Quiet Times Search

Storyteller

Mark 4:1-12

• We can teach and communicate our ideas more effectively by using illustration
• Trinity – like water (solid, liquid, gas)
• Hidden meaning is intended to pique the attention of the curiosity of the listener

Chastening

Mark 4:13

• Sometimes there are stupid questions
• Some are too hard of people but most are too soft and unwilling to hurt people’s feelings

Power

Mark 5:1-17

• What expectations do you have of your prayer life
• Do we believe the power that can be unleashed through your prayer life?
• We need to pray for God’s power to be clearly demonstrated – we desperately need the fear of the Lord.

Fearlessness

• Making the decision not give into fear is essential ingredient for the man or woman impact
• Two fears: fear of public speaking and the fear of failure

Spectacular Deeds

• Made front-page news.
• Jesus responded by valuing freeing a man over another property
• Jesus was willing to do something outrageous and controversial for the sake of a needy person

Mark 7:14-23 - He had no stomach for the misdirection spread by the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law

High Expectations

• He let them know that they were spiritually stupid.
• How many of us are willing to rebuke when asked a stupid question by people who should know better?
• Jesus was determined that these men would rise above the rank and file.
• He got upset and urged them to change
• The dreamer never gives up the dream.

Blame

• The responsibility for our actions resides with us, the decision makers, and not with our environment.
• We are not simply a product of our environment; environment is determined by our choices.
• We cannot rightly blame others or fate or circumstances for our behavior
• We must take responsibility for the consequences of our decisions
• Changes in people occur from the inside out. · Involves helping people to acknowledge what they are really like deep down and then to deal with their inner self
• We cannot on our own change our own or someone else’s heart.
• We must realize how desperately we need God’s intervention in out lives.
• The Bible exposes, in a unbiased way, the true qualities of our hearts.
• Deep character changes in our lives fuels our faith.

Firmness and Flexibility

Mark 7:24-30

• Are you able to say “no” to people? Jesus was.
• Some of us are unable to deny anybody anything.
• Others are too inflexible and become unwilling to make any exceptions.
• Jesus was not afraid to change his mind.
• We need to think for ourselves and make the right decisions.
• If we want to make a difference, we must be willing to disappoint some people.

Scout

Mark 8:14-21

• 'Christian' denominations may offer the greatest opposition to a radical adherence to the teachings of Jesus
• He protects his followers: warning them about the strength of their opponent and the types of activities to expect.
• We cannot afford to neglect scouting the opposition and warning people who they are up against.

Rebuke

• We need to be aware what others are saying to each other.
• He asked embarrassingly simple questions to remind them and to help to see how stupid they had been to soon forget.
• A willingness to be strong and forthright is a required characteristic of one who would have lasting influence.
• Wounds from a friend can be trusted.

Tough love

Mark 10:17-31

• This young man was secure in his own material goods.
• Are we willing to lay such tough, “make or break” challenges before people? Even when it puts your relationship on the line?
• Are you willing to let people walk away? · Allow people to make their own decisions?
• If we compromise our standards, our standards are meaningless.

Reassurance - Leaders need to first overcome his own negative thoughts and feelings in order to help his followers avoid becoming discouraged.

• He was furious about the fruitfulness of another “tree” that he had planted, watered, weeded, fertilized.
• Jesus cleared the temple at the beginning of His ministry and also here at the end of His of His ministry
• There was no fear of God.
  

• Jesus knew the right place and the right time the do the things needed.
• He was disciplined and self-controlled for just the right time.
  

• What made Jesus angry was the stubborn refusal of most to change.
• A willingness to change is a precious and seemingly rare behavioral characteristic.
• Become exceedingly insecure and defensive when we are awakened to the existence of personal deficiencies.
• We must also get angry about obstinacy in our own lives and other people’s lives.

• Why didn’t anyone try to stop Jesus as he was taking over the temple? (Only one person and many of them)
• They knew that they were in the wrong.
• Teachers of the law and chief priests feared Jesus
  
• If people consider you a “nice guy” and are not in awe of you, you probably won’t have much impact.

Higher Plain

Mark 12:13-17

• Jesus was not deceived by flattery.
• He spoke openly about their attempt to trap him.
• Jesus amazed them by a simple spiritual perspective on religiously complex issues.

