1. Now: Behold the coming of your Savior 2. Now: Witness the day of your salvation 3. Now: Welcome the age of the kingdom of God

Our anger of heart and our angry words are far more serious than we assume. What are Jesus' steps of cure? 1. Admit we are murderers in our hearts. (v.21-22) 2. Quickly get right with God and others. (v.23-26) 3. Surrender our minds and hearts to God for renewal. Home discussion questions: 1. How can it be that we are guilty of murder, as defined by Jesus? 2. What must be done about our offenses to others? Why is restoration with others so urgent, and why is it more important than worship, or prayer meeting, or Bible study? See Psalm 66:18, 1 Peter 3:7 3. In what specific ways are we working to change, how will we measure growth, and who is helping us by holding us accountable for transformation on this? See Psalm 39:1, Proverbs 17:14

Christ has given the permanent gift of the office of deacon to His people. 1. The need for deacons. (v.1-2) 2. The character of deacons. (v.4-5) 3. The blessing of deacons. (v.4,6-7) How does it impact us that Christ gave us deacons? What is modeled for us in our deacons? Matthew 9:35 In this broken world, who can we respect? 1 Timothy 3:8 What in the church is protected by deacons? Acts 6:4

Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. (v.17) 1. How did Jesus fulfill the law of God? a. By His teaching and His life. b. By His death and resurrection. 2. What does this mean for us as Christians? a. Jesus fulfilled the law by writing it on our hearts. b. The law is not a burdensome, external rule to us, but a delightful, internal desire to walk with God. Conclusion: Jesus shows us that our settled and consistent attitude toward the law of God reveals our attitude toward God Himself. For Discussion Towards Being Doers of the Word: 1. Look at 1 John 3:22 and 5:3. How do these apply what Jesus preached? 2. What commandment of God are we working on now? Which commands seem burdensome? 3. What is our attitude to the law of God? Why?

Christ has His gospel preached in the world, and there are three responses. 1. Violence (v.33,40) Known by jealousy, anger, and fear. 2. Indifference (v.34-39) Known by worldly wisdom and calculating. 3. Acceptance (v.41-42) Known by joy, obeying, being honored to suffer. How can we view suffering as an honor and a joy? What did Jesus say about persecution? Matthew 5:10-12 In what way did God promise to help us? Matthew 10:17-20 Why does the world hate us? John 15:18-25

1. Refuse the pull of the world. (v.1) 2. Delight daily in God's Word. (v.2) 3. Remember God's purpose for your life. (v.3) 4. Live with eternity in view. (v.6)

3 truths for advancing God's Kingdom. 1. The treasure we carry is…(The Gospel of Jesus Christ). 2. The vessels God uses is… (frail and fragile people). 3. The surpassing power…(belongs to God…and so does all the glory).

Because the Light of the World (Jesus) dwells in us by His Spirit, we are the light of the world, and so must shine our Light. How? 1. We must shine our Light (Jesus) by doing good works. 2. We must shine our Light (Jesus) by deliberately having others see our good works. 3. We must shine our Light (Jesus) by directing all glory to our Father in heaven, not to ourselves. Dinner-time Discussion Towards Being Doers of the Word: 1. What good works are we doing?! Name them. Who, exactly, can see the light of Jesus because of our practical expressions of Christ to them? Name them. Matthew 11:2, John 5:33,35. 2. How can we deliberately have others see our good works? Also, how could we trumpet the good tasks of others in a way that unbelievers will see it? Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Peter 2:12 and 4:10-11. 3. What happens when we take credit for an act of service 'for the Lord'? Isaiah 9:2, and 49:6 and John 8:12 and Matthew 23:5.

Jesus set us free from the destruction of sinful jealousy. 1. The definition of sinful jealousy. 2. The destructive power of sinful jealousy. 3. The cure for sinful jealousy. How can we win against our own sinful jealousy? Who is named Jealous in the Bible? Exodus 34:14 What did jealousy cause King Herod to do? Matthew 2:1-12 Rate the power of these: wrath, anger, and jealousy. Proverbs 27:4