Life WITH Hope | October 15, 2023
Brian Priebe | Executive Pastor

Genesis 1:1-2a (NIV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep

Revelations 21:2-4 (NIV)
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Psalm 42:5-6a (NIV)
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you

Mark 4:35-38 (NIV)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection Questions:

1. Read Revelations 21:2-4 & 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Describe your hope for the future. How real does it feel for you today?

2. Read Mark 4:35-41. How is your day to day hope in life today? What are the things that chip away at your hope? How can others come around you to encourage you?

3. Are there people in your life (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates) who are lacking hope for the future or today? Can you name and pray for them? Are you willing to invite them to join you on a Sunday morning with the hope that they'd be encouraged to hope through Journey?

Next Steps:

Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard
Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give
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Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2023.10.15.pdf

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

Luke 12:25-26 (NIV)
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

What does Jesus want them to see?

Mark 6:48 (NIV)
“he was about to pass by them”…

What does Peter do in FEAR?
What is your BOAT?
Did Peter Fail?

Reflection Questions:

What dangers in this life produce fear in you?

How do we often try to control our circumstances to alleviate our fears?

Is ultimate control of our circumstances an illusion? Why or why not?

What is the difference between choosing CONTROL and choosing SURRENDER? How have you experienced this in your life? What makes SURRENDER difficult sometimes?

We are SAFE when we are WITH Jesus. But safety does not always mean comfortable. How have you experienced being uncomfortable even when you know you were following Jesus in obedience?

What things in your life do you fear surrendering to Jesus? What is your “boat” that you cling to when Jesus is calling you to follow Him? Where is Jesus inviting you to trust him today?

Did Peter fail when he sank in the story? Explain. How have you learned from failure in your life and how has that grown your faith?

Next Steps:

Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard

Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give
Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app
Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2023.10.08.pdf

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

Question: Why do you do what you do?

Luke 15:25-32 (NIV):

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Matthew 4:19

Matthew 28:18-20

1) Approval Addiction

Matthew 6:1-4

“At issue here is the question: ‘To whom do I belong? To God or to the world?’ Many of my daily preoccupations suggest that I belong more to the world than to God. A little criticism makes me angry, and a little rejection makes me depressed. A little praise raises my spirits, and a little success excites me. . . . Often I am like a small boat on the ocean, completely at the mercy of its waves.”
— Henri Nouwen (from The Life I Always Wanted, John Ortberg)

Galatians 1:10

2) Burnout

Matthew 11:28-30

3) Entitlement Mentality

Philippians 3:7-9a

Matthew 7:21-23

Reflection Questions:

Why is it important to ask the question: “Why do I what I do?” with regard to our spiritual lives? What are the potential dangers of not asking that question?
Why do you do the things you do “for” God? What are your heart motivations? Do you have mixed motivations? Explain.
Read Luke 15:25-32 (Older Son) What are observations you make about the heart motivations (why?) of the older son? What observations do you make about the Father’s heart motivations?
In what ways are the motivations of the younger son and the older son similar? How are they different?
Have you ever felt like your worth was tied to your performance and service and impact for God? (Explain) Why can this be dangerous thinking? Which of the 4 aspects of the Pause is the most difficult for you?
Living life FOR God instead of life WITH God can have some negative side effects that God does not desire for us. Approval Addiction (Matthew 6:1-4, Galatians 1:10) Burnout (Matthew 11:28-30) Entitlement Mentality (Luke 15:28-30) Can you relate to any or all of these? Share your experience? How does Life WITH God address these issues? (Read Scripture references for each.)
Read Matthew 7:21-23 How is it possible to do things FOR God and not really be WITH him or even having a relationship with him? How could you recognize this in yourself or others?

Next Steps:
Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard

Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give
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Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2023.10.01.pdf

Brian Priebe | Executive Pastor

Luke 15:11-13 (NIV):
11 … “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.”

Life FROM God believes:
God exists to bless my life.

Life WITH God we focus on:
Relationship with God is the treasure.

Luke 12:22-34

Luke 15:14-17

Life FROM God:
God should make me comfortable

Life WITH God:
Regardless of my circumstances…
it’s about relationship with God.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV):
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Luke 15:18-20, 22-24 (NIV):
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
22 “…the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Life WITH God:
The Father is about relationship with the son

John 3:16 (NIV):
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 17:3 (NIV):
Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

Reflection Questions:

1. Read Luke 15:11-17. How does the younger son reflect Life FROM God?
2. In what ways do you see aspects of Life FROM God in your own life?
3. Read Luke 15:18-24. How does the father reflect Life WITH GOD?
4. In what ways do you see aspects of Life WITH God in your own life?