Unity

• Unity is achieved as God’s people strive together to attain God’s thinking on all of life’s issues.
• People willing to deny themselves accept their Creator’s thinking above their own opinion will achieve the closeness no one has ever seen
• God’s plan for diversity and unity complement each other.
• Plurality of denominations exists because men and women have not obeyed the scripture.
• Common goaled minded people produce unity.

Contentedness

• People don’t trust someone whom they suspect to be greedy or overindulgent.
• A greedy man stirs up dissension.

Cockiness

Mark 12:18-27

• Every one of these phrases cut like a knife:
  • Are you not in error?
  • You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
  • Have you not read?
• He comfort the disturbed, he also made it his goal to disturbed the comfortable.
• He was not afraid to rock the boat.
• In order to have lasting impact it is necessary to be willing to challenge our opponents to their face.

Open arms

Mark 14:27-31

• We should warn others to be ready for failure – not to discourage them.
• Failure is unavoidable; defeat comes when we give up!

Giver of life

• Anyone who discovers a cause for which he would be willing to die has discovered the reason for which he was born.
• Is your life like: roller coaster ride, merry-go-round, or life a bumper car?
• Jesus had taken these men out of the amusement park, and they knew it.

Openness

• Most are either:
  • Stoics – feelings and burdens are locked away deep inside of them.
  • Cathartics – those who dump their feelings on anybody who will listen
• Jesus practiced complete openness without making others responsible for his feelings.
• Jesus leaned on his friends, but he did not dump on them.
• Premeditated openness is a key to fostering deep, meaningful relationships

Deliberation

• Too many of us would be unwilling to persevere through a long and difficult decision-making process.
• We must be willing to put in whatever effort is required to reach the best decision.

1. Mind your own business - can gravitate to this view because of our own conform

• Can become busybodies instead - 2 Thessalonians 3:11
• Can become lazy - 1 Timothy 5:13
• Offering guidance, instructions, cautions, warnings, or sometimes stronger - all part of being faithful in our relationships

2. Judge not and you will not be judged

• Jesus is condemning self-righteous judging
• For those unwilling to examine the issue in their own lives
• Must care enough about each other to help each other to grow

1. How does the church represent the “destination of repentance”?
2. How did the early church help sinners to repent? How did it safeguard true repentance from compromise?
3. How did the walls of the early church stand steadfast against the assaults of the world?
4. What does it mean to be of “one mind” with your brothers and sisters?
5. How were early Christians both non-conformists and conformists?
6. Why has church discipline gotten a “bad rap”? Is it warranted?
7. Why do so few churches practice the Biblical mandates to discipline its members?
8. How can a church best practice church discipline?
9. Have you ever been disciplined by your church? Did God’s plan lead you to repentance – why or why not?
10. Over 85% of the Biblical references to repentance address groups rather than individuals. Thus, how can you help your fellowship - at various levels – repent?
11. How can you spark repentance – even revival – in your church and in your community? Are you willing to walk its path of selfless commitment?

• Started with only a few men.
• He was not concerned with programs to reach the multitudes but with men whom the multitudes would follow.
• Initial objective was to enlist men who could bear witness to His life and carry on His work.
• Early effort at soul winning had little to no effect on the religious.
• Turned out that the early convert became great leaders of His church.
• Who were they?
  • Common labors
  • No academic degrees
  • From the poor side of Galilee (Judas only exception)

• Bad character traits of His disciples:
  • Impulsive
  • “Unlearned and Ignorant”
  • Their abilities were limited
  • Temperamental
  • Easily offended
  • Often mistaken in their judgment
  • Slow to comprehend spiritual things
  • Had many prejudices.
• Good characteristics traits of His disciples:
  • Teachable
  • Willing to confess their need
  • Hearts were big
  • Sincere yearning for God
  • They were fed up with the hypocrisy of their leaders

• Little more than 500 after the resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:6
• 120 received baptism at the day of Pentecost - Acts 1:15

• Why not an army?
• He needed leaders to lead the ministry after He left. Not all followers. It takes energy to produce a leader.
• Not trying to impress the crowd but the usher in a Kingdom
• Mass are like helpless sheep wandering aimlessly without a shepherds
• Masses willing to follow anyone that came along with some promise for their welfare
• Jesus was a realist. He knew he could not meet all the needs on His own.

