Sep. 4/5, 2022

· Scripture Luke 18:9-14 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

· Thank you God that I am not like this Pharisee…

· “He comes to God desiring only to improve his relationship with God.”

· Hilaskomai = Mercy, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Freedom

· Scripture Matthew 22:37-40 37… “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

· Scripture Luke 18:15-17 15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

· Childlike = Humility | Childish = Pride

· Childlike = Open to Correction | Childish = Hardened to Truth

· Childlike = Dependency on the Father | Childish = Dependency on Self

· Scripture Matthew 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

· Can I PLEASE have these 3 pop up on the same slide 1 at a time?

o Repent

o Rejoice

o Repeat

· Of these two, who do you want as a friend?

· Which of these two is a friend of God?

· Will you humble yourself?

Starter:  It’s easy to read this parable and immediately want to relate to the Tax Collector, but in what ways do you relate to the pharisee?

1.  Read Luke 18:9-17

2. What does it mean to be self-righteous?

3. Why is the tax collector justified?

4. What does Mercy look like?

5. How does God’s Mercy play out in your life?

6. What does a childlike faith look like to you? When is a time that you saw someone who had a childlike faith?

7. Of these two in the story, which one would you like to have as a friend? Why?

8. Which of these two is a friend of God?

Aug. 28/29, 2022

· Your life moves in the direction of your strongest beliefs.

· What must I believe to follow Jesus?

· 1. Jesus was sent by God and this was shown by his miracles.

· 2. It was God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross so our sins could be forgiven

· 3. Jesus rose again to prove his power to transform lives.

· 4. Jesus is both God and King

· Acts 2:37-41 - 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

· 5th essential belief: You must participate.

· 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart…

· Are you in agreement with God about the reality of your life?

· “Brothers, what shall we do?”

· Is your belief in Jesus strong enough to move you in his direction?

· Peter replied, “Repent…”

· …be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

· And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

· Are you listening to the Holy Spirit in your soul?

· 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.

· 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

· 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

· Big question: Will you participate?

Starter: Were you ever rescued? Did you participate in your own rescue?

1. Read Acts 2:37-41

2. In your opinion, what were the reasons people were “cut to the heart?”

3. Give Peter’s audience credit. They were moved to asked to ask, “What do we do?” Why do you think followers of Jesus fail to ask that question?

4. Describe someone you have seen change once they began to follow Jesus. What made them change?

5. To be baptized in the name of Jesus means to baptism is a way to identify with Jesus. How might Jesus followers today recapture this public identification?

6. The Holy Spirit is received when a person repents and accepts Jesus. How do you experience the Holy Spirit speaking to you? What messages does he give you?

Do you Believe: Jesus is Lord and Messiah?

· Your life moves in the direction of your strongest beliefs.

· What must I believe to follow Jesus?

· Acts 2:36 - 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

· Jesus is not just a teacher or miracle worker; he is God in the flesh.

· Jesus is the King you need, not the King you want.

· I am sorry my sins killed Jesus.

· The 4th essential belief: Jesus is both Lord and Christ

· Philippians 2:9-11 - 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

· …every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…

· I want to choose to bow before the Great King now.

· …every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father

· Jesus is King, not you.

· God’s kingdom does not depend on your response.

· Knowing Jesus is King puts everything in perspective.

· ”How can they (the Philippians) cling to their little ambitions and persist in their petty quarrels if they confess Jesus Christ as their Lord?” – Frank Stagg.

· Jesus is the Lord (God!) and Christ (King)!

· Is Jesus in charge of you? Really?

· If Jesus is in charge of you, you want to be baptized.

· If Jesus is in charge of you, you want to worship.

· If Jesus is in charge of you, you want him to grow your character

· If Jesus is in charge of you, you want to share.

· Is Jesus is charge of you?

· "My Jesus, my King, my Life, my All; I again dedicate my whole self to Thee." – David Livingstone

Starter: Please describe the best leader you have known. Why did you choose to follow him/her?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Acts 2:36

2. How do you think Peter felt when he confronted the crowd at Pentecost and told them they had killed their King? How do you think people felt when they heard this?

3. To proclaim Jesus as Lord (God) is a radical step. It is a direct challenge to assertion “Caesar is Lord.” Caesar Augustus was the first to proclaim he was “son of a god.” In your opinion, do political leaders today aspire to “godship?” As Christ followers are we an increasing threat to government or a decreasing threat to government?

