Church of The Open Door

Act(s) Now

Parachute

Acts 1:1-11; 8:1-4

 

The rescue mission: Jesus STARTED it → The Church CONTINUES it.

The Spirit gives power for a purpose; to be a WITNESS.

The Church is God’s plan to reach the world.

It’s God’s Plan A, there’s no Plan B.

God uses trials and persecution to launch the church out to the ends of the earth.

Jesus WILL use His church to finish the work He started.

What’s your parachute? What security is holding you back?

People Meeting Jesus

“Do You Love Me?”

Luke 7:36-50

Love unexpressed is love unknown.

Is your love for Jesus great or small; expressive or passive?

Great love came from a…

Great forgiveness of…

Great sin which prompted…

Great emotion and a…

Great gift in thanks for a…

Great salvation by faith in a…

Great God!

How will you show your love to Jesus?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Heart of Worship/Other-centered love/Loving God/Loving People

People Meeting Jesus

“Simon Meets Jesus”

Luke 7:36, 39-47

Your perspective is determined by what you see.

 

What Simon saw: The perspective of pride.

Simon focuses on ritual purity rather than loving people.

Simon sees the woman for her reputation, and treats her like a danger to be avoided.

Simon judges Jesus for allowing a sinful woman to wash His feet.

Application: Pride produces a self-focused perspective that limits your ability to love.

What Jesus saw: The perspective of grace.

Jesus saw the condition of Simon’s heart.

Jesus saw two debtors: Both owed a debt they couldn’t pay, and both were in need of God’s unmerited forgiveness.

Jesus saw an opportunity to love: Jesus absorbs the offense and confronts the sin.

Take Home Truth: Only when we see our need for grace will we be free to love like Jesus.

People Meeting Jesus

“Simon Says”

Luke 7:36, 39-47

Simon and Jesus’ pickleball game:

Simon invited          |           Jesus accepted

(false pretense)                   (willing participant)

Simon thought        |           Jesus answered

(condemnation)                  (revelation)

Simon says              |           Jesus presented

(Say it)                                   (a parable)

Simon heard            |           Jesus invited

(debt ledger)                        (debt forgiver)

What is Jesus saying?

“You are seen”

“You are heard”

“You are known”

“You are forgiven”

 

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Begin Life Group with prayer - invite the Holy Spirit to speak and move among you.

Ice breaker: What’s your favorite game that includes the use of a paddle or racquet? Why do you love it or hate it?

Looking at the stories of people meeting Jesus in this series (including the current text), which person have you most identified with and why?

Look at John 3 and do some comparison and contrast between Nicodemus and Simon - the only 2 Pharisees who are recorded and named having an intimate encounter with Jesus. Share what you discover.

Descart once said “I think, therefore I am” meaning “I am thinking, therefore I exist.” How do we allow our thinking, wisdom and prejudices to get in the way of seeing Jesus for who He truly is - just like Simon?

What leads us to thinking that our debt is smaller compared to others? How do we do the same thing to other people around us?

How can we get to a place of proper thinking about our own sin and allow Jesus to speak to our thoughts and even change our thoughts to agree with His insight?

End your time asking Jesus to see your thoughts, expose misconceptions and bring clarity so that we can live rightly before Him - humble, surrendered and full of grace and compassion: just like Him!

Core CHRIST-like Characteristics: Relates with Other-centered love, Living Surrendered

People Meeting Jesus

“How would Jesus describe you?”

Luke 7:31-35

How did Jesus describe the people of His generation?

Childish

Complaining

Self-centered

Hypercritical

How did people criticize John and Jesus?

By disparaging and rejecting them

By despising and slandering them

How is wisdom recognized?

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Wisdom comes from being a disciple of Jesus.

How would Jesus describe you?

How do we know how Jesus describes us?

Ask Him to search your heart.

Ask Him to show you your heart.

Ask Him to cleanse your heart.

People Meeting Jesus

“Stumbling Over Jesus”

Luke 7:18-30

Reasons we stumble over Jesus:

Confusion

Wrong expectations

Disappointment

Doubt

Hurt

How to keep from stumbling:

Acknowledge what you’re experiencing.

don’t deny it

don’t stuff it

Direct your questions to people who can help you.

don’t make assumptions

examine your expectations

Keep pursuing Jesus

don’t avoid him

don’t reject him

How Jesus responds to us:

He doesn’t shame or condemn us

He lovingly addresses our concerns

He remains faithful

When everything is being shaken around you, keep pursuing Jesus. When everything else fails, He won’t.

People Meeting Jesus

“Get Up!”

Luke 7:11-17

Key “get up” times in history that together tell a story:

Jesus calls a dead person to “get up” out of death.

The Bible uses the same powerful, dramatic word for get up, raised and risen.

God calls a crucified, dead Jesus to “get up” out of the grave.

The resurrection of Jesus is central to every “get up” moment.

God calls us to “get up” out of the deadness of our old life.

The same Spirit that enabled Jesus to “get up” out of the grave is alive in us to enable      us to “get up” out of our sin and shame.

God will call us to “get up” into eternity.

We will be raised up into an eternity apart from Christ or an eternity with Christ.

In the meantime,

God calls us to “get up” into a new way of living.

It’s a life full of His Holy Spirit.

It’s a life of freedom.

God’s “get up” power frees us from sin and enables us to live for Him.

It’s a life of “get up” power.

God’s “get up” times call for His “get up” power.

God has come to help His people by giving them “get up” power.

Which “crowd” are you in today? The crowd of death or the crowd following Jesus?

People Meeting Jesus

“What Jesus is looking for”

Luke 7:1-10

How do you come to Jesus? (By works or by faith?)

Trying to convince Jesus to help you.

“I deserve”

“I’ve been self-sacrificial.”

“I’m religious.”

“I’ve done good deeds.”

“I help ”

“I’m better than most.”

Trusting that Jesus will help you.

Not because you “deserve” it.

You’re helpless to change your condition.

Your hope is in His goodness and willingness.

You trust in the power of His word.

You submit to His authority.

You’re completely dependent on Him.

You trust His decision.

Jesus isn’t looking for great deeds, but great faith.

Trusting Jesus is the “sweet spot” for those living as His disciples.