Matthew 14:22-32

Where is Jesus in the storm? In & Above Matthew 14:22-32

Matthew 14:22-32 Jesus & Peter walk on water, context Jesus’ teaching rejected in Nazareth, Herod kills cousin John the Baptist, remote place Jesus feeds more than five thousand miraculously, Jesus prayer retreat, comes to the disciples in a storm, (have faith)

1. Jesus in the storm with them.

2. Jesus above the storm with them.

Matthew 14:22-32  John 6:6  Mark 6:45-52 “’ Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!’”  NLT  “Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, because they had not understood about the loaves.” – Mark 6:51-52  CSB  Jesus calms the storm. Matthew 8:23-27  Mark 4:35-41  Luke 8:22-25

2 + 2 = 4  Jesus shows miracle power in feeding thousands. + Jesus walks on water & calms the storm. = Jesus has power over what we cannot control.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Romans 8:18

The storm is temporary. (eternal perspective)

Listen: He Has Done Great Things by John Wilds Bethel Music

Receive comfort and strength from the reality of who Jesus is.

Disciples’ evidence of learning from this:

When the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus (appear & disappear), the “2 + 2 = 4” evidence of the supernatural nature of who Jesus is became something they believed “no matter what”. The resurrected Jesus appears to Thomas, in John 20:24-29. They publicly declared Jesus to be the Savior of the world, in Acts 2. They publicly represented Jesus as Savior King despite the persecution of king Herod, in Acts 12. This is evidence that they believed Jesus to be both in the storm with them and above the storm with them.

Romans 5:1-5

Discussion Questions:

·         What do we learn from Matthew 14:22-32, 8:23-27?

·         How does this affect our perspective?

·         What do we learn from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Romans 8:18?

·         What do we learn from Romans 5:1-5?

·         How do these passages affect our perspective?

·         When we consider a future eternal life with God (who is the source of true love) how does it affect our perspective on the “here & now” of this life?

What’s one thing we should do about this?

Hebrews 11:1

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (NLT)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (ESV)

We are not called to have blind faith. No, God created the universe with intention, precision, with a masterstroke. Think of the theme of our youth camp a few years ago: Handcrafted. Think of God like a master carpenter. He has perfected things in his creation that we can only imitate or simply observe in awe.

We spend so much time focusing on the evils, the darkness, the pain and suffering of this world, but do not count God out!. HE CREATED all of this, and despite Adam’s fall, despite our failures and screwups. Despite our constant need to come to the cross and confess our sins, do not forget that creation is still his! The wonder that it inspires, the beauty of it all, that is of Him and Him alone.

Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:4

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:7-12

Genesis 5:23-24

Enoch lived 365 years walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared,because God took him.

Don’t you wonder? What kind of things did he see to have such faith. Was he simply born with it? Born with that undeniable aura of faith? That “it” factor of confidence and poise?

He is one of the first people I want to sit down with in Heaven for sure.

Hebrews 11:5

You see God was moving. He was shaking. He was present in their lives. He was doing it for them, but there was a greater intention behind it as well. He knew that we needed to see this, understand their great faith. These were the stories we needed to understand Him.

Hebrews 11:13-16

You see, this message is not actually based on Hebrews 11. Don’t get me wrong, I am HEAVILY leaning on Hebrews 11, because the author of Hebrews is a far better writer than myself. But what I originally was preaching on was a parable. The parable of the new and old treasures. Let’s look at it.

Matthew 13: 51-52

Do you understand all these things?’ ‘Yes,’ they said, ‘we do.’

Then he added, ‘Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.’

God does not want us to have blind faith. He has given us gems of truth, treasures that are deeply complex, yet simple in their message. He provided us with stories of heroes, giants,stalwarts of faith. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Abel, Rahab, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, Moses, Elijah, Job.

Hebrews 11:32-38

They were not called to have Blind faith, but they were called to have faith. Faith greater than many of us in this room can know. And their faith created these treasures of old. They were stories designed by God and carried out by man to show us what faith brings.

But here’s the kicker. They were not just stories of faith in what was. NO. They are ultimately stories of faith in what will be! That is what Jesus is talking about. He was talking to people that knew these stories. That knew more about Enoch than I clearly do. That knew the context and power of these scriptures. And he said this (my words not scripture). Now look at these new treasures I’ve given you and put them in the context of what you’ve known. Do you see what I’m showing you?