• We are not even keeping with the growing population
• We in an age where more rapid communication is now being seen than ever before
• Must not be frantic to try to change the pattern overnight
• Do like Jesus – start with a few lowly disciples and do as it was done by Jesus
  • Slow, tedious, painful, and probably unnoticed at first
  • Not spiritual “junk-food” revivals
• Which generation are you living for?

• Jesus required and expected obedience
• They were disciples, learners, pupils (“Christian”) did not even come until later - Acts 11:26
• Being smart was not a requirement for His students, but loyalty was.
• No statement of faith made at the beginning but they believed that he was the Messiah (Luke 1:41, 45, 49; 5:8)
• Jesus was obedient to His Word and expected others to do the same.
• People do not follow hypocrites – Jesus lived it
• Way of the Cross
  • Meant more than a joyful precession: it meant a surrender of one’ whole life and of His sovereignty.
  • God or Money - Luke 16:13
  • Do not conform to the world = new life - Matthew 5:1-7:29
  • Love was found in obedience (John 14:21)
  • Cross – willingness to die to self so that other may live
• Strong Teachings
  • Not many followed (many left) - John 6:66
  • Jesus did not go running after them to get them to stay
  • Must be willing to pay the price

• Disciples realized that they were responding to Jesus who was willing to give of Himself for them
• Examples of Jesus giving himself away
  • Gave away what the Father gave to Him - John 15:15
  • He gave them peace - John 16:33
  • He gave them despite pain and suffering - John 15:11
• Love is not love until it is given away
• Jesus – God gave away His most precious possession
• No greater love than to lay down our live for others
• Jesus impressed the deep compulsion of His eternal purpose
• It was clear that the Master considered no service too small or sacrifice too great.
• Jesus denied Himself many of the comforts and pleasure of the world and became a servant
• He continually gave His life “for their sakes”
• Disciples learned not in theory but in practice (painful and hard to accept)
• Jesus life was the measure by which they were to regard their own service.
  • To give freely as they had received – Matthew 10:8
  • Love one another as He loved them - John 13:34
  • Calvary love was the standard

• Are those who have followed us to Christ now leading others to Him?
• Not enough to rescue the perishing but to build them in the faith of Christ.
• Converts go out and make leaders out of the converts not just simply more followers.
• Church should be measured on how many Christians are actively winning souls.
• Lord added to the Church, those who were being saved
• Within a few centuries, the world would have known the hand of the Master
• Shortcuts have failed
  • Adaptations of the principle are always necessary in the light of changing circumstances.
  • Costly principles of leadership development can not undercut
  • We try ceremonies, programs, organizations, and crusades of human ingenuity.
  • We must understand that evangelism is not done by something but by someone
  • God's nature is to get personal. Men reaching other men for Christ.
• Need men who:
  • See His vision
  • Feel His passion
  • Willing to be nothing so that He may be everything

• We may not be conscious of the plan of every action
• Actions invariably unfold some kind of pattern at the center of things.
• Our objective that we can discover may not be very satisfying
• We should seek to find a way to incorporate the wisdom of Jesus’ strategy into our own preferred method of evangelism.
• Variety is in very structure of the universe
• Master gives us an outline to follow but He expects us to work out the details.(local circumstances and traditions)
• One unwilling to fail in the determination to find a way will never get started
• People afraid to try and try again will not make much progress.
• Finding and training men to reach men

In the midst of the discussion about unity, Paul continues by talking about having the mind of Jesus - Philippians 2:5-8

The only way to have unity is to be like Jesus

We were called to follow in his steps - 1 Peter 2:21

Jesus willingly because a servant
Greek literally says, "he emptied himself"'

• He poured out his diviniy for us
• He gave up his rights
• Jesus was not just playing a role, he was showing us the depths of this heart

Jesus came not to be served but to serve - Matthew 20:28

Consencate yourself

1 Chronicles 29:5

• Who is willing to consecrate himself to God?
  • Kingdom not about men
  • What is stopping you? hurts?
    • Suffering matures us
  1 Corinthians 6:7
  • Have you been wronged?
    • Join the club!
  • God gets justice, not you!

  
  1 Chronicles 29:6-29

  • Where there is consecration (repentance) there brings rejoicing
  • They flat-out worshiped
  • Where was David's heart? with God
    • David thought it was amazing that he could give back what God gave him
  • Has earth become your home?

