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Hardline

Mark 8:34-9:1

• Attitudes generally do not float in isolation – whistling teapot principle
• Jesus chose the most challenging words spoken by any leader.
• Words used:
• "If anyone…"
  • "…he must…"
  • "…deny himself…"
  • "…take up his cross…"
  • "…whoever wants to save his life will lose it…"
• His primary concern was for their immortal souls. No wonder he had such impact!!

Affirmation

Mark 9:2-13

• People are encouraged when they realize that we are indeed in line with the expectations of our superiors.
• They will also be inspired when they understand that their support for us is essential for the overall success.

• Known as the Jesus cult.
• They spent night and day with His disciple and they were always astonished.
• Some people astonish us when we first meet them but after getting to know them we grow accustomed to their usual actions. 

• James and John expected to pull this one over on Jesus
  
• He didn’t correct them for being manipulative or disrespectful

• There is a great difference between lording leadership and servant leadership.
• It is hard to see politicians as servant leaders.

• Brother not engaging in fellowship
• Someone being insensitive or self-focused
• Sister seem dominated by negative and critical attitudes
• Someone overindulges in food or drink or something else
• Someone too serious and unrelatable

• meta = after, change, implies there was a before
• noia = denotes the faculty of physical and intellectual perception, then also the power to arrive at moral judgments

• a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, toward God
• a change of mind
• to change one’s way of life
• to change one’s mind or purpose

• How did both John and Jesus begin their public ministry of preaching?
• What does the prefix meta- (from metanoia) mean? What other English words do you know that have meta- as a prefix?
• What does the root nous (from metanoia) mean? What other English words do you know that contain –noia?
• Have you ever considered your worldview? How has the Bible shaped it?
• Why is metanoia necessary for us to grasp the kingdom of God?
• How has the Latin idea of paenitentia influenced your understanding of repentance?
• Why is the author concerned with “repentance” as our English translation for metanoia?

Zeal reject the “whatever…” attitude as it determines to do “Whatever to takes!”
Lack of surrender robs zeal
Completely denying all we are, path to God becomes clear and passionate

1. Does Sandi’s story convict you about an unresolved sin in your life? If so, what should you do?
2. What are some Biblical examples of individuals who exhibit godly sorrow? What are some Biblical examples of groups who exhibit godly sorrow?
3. Consider William Law’s assertion that our “sins are due to the fact that we do not intend to please God in all the actions of our lives.” Is this true for you? How does godly sorrow reverse this condition?
4. Why does sin require confession? Is confession only before God? To whom have you confessed sins besides God?
5. What does a short list indicate?
6. Do you believe Proverbs 28:13? Do you practice it? Why or why not?
7. How does indignation promote repentance? When were you last indignant over sin?
8. How does “fear” promote repentance? How does it work together with “longing” to produce repentance?
9. Has anyone ever marveled at your zeal to repent – why or why not?
10. Are you ready to completely the avenge the wrong caused by sin and self? What next steps will you take?

• Be honest; Be vulnerable when it is not easy
• Server when it is not convenient
• Forgive when treated unfarily

1. Becoming inwardly focused, see only our problems
2. Trying to help other straighten out their lives without being open to the same help ourselves

Practicals for being like Jesus - putting others above ourselves:

1. Make a list of specific time when someone has met your needs - remember how you felt
2. Think in detail about others needs around you - family, friends, other Christians
3. Put yourself is other's shoes - How would you want you to treat you?
4. Do it now. - Don't just think - DO
5. Think about ways others don't want to be treated
6. Don't do these things
7. Maintain a grateful heart and attitude toward God and others
8. Keep meeting others needs with praise or recongnition

The spiritual walk can be mind field surrounded by trees

Testing of Trees

By their fruit you will recognize them - Matthew 7:16, 20
Not by words by their actions - by what they produce
It is a combination of actions and attitude
What comes out our mouths is what overflow of our hearts - Matthew 12:34
Content of our hearts determines our actions - Mark 7:17-23

The Greek word for encourage is "Parakaleo"

• It is used 28x in the gospels and acts
• Most frequent is the sense of "to beg" or "to plead" or "to comfort"
• Command form is translated "I urge you"- end of the first part of a letter or begging of the second section
• Depends on the speaker
  • Parent asking for healing for a sick child = to beg or plead
  • Leader addressing a group of disciples = to encourage

