual comeback. (Judges 16:22)
- Celebrities Desire Recognition.
- Matthew 20:20-21
- Proud people think of themselves. The Bible says to look at the interests of others.
- Celebrities Desire Easy Access.
- Matthew 20:22-23
- Jesus asked, "Can you drink this cup?"
- Romans 6:1-3, "What shall we say then, shall we continue to sin that grace might increase? God forbid! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"
- Are we willing to drink the cup? Are we willing to follow even if it involves suffering?
- Servants Desire Ministry.
- Matthew 20:25-28
- To be great in God's Kingdom, you must be the servant of all.
- Challenge: Serve one time this month in a local ministry.
- John 20:11-18
- Jesus frees us from despair. -John 20:24-29
- Jesus does the impossible.
- John 21:15-19
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Jesus asks us to follow him. Challenge: Proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life today.
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What is your Jesus story?
- What do you need from Jesus today?
- Which Bible character from the sermon do you relate to most?
Luke 19:28-35
Zechariah 9:9-10
Luke 19:36-38
The King has a surprising entourage
Haters gonna hate
Can stones talk?
Genesis 4:10
Habakkuk 2:9-11
Luke 19:39-40
The earth itself won’t be quiet. How can we?
Romans 8:19-25
Challenge: Shout like stones Invite someone to church on Easter
- Deuteronomy 6:1-9
- What are our kids learning about God from us?
- Train up your child.
- Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
- Parents must practice the same truths they are teaching.
- Honor your parents.
- Ephesians 6:1-3
- The parent child relationship is sacred to God.
- We honor our parents when we grow up and obey God even when we don’t want to.
- Challenge: Immerse your children in learning about God.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- Marriage Myths
- We expect the same things.
- Everything Good Gets Better; Everything Bad Disappears.
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My Spouse Completes Me.
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Genesis 2:20-24
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Love is blind means we overlook the faults of those we love.
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Do not expect your spouse to be your savior.
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John 15:5
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Three sides of love.
- Passion: It’s a physical thing.
- Intimacy: It’s an Emotional Thing.
- Commitment: It’s a Matter of the Will.
- Commitment is what keeps your marriage together when passion and intimacy are going through hard times.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15: "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. "
-- Under each crisis is a breakdown in relationships.
-- Families spend 3-4 minutes a day together.
-- Jesus impacted the world by loving. -- John 13:34: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
-- The solution to pain filled relationships is love. -- Compelling Love always sacrifices.
-- 10 Intimacy Needs: acceptance, affection, appreciation, approval, attention, comfort, encouragement, respect, security, support.
Challenge – Love the real God that is where compelling love originates.
- Genesis 2:22-24: "Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
- Marriage involves a new pledge to a spouse in which all former family commitments become secondary.
- Husband and wife not only leave physically but also emotionally.
- You have to leave before you can unite with your spouse.
- The Marriage Covenant involves uniting.
- Leviticus 18:29-30: "Everyone who does any of these detestable things – such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God!"
- 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
- The Marriage Covenant is Public.
- It is a beautiful picture of Christ and the church.
- Challenge: For the next seven days tell your spouse a way he or she blesses you.
Acts 8:14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The gospel is designed to collide with all cultures.
The gospel is for all people.
The gospel produces powerful evidence.
Challenge: Go on a mission trip this year.
Jesus showed up for all people
Philip showed up to serve
Acts 8:26-31 NRSV 26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south[g] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.
The Ethiopian showed up seeking
Philip showed Christ
Acts 8:32-33 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
Acts 8:34 The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?
Acts 8:35 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:36-38 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Challenge: Show up this week.
Acts 4:36-5:11 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before I was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died, And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes”, she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
No perfect churches ever!
Hypocrisy – the false claim of having a moral character, principles, or beliefs.
Starts with seeking praise other people get.
We start pretending we are no longer sinners in need of grace.
You are not perfect yet. You are in process.
Don’t forget what the gospel says about us.
Weapon #1: Relationships that expose our weaknesses.
Weapon #2: Don’t have secrets.
Challenge: Walk in what Jesus already said about you.
Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-37 All the believers were one in heart and mind, NO one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
An Exciting Church is a learning church.