When you take the old treasures. The old stories, the rich histories, the precise instructions, the powerful prophesies. And you combine these with the new perspective that Jesus offered. That is where you find the fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven. The entirety of the new covenant. It doesn’t make you better than or greater than, but as Jesus says, it makes you like a homeowner who brings out the old and the new.

Now I am not the best at making these connections. If there is anything I want to grow in, it is understanding how to connect and make sense of the old treasures. But here’s the thing. We can cheat. We do this thing called life together. And Jesus wants us to. Because he wants us to pull out these old and new treasures and share them. He wants us to taste the Kingdom of Heaven here on this earth! Note that he did not reference a homeowner going to his storeroom to check out his pokemon card collection and PS5. No! He says it is like a homeowner who brings FROM his storeroom new and old gems of truth.

And so to end this message, let me cheat, because I’m going to share with you what was shared with me a few weeks ago.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_N2gxMnWQ)

“Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.

Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.

Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void not knowing whither he went, to create a new people of God.

Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by his father on the mount, but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me,” now we can look at God taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing him and say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son, your only son, whom you love from us.”

Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserved, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.

Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them.

Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.

Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God’s justice, now gives us water in the desert.

Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer, who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.

Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.

Jesus is the true and better Esther who didn’t just risk leaving an earthly palace but lost the ultimate and heavenly one, who didn’t just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.

Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.

Jesus is the real Rock of Moses, the real Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so the angel of death will pass over us. He’s the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.

The Bible’s really not about you – it’s about him.”

We are not called to have blind faith. He’s been writing this story since the beginning of creation. The whole story. And He’s been sharing it with us every step along the way. And Jesus, the cornerstone, allows us to finally fully understand it! Maybe not fully on this Earth, but we will understand it in the Kingdom of Heaven! Because He has called us his sons and daughters, invited us to join His Kingdom, given us grounds to have faith. Faith in what WAS. Faith in what IS. And faith in what WILL BE.

Matthew 25:14-30

What do we learn?

God gives abilities, resources, and opportunities. God expects stewardship. Jesus taught that the Scriptures pointed to him as Messiah, and that those who would reject him would lose what truth they thought that they owned.

We are now stewards of our God-given abilities, resources (including time, energy & money), and opportunities.

Perspective from our study of Scripture

God’s story line tells us 4 things throughout Scripture:

1.      What God wants for us (Creation)

2.      What happened to us and what went wrong with the world (Fall)

3.      What God has done in Jesus Christ to put things right (Redemption)

4.      How history will turn out in the end as a result (Restoration)

– Timothy Keller   Good News of Jesus Christ: What God has done and will yet do.

Who is God?

·         One True Living God – Jer. 10:10-12  Psalm 18:46  1 Thess. 1:9

·         Life-Giver: Provider & Protector  Matt. 7:11  Jn. 14:14  2 Sam. 22:2-7  Psalms 138:7

·         Creator & Redeemer  Gen. 1:1  Isa. 44:24 43:1  Col. 1:15-28

·         Good Father, Relational – Gen. 1:26-28  Isa 64:8  Matt. 6:26-33

·         Rewarder of those who seek – Heb. 11:6

Who are we?

·         Someone who God loved and gave identity, value, and purpose. Gen. 1:26-28

·         Jesus follower  Lk. 9:23-24  Jn. 13:34-35

·         Child of God  Jn. 1:12-13  1 Jn. 3:1  Rom. 8:16-17

·         Coheir with Christ  Rom. 8:17

·         Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation  1 Peter 2:9

God’s purpose for our lives Genesis 1:26-31:

1.      To get to know God. Relationship

2.      To become like Jesus. Character

3.      To be an instrument in God’s hand. Stewardship

4.      To pass God’s life on to others. Reproduction

We recognize God’s passionate purpose, in the Kingdom “Jesus Movement”, in Matthew 4:17 etc and receive his “message and our ministry of reconciling people” to God, in 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

What should we do?

1.      Pray, asking God to help us see our lives (and abilities, resources, & opportunities) the way that he wants us to.