Greek Lexicon

1. To call to one's side; Come-on-we-can-do-this attitude
2. Appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage
3. Entreat, implore, comfort, and cheer up

Old French word encoragier = to put courage in

Some things that depend on us

We can always have a gracious attitude

Paul choose to focus on the result - Christ is being proclaimed - Philippians 1:15-19

We can always be humble

Consider others better than ourselves - Philippians 2:3-4
Walk worthy of the calling - with all humility and gentleness - Ephesians 4:1-2

We can always be positive - Philippians 2:14-15

We can always listen - James 1:19-20

We can always control our anger - James 1:20

Some things are our of control when to comes to reconciliation but they are many things within our control to build a relationship

Paul wanted to remind the Philippians of the blessings of their relationship with Jesus - Philippians 2:1-4
He called them to "be like-minded, having the same love" for each other

By this all men will know we are Jesus' disciple by our love - John 13:35

"Sharing in the common life" ws his heartfelt vision for them

He applealed to them to be one to initiate this kind of love
To love like Jesus is to love first
We love because he first loved us - 1 John 4:19
God did not wait for us to initiate and get an attitude because we didn't

It is not natural to love this way
Jesus does not ask of us something he did not do or something we cannot do

Will we trust the message he lived and taught?
Will we be the kind of friend to others that he has been to us?

It would be one thing to hear "rejoice always" from someone living with plenty but quite another from someone in a challenging situation - Philippians 4:4-5

There is something about being "in the Lord"
If someone is "in the Lord", there is always something bigger than our trials

Paul also had a deep conviction that whatever is one: The Lord Is Near
This is how men and women of God can be joyful and gentle in the most stressful times

God is monitoring their pain not allow more than we can bear and giving his strength
The Lord is near to all who call on him - Psalms 145:18
He is near in every situation we encounter

He is calling on them and us to rejoice always and to have a great attitude

Preached by Maurice Hooks

John 13:34-35 - How quick am I to sacrifice for my brother and sister?

Romans 13:8 - Being  a stepping stone means you make the decsion to love people

Have the attitude of Christ - ...Philippians 2:1-7

Build others up - Ephesians 4:29-31

Strive to make others great - John 3:27-30

Challenges for the week:

1. Make your spouce/roomate great without them knowing
2. Make your kids day, lift them up without seeing that did anything
3. Help someone not close to you feel special

Better to:

• Go to class
• Read the textbook
• Study for the test
• Go to study groups
• Talk with the teacher

1 Peter 1:13-14

• Be disciplined
• Non-studying types will not do well

1 Peter 2:1-2 - Crave spiritual milk

1 Peter 3:15 - Tested with questions

1 Peter 4:1 - Get your attitude ready

1 Peter 4:7-12 - Love others with self-control

• Landlord
• Boss at work
• Teacher

Matthew 9:27-34

• When ever you do something right
  • Some is telling you you are doing it wrong
  • You need to feel good about what you are doing
    • The religous did the taring down
    • They were afraid of losing their members

Do you believe that you will receive everything that you ask for in prayer?
Do you doubt more than you believe?

5 Faith Killers:

1. Hesitation - when accidents happen
2. Doubting syndrome - not expecting anything to happen
3. Pessimistic attitude - everything will go bad (from childhood)
4. Ingraditude - not being grateful
5. Fear - can be overcome by love

1. Parable of the Shrewd Manager - Luke 16:1-15
   1. God expects us to be honest yet shrewd in the use of money (v. 1-8)
   2. Money is a tool to be used to gain friends (souls) (v. 9)
   3. If we are not trustworthy in handling money, God will not entrust us with true riches (people's souls) (v. 10-11). God will keep us from leadership if we are not trustworthy with finances (v. 10-11).
2. Whose Money Is It? Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1; Luke 14:33
   1. We are managers (stewards), not owners. An owner does what he pleases with his money/possessions, while a manager submits to the will of the owner.
   2. As disciples, our attitude must reflect a willingness to "give up everything" to advance God's kingdom.