An Exciting church is a fellowshipping church.
An Exciting church is a praying church.
An Exciting church is an awesome church.
An Exciting church is a church where things happen.
An exciting church is a sharing church.
An exciting church is a worshipping church.
An Exciting church is a Happy church.
Challenge: Find one way you would enjoy generously serving in our church.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place, Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled he whole house where they were sitting, They saw what seemed to be tongues of firer that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Miracles won’t sustain the soul only Jesus can do that.
Acts 2:5-13 Now there were in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 9both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
God longs to give his Spirit to people.
Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
The tongues of fire unified the people and erased the curse of Babel.
Dec. 3, 2015 14 Dead in San Berdino California, Daily News: God Isn’t Fixing This.” The heart of the power of Pentecost in Acts is power for ministry.
Challenge: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the ministry he has for you.
Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Acknowledge that there are things that will make you afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7. “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and self- discipline.”
God calls us to do more than simply bear the load of adversity. He calls us to persevere (press forward) in the face of it.
Success requires vulnerability.
Praise shows dependence.
Trust God not His provisions.
Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.”
Psalm 42:11, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Challenge: Choose not to be downcast. Choose not to be disturbed. Choose to put your hope in God.
Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout, He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
The desire to be comforted is a universal human need.
Luke 2:36-38 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying, coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were liking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus provides what we need.
Become a Marveler.
Become a Mover.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
Become a Messenger.
Challenge: Find opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas.
Mathew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod; Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard his he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Gold Stands for purity. (Isaiah 1:18)
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Frankincense stands for worship. (John 4:23-24)
John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and truth.”
Myrrh stands for victory. (John 10:10)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Challenge: Don’t let the meaning of Christmas be a secret.
Charlie Brown and ___________ Jimmy Fallon and ______________ Taylor Swift and ______________ Laverne and ____________ Lucy and ______________ Amy Poehler and _______ David and _____________
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a Pure heart.
Great friendships challenge us.
Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Great friendships encourage us.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.”
Great friendships have consistency.
Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.”
Great friendships are cherished.
Proverbs 18:24, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”
Luke 22:7-16. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover. Where do you want us to prepare for it? They asked. He replied, as you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.
Mark 15:33-39. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried, out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (Which means “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down, he said. With
What did the tearing of the curtain mean?
We need the boldness to enter in.
Hebrews 4:14-16, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Challenge: Accept Jesus’ invitation to enter through the shredded curtain and boldly approach the throne of Grace.
Long-haul leadership is deep.
Nehemiah 9:1-3 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their god for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.
Long haul leadership is wide.
Maximum participation based on each person’s unique ability.
Nehemiah 7:1-2 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.
Long-haul leadership is high.
Challenge: Go above your normal giving; make a one-time gift and a three year pledge for All In.
Nehemiah 5:1-5 Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.” Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”
Refuse to Lose Your Unity.
The first stage in protecting unity is anger.
Nehemiah 5:7 I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” The kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.
Titus 3:10, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.”
Nehemiah 5:14-15 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year – twelve years – neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors – those preceding me – placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
Refuse to Abuse Your Position.
Nehemiah 5:16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.”
Refuse to Confuse Your Priorities
Leaders fight fragmentation by keeping a 3-D focus.
Challenge: Lead with integrity.
Leadership = Vision = Change = Opposition
Nehemiah 4:1-2 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble – burned as they are?”
When you follow God’s vision opposition is going to come.
Nehemiah returned to prayer. Nehemiah 4:4-5 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.
Nehemiah revised his plan.
When circumstances change the plan must change.
Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah recast the vision.
Nehemiah restarted the work.
Everyone can do something. Maximum participation based on each person’s unique ability.
Challenge: Thank God for allowing us to be a part of a big dream.
Worship begins with praise of God’s Greatness.
Nehemiah 9:5, “And the Levites – Jeshua, Kadmiel. Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah – said: ‘Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.’ ‘Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.’”
Is your view of God too small or too narrow?
Worship continues with recognition of God’s Goodness.
God’s goodness pervades his personality.
Worship relies on the Grace of God.