Next Steps:
Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard
Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give
Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app
Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2023.09.24.pdf

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

Romans 1:18-20
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
1. A God exists who created and orders the world and watches over human life on earth.
2. God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.
3. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.
4. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.
5. Good people go to heaven when they die.

Smith, Christian - Soul Searching (pp. 162-163). Oxford University Press.

John 5:37-40
And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

How PERSONAL is your personal relationship with Jesus?

John 10:4-6
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Mark 1:14-15
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Reflection Questions:
1. What was one thing from the sermon that caught your attention or stood out to you?
2. READ: John 5:37-40 What is the difference between knowing/following the person of Jesus and following Biblical principles? How can they be the same?
3. How would you define Deism? How can it lead to us looking for Biblical principles over looking to know and follow Jesus?
4. How “personal” is your personal relationship with Jesus? How would describe your experience of him in a personal way?
5. How do you recognize the voice of Jesus in your life? Share some recent examples of your experiences. What are some different ways that Jesus speaks to us? Explain.
6. What is a “Kairos” moment? How can we learn to recognize Kairos moments in our life? What has been helpful to you? What have your learned? Which aspect is the easiest for you?
7. READ Mark 1:14-15
Repent -- Align your thinking to God’s thinking…
God, what are you saying to me?
Believe -- Take a step of obedience(faith)
God, what do you want me to do?

How can these questions help us follow the voice of Jesus and lead to life transformation?

8). Apply these two questions now …
What is your NEXT STEP?

Next Steps:
Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard
Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give
Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app
Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
https://journeybozeman.com/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2023.09.17.pdf

WITH - Life Under God | September 10, 2023 
Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

What comes to your mind when you think of God is the most important thing about you.
— A.W. Tozer

Revelation 21:3 (NIV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

What do we mean by Life Under God?

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

How Jesus pushes back on Life Under God?

How can you see Life Under God in YOURSELF? Church?

Galatians 3:1-3 (NIV)
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

Unhealthy Fear of God leads to Fearing His judgment

1 John 4:15-18 (NIV)
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Evangelism focuses on morality and not Jesus.

We think a healthy spiritual life is simply avoiding sin.

Next Steps:

Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeyweb.net/connectcard
Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeyweb.net/give
Download our app: https://journeyweb.net/app
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Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeyweb.net/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeyweb.net/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.09.10.pdf

Brian Van Eps | Guest Speaker

Mark 6:30-32 (NIV)
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

How busy are you right now?

The Antidote: Pause

Four Aspects of Pause:
1. Go Away
2. Find a Quiet Place
3. Get Some Rest

4th aspect: Spend time WITH Jesus

v. 31 “Come WITH me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Reflection Questions:
Why do you think we hold such a high regard for busyness in our culture?
How busy are you right now?
How busy do other people think that you are?
When was the last time that you took a Pause?
What your best excuse for not taking a Pause?
Which of the 4 aspects of the Pause is the most difficult for you?
Which aspect is the easiest for you?
What does it mean for you to spend time WITH Jesus?

The Pause Challenge: Take a Pause sometime this week! Make it Happen!

Join us next week in person or online, September 10, as we begin our new sermon series “WITH”

Next Steps:
Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeyweb.net/connectcard
Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeyweb.net/give
Download our app: https://journeyweb.net/app
Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeyweb.net/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeyweb.net/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.09.03.pdf

Harvest is Plentiful, Workers are Few | August 27, 2023
Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

Journey Church Mission:
We lead people to become ALL IN followers of Jesus.

1 John 2:5b-6 (NIV):
This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

NEXT STEP QUESTIONS:
What are you saying to me?
What do you want me to do?

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV):
35 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. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

What did he SEE?

Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV):
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

2) What did he FEEL?

Compassion (Webster’s):
Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together WITH a desire to alleviate it.

3) What did he DO?

Reflection Questions:

1. What evidence do you see in our culture that people are “harassed and helpless” and need Jesus as their shepherd?

2. When you look at the culture around you do you see the “plentiful harvest” that Jesus describes? Why or why not?

3. How do you respond to people in the culture that need Jesus? How about those that oppose the values of Jesus’ Kingdom in their beliefs and behavior? (Frustrated? Angry? Fearful? Repulsed? Superior?)

4. Do you find it difficult to have compassion for them? Why or why not?

5. How/Why was Jesus able to have compassion for those that opposed him and the values of his Kingdom? How/Why can we also have compassion? Who are people that you have a difficult time having compassion for?