1. What ways am I not being shrewd honest, or trustworthy with my money/possessions?
   Examples:
   • Checkbook not balanced
   • Credit card debt - paying high monthly interest rates
   • Interest rates
   • Not paying bills on time
   • Writing bad checks
   • Not living by a budget
   • Borrowing from Christians or others and not repaying
2. What ways can I use God's money to win souls rather than serve myself?
3. How do I view my money/possessions? Who owns them? Do I have the attitude of "giving up everything for the kingdom?"

• Humbles us because we have receive from others
• Shows us the true disciples of Christ

• Whose heart might open?
• Whose attitude might soften
• Who might get curious and start asking spiritual questions?

• Because you contacted them out of blue
• Both of you want to see all the changes that have happened since you last saw them

• Some apostles did not like his selfish ambition - Matthew 20:24
• Some thought he was prideful describing himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus - John 21:7
• After the resurrection, Peter still seems to have attitudes towards John - John 21:21

• Selfish ambition turned to kingdom ambition
• Fits of rage changed to fits of love
• Factiousness come together into a passion of unity

Examples of those seeking God:

Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:26-40

• What do we know about this seeker?
  • He is important and therefore certainly busy, but still finds time for God.
  • He reads the Scriptures himself and asks questions about what he is reading.
  • He is humble and sincere enough in his search to ask for help.
    
  • What he learns he acts on right away, as seen with his baptism.
• How did he feel after coming to know God better?
  
• The burning questions he had about God were answered in an afternoon.
  

Bereans - Acts 17:10-12

• What was it about these Berean seekers that made Luke refer to them as having “noble character”?
  • Enthusiastic
  • Great Eagerness - explain
    
  • Examined the scriptures daily
    
• Why was it important for them to “examine the Scriptures every day” for themselves?
• What was the result of this eager yet diligent attitude?
  
• As with prayer, reading the Bible is vitally important to knowing God.

• We are ultimately responsible for what we believe.
  
• Religious leaders can be wrong, so we cannot be lazy.
  
• Review in greater depth the lessons and sermons you hear to be sure about what you are being taught.
  
• Are you willing to take personal responsibility for knowing what the Bible says?
  

• The Bible is more than just words on a page.
  
• We need to develop a thirst and devotion to the word of God.
  
• How eager are you to regularly meditate on the Scriptures?
  

• Our attitude should be one of humility, reverence and awe for God’s word.
  
• Are you willing to live by the Bible, taking God at his Word in your relationship with him?
• Are you willing to trust God’s Word above your own feelings, religious traditions or religious leaders?
• Will you seek to understand God’s will and ways through his inspired Word?

• David talks about the heart of the Lord toward weak and sinful people: he is a compassionate, gracious, loving father.
  
• How deeply does God love those who fear him?
  
• What is he willing to do with their sins (transgressions)?
• Is this the way you see God?
  

• Jesus taught many things in parables, short stories created to teach spiritual truths.
  
• What does this story tell you about God’s attitude toward us when we repent and turn back to Him?
• Why did the older brother have such a hard time with his father’s attitude?
  
• In what way did he fail to understand the father and his grace?
  

• In this story, we see two very different ways of viewing ourselves and God.
  
• How did the Pharisee approach God? How did he view himself?
  
• On what basis did he presume to be righteous? (His goodness, religious activities, his own efforts).
  
• By contrast, how did the tax collector see himself?
  
• What was his appeal to God based on? (God’s mercy).
  
• Who went home justified (pronounced and considered “not guilty”)?
  
• Jesus taught that a person can never be good enough to be saved through his own efforts.
  
• The only basis of our salvation is the mercy and grace of God.

Ephesians 4:20-24.

• Repentance is turning from an old life to a new one.
  • Negatively, what must be “taken off”?
  • Positively, what is the new attitude to be embraced?
• What is “put on” in place of the “old self”?
• Repentance orients us toward God and the true life and purpose we were created for: to become like him in righteousness and holiness.
• What do you need to “take off” and “put on”?

2 Corinthians 7:8-11.

• What is the difference between “worldly sorrow” and “godly sorrow?”
• What kinds of attitudes characterize godly sorrow?
• Have you previously confused worldly sorrow with true repentance?
• We must consider the destructive consequences of our sin and what our sin cost God, because only godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation.
• Repentance is above all a matter of heart.