Nehemiah 9:31, 33 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.
We need a binding agreement with God.
Challenge: Public - How can you make your decision public? Tell a friend, tell your Life Group. Come for baptism. Go to the Connection Point.
The definition of discouragement, “To deprive of courage; dishearten.
What causes discouragement? Fatigue Frustration Failure Fear
Nehemiah 4:19-21 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.
What cures discouragement? Rest Your Body. Reorganize your life. Remember God will help you. Resist the discouragement.
Challenge: Write out the things that discourage you and claim God’s courage over them.
Nehemiah 1:2-5 2. Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
God specializes in using ordinary people
Nehemiah1:2
Nehemiah prayed and fasted and God gave him a Godsized vision.
Are you impacting your world?
The first lens is to see what is.
The second lens is to see what should be.
The third is the lens of the difference-maker
Nehemiah 1:5
The final lens is the greatness of our God.
Challenge: Ask God what He wants you to do next to change your world.
Matthew 17:14-21 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. Lord, have mercy on my sin, he said. He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him. You unbelieving and perverse generation Jesus replied, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me. Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, why couldn’t we drive it out? He replied, because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
The best way to grow in faith is to walk with the faithful.
I John 4:4, “You, dear children are from God, and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
We cannot expect to experience great acts of faith without devotion to God.
Faith must be cultivated so that it grows and does even greater things for God.
James 1:2 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge.”
God is looking for people who will believe him and take him at his Word no matter what the circumstances or what other people say.
The muscle principle. -If you want to be stronger you don’t need more muscles you need to develop the ones you have.
Challenge: Cultivate your faith by joining a Life Group.
Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with tow they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me!
Communion with God results in recognition of our need for
Communion results in a revelation of God.
Communion causes us to recognize our unworthiness. Communion leads us to experience God’s forgiveness.
Communion results in a commitment to the Lord.
Challenge: Commit to regularly commune with God both personally and corporately.
Matthew 24:36-44 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand THIS: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would into have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
The second coming of Christ will occur.
The second coming of Christ will be in judgment.
When is the second coming going to happen?
It will be a day just like today.
How do we prepare for the second coming?
Challenge: Each day ask yourself “Am I ready for Jesus to return today?”
Matthew 22:1-14 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Kingdom of God is characterized by obedience to the will of God.
The King is not afraid to follow-up
The invitation extends to everyone
Jesus won’t let us get too comfortable with the invitation on our fridge
The King has provided the clothes
Matthew 25:42-45 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.
Kingdom citizen’s lives are marked by righteousness.
The invitation is not the party
Challenge: Inspect your wedding outfit.
Matthew 7:1-5 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of you own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Slide 2 Jesus did not say don’t judge.
Motivation and measure are keys in judging.
Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Discernment vs. Criticism
Remove your spec of self-righteousness.
Challenge: Judge correctly.
Matthew 6:24-34 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable can they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the filed grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Our worry reveals our devotion.
We can’t be devoted to God and our stuff.
Jesus told us not to worry about our lives.
We can have uncertainty and still not worry.
Can worry today bring certainty to tomorrow?
Why not trust in the one who does control tomorrow?
Worry is a faith problem.
The solution to worry is to re-direct our devotion.
Challenge: Devote yourself to the right thing.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Do I forgive someone who does not ask forgiveness?
Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Is God’s forgiveness of me conditioned on my forgiveness of others?
What happens if I do not forgive?
What does it look like to forgive someone?
“The first and often only person to be healed by forgiveness is the person who does the forgiveness… When we genuinely forgive, we set a prisoner free and then discover that the prisoner we set free was us.” -Lewis Smedes
Challenge: Ask God if you need to forgive someone and how you should forgive them.
Matthew 13:3-9 Then he told them many things in parables saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But then the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Some seed gets snatched.
What distractions are snatching the seed from your life?
Some seed gets scorched.
In what is your life rooted?
Some seed gets strangled.
Change your mind and change your life.
Matthew 13: 24-28 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from? An enemy did this,’ he replied.
Some seed gets sabotaged.
The enemy can’t take your destiny but he can cause you not to recognize it.
Challenge: Test your soil.