6. What is the cost to the Church and the cause of Jesus if we don’t lead with and show compassion for those that need Jesus?

7. Do you think there is a shortage of laborers/shepherds in the church today? Why or why not?

8. How have you responded to the call of Jesus to pray for and become laborers in the Kingdom? How can we raise up more laborers/shepherds in the church? What is your next step?

9. Who can you begin to invest / invite this week? Who could you invite to sit an empty chair next to you next week?

Next Steps:
Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeyweb.net/connectcard
Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeyweb.net/give
Download our app: https://journeyweb.net/app
Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeyweb.net/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeyweb.net/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.08.27.pdf

Music Licensing Information:
“Echo Holy”
Jake Espy, Kory Miller, Mia Fieldes, Ran Jackson
Copyright 2021 Be Essential Songs, Songs From Richmond Park,
Songs Of Red Rocks Worship Publishing, Upside Down Under

“I Speak Jesus”
Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Dustin Smith, Jesse Reeves, Kristen Dutton, Raina Pratt
Copyright 2019 Here Be Lions Publishing, Integrity's Praise! Music, BEC Worship,
Raina Pratt publishing designee, WriterWrong Music

“Firm Foundation”
Austin Davis, Chandler Moore, Cody Carnes
Copyright 2021 For Humans Publishing, Maverick City Publishing,Capitol CMG Paragon,
TBCO Publishing, Writer's Roof Publishing, A.L.K.D. Music

“Build Your Church”
Alton Eugene, Naomi Raine
Copyright 2020 Heritage Worship Music Publishing, Maverick City Publishing,
Alton Eugene Publishing, Naomi Raine Music

CCLI License #2669821
Video & Background Music licensed through Soundstripe

How to Pray for Others | August 20, 2023
Jim Keena | Guest Speaker

WHO:
Ephesians 1:15-16, NIV
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Belief: Romans 10:9, NIV
“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Behavior: John 13:35, NIV
“By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

WHAT:
Ephesians 1:17, NIV
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

Ephesians 1:14, The Message
“But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally….”

John 17:3, NIV
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

WHY:
Ephesians 1:18a, NIV
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, in order to know…”

John 12:46, NIV
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” ― C.S. Lewis

Hope: Their Certain Future
Ephesians 1:18a, ESV
“that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”

“All death can now do to Christians is to make their lives infinitely better.” ― Tim Keller

Inheritance: Their Value to God
Ephesians 1:18b, ESV
“…what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…”

Power: The Greatness of God’s Power
Ephesians 1:18-19a, ESV
“…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…”

Reflection Questions:

What do you recall about Thanksgiving Day when you were a child? What were you thankful for then? What are you grateful for now?
According to Ephesians 1:15-16, what was the Apostle Paul thankful for and why? Name some people you are grateful for. Why are you thankful for them?
In verse 15, what encouraged Paul to pray for the letter’s recipients? What did Paul pray for when he prayed for the believers?
Summarize what Paul prayed for in Ephesians 1:17. Have you ever gone from knowing God intellectually to knowing him experientially? From head knowledge to heart knowledge? If so, share your experience with the group.
According to verses 18-19, Paul prayed the Ephesians would know three things (1) Hope: their certain future, (2) Inheritance: their value to God; (3) Power: the greatness of God’s power toward them. Which of these do you find it easiest to believe? Which do you find more challenging to believe? How would your life be different if you more deeply believed these three truths?

Next Steps:

Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeyweb.net/connectcard

Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeyweb.net/give
Download our app: https://journeyweb.net/app
Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman
Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeyweb.net/children
Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeyweb.net/students
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman
Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.08.20.pdf

Brian Van Eps | Guest Speaker

Matthew 26:36-46
6 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

The Question: How do we pray in the face of great suffering?

The Answer: We need to move from “My will be done” to “Thy will be done”

Four things we can learn from Jesus’ Prayer:
1. Don’t pray alone (v. 38)
2. Be brutally honest in prayer (v. 39)
3. Keep praying (v. 44)
4. Surrender to God’s mysterious will (v. 39)

What do you need to surrender to God’s will today?

Reflection Questions:

When was the last time you faced great suffering?
How did you react to that moment? What did you do?
How is your prayer life in the face of suffering?
Who would you ask to pray with you?
What is something you haven’t been brutally honest with God about?
When have you given up on prayer?
What do you need to surrender to God’s will today?

Next Steps:
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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.08.13.pdf