Luke 15:11-32 or Luke 19:1-10

• Examples of heartfelt repentance.
• What kind of fruit did their repentance produce?
• How did they feel after repenting? How did God feel?
• What will repentance look like for you?

1. Initiate in questions

• Seek advise - finances, dating, school, home, family
  
• Proverbs 12:15 - many advisors make a victory sure!
• Reasons we don’t:
  
  • Pride
  • Independence
  • Sin

2. Initiate in openness – confession – Proverbs 28:13

• Sin, temptations, feelings, attitudes
• Disciples should never have to guess about what’s going on.
  
• Share fears, desires, dreams, embarrassments,joys, sorrows…

1. Matthew 4:4 - We need it to survive. Why do you eat every day? We need to “feed” ourselves daily on God’s Word
2. Deuteronomy 33:44-47 - Not mere words but they are your life.
3. John 12:47-48 - God will use it as the standard of judgment. Example: Final exam for college course - the test will be form the text.

1. James 1:22 - Do what it says!
2.  Acts 17:11 - Examine it daily
3. Hebrews 4:12-13
   • Use it to find what our hearts are really and change that which is not pleasing to God
   • Use it as a “scalpel” to cut the sin in our lives and in the lives of others
4. John 20:28, Romans 10:17 – Deepen our faith in Christ.

1. Acts 2:45, 1 John 3:17 - Material needs
2. Colossians 1:28-29 - Toil to present one another perfect (mature, complete) in Christ.
3. Ephesians 4:29 - Say only what is edifying.
4. Hebrews 3:12-13 - Encourage daily!

1. Respect those who work hard
2. Live in peace with each other
3. Warn the idle
4. Encourage the timid
5. Help the weak
6. Be patient with everyone
   

• About our sins and struggles
• About our marriage/relationship.

1. Grumbling servant - “I’ll serve, but I’m not going to like it.”
2. Complaining servant - “Why do they always ask me to serve”
3. Proud servant - “I serve more than anyone and deserve recognition”

• The Apostle Paul tell Timothy that godliness through spiritual training by holding to his teachings has great value for this life and the next
• v10 - We must put our hope in God not self
  
• Question: What does the Bible say that we should set an example in? What area do you need to change the most?
• v16 - Your life and Bible must be equal (doctrine = beliefs)
• Not just know the Bible but live it out
• Do you have any questions so far? Do you understand so far?
• Question: Is this something you want to really go after every day?
• Briefly share about when you first started studying to be a disciple - the challenge, hope and desire

• Question: How do you think the Word is living and active today?
• The Bible judges the everything:
  • thoughts
  • attitudes
  • insecurities
  • criticalness
  • impurities
• Nothing is hidden from God sight. Do you realize that?

• Jesus was the greatest because he was a servant to all
• Why would anyone want to be a servant of all? Because Jesus was the greatest example we can understand why.

• Jesus was God yet he did not even consider his equality
• He made himself nothing - he was king yet he was on the bottom level
• Slaves:
  • Are 24/7/365
  • Do not get thanks
  • Do not have days off
  • Do not have a schedule of their own
  • Do not have attitudes because nothing is theirs
• v5 - Your attitude should be the same
• Have I taken on the nature of a servant?
• Do I consider others better than myself?

• The first must be last
• This is not how it is in the work place
  • Go ahead take my promotion
  • Kiss up to the boss
  • Fighting to be the best
  • Spend long hours at work

• Who will take care of me?
• They may not thank you

• The humble will be exalted
• Servants can not be prideful; humility is the badge the slave

• Servile fear - latin meaning slave
• Filial fear - meaning son

• Clap your hands and cries for joy - vs1
• Shouts of joy and sounding of trumpets - vs5
• Sing praises - v6-7

• Recognition of God's awesomeness - v2
• Confidence in Him being King of all - v2,7,8,9

1. Man does not by nature think like God

• For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways - Isaiah 55:8-9
• The heart is deceitful above all things - Jeremiah 17:9

2. We must seek to obtain the mind of Christ

• Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus - Philippians 2:5
• But we have the mind of Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:16

1. You must sympathize with people out of a tender heart.
2. You must believe that every person is precious to God
3. You must be aware of your own humanness

• You are made of the same stuff as every other person.
• Potentially, the situation that exists with other people in desparate struggles.