I. Faith and love are inseparable.
A. Believing that Jesus God’s Son has come in the flesh is a requirement. 1. Faith is a sign of being born of God. 2. Being born leads to right behavior. 3. Being born of God prevents us from habitually sinning. 4. Being born of God causes us to love others. 5. Faith is not only a sign but a condition of the new birth.
B. A person who loves and respects a father will also love and respect his child. 1. A believer must love the Father and the other children. 2. A sign we love God is our love for other Christ followers. 3. The antichrists were acting hatefully toward Christians; the Ephesians needed the contrast of love with hate.
C. A sign of maturing love is our personal attitude toward the Bible. 1. Not simply obedience to the Word of God but joyful obedience. 2. He does not want us to obey out of fear or necessity but out of love. 3. The secret to joyful obedience: a. Recognize that obedience is a family matter. b. A woman wanted to post some of her poems on her friend’s blog. He asked what the poems were about, love she said. Well, read me one, the world could certainly use a lot more love. The poem she read was filled with moons and Junes and other sappy sentiments, and it was more than the blogger could take. I’m sorry he said, but you just don’t know what love is about! It’s not moonlight and roses. It’s sitting up all night at a sickbed, or working extra hours so the kids can have new shoes. The world doesn’t need your brand of poetical love. It needs some good old fashioned practical love. c. Every Bible should be bound in shoe leather. - D.L. Moody d. We show our love to God, not by empty words but by willing works. 4. One of the tests of maturing love is our attitude towards the Bible, because in it we find God’s will for our lives revealed. 5. A Christ follower who experiences God’s perfecting love finds himself or herself enjoying the Word of God and truly loving it. The Bible is not a text book but a love letter.
D. God’s commands are not burdensome. 1. God’s laws are not oppressive or crushing. 2. God gives Christ followers the grace to live up to his high moral standards. 3. He gives commands that reveal to us the heart of God and direct our hearts to God.
E. The reason why God’s commands are not burdensome is that obedience to them enables believers to overcome the world. 1. Our faith is embraced in the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 2. The Greek goddess of victory was Nike, also the name of a United States aerial missile. 3. The Greek word Nike means victory. 4. Living in the real world it is not easy to obey God. It is much easier to drift with the world, disobey him, and do your own thing. 5. But the believer, born of God, has the divine nature within him or her. It is impossible for this divine nature to disobey God. 6. Our victory is a result of faith. 7. The more you love someone the easier it is to trust that person. 8. We grow in faith as we grow in love. 9. Faith and love mature together. 10. Believers do not have to walk around defeated, because Jesus Christ has made us victors. Now, by faith, claim his victory.
II. Jesus is God. (5:6-12)
A.Faith is based on the revelation and reality that Jesus is the Christ. 1. First witness – the water. Jesus baptism with the voice of God and the dove. 2. Second witness – the blood. The supernatural darkness, the earthquake, the torn veil and even the testimony of the Centurion, “Truly this was the Son of God” all give evidence to the truth. 3. Third witness – the Spirit. The Spirit was given to bear witness to Christ. The Holy Spirit was present at the baptism and at the crucifixion. His witness is our inner confidence that we belong to Christ – a confidence God gives us.
B. His baptism, his death, and the Holy Spirit all testify that Jesus is fully human and fully divine. 1. The law required two or three witnesses for a matter to be settled. 2. You may say, I wish I could have faith. Everyone lives by faith. All day long people trust one another. We trust the doctor, the pharmacist, the cook at the restaurant, even the person driving in the other lane. 3. If we can trust people, why can’t we trust God? 4. To not trust God makes him a liar! 5. Jesus is God: this is the first Christian certainty, and it is foundational to everything else.
C. Closing Argument: Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Challenge: Have faith in the Son of God today and receive eternal life!
I. Spiritual activity is not necessarily Godly activity. (There is a spiritual world.)
A. Stop believing every spirit!
B. Test the spirits!
C. What should one test for?
- Test prophets by what they think about Jesus.
- The test is not only comprehensive, it is confessional.
