The Certainty of the Resurrection Requires us to Respond . . .

I. Truth 1: The Cross, Resurrection and Ascension were Necessary for our Forgiveness!

II. Truth 2: The Scriptures Illuminated by God are Necessary to Point us to Christ!

III. Responses: Faith, Missions, and Worship flow out of Genuine Saving Encounters w/ Jesus!

Practical Implications

o Have you repented and believed?

o What part can you play in God’s mission?

o How is your life in gathering and out affected by Jesus?

God’s Training Program Produces Endurance and Holiness . . .

I. Giving Ongoing Serious Thought to Jesus Keeps us from Wearing Out! (3-4)

II. Reframing our Perspective on Trials can Cement our Assurance of God’s Fatherly Love for us! (5-8)

III. Responding well to Trials Unlocks their Maximum Benefit in our Lives! (9-11)

Practical Implications

o What competes w/ Christ as the treasure of your life?

o What are some wrong views you have about God and yourself?

o How do you generally respond to challenges? How has that made it better? Worse?

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God Is Worthy Because He Is the Only One Able . . .

I. To Reveal God’s Decrees as Reigning King! (1-5)

II. To Restore Humanity to God by His Redeeming Blood! (6-10)

III. To Receive the Praise of All Creation Reserved for God! (11-14)

Application Questions

o What is your view of Jesus?

o Has the blood of Jesus redeemed you? What has Jesus saved you FROM? What has He saved you FOR?

o What would your life’s goals, aims, and ambitions say about who or what you worship? Are they WORTHY of it?

o Who is getting your honor, glory, and praise that is rightfully due Jesus?

Run your God Given Race by Faith and with Endurance . . .

I. Don’t be Slowed Down by Dead Weight or Sin! (1)

II. Keep the Pace until the End by Fixing your Gaze on Jesus! (2)

Practical Implications

o What are some neutral things in your life that sidetrack your walk w/ Christ?

o What sin clusters might God want to work through with you now?

o How has shame affected your life, self, God?

o How can you more intentionally turn from other things and fix eyes and mind on Christ?

Faith Trusts that God can do the Unimaginable . . .

I. Like fight for us in the Face of Major Obstacles; so that we can Simply Walk Faithfully. (30)

II. Like Adopt as Children those who were Enemies; so we can now Put our Faith in Action! (31)

Practical Implications

o If you really believed this, how would you respond differently today?

o What are some things that take functional control of your heart?

o What are you letting define you that isn’t the Gospel?

Seeing Christ Uproots You from the Pull of the World . . .

I. Making You Defiant, So You Can Leave a Legacy of Faith! (23)

II. Reorienting Your Treasure, So You Choose God’s People over This World’s Comforts! (24-26)

III. Stirring Up Enduring Worship That Replaces Paralyzing Fear with Active Faith! (27)

Practical Implications

o Who has your allegiance?

o Who has your treasure?

o Who has your gaze?

Display your Faith by Continuing in the Face of Uncertainty …

I. Leaving the Comfortable and Known for the Unknown with God! (8-10)

II. Waiting with Persevering Fitful Faithfulness! (11-12)

III. Living as Strangers on Earth because we are Looking for a Better Home! (13-16)

Practical Implications

o How comfortable is your Christianity? Why?

o What would full faithfulness to Jesus look like right here/right now?

o What are some ways your life looks “at home” here? What about “foreign”?

By Faith we are Saved from the Coming Judgment . . .

I. We see the Extent of Depravity and the Beautiful Glory of God’s Grace! (4)

II. We see Widespread Warning but Precious Few Believe and Act! (5-6)

III. We see Universal Condemnation but God’s Security for those He Declares Righteous! (35-39)

IV. We see the Need for Ongoing Grace in our Worship and Weakness! (Gen 8:20ff; 9:18ff)

Practical Implications

o What evidence of grace do you see in the world around you? In your own life?

o What are some ways God warns us of spiritual dangers ahead? How do you generally respond?

o What are some ways you are putting your faith into action?

A Few Things to Devote Yourself to This Year...

I. Devote Yourself to Meaningful Time in the Word Daily!

II. Devote Yourself to Genuine Community!

III. Devote Yourself to Hospitality and Shared Meals!

IV. Devote Yourself to Meaningful Prayer Times in Private and in Groups!

Practical Implications

God’s Glory is Seen in Christ’s Birth as . . .

I. He Moves an Empire to Fulfill Thousands of Years of Prophecy! (1-7)

II. He Displays Himself most Clearly in Grace by Sending His Only Son! (8-14)

III. He Evokes a Response of Worship, Meditation and Mission! (15-20)

Practical Implications

o What are some ways/reasons you struggle to believe God’s power?

o How can you cultivate the practice of meditating on Jesus/the Word?

o Who are you going to intentionally pursue w/ the gospel this year? If no one, why not?