4. You must desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives. There must be a desire to count in this world.
5. You must deny self that allows you to place the interest of others ahead of your own.

• ~John 8:1-11 - Pharisees vs Jesus (Woman caught in adultery)
  
• ~Mark 5:1-20 - Man with an evil spirit vs Jesus
  
• ~Luke 7:36-50 - Pharisees vs Jesus (Sinful Woman)
• ~Matthew 19:13-15 - Disciples vs Jesus

1. Teachable spirit
2. Spirit of dependance
3. Diligence

• Applying your heart to understanding
• Looking for it as for silver
• Searching for it as for hidden treasure

• Jeff was playing in the Bay Hill Invitational and he hit his ball in the water.
• He then took a drop (drop your ball near the place it went in the water) and he added a penalty stroke
• During the night he began to question whether his drop was legal or illegal.
• He couldn’t sleep that night and the next morning called the golfing officials and told them what happen.
• Before the officials even made a decision, Jeff disqualified himself.
• Jeff said, “I’m not sure if what I did was right, and if I’m not sure then I couldn’t live with myself and keep playing. What if I won? It would be a curse.”

• In most sports today the rule is to see what you can get away with (as long as you don’t get caught then its O.K.)
• But for the person of integrity cheating/deceit is never okay (its never an option)
  

1. Politicians break campaign promises continually
2. Parents laugh at little “Billie” when he cheats at pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey)
3. Businesses lie just to sale a product (on and on)

• Many people in the world today are two-faced (their life doesn’t match their doctrine)
  

1. Peer Pressure - Matthew 27:19-24
   • Pilate lacked integrity, he made decisions based on what other people thought and said.
   • He didn’t want to take responsibility
2. Pride - Exodus 8:8-15
   • Pharaoh wanted to be in control and not take advice from others
   • In the end Pharaoh’s pride led to his firstborn son dieing (all the 1st born sons of Egypt)

• There is a world of difference between Godly confidence and pride.
• The person who walks with Godly confidence walks tall because he knows he is a child of the king (he doesn’t act like he’s better than anyone else) (he doesn’t have to be in the know).
• This was the meekness that people noticed in Jesus (controlled strength) confidence

• People will be attracted to this type of confidence (not like the world)
  

1. Unwillingness to admit mistakes: Do you apologize whole heartily? - Nearly all men can stand adversity, to test a man, give him power.
2. Hating to look bad: Can you laugh at yourself?
3. Attitude of entitlement: Are you used to privilege (expect because your on staff, you should be treated a certain way, do you serve a certain way because you are on staff)

• In proverbs it refers to the person who hates correction (pride makes us stupid)
  
• When we are unwilling to receive godly correction we are trusting our own way over that of our advisors (this type of pride makes us stupid)
  

• Physically: We have an illness = we go see an expert doctor, to ignore his advice and handle the situation on our own would be stupid
• Spiritually: We face temptations and challenging situations = we should seek advice from spiritually minded people (they may advice us something simple like, read these scriptures or something radical like change jobs) but to ignore experienced spiritual advice would be stupid. Even if you don’t like it (pray about it, get another “experienced” opinion)

• Type A: Listens on the outside (even nod your head “yes”) but on the inside all systems are shut down.
• Type B: You are calm on the outside but on the inside you’re steaming mad ready to explode and interrupt (who do they think they are)
• Type C: Listens and really tries to understand (learn) not just say OK but embrace the input to become a better disciple

1. What was your relationship with God before today?
   
2. What had you done to make God your enemy?
3. What does it mean to be holy/without blemish/free from accusation?
4. What condition is there to staying saved (vs. 23).

• As a "child of God", what should your attitude be?
• How can you begin to "purify yourself"?

1. What has Jesus' sacrifice done for you?
2. How can you draw near to God with a sincere heart?

• What has God done with your sins?
  
• Write other "benefits" God has done for you (vs. 2).

1. How were you starving and without hope like the 4 lepers before being baptized?
2. How is the kingdom of God like an unlimited feast?
3. How does verse 9 apply to being a disciple? Do you have the same attitude?

1. Do you feel like Paul does about the lost?
2. Who does God send to preach?
3. Will everyone accept the good news? Why?
4. Why is it important to preach no matter what response you receive?