• How did Jesus walk?
• How do you walk?

• Jesus was willing to serve
• Are you willing?

• Zealous for God
• Mad about disgrace of God's name
• What is your heart?

• Jesus hanging out with different people
• Religious person vs women with five husbands
• Great #s come to believe
• Do you limit who you are with?

• Jesus had amazing faith
• Do you believe that God will work things out?

• - Jesus tried to help and encourage
• - How have you reachout to others?

Preached by Dan Rice on 2002-09-15

Matthew 8:1-3

• He may have felt unimportant
• He may have felt unworthy
• He may have felt unconvinced
• Jesus was willing - are you?
• What is your lepersy?
  • self
  • situation
  • mental
  • physical
• Jesus willing to be served?
• Are you willing to serve? Reachout? Love?

Love the Unloved

Matthew 20:29-34

• What do you want?
• He had compassion not pity
• Are willing to love the unlovable?

Love the Unloving

Matthew 5:43-48

• Jews were bitter about the Romans
• Do you love who those who hate you?
• Give them your heart?

Love the Unlovely

Matthew 15:29-31

• Are you religious or loving?
• What angers you?
• What you willing to do?
• What are not willing to do?

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?"

1. The Blessing of Giving - Acts 20:33-35
   1. Paul did not desire anyone else's money or possessions.
   2. He worked hard and sacrificed to help the weak.
   3. He knew that giving brought more joy than receiving.
2. Living for Eternal Possessions - Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 10:32-34
   1. When our treasure is in heaven not on earth, our hearts will be in heaven also.
   2. As disciples, we will look foolish to the world because our hearts and our treasures (money) are in heaven not on earth.
3. All Things For Our Enjoyment - 1 Timothy 6:17-18
   1. It is very easy for us who have wealth to put our hope and trust in money/things rather than God.
   2. As disciples we are commanded to be generous and willing to share.
   3. When we follow God"s plan we can feel great about enjoying the blessings God has given us.

1. Which do I desire more, to give or to receive?
2. How can I put all my treasure in heaven so that all my heart will be there also?
3. How am I being generous and willing to share on a daily basis?
4. Am I enjoying God's blessings or do I feel guilty about the things I have?

1. The Obstacle of Worry - Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:4-9
   1. As disciples, we sin when we worry about finances.
   2. Worry is a result of a lack of faith.
   3. Ways to overcome worry:
      1. Prayer
      2. Rejoice always
      3. Be thankful in all situations
2. The Obstacle of Laziness - Signs of Laziness According to Solomon
   1. The Sluggard
      1. Proverbs 6:9-11, 19:15, 20:13, 26:14
         Oversleeping and eating too much
      2. Proverbs 13:4, 15:19
         Not accomplishing goals, something always getting in the way
      3. Proverbs 19:24, 26:13
         Making excuses
      4. Proverbs 20:4
         Unwilling to work hard
   2. Results of Laziness: Poverty - Proverbs 10:4, 12:24
   3. Overcome laziness by hard work - Proverbs 14:23

1. What do I worry about? How will I overcome it?
2. How does worry affect my relationship with God?
3. What signs of laziness do I need to overcome? Be Specific.

1. The Old Testament Precedent - Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 1:13-14
   1. The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth (tithe) of all their income to the Lord
   2. The Israelites had many other kinds of sacrifices (e.g. burnt, sin, grain, fellowship offerings) in addition to the tithe. The Israelites actually gave up to 33% of their income to God.
   3. The sacrifices were to be the best available. God will not accept a second rate sacrifice.
2. New Testament Examples
   1. The Widow - Mark 12:41-44
      She was commended not for what she gave, but her giving heart. She was totally dependent on God.
   2. Barnabas - Acts 4:36-37
      He sold his property and gave all the proceeds from the sale to meet the needs of the church.
   3. The Macedonians - 2 Corinthians 8:1-3
      They gave beyond their ability even though they were extremely poor
3. True Sacrifice Costs Something - 2 Samuel 24:21-25
   1. David refused to sacrifice to God something that cost him nothing.

1. Am I giving my best to God in my weekly giving? Do I give to God first out of my pay or out of what is left over?
2. What percentage of my income am I giving in my weekly contribution?
3. What am I willing to sell or sacrifice for the special contribution?

