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BI: Readiness for Christ’s Return

Doctrine: Second Coming of Christ

Aim: CATL. Jesus followers are called to anticipate and prepare for His return.

I. Ready for His return (21:1-30)

a. Prepared vs Unprepared (1-13)

b. Faithful vs Unfaithful (14-30)

P. True Disciples believe in and work for His Kingdom.

II. Judged upon His return (21:31-46)

a. Believers (31-40)

b. Unbelievers (41-46)

P. True disciples will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Christ offers a contentment and joy not based on our changing or difficult circumstances. Our bad will turn out for good (Rom 8:28), our good things can't be taken from us (Eph 1:3), and the best things are yet to come (1 John 3:1-3).

BI: Christ’s Return

Aim: CATL. Christ’s certain return propels our present survival and service.

I. Christ’s Return: What and When (24:1-35)

a. The catastrophic signs (1-28)

b. The glorious return (29-35)

P: Christ’s certain return propels our survival in the worst of times.

II. Christ’s Return: Wait and Watch Wisely (24:36-41)

a. Wait on the unknown (36-41)

b. Watch of the Wise (42-51)

P: Christ’s certain return propels our service in the worst of times.

BIG IDEA: Sinful Pride vs. Humble Submission.

AIM: Humble submission to Jesus brings deliverance from sinful pride and hypocrisy

Divisions

Matthew 22:15-49

2.  Sinners Fully Exposed Matthew 23:1-39

Principles

2. God will bring judgment against all who pridefully refuse to turn to Jesus for salvation.

Application

Pride and hypocrisy sabotage full submission to God.

Those who refuse humble submission to Jesus face Him as judge.

BIG IDEA: The Authority of Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah.

AIM: Those who rejects Jesus’s authority will face judgment

Divisions

Matt 21:18-27

2. Jesus Illustrates God's Judgment Through Parables

Matt 21:28 - 22:14

Principles

2. When we fail to recognize Jesus’ authority, we are in effect rejecting the authority of God Himself and His Lordship in our lives resulting in judgement

Application

How do you see you see your faith being hampered by not completely surrendering to Christ’s authority in all areas of your life?

In what ways might God be calling you to surrender to His authority over you and your life?

NOTICE: We have Spring Break next week. Some groups may decide to meet anyway to catch up, so please confer with your Group Leader about whether or not your group is meeting during your regular time during the week of March 5-12.

Also, please consider supporting the ongoing work of BSF International as they expand into more languages including Arabic! Give at bsfinternational.org, and click the give button. Use our San Francisco regional code: 1232 if you are in any of our local or satellite groups. Thank you!

BIG IDEA: Hierarchy of the Humble in the Kingdom of God

AIM: The Kingdom of God exalts those who loves to imitate the servant heart of Jesus

Divisions

Matt 19:30-20:28

2. Worshipping under God’s purposes

Matt 20:29: 21:17

Principles

2. Purity of heart is pre-requisite for true worship

Application

What are the primary motivators for what you labor for, why you pursue life goals, and how you achieve your objectives?

In what ways has my worship become clouded and hindered by worldly desires, sinful habits and ungodly ambitions?

BIG IDEA: Jesus’ Countercultural Kingdom Values

AIM: Jesus’ countercultural kingdom values point His followers to God and the nature of His Heart.

Divisions

Matt 19: 1-15

2. Countercultural Surrender     Matt 19:16-30

Principles

2. God deserves complete surrender

Application

What might happen if you recognize opportunities in ministering to Christ’s body as personal training for greatness?

How is God revealing your level of surrender to love, know and serve Him? What areas of your heart have been easier to surrender to God and what areas are more difficult?

BIG IDEA: God’s People Must Aspire for a Humble Heart like a Child’s

AIM: A humble heart attitude is the basis for Kingdom relationship with others.

Divisions

Matt 18:1-6

2. Kingdom greatness is having Jesus’s heart for others     Matt 18: 7-35

Principles

2. The reality of God’s grace and forgiveness of my sins should change my attitude in forgiving others

Application

What might happen if you recognize opportunities in ministering to Christ’s body as personal training for greatness?

What areas of your heart needs to be given to Jesus for forgiving those who hurt or offended you?

BIG IDEA: God’s Glory reveals the Truth of our faith

AIM: God uses mountain-top experiences in our faith to make known His glory by the reality of God’s presence in our lives.

Divisions

Matt 17:1-13

2. Glory of God reveals our need to be more attentive to Jesus     Matt 17:14-27

Principles

2. Our most important response to seeing God’s Glory is to set our hearts to listen carefully to Jesus.

Application

How does your static routines and lack of vision for your faith limited how you live into your faith?

How has experiencing God’s glory changed your life priorities?

BIG IDEA: Understanding True Faith

AIM: true faith begins not with mechanically observing religious rules and laws, but knowing and desiring the heart of God

Divisions

Matt 15:1-20

2. True Faith Demonstrated

Matt 15:21-39

Principles

1. Sinful hearts can only experience Jesus’s transformative power by true faith in Him

2. The deepest needs of the human heart can only be satisfied through true faith in Christ

Application

How is your dependence on God evident to the people around

you in building up their faith as well?

How do you try to just get ministry done like a job, but lack interest in learning about Christ’s heart in His love of people?

BIG IDEA: Sufficiency in Christ

AIM: that spiritual growth is really when we move from our small view of God to the greater knowledge of God as He actually is.

Divisions

Matt 14:1-21

2. Sufficient for our Salvation

Matt 14:22-36

Principles

1. The nature of your material and physical resources is  never too little to be used by God for His glory.

2. We can trust God to master our storms and walk with us over the threatening waters.

Application

How have you underestimated God and believed that your limitations are too great for God to want to use you?

How have doubts about God’s ability to use who you are played into doubts about your Salvation as a child of God?