4. Read Philippians 2:5-11

5. Verses 6-8 speak about the humility of Jesus. In your opinion, what is the best way for us to learn humility from Jesus?

6. Verse 9-11 describe a great moment after the Second Coming when every living thing that has ever existed will bow in submission and confess that Jesus is God and the King. How will you feel in that crowd? How will the angels feel? How will the demons feel? How will Satan feel?

7. If Jesus is truly our King and the one in charge, then how should his church behave?

Do you believe? In Resurrection

· What must I believe to follow Jesus?

· Jesus was sent by God and the proof is his miracles, wonders and signs.

· Jesus is the one perfect sacrifice that covers our sins.

· Do you believe in the resurrection?

· Acts 2:24: 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

· …because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

· 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

· Multiple witnesses/Historical Evidence/Growth of the Chruch

· “Christ is the end of the Law.” Or “Christ is the end of legalism.”

· Romans 10:9-13: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

· 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

· It is a prayer that leads into a path of life

· 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

· Jesus resurrection allows us to know we are loved and know we are loved despite our failures.

· Are you living in the joy of the resurrection?

· The resurrection is the proof of our salvation

Starter: Please share about a time you felt shame and guilt due to your sin and how has living in the joy of what Christ has done change that?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Acts 2:24 and 32

2. “freeing him from the agony of death…” what was that agony and weight of suffering?

3. Peter claims that everyone has witnessed the resurrection in some way, how has the resurrection changed our life and our Church?

4. Read Romans 10:9-13.

5. Tell a story about the time you knew the gospel was enough and you confessed Jesus as Lord.

6. According to Paul’s writings, There is nothing we can do To earn God’s favor. How often do we feel like we are trying to earn God’s love rather than accept it as a gift.

7. When you accepted Jesus as Lord, that was the beginning of a new path of life. That path of life is always leading to next steps. What are your next steps?

• What must I believe to follow Jesus?

• Your life moves in the direction of your strongest beliefs

• Jesus was sent by God and the proof is his miracles, wonders and signs. 

• Acts 2:23: 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 

• 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge… 

• Matthew 16:21 - 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 

• …and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 

• It was God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross. 

• Romans 3:25-26: 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 

• 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood… 

• …sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood. 

• Leviticus 16 - 13 He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die. 14 He is to take some of the bull’s blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover. 

• Jesus is the one perfect sacrifice that covers our sins • How high, how deep, how wide, how long, how great is Your love

 • …to be received by faith. 

• He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished… 

• …he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Starter: Please share about a time you forgave someone. Did it cost you anything?

Dig Deeper: 

1. Read Acts 2:23 

2. It was God’s plan all along for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. How do you think Jesus felt, carrying that knowledge? 

3. Where did Peter get the courage to confront the crowd when he asserted “You, with the help of lawless men, put Jesus to death by nailing him to a cross?”

 4. Read Romans 3:25-26. 

5. The word atonement means to “cover,” from a root that means “to be gracious,” or “to be cheerful.” In your opinion, how would a person feel if they knew their sins had been covered by Jesus? How would they live differently? 

6. People often struggle to reconcile God’s love and his justice. Paul does not separate them. How would you explain how God’s love connects to his mercy? 

7. Both Peter and Paul bring out the idea that faith is required to access the atoning power of Jesus’ death. What does it mean to you to have faith or to live the faith of Jesus’ atoning death for our sins?

 • May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13. 

• Hope Happens when God works 

• And hope does not put us to shame… 

• Guilt is awareness you have done wrong; shame is feeling unworthy 

• Is there a shame message you need to delete? 

• “Heavenly Father, I feel unworthy of love and I know that is not how you feel about me. Change my thinking and feeling.”

 • 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts… 

 • God is patient 

• God is kind. 

• God does not envy 

• God does not boast 

• God is not proud 

• God does not dishonor others 

• God is not self-seeking 

• God is not easily angered 

• God keeps no record of wrongs 

• God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth 

• God always protects 

• God always trusts 

• God always hopes 

• God always perseveres 

• God never fails 

• How deep the Father's love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure 

• God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

• Heavenly Father, make me aware of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. 

• Heavenly Father, I want to receive all the love you have for me, so I can live in hope.