1. Giving with Joy - 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
   1. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give. Plan your giving.
   2. God does not want you to give reluctantly or under compulsion. You should feel a joy, excitement, and enthusiasm when you give.
   3. God loves a cheerful (in Greek "hilarious") giver.
2. The Privilege of Giving - 2 Corinthians 8:3-5
   1. The Macedonians urgently pleaded to give.
   2. They understood that it was a privilege because they had first given themselves to the Lord.
3. Special Times of Giving, Time of Victory, and Joy for God's People
   1. The Israelites gave to build the temple and the people rejoiced (1 Chronicles 29:1-9)
   2. The building of the tabernacle: the people willingly brought more than needed (Exodus 35:20-29,36:2-7)

1. Am I a cheerful giver? What keeps me from giving cheerfully?
2. Am I eager or reluctant to give, especially at special contribution times?
3. At what time was I the most joyful about my giving? Why?

1. Jesus' Example - 2 Corinthians 8:9, Luke 9:57-58
   1. Jesus chose to live sacrificially. He gave up heaven itself.
   2. He became poor so the world could be saved.
2. The Need for Sacrificial Living
   1. To meet the physical needs of others. (2 Corinthians 8:13-15; Acts 4:34-37)
      1. Paul wanted those who had plenty to sacrifice for those who were in need.
      2. The first century Christians sacrificed so there would be no needy people among them.
   2. To support full-time workers so the world would be evangelized. (Philippians 4:10-19)
      1. Paul commended the Philippians for the aid they had sent him.
      2. He considered their gifts to him as a sacrifice to God.
   3. There was always a purpose in the Bible for living sacrificially. It was never to sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice alone.

1. In what ways can I choose to live more sacrificially in order to have money to give to meet needs?
   Examples:
   • Cut food budget
   • Limit or eliminate eating out for a time to save for a special contribution
   • Use creativity during dates in order to save money
   • Stop impulse spending (vending machines, fast food, etc.)
2. Am I willing to "become poor" so that others can have the opportunity to become Christians?

1. Types of Debt
   1. Legitimate
      1. To meet real needs, to provide for necessities (e.g. home mortgage)
      2. To enable you to earn a living (e.g. auto loan, educational loan, business loan)
   2. Sinful, Foolish
      1. To make purchases which are not essential (e.g. entertainment items, vacations, etc.)
      2. Borrowing what you cannot repay or do not know when you can repay.
      3. Borrowing at excessive rates of interest (credit cards).
2. Borrowing
   1. As Christians, borrowing should be an exception, not the rule.
   2. God calls those wicked who borrow and do not repay. (Psalms 37:21)
   3. Let your "yes" be "yes." When you borrow, repay on time. (Matthew 5:37)
   4. When you borrow someone"s property you are responsible for it. For example, if you borrow someone's car and get into an accident, you are responsible to pay the cost of repairs.
3. Lending
   1. Do not charge interest when lending to a brother in need. Have compassion and do not add to people's burdens. (Exodus 22:25-27)
   2. Be generous in lending to those in real need. (Deuteronomy 15:7-8)
   3. Do not lend expecting repayment; therefore, do not lend what you need to get back. For example, do not lend out money you need to pay your rent, expecting the borrower to repay you on time. (Luke 6:34-36)
   4. Do not lend or give money to someone, especially a brother who is idle or unwilling to work Do not lend to people if it promotes their irresponsibility, laziness, or self-indulgence.

• Make a list of your debts. Contact your creditors, ask for forgiveness and let them know your intention to pay in full.

1. Why Get Out of Debt?
   1. It hinders us from being able to give generously. When we are paying 18%+ interest on top of the principal, it is difficult to have anything left to share with others.
   2. It is wasteful. The exorbitant interest we pay on our credit cards is totally wasted.
   3. The balance is probably there because you were not following God's plan for your finances.
2. How to Get Out
   1. You must be radical (Matthew 5:29-30)
      1. Cut up all your credit cards (if you have outstanding balances that you have not been able to pay off for 3 months or more).
      2. Call your credit card companies and cancel the accounts.
      3. Work out your budget with the goal of removing your debt. Do not buy anything that is not necessary. Cut all unnecessary expenditures out of your budget (e.g. cable TV, newspaper).
      4. Get input (Proverbs 15:22)
      5. Commit your plan to the Lord (Psalms 127:1-2)
   2. Finish the job (Luke 14:28-30)
      1. Let godly sorrow lead you to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). You must take responsibility for your debt.