2.      Read Matthew 25:14-30 and think about what Jesus is teaching.

3.      Consider how you prioritize the way that you steward abilities, resources, and opportunities.

4.      Think about one way that you can be a good steward of Jesus’ Good News with someone else this week.

Perfect Love: How Imperfect People Can Love One Another With God’s

Key Passage: 1 John 4:7-21 NLT

Love Defined

The Command

The Problem

The Solution

Mid Review: So far we have established that:

Why does God ask us to love others?

How does God ask us to love others?

What Are the Results/Fruit of Us Loving One Another?

What are some barriers that hinder us from loving people the way God wants us to?

How Do We Overcome These Barriers?

Final Summary

Romans 14:17 – ”  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”

What is the issue?

Romans 14:1 – Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

Weakness in faith,’ means an inadequate grasp of the great principle of salvation by faith in Christ; the consequence of which will be an anxious desire to make this salvation more certain by following a set of formal rules.

Paul’s correction is not about what we eat, drink or when we Sabbath but our treatment of each other as Brothers and Sisters, our family, in Christ.

Paul is saying that discounting or dismissing a weak brother or sister’s choices could cause him deep hurt and They may feel that their integrity as a believer is at stake.

How should we treat other believers? Accept them. This means not just “allow to remain to be a member” but welcomed with friendship.

How do we accept them?

Essentials from Romans 14

The Kingdom of God is:

Righteousness

Also: Giving others their due

Peace. 

The Jews themselves often thought of peace as a state of right relationships between individuals. 

Joy. 

We should see other believers through the lens of the Kingdom of God. This includes

This perspective challenges our motives and thinking, requires us to listen to understand and demands that we love them as Christ loves us, even by laying down our own freedoms for their sake.

Matthew 13:47-50

Truth that the audience was coming to understand: Jesus is the love of God expressed to us. Bringing the Good News of a New Covenant Gospel, Jesus is our Savior, Lord, and King.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” – John 3:16-21  CSB

“Christians are those who have been justified by faith in Christ Jesus and, in consequence, have peace with God (Romans 5:1).” – D. A. Carson

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1  CSB

“Christians are those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2. ” – D. A. Carson

“To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord – both their Lord and ours.” – 1 Corinthians 1:2  CSB

“Christians are those who pray that the power of God may so rest on them that Christ dwells in their hearts through faith, while they themselves increasingly grasp the limitless dimensions of God’s love for them in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:14-21). ” – D. A. Carson

A Story of a Fishing Net  “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake and caught many different kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. They sat down and put all the good fish in baskets and threw away the bad fish. 49 It will be this way at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the good people. 50 The angels will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.” 51 Jesus asked his followers, “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes, we understand.” 52 Then Jesus said to them, “So every teacher of the law who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He brings out both new things and old things he has saved.” – Matthew 13:47-52  NCV

“This parable…like Parable of the Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13 (June 1 – Justin) and the parable of the weeds (June 22 – Chiquacta), tells us about the intermingling of good and bad at the present time and the certainty of their separation at the end of the age.” – Leon Morris

Let’s listen to another parable from Jesus, on a similar theme, to help us understand this one.

The Narrow Door  “Jesus was teaching in every town and village as he traveled toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to Jesus, ‘Lord, will only a few people be saved?’ Jesus said, 24 ‘Try hard to enter through the narrow door, because many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able. 25 When the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you can stand outside and knock on the door and say, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in the streets of our town.’ 27 But he will say to you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Go away from me, all you who do evil!’ 28 You will cry and grind your teeth with pain when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside. 29 People will come from the east, west, north, and south and will sit down at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 There are those who are last now who will be first in the future. And there are those who are first now who will be last in the future.’” – Luke 13:22-30  NCV

Jesus teaches that, at the end of this spiritual era, there is an ultimate result to our decision to receive or reject him.

·         Jesus calls for a decisive response from us. This cannot be ignored.

·         A committed loving relationship is incompatible with rejection.

·         God’s presence is not a safe place for rebellious self-will.

·         There’s a benefit to the kingdom being unified. 1 Cor. 4 “expose motives…some rec. praise,

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.’” – Matthew 4:17  NCV 

·         What did this subject of Jesus’ teaching mean to the initial audience?

