Jesus 120

For the month of January we will be reviewing who Grace Chapel is, what we believe, casting vision for 2018, and providing an opportunity for membership in the church. This sermon is part one, focused on our core beliefs and why we practice the sacraments of communion and water baptism.

Life Group Questions:

Have the sermon notes ready if needed to review each topic and the supporting scriptures while discussing the following questions:

1) Why is it important for a church to have unity in essential beliefs? Additionally, why is it ok to have liberty in non-essential beliefs? What are some essential and some non-essential beliefs of the Christian faith? How does all of this relate to the fact that we are called members of God’s family, and therefore impact our relationships with one another?

2) Why is it important for a church body to have a unified way of thinking about the trinity? What is the important idea that unifies us about the trinity?

3) What does the deity of Christ mean? Why is this an essential part of our faith and the gospel message?

4) What is the importance of the physical resurrection of Christ? What evidence do we see in the lives of the disciples to prove the true resurrection?

5) What is significant of the wording that we are saved "by grace through faith"?

6) 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us to examine ourselves before taking communion; what does that mean to you? How do you live that out?

7) Why do we choose to perform baptism on older children and adults, but not babies? What does this signify about the sacrament of baptism?

8) Why is it important as a church and in our personal lives for the Bible to be our standard of truth? How does this work out in our lives when we disagree or dislike something the Bible says?

Today we are wrapping up the “I AM” series where we have been exploring the identity & mission of Jesus through the eyes of the apostle John. In this week’s sermon we reflect on Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If we will choose to make Him our King it will lead to an abundant and eternal life. However, if we aren’t careful, we can become like the church in Laodicea. We can find ourselves leading a bland and empty life when we settle for anything less than a real, vibrant relationship with the only One who holds all the keys.

Life Group Questions:

Key verses: John 14:1-7, Revelation 3:14-33 and Revelation 1:3

Discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1) What do you think is important about Jesus' choice of words in John 14:6? (Focus on the words: the and no one)

2) How does Jesus answer all of life's major questions: why am I here? How should I live? What happens when I die?

3) Chesterson spoke of Jesus as a key; C.S. Lewis spoke of Him as the sun, do you agree with these analogies? Why or why not? Is there another way that you describe Jesus?

4) Describe what you think of as a lukewarm believer. Why do you think that this type of person is sickening to Jesus?

5) The people of Laodicea were successful and wealthy; do you think that contributed to their lukewarmness? Why or why not? Why is it easy to believe that those who are wealthy and successful have the answers? What other types of people do we tend to associate with having the answers? Why will they always fail us?

6) In Revelation 3:19 Jesus talks about disciplining those He loves; what is your natural reaction to this? What is the purpose of (loving) discipline? Why do we tend to baulk at it?

7) Revelation 1:3 Will we keep what is written? How?

In week 7 of this series on the mission and identity of Christ, Pastor Jake teaches on the role of Jesus as The Door. Anyone who will enter by him is welcome, and when Jesus invites you into his kingdom, there is ultimate protection and glorious freedom.

Part 6 of the series on Christ's mission and identity is a discussion of Jesus as the good shepherd. As his sheep, we are called to a nomadic life, but He promises to lead us if we will follow His voice.

Read the key verses and discuss the following questions:

John 10: 1-5, 11-16, 27-28, Revelation 3:1-6, Psalm 23:1-6

1) What qualities or actions do you think of when you hear the word shepherd? Can those characteristics describe Jesus? Why or why not?

2) What are some qualities or actions that you think of when you hear the word sheep? How do you feel about being called a sheep? Do you think it is a fair representation of humankind?

3) In John 10:3-5, the sheep know His voice. Do you hear God’s voice in your life? If yes, how does He speak to you? If not, can you think of things in your life that may be keeping you from hearing His voice or things that could be competing with it?

4) Looking at John 10:12-15, who could be considered a hired hand? How does this make you think of the roles people play within the church/faith? Does it have any impact on your desire to have a leadership role?