II. Test for consistency! (1 John 4:4-6)
A. God’s people know his voice.
B. God’s people have overcome the false prophets.
C. God’s people are possessed by the Holy Spirit . D. Don’t be surprised by false prophets.
E. Trust your hearing.
Challenge: Test whatever you hear about Jesus against the Bible.
John 3:11-15 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s ere righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murder, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
Cain is the illustration of the absence of love.
“Godlessness is disturbed by the condemning presence of righteousness in its midst, and it would remove the cause of its discomfort if it could.”-Burdick
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Challenge: Perform a random act of kindness for a stranger this week.
1 John 2:28-29 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
Do the right thing because Jesus is coming back.
Our transformation empowers us to live a life not plagued by sin.
Mark 8:38, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
1 John 3:1-3 See what great love the Father has lavished in us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God. And what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Do the right thing because of God’s unimaginable love.
2 Cor. 3:18, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-in-creasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Believers should make it a habit of life to pursue purity and holiness until Jesus returns.
Challenge: Ask God to break any habit of sin in your life.
If what you believed about Jesus was not true would you want to know it?
I. Know where you are headed. (1 John 2:18-19) A. The last hour; viewed theologically, denotes a period of time whether long or short, that will usher in the termination of all time and the revealing of the final salvation promised by God. B. Our world is headed to an end. 1. For most people born after 1960, there is little confidence the world can improve. There is a cloud of pessimism. 2. Neill Howe and Bill Strauss, “Thirteenth Generation: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail” Generation X quote, “I think we are all in a sense doomed. (I’m talking about) downward social mobility. We hear a lot about the great social mobility in America – with the focus on the comparative ease of moving upwards. What’s less discussed is how easy it is to go down. And I think that’s the direction we’re all heading in. And I think the downward fall is going to be very fast . . .” 3. Jesus will return to rescue his people. This is our message of hope. a. John gives hope through his Christian explanation of things. b. Disintegration of the world is to be expected, God is watching history unfold. c. John has a strategy for equipping his people so that they will not fall prey again to false teachings. d. These antichrists were trying to lead his people into a world that is passing away and into the darkness. These antichrists are against Christ. e. Christians must be equipped to discern new voices that claim to be from God. 4. John points out that the rise of these antichrists should cause believers to be encouraged because it is as sign that we are in the last days. Christ’s return is imminent. It indicates that we are living in a period of time when the kingdom of God has been inaugurated and awaits its completion. C. Men and women who were a part of the community left. 1. Were these people ever Christians? Did they lose their salvation? 2. Their departure was evidence they were never a part of the church. 3. They failed to remain in community when disagreements were intense. 4. They disagreed over the doctrine of the Incarnation of Jesus and John states they have the spirit of the antichrist. 5. A test of a true believer, obedience, love, and now perseverance. Perseverance is an essential sign of salvation. 6. Having your name on the church roll does not necessarily mean it is in the Book of Life.
II. Know how to protect yourself. (1 John 2:20-21) A. A Christ follower’s anointing includes both the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 1. Christ means the anointed One. Christians are anointed ones. 2. These antichrists claimed to have an equal or superior anointing. 3. John reminds Christians that we have an anointing from the anointed One. The one they try to discredit. 4. 1 Cor. 12:13 Paul calls the baptism, John refers to as the anointing. In the Old Testament anointing came to signify that the Spirit of God had come to dwell within an individual so that he or she could rule or prophesy for God. Peter said of Jesus in the New Testament, that God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit, most likely at his baptism. Here there is not connection with a baptism or a pouring of oil. The term indicates a receiving of a doctrinal spiritual truth. The Holy Spirit serves also as a teacher and a guide in the matters of truth. B. Our protection comes from the Holy Spirit. 1. John states that all believers know the truth. (A spiritual tutor.) 2. All who believe have a real, intimate knowledge of God that does not need to be taught? It is supplied by the Holy Spirit. 3. We do not need to be worried about being seduced by those who claim to have superior knowledge about God because we have real understanding from the Holy One through his Spirit. 4. Our theology must include an understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit or we will be vulnerable to spiritual sabotage. 5. A by-product from having the Spirit is knowing the truth. No teaching form the Spirit will ever diverge from what has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
III. Know the truth about Jesus (1 John 2:22-23) A. The liars are those who left the church and taught a false understanding of the person of Jesus. 1. These false teachers denied that Jesus was the Christ. 2. They were in the church but when it came to confessing that Jesus was God, they left. 3. They left and tried to persuade those who remained in the church. They affirmed and accepted Jesus as significant and important in some manner, but their theology was wholly inadequate in its grasp of his person and ultimately his work. B. A liar (antichrist) denies that God became human. 1. John states that to deny Jesus as the Christ is to deny the Fatherhood of God. 2. This denial indicated that they never knew God. 3. John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” 4. 1 John 4:2-3, “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” C. The Incarnation means that God has genuinely penetrated our world and made himself known. Truth is not a matter of experience but a matter of history. Our vision of God is anchored in what has happened objectively, not in our perception of who he may be. Incarnation makes revelation possible because God has signaled once again his love for this world and his desire to who himself to it. Jesus is the human display of the Father. D. The union of God and flesh makes Christ’s sacrificial death powerful.
