Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Rochester MN

What makes the church so great?  Acts 20:28; Eph 5:22-33

Big idea: Your new life is best lived in God’s new community.

Reasons you want to belong to the church:

Because of her supernatural ________________  (Matthew 16:18; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8)

The church fulfills the feast of Shavuot, Pentecost, or  ________________.

(Leviticus 23:15-22; Acts 2)

Because of her supernatural ________________  (I Corinthians 10:32; 12:13; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1-4; Hebrews 12:22-23; Romans 12:3-8)

Are you a member of God’s living masterpiece? Are you living out your tile within His grand mural? Are you serving others as He has made and equipped you?

Because of her unique   (Ephesians 3; Romans 11:25; I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:2-3; Revelation 19-22)

The bride’s ultimate end:  ____________________________________________

Are you ready to meet your groom?  (Luke 12:40)

Discussion Questions:

Have you ever thought of the Church as great? Why or why not?  If yes, how so?  Share a representative experience of what being part of the Church means or has meant to you.

As you reflect on the Church’s supernatural origin, design, and destiny, which of these feels most compelling to draw your engagement? Why?  How has that idea influenced your participation in church life?  Pray alone or with a partner about how these truths can call you to deeper worship and engagement.

What has been your personal experience to the main point that your new life in Christ is best lived in God’s new community?

Read Romans 12:3-8 and I Peter 4:10-11. What is/are your spiritual gift(s) and how are you currently using them?  How could you be a better or more impactful church member?

Read II Corinthians 5:17. Share two or three ways that Jesus has changed you or things He has taught you in recent months.  Pray with a partner on areas you need help.

Does the idea that Jesus could come today motivate you in any significant way or does that idea seem improbable? How do you motivate yourself to be watchful for Jesus after nearly 2000 years of the Church’s waiting?

Church leaders are to love, guide, feed, and protect us, equipping us for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16;

I Peter 5:1-3). Brainstorm ways our shepherds could do this better and let us know. ([email protected]).

Today’s BIG IDEA:  We are powerfully shaped over time as we learn in close proximity to others.

Examples:         The disciples (Mark 3:13-14, Acts 4:13)

My/Your kids

KEY QUESTION:  How we are changed by Jesus?

The CONTEXT for Jesus’ Great Invitation

The TEXT:  Matthew 11:28-30  (NASB)

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Six key words / phrases in Jesus’ Great Invitation

“weary and heavy-laden”  (compare Luke 5:5, Luke 11:46)

“rest”  -- a place to sooth, refresh, be grounded  (compare  Mark 6:31)

“take my yoke”  understand this compelling metaphor!  (Luke 6:39-40)

“learn from Me” – what Jesus invited his twelve disciples to do (apprentices)

“My yoke is easy”  (compare Romans 2:4, Ephesians 4:32, I Peter 2:3)

“My burden is light”  (compare II Corinthians 4:17)

SO WHAT? 

Come…

Come...

Discussion Questions:

Tim used the poem, “Touch of the Master’s Hand,” to set up the message of how we are “tuned up” as we learn in the Master Jesus’ hands in a lifelong apprenticeship of companionship and learning. Do you think this accurately illustrates what the New Testament teaches about how we grow?   Explain why or why not, using a personal illustration if you feel comfortable sharing that.

The big idea of this message was “We are powerfully shaped over time as we learn in close proximity to others.” Give an example of someone who shaped you deeply, for better or worse, perhaps even without you realizing it at the time.

In Jesus’ culture, as Brian pointed out last week, religious seekers were weighed down by oppressive rule-keeping (Jesus states this in Luke 11, and especially vs. 46). How does the modern Christian culture, at least in some denominations, slip into this same trap?

Jesus’ audience in Matthew 11:28-30 vividly understood what a yoke was and how it was used. It was a custom-made harness where two cows, a trainer and a trainee, would, over time, become a valuable tandem team (a tractor).  Tim suggested that the older and stronger cow, the trainer, provided all the direction and most of the power.  The assignment of the younger cow, the trainee, was to follow the direction (rather than chafe in the yoke) and do his part.  Now that you understand the yoke, does it make any difference in the way you understand learning as a Christian?  How so?

Many people say that they are “followers of Jesus.” The illustration of the yoke would suggest we should be side-by-side with Jesus in the yoke.  Is this just semantics, or is there something more powerful about moving from the “following Jesus” to the image of learning from Jesus side-by-side in an apprenticeship as He provides the direction and most of the power and we follow that direction and do our part?  How so?

The disciples had Jesus there to walk beside in a yoke of daily apprenticeship for about three years. Jesus is not physically here now with us.  How is a disciple of Jesus to walk beside Jesus in a yoke of daily apprenticeship today?  What makes it harder for us, and what in fact makes it easier?