1. Am I in sinful/foolish debt? If so, why?
2. Am I willing to apply the principles set forth to get out of debt?
3. What will be the hardest thing for me to change to get out of debt?
4. Who do I know that will be able to help me with my plan?

• Matthew recently became a Christian
• In those days, being a tax collector was a license to extort
• He had not learned yet how to teach the gospel to people
• Jesus was always moving a round, spontaneous
  
• Solution throw a big party and invite Jesus and everyone else
• Pharisees found out about it and were not happy with it
• Did Matthew have second thoughts when he saw the interactions between the Pharisees and Jesus?
• Jesus defended Matthew's party idea with explaining the sick need a doctor
• Mixed groups are not only acceptable but essentials to God's redemptive plan

• Be innovative and creative
• Come up with a plan to be with more people
• Pray hard and be willing to go out on a limb
• Learn from mistakes and adjust accordingly

• v4 - new life
• v7 - freed from sin
• v11 - dead to sin but alive in Christ

What are you looking for in life?

Acts 17:16-28

• Ever ask yourself: “What on earth am I here for?” You aren’t alone!
• Why did God create you and bring you to this very point and time in your life? So that you would seek him and
  find him in order to have a personal relationship with him.
• Who takes the initiative in seeking this relationship? Because God loves us and desires a relationship with us, he has been actively determining times and places long before we ever thought about seeking him (Psalms 14:2-3).
• Why do so few seem to be seeking today?
  • God is unknown and the image many have of him is distorted v23
  • We have created our own god. We all worship something.
  • To seek God, we must be willing to change our ideas about who God is to match what has been revealed to us in the Bible
• There is nothing more important or exciting in life than to seek and to find our Creator God.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

• We will find God if we seek Him with all our heart.
  
• Have you ever done something with all your heart? What is it?
  
• What will it mean for you to seek God with all your heart?

John 1:18

• Jesus has made God known.
  
• Where do we begin our search for God? We begin by getting to know Jesus.
  
• To the degree that we know Jesus, we will know God.

John 20:30-31

• The Word of God produces faith in Jesus.
• What will we find if we seek God by coming to know Jesus through God’s Word? Finding God begins with coming to faith in Jesus
  which promises true life now and eternal life later!
• As we take a closer look at Jesus, are you willing to make a heartfelt effort to draw closer to God by praying and reading the Bible?

• 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.

John 13:34-35

• What will disciples of Jesus will be known for? Their love.
• “As I have loved you”: What kind of love did Jesus demonstrate for us?

Matthew 28:18-20

• The Great Commission: God’s plan to save the world.
• Disciples make disciples by baptizing people from all nations in his name and teaching them to become mature, obedient
  followers of Jesus.
• Efforts to reach the world with the gospel are multiplied when every disciple embraces Jesus’ final charge.
• Are you willing to answer the call to be a disciple of Jesus?

Mark 10:28-31

• What did Peter and the others give up in order to follow Jesus? Is it possible to “outgive” God?
• What does Jesus promise to those who have committed their lives to following him?
• Being a Christian is not always easy, but it is the life we were created for.
• It is the best life now, and the best life for eternity!

Jesus didn’t confront their desire to be great, only their method

Your greatness in the Kingdom is only limited by your willingness to be a slave to all!

• What are you making of yourself?
• How much does “self” matter to you?
• How much does “self” influence your daily decision?

Luke 9:23 - Must deny self daily - deny self = denying feelings

• Question: The disciples that were scattered began teaching the Greeks what? Good news about Jesus
• Question: What did Barnabas encourage people to do? Know an hold to Jesus' words
• Barnabas found Saul then brought him to Antioch so they could teach the Word of God (review)
• Question: In Antioch, the disciples of Jesus were called what for the 1st time? Why?
• A disciple of Jesus is WHAT they were. Christian is what the world labeled them
• Christian = Disciple = Saved

• Question: What did Jesus proclaim in Galilee? What was the good news? Kingdom of God was near; your life can change)
• Question: What is the first thing Jesus instructed these fishermen to do? Follow him. What does that mean?
• Question: What will Jesus make us into? What does that mean? Is this something you are willing to do?
• Share what purpose your purpose was before becoming a disciple
• Question: What would you say your life has been focused/purpose so far?

