10/30 SERMON: THE CHALLENGE OF SERVICE

Friends,

Below you will find the scriptures that I preached on in yesterday's message about service as well as some thought questions to help your group dig deeper into the topic should you decide to use the sermon as the basis for this week's discussion. Have a great week and I'll see you on Sunday as we dive into the Challenge Of Generosity.

-Kev

THE CHALLENGE OF SERVICE:

• On Sunday, Pastor Kevin said that if he were pushed to pick one word to describe what it means to have an encounter with God and be a follower of Jesus, he would use the word SERVANT. Is this the word that you would use? Why/Why not?

⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 – NIV)

• Our goal as Christians is to be in an ever increasing process of knowing God and becoming more like Christ. In Mark 10 we see that one of the defining reasons that Jesus came to earth was to serve. Why do you think Jesus came to earth to serve?
• One of the benefits of serving others is that it pushes us outside of our comfort zones and opens the door for for spiritual growth, and builds our character. How have you seen this play out in your life?

Philippians 2:5-11 gives us a great picture of Jesus as a servant when it says:

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; ⁷rather, 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. 

From Philippians 2 we see three actions that a servant must take:

• A servant puts God first in life.

¹³ “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. (Luke 16:13 – NIV)

• What does it look like to give God control of every area of your life?
• How do you know if you have given God complete control?
• What do you do if/when you realize that you have not given control of some area of your life over to God?

• A servant protects their attitude.

 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! (Philippians 2:6-8)

• The key to protecting our attitudes is to empty ourselves of our rights the way that Jesus did. We have the "right" to do a lot of things that are not helpful for our relationship with God, but if we want to serve like Jesus did, then we need to take on his attitude of HUMILITY.
• What does the word humility bring to your mind? 
• How can you protect your attitude by having a mindset of humility?

• A servant chooses to plant daily seeds of love and kindness that become lifestyles of service.
•  Mother Theresa once said "there are not great deeds, only small deeds done with great love."
• Why does God call us to plant daily seeds of love and kindness?
• What are some ways that you can plant daily seeds of love and kindness? 
• Who are some people that you can plant seeds for?

Kevin closed Sunday's message by saying that our destiny begins today with a single choice. That choice leads to an action, the action leads to a habit, the habit forms our character, and our character leads to our destiny. 

How do you want to be remembered? What kind of destiny do you want to leave? Are you making choices today that are leading toward that ultimate goal?

 

10/23 SERMON: THE CHALLENGE OF PERSEVERANCE!

Friends,

Below you will find the scriptures that I preached on in yesterday's message about perseverance as well as some thought questions to help your group dig deeper into the topic should you decide to use the sermon as the basis for this week's discussion. Have a great week, and like I mentioned in the email, for the next 3 weeks I would suggest spending the first hour of your group time digging into the scripture and using the last 20 minutes to share prayer requests. This will make give your group the space needed to dig into God's Word a little longer.

-Kev

THE CHALLENGE OF PERSEVERANCE:

• In Hebrews 12, the author is talking to a group of Christians who are facing a choice, will they continue to run the race toward God and face persecution, or will they sell out on their faith and live mediocre lives where they are Christians in name only.  

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3 – NIV)

• What types of things "hinder" you from completing the face of faith?
• What types of sins seem to "easily entangle" you?
• Based on your reading this far, what would you say is the vision of New Testament Christian living that has been laid out for you?

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 – NIV) 

• Do you believe that this can be true in your life? What is the key to experiencing this type of power?

4 Opportunities To Persevere

1. God wants us to persevere in our prayers

  ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ 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 good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:7-11 – NIV)

• Jesus says "keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking." What does it look like to persevere in our prayers?
• Have you ever experienced God answering your prayers?
• If God wants to give us good gifts, why does it seem like sometimes our prayers go unanswered?
• What is God what to teach you about persevering in prayer?