·         Preach – publicly announce spiritual truth and principles while urging acceptance and compliance

·         Repent/Change – change one’s way of life as the result of complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness

·         Kingdom – area ruled by a king, domain, Realm – a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

·         Heaven – the spiritual realm owned and operated under the control of God alone

·         At Hand – near, close, approaching, arriving now and ultimately arriving in the near future

God’s story line tells us 4 things:

1.      What God wants for us (Creation)

2.      What happened to us and what went wrong with the world (Fall)

3.      What God has done in Jesus Christ to put things right (Redemption)

4.      How history will turn out in the end as a result (Restoration)

– Timothy Keller   Good News of Jesus Christ: What God has done and will yet do.

Who did Jesus die for? 

“He died for all.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15  “By God’s grace, He died for everyone.” – Hebrews 2:9  “God so loved the world that He gave His Son,” – John 3:16  “This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4  “God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” – 2 Peter 3:9-10a Who does Jesus teach about a separation of people?

If Jesus died for all, then are all actually saved? (because Jesus parable of the net speaks to separation)

1 Timothy 4:10

that He gave his only begotten Son

John 3:16

Him should not perish but have everlasting life

Matthew 1:21

Hebrews 5:9

–          April 2 Life Group Bible Study Bible study notes from Ken Malmin of Portland Bible College

“God’s sovereign will is absolute and supreme. The moral will of God is that everyone do His will but allows for humanity’s choice whether to comply. When someone chooses to rebel against God’s moral will, it does not mean they have escaped the boundaries of God’s sovereign will.” – Ken Malmin

Whose choice saves us? “From our perspective, God’s choice is responsible for our salvation. From God’s perspective, our choice to respond is necessary. God’s choice is sovereign. Humanity’s choice is significant.” – Ken Malmin

Does our choice matter?  God’s knowledge (“ahead of time”) is perfect. It does not violate humanity’s free will. God’s choosing (election) is based on His foreknowledge. “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,” – 1 Peter 1:2  “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His  purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.” – Romans 8:28-30  CSB  Jesus Christ: Savior, Lord, and King!

What should we do?

1.      Pray, asking God for wisdom about the truth of Jesus’ parables and how to apply them/

2.      Read Matthew 13:47-50 and maybe all of Matthew 13.

3.      Ask yourself, What does Jesus see? What does Jesus want me to see from the pictures he presents?

4.      Write down the answers.

5.      Think about how this truth applies to your perspective and values.

6.      Consider how this may apply to the way that you spend your time, energy, and money.

Matthew 13:44-46

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the  treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field. Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a man looking for fine pearls. When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:44-46  NCV

4 Responses from Matthew 13:44-46 to the kingdom of heaven: discovery, happiness, attachment, & ownership.

1. Discovery – Jesus describes a point of finding the kingdom of God, which is most valuable. 1 Corinthians 2:8-16

2. Happiness – Jesus describes a joyful response to recognizing and receiving the value of the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3, 10

3. Attachment –  Jesus describes a wholehearted personal attachment to the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23  Romans 8:16-17

4. Ownership – Jesus describes letting go of everything that is temporary for the sake of an eternal commitment to the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:9, 10, 19-24

What do we learn?

What should we do?

1. Read Matthew 13:44-46 this week and think about it.

2. Pray, asking God for his kingdom here and now.

“You should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’” – Matthew 6:9-10  CSB

3. Pray, asking God to open our spiritual eyes to eternal perspective.

4. Pray, asking God to shape our values and priorities.

5. Think and plan actions based on these truths.

Matthew 13:18-23

1. What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity, in Matthew 13:18-23? “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 13:11)

This requires that we use active listening, to God, with an intent to understand and respond with gracious humility.

2. What is active listening?

Key Aspects of Active Listening:

What is active listening?  …showing love by listening with an intent to understand…

Jesus’ teaching shows evidence of his years of listening to Father God and listening to people. Good thoughts on this subject in The Revolutionary Communicator by Jedd Medefind & Erik Lokkesmoe

3. What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them, in Matthew 13:18-23?

Obstacles: Lack of Understanding, Enemy Influence, Shallow Application, Resistance, Worries, Temptation

Overcoming: Active Listening, Deep Questions, Careful Consideration, Spirit-enabled Understanding, Deep Application, Resisting Enemy’s Influence, Participation in Producing Fruit

What does this “listening” mean, as a Biblical concept? 

