GCC Newton sermon audio

What’s True in the Bible?

1. Get dusty. (Mark 1:17 / Luke 10:39 / Acts 22:3 / Mishnah, Avot 1:4; Shabbat 3:3, 12:15)

2. Catch people. (Mark 1:14–20)

What’s Real in my life?

• How is “sitting at Jesus’ feet” different than mimicking His actions? How do I do either regularly?

• Where do I “go fishing?” What has proven to be the most effective?

What’s Next?

• Evaluate how you learn and apply Jesus’ teaching. Is there an imbalance between learning and applying? Take a step to balance your walk with Jesus.

• Pick on place to “go fishing” this week and pray every day until you do.

What’s True in the Bible?

1. Jesus’ mission was to set people free. (Luke 4:16–21 / Isaiah 61:1–2)

2. Jesus’ mission is bigger than you. (John 4:22–30)

What’s Real in my life?

• What do I like about Jesus’ mission (Isaiah 61:1–2)? Have I been “set free?”

• Have I ever been angry with God? Why?

• If God blesses “them” and not me or my loved ones, what is my response?

What’s Next?

• Join Jesus in His mission to set people free.

• Pick three people in your community with whom you will share the liberating message of the gospel.

What’s True in the Bible?

Reaching the Next Generations

We intentionally pass on our faith to the coming generations, no matter the sacrifice. If we don’t, our church will die.

We’ll reach them with the Truth.

1. Let them feel you love it. (Deuteronomy 6:5–6 / Psalm 119:46–48)

2. Let them hear you speak it. (Deuteronomy 6:7 / Psalm 71:17–18; 78:4–8; 102:18–22)

3. Let them see you live it. (Deuteronomy 6:8–9 / John 13:35 / Ephesians 3:21)

What’s Real in my life?

• Who are the younger people in my life?
• How am I reaching them?
• How important is it to me to reach the next generations

What’s Next?

• Pray for the younger people in your life, and that God would use you to fill them with truth and hope.

• Volunteer your time, talents, and treasures to reach the next generations through GraceKids, Awana, or other ministry efforts.

What’s True in the Bible?

Owning the Mission

We are the church—we each have a unique responsibility to share the gospel in our circles of influence and beyond. No exception.

1. We are the church—... (1 Peter 2:9–10 / 1 Corinthians 12:12–27)

2. ... we each have a unique responsibility to share the gospel... (1 Peter 4:10–11 / 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 11)

3. ... in our circles of influence and beyond. ... (Luke 10:25–37 / Acts 1:6–8 / 3 John 5–8)

4. ... No exception. (Ephesians 4:11–16)

What’s Real in my life?

• Does my life show that I love God, love people, and lead others to do the same? In what ways?

• What specific gifts, skills, and passions has God given me to use for his glory and for the good of the kingdom?

• What unique opportunities do I have to share the gospel with the people around me?

• What excuses have I been making that are holding me back from being a more active participant in God’s mission for our church?

What’s Next?

• Identify where you fall on a scale from mission consumer to participant to owner.

• Identify and take a practical next step to move more into owning the mission.

What’s True in the Bible?

Pursuing Authentic Community

We build belonging by gladly sharing our lives together, even when life is hard—and that’s when it matters most.

A Great Example

The believers pursued...
1) The apostles’ teaching

2) The fellowship

3) The breaking of bread

4) The prayers

What’s Real in my life?
• Who are my people when life gets hard?
• How do I seek to include others in authentic community?
• Do I have a “what’s mine is yours” attitude about my possessions?

What’s Next?

• Where do I struggle to be authentic with my church community, and how can I move towards being more real?
• What are some spiritual and material blessings that God has given me that I need to gladly share with others?

What’s True in the Bible?

Upholding Biblical Integrity

We are unashamed in our devotion to the truth and authority of the Bible. If we get this right, everything else follows; if we get this wrong, nothing else matters.

1. How did Jesus view the Scriptures? (John 5:39 / Matthew 5:17 / Luke 24:44–46)

2. How did the Apostles view the Scriptures? (1 Corinthians 14:37 / 2 Timothy 3:14–17 / 2 Peter 1:16–21)

3. What happens if we get this wrong? (Judges 17–21 / Jeremiah 36:29–31 / Matthew 7:24–27)

What’s Real in my life?
• Why do I trust or not trust the Scriptures?
• How is God changing the way I live through His Word?
• Why is it important that the Bible be the basis for our beliefs?

What’s Next?

• Identify one area of life where you are not upholding Biblical integrity (e.g. money, relationships, food or substances, time), and ask yourself, “Why is it so hard to follow God’s direction in this area?”
• Take that matter to God in prayer and follow through in obedience.

What’s True in the Bible?

The Life of Faith

1. When Jesus is familiar, faith depreciates. (John 4:43–44)

2. When faith is tested, it reveals. (John 4:45–48)

3. When faith is applied, it saves. (John 4:49–54)

What’s Real in my life?
• Does my relationship with God feel like it’s in a rut? • How is my faith being tested right now?
• What is that revealing about my trust in God?

What’s Next?

• Go home, be honest about where you are not fully trusting God, find out what the Bible says about it, and take a leap of faith, taking God at His Word.

What’s True in the Bible?

Four Questions for Every Follower of Jesus

1. Does Jesus’ mission confuse me? (John 4:27–33)

2. Does Jesus’ mission satisfy me? (John 4:34, 36)

3. Does Jesus’ mission include me? (John 4:35–38)

4. Do I own my faith? (John 4:39–42)

What’s Real in my life?

• Do I understand Jesus’ mission in the world? What is my part?

• Is doing God’s will as essential to me as eating? How so?

• Is my faith completely my own, or am I leaning on the faith of others?

What’s Next?

• Ask God to search your heart and reveal your desire and commitment to joining His mission.

• Share your faith with at least two people who may not know Jesus.

What’s True in the Bible?

We pursue the lost by:

1. Overcoming prejudice. (John 4:4–9 / Philippians 2:3)

2. Addressing their needs. (John 4:10–18)

3. Sharing the Truth. (John 4:19–26, 14:6, 17:17 / Ephesians 4:15–29 / 1 Peter 3:15)

What’s Real in my life?

• How often do I share my faith with non-believers? Why?

• In what places am I intentionally looking for lost people to share my faith with?

• What differences are the most difficult to overcome when sharing my faith with others? (political, cultural, etc.)

What’s Next?

• Ask God to bring on person to mind to share your faith with this week.

• Pray for that person each day. If no person comes to mind, pray for God to open opportunities to share your faith in the places you go.

• Begin the interactions with common ground and compassion, then offer “living water.”

If you are in Christ, you have 1) more value, 2) more freedom, and 3) more potential than you can imagine.

1. More Value

a. There is no greater price than what God has paid for you in Jesus.

b. Let your value be determined by Jesus.

2. More Freedom

a. Although sin is possible, it should no longer be normal or expected in our lives.

b. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

3. More Potential

a. God intends to transform us into the image of Jesus.

b. Our imagination of what is possible in our lives—because Christ is in us—must be expanded.