IV. Know how to apply spiritual safeguards. (1 John 2:24-27) A. How are we to protect ourselves from the antichrists? B. John suggests two weapons that should always be available and ready in the Christian’s arsenal. (A spiritual conceal and carry if you will.) 1. Know the historical facts about our faith. a. Make sure what you have learned from the beginning remains in you. b. Know the message of the apostles; know the teachings of Jesus. c. The message and the Spirit work together as long as we stay in communion with the Father and the Son. d. Our relationship with God is vital, intimate, and constant. 2. Develop our skills of spiritual discernment. a. When false teachers try to lead us astray we need to be able to confront them spiritually and intellectually. b. It is the Spirit that drives our thinking and gives us discernment. The Spirit also awakens our spiritual faculties, gives us wisdom, discernment, and knowledge. c. There are true and false anointing, true and false experiences. An anointing that leads to error, that misrepresents Christ – an anointing that detracts from what was from the beginning – may be no anointing at all. It may be a lie. John does not allow anyone to say the Spirit inspires rival theological points of view. Only one inspiration comes from the Spirit of God – the anointing that affirms the church’s historic beliefs in Jesus Christ.
Challenge: Take your 4X Four list to the next level.
1 John 2:3-8: We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must lie as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing you as a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
A person who claims to know God but is consistently disobedient is a liar.
Personal righteousness and obedience are an essential component of our faith but they do not form the basis of our salvation.
A desire to obey God is evidence we know him.
The transformed life of a believer provides infallible evidence of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
Christians do not have a license to hate even if they are in the right.
Challenge: Read 4 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew a day for 7 days. Then imitate Jesus.
I. John’s message A. John received his teaching directly from the historical Jesus. (Historic Revelation) B. Our theology must be anchored objectively or else it will be shaped by any whim or inspiration that comes along.
II. God contains no darkness. A. John is addressing Right thinking about God (light) and right living in community. B. God is light. 1. Old Testament refers to God as fire – Moses, Israel in wilderness, Tabernacle with Golden lamp stand, and Psalm 104:2 – God wraps himself in light as with a garment. 2. Light is a picture of truth, knowledge, and righteousness. Darkness is a picture of falsehood, ignorance, and sin.
III. Fellowship vs. Relationship (v. 6-7) A. What leads a Christian to walk in darkness? 1. Walk – live, abide, direction, effort, acknowledge. (Moral conduct) 2. Light = truth; Darkness = deception. B. John’s readers were living a double life. 1. Individuals in John’s church were claiming that they had an intimate walk with God and that their lives were unstained by sin and they had done no wrong. 2. They believed God was detached from the material world and that his holiness and purity set him apart from our common existence. 3. If we can remove God from our world, then what we do that is not spiritual is not important. Earthly things and heavenly things exist in different spheres. (False Belief)
Crime scene investigation is the meeting point of science, logic and law. "Processing a crime scene" is a long, tedious process that involves purposeful documentation of the conditions at the scene and the collection of any physical evidence that could possibly illuminate what happened and point to who did it. There is no typical crime scene, there is no typical body of evidence and there is no typical investigative approach.