Definition of Sin
Romans 3:21-25

• The Law and the Prophets (Old Testament) testify about the righteousness from God (Jesus)
• Questions
  • What has sinned?
  • Who is separated from God then?
  • Where does our redemption come from?

Sins of Omission
James 4:13-17

• Involves inward things that people don't nessarily see
  • Bitterness
  • Hatred
  • Procrastination
  • Looking down on others
  • Unwillingness to help/serve
• Question: What sins of ommission would you say have been or are currently in your life?

Sin of Commission
Galatians 5:16-25

• Go through the list and define each sin to paint a clear picture
• Person leading the study share their own sin (5-6 minutes), then 1 or 2 others for 2-3 minutes
• After the person studying shares then suggest meeting again to talk about things further

Romans 6:23

• We deserve death because of our sins but God is willing to forgive us in spite of who we are (God's gift to us)
• Question: After studying these scriptures, would you say the Bible describes your heart in response to your sin more like the Pharisee or the Sinful woman?

John 3:1-7

• Question: What did Jesus say MUST happen in order for someone to be born again?
• Question: We should born of what? Spirtual birth not a physical birth - not being religous but living a righteous life
• Question: What do we need to have convictions on in order to be born again?

Acts 2:22-24

• Jesus is God's son (miracles prove it)
• Jesus died for our (YOUR) sins
• God raise Jesus on the 3rd day
• Question: So how should we respond to the fact that our (YOUR) is why Jesus died on the cross?

Acts 2:36-41

• Repent and be Baptized (wall is removed)
• Then we can have a relationship with God (what happens at baptism)

Romans 6:1-4

• Question: What are you baptized into? If you were baptized into Jesus' death, what else does that allow us to have? New Life
• You can go from the heart of the Pharisee to the heart of the Sinful Woman by understanding the forgiveness through Jesus
• Encouraged to write a letter to God thanking him for forgiving you of your sins (write the sins out)

• Jesus felt alone because of the selfishness of his friends (choosing to sleep instead of praying for him)
• Share: Jesus prayed so intensely that his capillaries burst and mixed with his blood (I have a medical account for you)
• Question: Jesus could have stopped this but he didn't. Why do you think he was willing to sweat blood for you  (He loves you)
• Afterwards Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (they arrested him and his words came true; the disciples all scattered)

• They spit in Jesus' face and beat him with their fist. Have you ever been spit on?
• Jesus looked straight at Peter after the 3rd denial and the rooster crowed - He was that close to Peter - Luke 22:61
• How do you think this made Jesus feel? Why do you think Jesus continued to go to the cross? (He loves you)

• Pilate could have released Jesus but he was more concerned with pleasing people than pleasing God
• Think of all the people that shouted "crucify him". People who he healed, fed, etc. How do you think Jesus felt?
• They released a murderer instead of Jesus (many said they believed he was the son of God but still this)
• Share: Pilate tried to escape responsibility by washing his hands but denying the truth does not remove the sin
• They beat Jesus again, to the point he did not look human - Isaiah 52:14
• Question: Why do you think Jesus was still willing to go through this for you? (Because he loves you). He is not even at the cross yet.

• Jesus was beaten so badly that he couldn't even carry his own cross
• v46 Jesus hung on the cross for hours (slow tortuous death) but yet he screams out loudly 
• Share: Jesus had never been separated God (since the beginning of time they were united)
• Share: Once Jesus took on YOUR sin, he was separated from God (Wall of Sin  = Isaiah 59:1-2)

• Jesus suffered for you and me because he loves us that much (willing to take our pain)
• Not only did Jesus bear the physical pain but the emotional and spiritual pain as well.
• This pain and separation from God was more than he could take (lead to his overwhelming death)
• Question: How do you feel about the fact that Jesus went through all this for you? How does it make you feel toward Jesus?
• Question: Did you know that Jesus loved you this much? How does it make you feel toward Jesus?
• Question: How do you feel about your sin now that you know what Jesus went through?

• Worldly Sorrow = feel bad because you did wrong and/or got caught doing something
• Godly Sorrow = repentance, earnestness, eagerness to clear yourself, longing, concern, indignation, alarm, ready to see justice done
• Share: God wants you to respond by repenting of your sin and showing love to him because he loved you first - 1 John 4:19