2. God wants us to persevere in our spiritual growth

• In the sermon, Kevin said that spiritual growth does not happen without resistance because we're walking on an uphill journey against the values, beliefs, and systems of this world which are often times in complete opposition to the teachings of Jesus. 
• Are you facing resistance as you follow after Christ?
• What are some of the ways that you face resistance to your spiritual growth?

• Kevin also mentioned that the way that we respond when we face resistance is the key to experiencing God in the situation. How do you respond when you are feeling the resistance that comes with following after God? 
• Do you follow Him begrudgingly, happily, with some hesitation, etc?

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul encourages us to ^"7 Train yourself to be godly." (1 Timothy 4:7 - NIV) 

• The idea of training yourself is that you would push yourself to the limit. What kinds of things can you do to train yourself to be godly?

3. God wants us to persevere in times of failure and loss

^"3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4 – NIV)

• What does it look like to "glory in our sufferings"? 
• What do you notice about the chain of events that happen if we draw close to God in our times of suffering.

In Romans 8:28 Paul promises that "God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 – NIV)

•  This promise if for people who are following after God. How have you seen it come to fruition in your life?
• Do you believe that God really does (not only can, but does) work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose?

4. God wants us to persevere in influencing others for Christ

2 Peter 3 says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 – NIV)

• Jesus is waiting to return so that people have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and come into a relationship with Him.
• How does this reality influence your views on evangelism

• Do you believe that God really calls every follower of Jesus to be a witness of God's love to others?

• How are you currently influencing others for Christ?

• Make a list of people who you think God would want you to influence for Him.

 
Putting It Into Practice:

• Which of these 4 areas of perseverance is God asking you to trust Him in?
• What is one thing that you can do this week in 2 of these areas to put the things that you're learning into practice?
  

10/16 SERMON: THE CHALLENGE OF RADICAL LOVE

Friends,

Below are the scriptures that Ron preached on yesterday as well as some discussion questions. Again, I would only suggest using a sermon based Life Group model if a topic comes up on a Sunday that has been a good topic of discussion within your group either in your discussion or prayer times (or has been a topic that has been stumping people in your group). Otherwise, you can use this blog as a resource for yourself and your group on various topics as they arise in the reading.

-Kevin

RADICAL LOVE...

In John 13 Jesus says:

John 13:34 – I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. – NLT

• This is not a new commandment, in fact (as Ron mentioned) it was one of the most important commandments in the entire Old Testament. What is new about this commandment is that through the Holy Spirit, we have the capacity to be able to keep this commandment. 
• In your group discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in keeping the commandments of God.

4 COMMITMENTS OF RADICAL LOVE: 

1. Radical love chooses to respond peacefully.

Matthew 5:38-41 – You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. – NLT

• What are some ways that you can respond peacefully to others as you follow Jesus example of radical love? 

2. Radical love chooses to forgive freely.

Matthew 6:14-15 – If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. – NLT

• This seems incredibly harsh and a bit unnerving if we have any sort of forgiveness in our lives.  

• Why does Jesus make such a big deal about forgiveness?
• How does experiencing forgiveness from God help us to forgive others?

Matthew 5:43-45 – You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. – NLT

• What does enemy love look like in your life?

3. Radial love chooses to view others graciously.

Matthew 7:1-5 – Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. – NLT

• How does the way that we judge others come back to play into our own judgement? 
• Is there a difference between judging others and standing up for what is right and true? How does that difference play out?
• Should Christians hold other Christians to a certain level of commitment, or is that being judgmental?

4. Radical love chooses to serve sacrificially.

Matthew 7:12 – Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. – NLT

• The key in point for is the word "sacrificially."
• What does sacrificial service look like? 
• What is the cost of sacrificial  service?
• What is the reward of sacrificial service?
• Is the cost worth the reward?

Putting It Into Practice:

• Which of these four key's of radical love to you feel most competent at?
• Which of them do you struggle with the most?
• What is one thing that you can do this week to grow in your capacity to experience and share the radical love that Jesus calls us to?