The CSI unit documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence.
As we begin this series in 1 John it is clear that John focused on two things. One is the reality of the incarnation of Jesus and second is the importance it has for salvation.
Read 1 John 1:1-4; John 1:1-4
I. Analyze the physical evidence.
A. John was confronting the Gnostics denial of Jesus’ deity and humanity.
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One school of thought “Docetic Gnostics” denied his humanity.
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The other “Cerinthian Gnostics” distinguished between the man Jesus born of Mary and Joseph, and the aeon Christ that came on him at his baptism and left at the cross.
B. The word Gnostic comes from Greek gnosis which means to know.
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The claim a superior, private knowledge over and above that of the Bible.
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They believed that all matter is evil.
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This is why John emphasized that they had personal experiential knowledge of Jesus through the senses.
C. Popular contemporary thoughts about Jesus.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses – Jesus is Michael the Arch Angel who became a man.
2 Timothy 1:5-7 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
Use your gifts to bless the one who has given them to you.
You have nothing to fear.
“There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything.” - Mahatma Gandhi
2 Timothy 2:19-22 “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
You have a responsibility to grow up in your faith.
Choose the right type of friends. You will become like the people with whom you interact.
Challenge: Don’t whittle, carve your life into something significant.
Ephesians 1:4, “He chose us in Him, before the foundations of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Acts 9:1-6, "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Ashe neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
God calls us to a relationship.
Being must precede doing.
God’s Call Requires Obedience.
John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit, and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.”
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4, “We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”
Challenge: Make sure being a Christ follower precedes doing the work of the ministry.
Affirm the Center before Exploring the Edges.
Balance Theory with Practice.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (For Jews do0 not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is dep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
Homosexuality is not the unpardonable sin but it is sin.
Leviticus 18:22 “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
Romans 1:24-27 Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. IN the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
Can a person be born gay?
Are homosexual desires God-given?
Should same-sex marriage be legal?
How should Christians respond to these issues?
John 4:39; 41, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” And because of his words many more became believers.
Titus 2:3-5 - Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
A Mother of Influence Loves Her Husband.
Ephesians. 5:33 - Each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
A Mother of Influence Loves Her Children.
Exodus 20:12 – Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long.
Prov. 1:8 – Listen my son to your father’s instructions and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
10:1 – A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
23:22 – Listen to our father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
A Mother of Influence Loves the Home.
Children need Godly moms or they will become isolated, unstable, high risk children.
5 suggestions on how to think more critically about being a mother of influence.
- Get away and take time for yourself alone.
- Give your children to God.
- Ask yourself why am I doing what I’m doing?
- What am I communicating to my children with my life?
- Am I willing to take risks to be a mother of influence?
Tell your mom or a woman in your life how she has positively influenced your life.
Question: Why is there so much suffering in this world if God is good and in control? 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
We don’t see fully
Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
God is not the author of evil
We are free
Romans 5:3-4 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
God is in the business of setting things right
Philippians 2:5-11 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. God suffered too.
Challenge: Demonstrate the love of Christ to those you meet this week.
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be equipped for every good work."
Objection 1 - The Gospels are filled with contradictions.
Answer: The Gospels are written by four different authors from four different perspectives but they still harmonize.
Objection 2 - The Gospels were written too far after the events actually happened to be considered reliable?
1 Corinthians 15:3-9 - "For what I received I passed on to you as of first important: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of who are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
Answer: Jesus’ activities and teachings were written down within the life-times of those who knew him.
Objection 3 - The Bible has been copied and translated so many times has it been corrupted?
Answer: All reputable versions begin with the oldest and best Greek and Hebrew manuscripts and are translated directly into contemporary language.
Objection 4 - Is it more likely the Bible contains some truth and some error?
Answer: If you believe in a God who created the universe is it hard to imagine he could implant a life in a young virgin or part the Red Sea?
Genesis 1:1-2 1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
God’s creation – ‘bara’
God is a God of peace and order
Genesis 1:26-28; 31 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
We matter
Challenge: Remember who Genesis says you are, and impact those around you.
John 4:24 -God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in the Spirit and truth. Slide 2 God is spiritual. Romans 8:15-16 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Evidence #1: The existence of the Universe.