We think Jesus’ Great Invitation is to each of us individually as Christians. But could this apply to local clumps of Christians in local churches?  Could Jesus have a custom yoke for Calvary as a church body, inviting us as a collective group beside Him in an intimate apprenticeship?  Your thoughts?

Jesus said that being in the yoke beside Him, the yoke would be “easy” (kind and fitting), and the burden would be light (still work, but workable and not crushing). How, if at all, does this change your view of how you are living out your faith in Jesus?

Many have accepted Jesus’ invitation to come to Him by all-in faith as their sin-bearing substitute. How many do you think are stuck there and have not heard, understood, or accepted Jesus’ invitation to come beside Him and learn from Him in a daily, intimate apprenticeship?

If you were to accept Jesus’ invitation to join Him daily in the yoke as His intimate apprentice, and if you were to live your life this way for the next decade, what kind of impact do you think it might have on your attitudes and actions?

Discussion Questions:

Summarize what you heard in ten words or fewer.

What is the value of going back to the fundamental nature of what is most important to God?

Why is it so easy – for any of us – to separate our mind (thoughts/intellectual perspective) from the rest of our selves and the rest of our lives?

Jesus often used passages from the Old Testament to give Him the authority he needed to speak into the lives of those listening. In what ways is your faith inspired by, and solidified by, the Old Testament?

What are practical ways you can add more to God’s “pile” by surrendering something in your life?

Consider the three accounts of this story in each of the synoptic gospels (see below). What can we learn by considering these three together? How does the story expand or become more robust when studying this way?

What can you do this month to actively love your neighbor as yourself?

Matthew 22

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “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.”

Mark 12

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Luke 10

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS

1. Ruled by Satan.

Satan is a __________________________ being.

His ______________________ describe his work.

He led a _______________________ against God.

He opposes and obstructs the _____________________ of God.

2. Satan’s access to a life is through a person's _____________________.

3. Satan has a ________________________.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD OVERCOMES THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS.

1. The Kingdom of God came to the earth in Jesus.

2. The Kingdom of God is composed of ____________________________________.

3. The King ______________ and _________________________.

4. The Kingdom is both ___________________ and _______________________________.

Discussion Questions:

Getting Started

1) Have you ever visited a place that felt 'dark' spiritually? What made you feel that way?

2) What comes to your mind when you think "kingdom"?

Digging In

3) Read Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6. What do we learn about Satan and demons from these passages?

4) Read Genesis 4:1-8. Cain is a troubled man - WHY? How shall we understand the counsel that God gives to Cain in 4:6,7?

5) What is your reaction to the statement, "Satan's access to a life is through a person's will”?

6) In the story of the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5, what do you like best?

7) The man is now "dressed and in his right mind." How have you witnessed the Kingdom of God in your life?

8) How does knowing that the Kingdom of God is present today, and yet waits its full consummation, shape your expectations for the timing of God’s intervention in our world?

Making It Personal

9) Where would you like to see the Kingdom of God overcome the Kingdom of darkness? How can you participate in that great work?

WHO ARE THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS THAT REJECTED JESUS?

Herodians were _____________________________ who supported King Herod.

Sadducees were a wealthy aristocracy primarily interested in _________________.

Scribes were teachers who devoted their lives to ____________________the Torah.

Pharisees were a popular and powerful group that tried to practice ____________ in their daily activities.

Do the Pharisees exist today?

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST…

... is deeply threatening to _____________________.

"It is more culpable to teach against the ordinances of the scribes than against the Torah." Mishnah

…, yet He ____________________________________.

Jesus is LORD….

Discussion Questions:

Getting Started

1) Acceptance and rejection are powerful. Describe a situation where you experienced one or the other. What do you remember about that experience? Did it hold any sway over you for a season?

Digging In

2) The goal of the Pharisees was to spread Scriptural holiness throughout the land by making each day "hallowed." In so doing they sought to model what holiness looked like in everyday life. This is very admirable, but what are its dangers?

3) In Matthew 23:1-29, Jesus pronounced seven "woes" upon the religious leaders. What are some of the sins that self-righteous people struggle with?

4) Have you ever met a 'modern day' Pharisee? Why do some Christ-followers become 'accidental Pharisees'?

5) How do the following truths 'smash' all rule-based discipleship?

Jesus Christ is LORD over all.

I am saved by grace.

I am made holy by the Holy Spirit.

 I will appear before Jesus Christ and give an account of my life.

Making It Count in My Life

6) Do you have a tendency toward a "rules-based" relationship with Jesus? Do you know what causes that tendency?