5) Why is it so easy to associate bad qualities of "hired hands" with the good shepherd?

6) Can you think of a time when Jesus wanted to bring someone back in the flock, but you resisted (John 10:16)? Why do you think that happens so easily?

7) What are some ways that people try to make Earth home? What do you see is the result?

8) What do you think Jesus means when He says He will come "like a thief" (Rev. 3:3)? Does this idea make you think differently about living a life of apathy?

In week 5 of this series on the mission and identity of Christ, Pastor Jake discussed Jesus' role as the light of the world. Just like the church in Thyatira, we live in a world full of darkness, but Jesus has the answer for us, and He wants us to step out of the darkness into His light.

Read the key verses and discuss the following questions:

John 8: 12, 1:1-10, Genesis 1:1-4, John 3:19-21, John 12:35-36, 44-46 and Revelation 2:18-29

1) Why do you think John chose to begin his gospel the way He did (John 1:1-10) rather than with the story of Christmas?

2) Why do you think God created light days before the sun, moon, and stars? How does this reference to God hovering over the face of the water reflect the condition of the lost soul?

3) Why do you think people (or do you remember yourself) are afraid to step into the light of Jesus? What do you know about Jesus that should quiet those fears?

4) In John 9:5-7 Jesus gives the blind man sight. How has Jesus used "mud" in your eyes to show you where you are in darkness?

5) The church in Thyatira had the love that the church in Ephesus lacked, and were diligently working like the church in Smryna, but like the church in Pergmamum, they were allowing compromise from their culture. Why was their compromise even more offensive to God?

6) As a follower of Christ, are there areas of your life where you have allowed the darkness to have a small space? What do you think are some practical ways to keep that darkness from creeping in?

7) Pastor Jake said that people who believe that the Christian life is boring are believing a lie. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

In this fourth week of the series on the identity and mission of Christ, Jake discussed how Jesus is the bread of life. The church in Pergamum was compromising their standards to conform to their culture, but Jesus offered them a lasting gift that He still offers all who will accept!

Key Verses: John 6:25-35, 47-54, 60, 66-69, Revelation 2:12-17, Hebrews 4:12 Read these verses and discuss the following questions:

1. First Jesus feeds the crowd bread and fish. Why did he do that? How can that relate to the way that we minister in our own community?

2. In verses 26-28, when Jesus offers them the free gift of eternal life, what is their response? Is that still a response that people have? Have you? Why or why not?

3. Read John 6:35 again; this verse is a foundation of our faith, but do you really believe it? In your normal, everyday life, do you feel satisfied with what Jesus gives you, or are you always hungering/thirsting for something more?

4. Following Jesus’ declaration, the people begin to grumble and talk about how they know His parents, so how could he be from heaven. Are there times in your life when you have found it easier to discredit the messenger than to hear truth?

5. The Christians in Ephesus were working hard but had no love, the Christians in Smyrna were enduring hard times, what are the good and bad things that John pointed out about the Christians in Pergamum?

6. The culture in Pergamum was pulling the Christians there to compromise their standards and beliefs. Can you name some specific ways that our current culture pulls Christians to compromise? Can you think of any you struggle with?

7. Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s word is sharper than any two edged sword; what is the real life implication of these words? What emotions do you have when you really think about those words?

8. At the end of his letter to Pergamum, John tells the readers that there is a gift for those who choose the follow the spirit. What is that gift?

Part three of the “I AM” series discusses Jesus’ role as the resurrection and the life. Pastor Jake described the interaction between Martha and Jesus shortly after Lazarus died as well as the words that John sent to the church at Smyrna, and the life altering truth that comes from having a Savior that is the Resurrection and the Life.

Life Group Questions:

Read the key verses in John 11:25-26, Revelation 2:8-11, and Acts 4:32-35 (you may also want to recap the back story found in John 10, 11 and 12)

Then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1. Why had Jesus left the area around Jerusalem (John 10), and why had he returned in John 11:25-26?

a. Who was he talking to in this verse?

b. Why could these words seem insensitive or cold when he said them

c. What did Jesus do to prove what He was saying was true?