Starter: Describe a time in your life you felt most loved. 

Dig Deeper: 

1. Read Romans 5:5

2. Are there shame messages that you need to delete from your life? What are they? 

3. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. 

4. Substitute the word “God” for the word “love.” Which picture of God’s love (for example: love/God is patient) do you need to meditate on most today? 

5. What keeps you from being aware of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?

 6. What is the most recent way you have seen the Holy Spirit work in your life?

• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13. 

• Hope Happens when God works

 • And hope does not put us to shame… 

• Guilt is awareness you have done wrong; shame is feeling unworthy 

• Is there a shame message you need to delete? 

• “Heavenly Father, I feel unworthy of love and I know that is not how you feel about me. Change my thinking and feeling.” 

• 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts… 

• PIX 

• God is patient

 • God is kind. 

• God does not envy

 • God does not boast

 • God is not proud 

• God does not dishonor others

 • God is not self-seeking 

• God is not easily angered 

• God keeps no record of wrongs 

• God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth

 • God always protects 

• God always trusts

 • God always hopes 

• God always perseveres

 • God never fails

 • How deep the Father's love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure 

• God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

• Heavenly Father, make me aware of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. 

• Heavenly Father, I want to receive all the love you have for me, so I can live in hope. Starter: Describe a time in your life you felt most loved. 

Dig Deeper: 

1. Read Romans 5:5 

2. Are there shame messages that you need to delete from your life? What are they? 

3. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

4. Substitute the word “God” for the word “love.” Which picture of God’s love (for example: love/God is patient) do you need to meditate on most today? 

5. What keeps you from being aware of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? 

6. What is the most recent way you have seen the Holy Spirit work in your life?

• Everyone experiences pressure.

• Pressure causes feeling(s).

• Pressure can produce

• You decide what pressure produces in your life 

• Hope Happens when God works 

• 2bAnd we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

• 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings…

 • You have a choice about how you respond to suffering

 • If we rejoice in all God does, then rejoice in what God will do with our suffering. 

• …because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 

• Perseverance is the strength to hold on. 

• What am I to learn 

• Ask God for strength and wisdom. 

• I found that God met me, exactly as Jesus had promised his disciples when he was preparing them for victimization and persecution. 

• …4 perseverance, character;

 • Character is who you really are under pressure. 

• Are you like Jesus when you are under pressure? 

• Heavenly Father, help me be like Jesus under pressure.

 • … and character, hope.

 • The choices you make in suffering either lead to hope or away from hope

 • Claim hope that God is at work when you are under pressure.

 • Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me; your rod and your staff will comfort me. Starter: What pressures are you dealing with in your life right now? 

Dig Deeper: 

1. Read Romans 5:2b-4. 

2. In your opinion, what is the best way to see as much of God’s glory (what God is doing) as possible?

 3. In v. 3, the word “Suffering” comes from a Greek root that means “pressure.” How have you seen suffering bring pressure into a person’s life? 

4. Have you known someone who faced pressure or suffering and rejoiced? Why did they?

 5. What has God taught you through times of pressure and suffering? 6. How would you explain to someone the hope of Jesus that comes in suffering?

Starter: Please share a time in your life when hope sustained you. 

Dig Deeper: 

1. Read Romans 5:1-2. 

2. If being justified by Jesus makes you right with God, what does a non-justified life look like? Why would someone choose this life? 

3. Twice, the word “faith is mentioned in these verses. What are signs given to us that we can put our faith in God? 

4. To be at peace with God would mean we no longer have anxiety with God. Describe a nation without anxiety, a nation under God. What would be different? 

5. Imagine you are an Ambassador in the ancient world about to meet a new King for the first time. What are your feelings as you wait? How do you feel when the King sees you and welcomes you by name? What does this tell you about your Heavenly Father? 

6. If you lived as an Easter person every day, what would change?

1. Read Mark 9:14-29

2. The disciples and the religious scholars are arguing when Jesus comes down off the Mount of Transfiguration. How do you think the world perceives arguments among religious people? Do they help or hurt?

3. What does this passage teach us about a person who is possessed by an impure or unclean spirit?

4. In your opinion, is Jesus harsh with the Dad in the story? Or is he compassionate? Why? What in the story makes you consider this either way?

5. Notice in the story how the crowd is always depicted as moving toward Jesus. Why does Mark include that detail?