Evidence #2: Our “just so” Universe
Psalm 19:-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Evidence #3: Our Morally Good Universe
Romans 2:15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Challenge: Be prepared to lovingly help people think of God in a new way.
Discussion Questions: 1. Why might someone think you should believe only in things you can see, her, or touch? What are some other things you believe in, in addition to love that you can’t see or experience directly through your senses?
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What are some things you can talk about from your own experience that show you – and might convince your friends – that God really exists?
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How does the fact that our universe had a beginning or the fact that it’s fine-tuned with such exacting precision provide evidence for God?
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Do you think there could be objective morality apart from God? From where would it draw its authority?
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How has the evidence for God presented in this sermon affected your faith? Can evidence strengthen one’s faith?
Luke 24:13-32
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Jesus leads us on a journey of discovery. As we discover who Jesus is, we also discover ourselves.
Perhaps we too have some misconceptions about Jesus and what is required to follow him.
Information alone does not transform us into Christ followers.
Have your eyes been opened to the truth about Jesus?
Challenge: Are you ready to cross the line of faith or are you still on the journey?
Discussion Questions:
- The journey motif was important to Luke. He used it several times in his writings. What are some reasons Luke recorded the experience of these two disciples?
- How is the analogy of a journey used to describe life in this passage?
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Based on the evidence from Luke, what was the emotional condition of these disciples?
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Jesus did not reveal his identity to the disciples immediately. Why?
- What did the disciples comments to Jesus reveal about their ideas and dreams about Jesus?
- Based on their comments what were they looking for to answer their questions regarding what happened to Jesus?
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What evidence do we have today that Jesus is alive?
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Why did Jesus talk to these disciples about Moses and the prophets?
- What images or explanations do we find in Scripture that describe Jesus?
- What are some of the amazing things Jesus said that are recorded in Scripture?
- What are some of the misconceptions people have today about Jesus?
- Why did Jesus have to suffer?
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Why did the information Jesus shared about himself not open the disciple’s eyes to his identity?
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What is the significance of Jesus’ image shift from traveling companion to dinner guest?
- What is significant about Jesus, a guest, breaking and blessing the bread?
- What are possible reasons the act of breaking bread opened the disciples eyes?
- What are some everyday events Jesus has used in your life to reveal himself?
- What does this story reveal about Jesus to you?
11:4-10 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna![a]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b] 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
14:12-26 12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”
20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 “This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
I. Mistaken by the Community. (11:8-9) A. The community was looking for a Savior. 1. The Passover meal reminded of Moses’ deliverance. 2. It is customary today to leave an empty seat for the coming prophet. B. The community blinded by tradition. 1. It was a traditional celebration of the Passover. 2. Hosanna came from the Hallel Psalms 113-118. 3. A few days later the crowd would shout crucify him. 4. They shouted praises for a military hero. C. They saw Jesus as just another man. 1. They celebrated all who entered Jerusalem. 2. They did not recognize Jesus as Messiah.
II. Mistaken by His Followers. (11:4-7) A. They put him on a donkey, not a stallion. 1. Jesus himself ordered the donkey. 2. Jesus elevated Himself above the crowd. 3. Kings rode donkeys in times of peace. B. They wanted a military Jesus. 1. They wanted Jesus to be king but he came to be killed. 2. They wanted Jesus to rule but He came as a ransom. 3. They wanted Jesus to be all He could be but He sacrificed it all for you and me. 4. What does your Jesus look like? -Is He still Lord when your kingdom is in jeopardy? -Is He still Lord when your joy and security have been kidnapped? -Is He still Lord when your reality doesn’t match your dreams?
Challenge: Acknowledge Jesus as King.
Luke 7:36-48 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table, A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house, you did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
We worship God based on our need for Him.
Worship is remembering of what we have been forgiven.
How much is your forgiveness, your salvation worth to you?
If there is not cost involved it is not a sacrifice, not a gift.
When we are in love with God, we love to worship him and we are compelled to go to extreme measures to show our love for him.
Give Jesus what is right, not what is left.
Challenge: Bring a gift to worship next Sunday