“Let those with ears use them and listen.” – Matthew 13:9

“God said to Peter and John, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’” – Mark 9:7

This is a call to attentive listening and understanding, implying a deeper, spiritual meaning beyond simply hearing with physical ears. Deuteronomy 29:4, Psalms 115:4, Proverbs 1:33, 2:2, 10:17, 16:20, 19:20, Jeremiah 25:4, Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9, 23, Luke 8:8, 21, 11:28, 14:35, John 14:15, James 1:22-24, Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22  ACTIVE LISTENING “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And set your heart on my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be established on your lips. So that your trust may be in Yahweh,” – Proverbs 22:17-19  LSB

Matthew 13:9-17

Preview: What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity? What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them?

Matthew 13:9-17 Why Jesus Used Stories to Teach

They must have wondered: Why was Jesus telling these stories that people could only partly understand? Why was he making them think and not telling them the answers?

·         “parables/stories”(Matthew 13:10)  – expressions which are not to be understood literally, but symbolically, figuratively, or allegorically

·         “parable” (Matthew 13:18) – a relatively short narrative with symbolic meaning, allegory, figure of speech, story telling device as vehicle for communication

What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity?

11 Jesus answered, “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, but others cannot know these secrets.

“know” – to come to an understanding as the result of ability to experience and learn (also translated to understand, able to understand, to know about,

“secrets” – the content of that which has not been known before, but which has been revealed to an in-group

12 Those who have understanding will be given more, and they will have all they need. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them. 13 This is why I use stories to teach the people:” “That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight.” – Matthew 13:13  The Message  “They see, but they don’t really see.

They hear, but they don’t really hear or understand. “Jesus speaks in parables in “response” to this lack of understanding.” – Ulrich Luz (2001). Matthew: a commentary (H. Koester, Ed.; p. 246). Augsburg. 

16 But you are blessed, because you see with your eyes and hear with your ears.” “ “But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear!” – Matthew 13:16  The Message   17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and good people wanted to see the things that you now see, but they did not see them. And they wanted to hear the things that you now hear, but they did not hear them.” – Matthew 13:9-17  NCV

1. What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity? 

“You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 13:11)  (Our response to the “message” aka the Gospel Good News of Jesus and our resulting relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and King.)

Jesus’ instruction to listen, for the sake of coming “to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven,” includes the interaction of a healthy relationship with God and God-enabled learning that produces understanding.

“Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, Relationship management” – Daniel Goleman

Spiritual emotional intelligence through wholehearted devotion to God. Learning who we are through learning who God is, how God relates to us, what God communicates to us, and who God has designed us to be. Such knowledge, understanding, and wisdom is learned and learnable. This requires that we use active listening, to God, with an intent to understand and respond with gracious humility.

This underscores the importance of the meaning of this parable, Jesus reveals in Matthew 13:18-23.

2. What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them, in Matthew 13:18-23?

Obstacles: Lack of Understanding, Enemy Influence, Shallow Application, Resistance, Worries, Temptation

Overcoming: Active Listening, Deep Questions, Careful Consideration, Spirit-enabled Understanding, Deep Application, Resisting Enemy’s Influence, Participation in Producing Fruit

God desires us to earnestly ask Him for more workers for the harvest and to actively participate in that work by following the example of Jesus.

Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Look to Jesus as our example: What do we see here?

1.      Jesus went to the people, he did not wait for them to come to him.

2.      Jesus was aware of the condition of the people

3.      Jesus had compassion. He was “moved in his guts/bowels or stirred deep inside” (the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity). Compassion involves identifying with the situation of others that one is prepared to act for their benefit, to address their physical needs.

4.      Jesus Does something to address their physical needs: “healing every disease and  sickness”

5.      Describes people as a harvest

6.      Jesus Invites, encourages & teaches others to respond the way He does

7.      The workers

8.      Why are there “few” workers? Idle Christians: without purpose or effect

It’s the idea of people who say they are Christians but are really seeking a comfortable life and doing all they can to prevent possible adversity. But they need to have a fire lit under them, or rather inside them, to drive them out of their comforts into a world of need.

9.      What does Jesus say we need to do to address these issues?

10.   How can we participate in the harvest like Jesus? (besides prayer)

11.   What can you do this week?