2. What did Jesus mean when He said He was the resurrection? Why did He ask Martha “Do you believe this?”

a. Can you think of a time in your life when you had a hard time believing that He is the resurrection and the life?

b. What about when our prayers aren’t answered in the way we want them to be? Does it mean that this part of Him is no longer true?

3. Why is it important that Jesus died? How does it impact the way He relates to us?

4. What is unique about the letter to the church at Smyrna?

5. What does Jesus know about their current condition? What does He know about their eternal condition?

a. How does this impact and encourage them as they suffer persecution?

b. How does that same truth affect us when we are suffering tribulation?

6. What is significant about the name of the church at Smyrna?

7. What is the reason we gather as a church (Acts 4:33)? How does that impact our daily lives now? Why is it important to share this truth with those around us?

In part two of our discussion of the mission and identity of Christ, Pastor Jake discusses Jesus’ role as the Vine, his followers as the branches, and God as the vinedresser, and how Jesus’ love pouring into his followers is the true source of life.

Life Group Questions:

Read these verses: John 15:1-11, Revelation 2:1-7

Then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1) In this Jesus’ analogy from John 15, who are the vine, branches, and gardener (vinedresser)?

2) Why is the vine essential to the branches? How does that illustrate our relationship with Christ?

3) Why does a gardener need to prune?

4) Can you think of a time God had to remove something from your life that was painful but necessary?

5) How/when can strengths become weaknesses?

6) In John 15:9-11, why does the Father require obedience? How are His laws different from Earthly laws? How should these differences impact our attitude toward them?

7) Read Revelation 2:1-4; what is John thankful for with the church at Ephesus? What are they missing?

8) Why does Jesus want the church at Ephesus to remember their love for him?

9) Can you think of a time in your own life when you were working hard for the right things, but you had lost sight of Him and His love? How did it affect your attitude?

In the first sermon of a new series: “I AM”, Pastor Jake lays the groundwork for a 7-week discussion about the mission and identity of Jesus. As we look forward to the Christmas season, we will discuss the importance of who Christ is, and how his attributes should impact our daily lives.

Life Group Questions:

Read these key verses: John 8:30-36, 43, 58-59, Exodus 2:23-25, 3:1-4, 14-15 and Revelation 1:1,3, 9-20

Then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1. Who was Jesus talking to in John 8:30? Why were they so upset? Why did he say they were slaves?

2. What is the significance of Jesus calling himself I AM?

3. “Truth alone doesn’t set you free, it’s the truth you know that sets you free” what does that statement mean to you? Why is it important to Christ followers?

4. What are you enslaved to? What has Christ set you free from? (Maybe just think about this unless someone wants to share)

5. What does it mean to have a “god of your own making”? Why is that dangerous? Does this view of God have consequences outside of the individual that creates that god?

6. In Exodus 3:1-4, Moses looked, beheld, and turned aside to see, why is that significant? Do you think this is how you acknowledge God when He is speaking to you?

7. What is your relationship or history with the book of Revelation? What is the blessing promised in the first few verses of Revelation?

Guest speaker Bill Spencer teaches on the importance of understanding our Identity in Christ. In this sermon we explore the discrepancies in Ruth and Boaz’s views of who Ruth was, and how these differences mirror how we see ourselves in contrast to how God sees us.

Life Group Questions:

Recap the conversation between Ruth and Boaz in Ruth 2:8-13, and review Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Ephesians 1:3

1) How did Ruth see herself?

2) How did Boaz see her?

3) Before hearing this sermon, how would you have described yourself?

a) Who are some of the voices you listened to for that identity?

4) How does God see you? How do we discover that?

a) Do you believe that you live in the fullness of that identity?

b) What behavior would change if you truly believed that about yourself?

5) In Ephesians, how and why does God bless us?

6) How does God’s view of us compare to a parent’s view of their child?

7) What can we do to help us see ourselves through God’s eyes instead of our own?