7) Read John 14:15, 23 and I John 2:3-5. How can you 'obey' Jesus this week without getting trapped in a 'rules-based’ relationship with Him?

Why Jesus?

Because His love for me and His pursuit of me _____________________________________.

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Because He meets me __________________________________________________________.

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Because Jesus changes ________________________________________________________.

Discussion Questions:

Getting Started

Our country has experienced much change in the last 30 years. What do you like about those changes and what is difficult for you?

Digging In

1) The meeting of Jesus and the woman revealed three social barriers – gender, racial, and moral. How is that situation similar to today, and in what ways is it different?

2) What impresses you about the example of Jesus in this story? What can we take from His example to address the people barriers that exist today?

3) Why is diversity so divisive? What is your reaction to the statement “racism is more about the condition of our hearts than the color of our skin”?

4) John’s Gospel focuses upon the deity of Jesus Christ. Yet in this story we are told that “Jesus was thirsty” even though He was the Messiah (4:26). What is the significance of the doctrine that Jesus is “fully God and fully man”? How does this doctrine impact your daily life?

5) Jesus met this woman where she was (physically, emotionally, spiritually). How did Jesus get your attention and reveal your need for Him?

6) Jesus gently exposed the woman’s sin. What role does ‘repentance’ have in coming to faith in Christ and spiritual growth?

7) Everything about this woman’s life changed upon meeting Jesus. How has Jesus changed your life?

Application

1) Of the three statements, a) Jesus loves me deeply and passionately pursues me, b) Jesus meets me where I am, and c) Jesus changes everything, which one is the most meaningful to you today? Explain why.

OR

2) Based upon Christ’s example in John 4, how can you adjust your lifestyle to ‘connect’ to people who need to hear the good news about Jesus?

The Bible speaks of different aspects of faith.

Most Christ followers live with a mixture of faith and fear that impacts their relationship with Jesus.

14:13-21 is a _______________________________________________ .

14:22-24 is a _______________________________________________ .

14:25,26 is a _______________________________________________ .

Truth #1:

14:27-29 is a _______________________________________________ .

Truth #2:

14:30-32 is a _______________________________________________ .

Truth #3:

Truth #4:

Discussion Questions:

Getting Started

1) Recall a time when you were fearful. How did you respond? What did you learn about yourself in that experience?

2) Share with the group an irrational fear you have.

Digging in

1) This is a familiar story in the life of Jesus. What ONE word would you choose to describe it?

2) Read Mark 6:51, 52. What does Mark add to the story? What does Mark want us to understand?

3) The Gospels reveal Jesus ‘entering’ into the disciples’ lives in deeply personal ways. (i.e., Peter and the lake, Jesus at Zaccheus’ home, etc.). Identify other examples of Jesus entering into people’s lives in deeply personal ways. How are you permitting Jesus into your story?

4) Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” and 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” How would you teach a child the difference between Peter’s fear and the fear described in these Proverbs.

5) What is your reaction to the statement, “Faith is primarily about obedience, not risk”?

6) Recall a time when you sensed that Jesus was asking you to step out of the boat. What did you learn about Jesus in that experience? What did you learn about yourself?

Application

1) How much grip does fear have on your life?

2) Define one specific way you can apply the words of Jesus, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid” to your fear.

Discussion Questions:

1) Did the message of the sermon make sense to you? Could you shed some more light on your answer?

2) Are there area(s) of your will God has worked on in the past? What were they and what was the outcome? How do you think He went about it? That is, by what means/instrument did He conform your will to His own?

3) Is God currently working on an area of your will? How long has the process been going on? How are you feeling about it? If it has been a while, what is keeping you from yielding to Him? If you will yield to His work on your will, what do you think will come out of it? Does the thought scare you?

4) What are some of the things you think give God pleasure? Are you doing them? If not, how do you think you could partner with Him to begin doing them?

I. What does God’s Word tell us about persecution?

II. What is happening in our world today with Christian persecution?

III. How should we respond to persecution?

Discussion Questions:

1) Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? Why is this a relevant topic to discuss these days?

2) Should we all expect persecution in our lives? (John 15:20)

3) What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake? (Matthew 5:10) What are other ways that people can be persecuted?

4) What reward does Jesus promise His followers who are persecuted? (Matthew 5:10, 12)

5) How does Jesus tell His followers to respond if they are persecuted? Why is this so different from the way the world responds?

6) In Acts 8 and 12, we see that Christian persecution caused the church to grow. Why was that so?

7) What examples or facts did you hear in this sermon that impacted you? What was that impact? What should we do after hearing about Christian persecution?