Mandarin Baptist Church

Our Faith family must pursue honesty before God and one another to live out all that God has intended. A redemptive community must recognize their desperate need for God, and has a deep level of honesty & vulnerability. We will find power, comfort, and grace in honesty before God and one another.

Our Redemptive Family (3)

Honesty and Transparency

James 5:13-16

1. Take a look at the research from BARNA https://www.barna.com/.../relationships-build-resilient.../ What surprises you? What challenges you? 

2. Why is it hard to be vulnerable/transparent with others? What is stopping you? What do you think you would benefit by having a couple close relationships where you could be fully transparent? 

3. What stops us from living out James 5:13-16? 

4. What do you think outsiders would think if they walked into our small groups or worship gathering and saw the honesty and vulnerability from James 5:13-16? How would that help the gospel flourishing? 

5. Transparency before others starts with being transparent before God. Is there something your need to lay at God’s feet? Is there a sin to confess, a burden you are holding on to, or brokenness you are experiencing? 

6. What is one thing you are going to apply to your life from today’s scripture and message?

We were never intended to walk this rough journey alone. We all need nurturing people to come around us, and walk with us. Our gatherings are with the intent to stir Gospel confidence, mutuality in submission to one another, and a commitment to one another.


A Redemptive Family is Nurturing

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering… 

This passage captures why our faith family needs to be nurtured; what needs to be nurtured within us and how this nurturing takes place. 

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus — he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh ) — and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. -- Hebrews 10:19-25 (CSB).  

* Based on this passage, describe what you should see within a nurturing, redemptive body of Christ. 

* Tell of a time when the faith of a friend has been the catalyst in the nurture your own faith. 

* Finish the sentence of the closing words of Pastor Mark’s teaching: If God is real and He has been raised from the dead; if we are going to spend our forever with Him; if all of this is true, shouldn’t we leverage it all?  Shouldn’t He be the controlling force of our lives and shouldn’t this be the central story of our faith community?  If we really believe this…..

Together, let’s pray the unseen, seen

If the church is God's people, then we should be where the world looks to for peace, love, comfort, wholeness, and healing. We should mirror the very character of Jesus to those who are part of the body, but also to those all around us. The true image of the church should create wonder for what has been done in the past, provide hope, possibility, and purpose in the present, and cast our imagination toward God's intended future.

Our Redemptive Family [1]
Scripture: Ephesians 2.7; Ephesians 4.1-3

There is no greater wonder on earth than to be a a part of God’s church!

* Ephesians 2.7 teaches that we are the image of God’s riches in kindness. Even more, we put this truth on display to those around us; throughout the heavens; and into the ages to come.  This is quite incredible wonder that is beheld among us. Since this is true, what are we putting on display as the Mandarin family?  Talk with friends and family about what you sense that we are known for as a faith family.  

* What do you hope for us as we steward the riches of God’s grace in kindness as His family?

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. -- Ephesians 4:1-3 (CSB)

* Based on the scripture from this week (above), what are you praying that God will form among us as His Redemptive Family? Describe the heart of your prayer for our redemptive family based upon the truth found in this passage. 

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... Go and form my redemptive family.  - Jesus

We will always see the goodness and kindness of Jesus in the midst of sinners and sufferers. We should not only call Him good when we are feeling the good; we should call Him good even in the unknown. We will be experiencing the grace and goodness of God for all of eternity, and we will never see the end of His love toward us.


Who He Is… Jesus Forevermore! (Easter 2021 with our Mandarin Family)
Scripture: Ephesians 2.4-7

Jesus, who is rich in mercy and lavish in love, he seats us in the heavens that he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2.7

The opening lines of this song speak life and hope.  Come out of hiding… take a moment and find rest in this worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkDqQtfs0w 

* You and I are made alive in Christ that he might lavish us in his immeasurable grace. Because his grace is immeasurable and on display, your failures and flaws can never outstrip his grace in kindness. How does this bring freedom for your soul? How does a deeper understanding of His grace in kindness provide an authenticity in your relationship with Jesus?… with others?   

* What is your reaction to these two statements in light of the scripture studied today:  For those not in Christ, this life is the best it will ever get. Yet, for those in Christ, the best moments this life offers is the worst that it will ever get. 

* Savor this quote and share a couple of meaningful truths that you learn from a father of our faith: Here Am I, and the children which thou hast given me awaiting the Father’s blessings; and shall thenceforward rejoice together, in consummate, uninterrupted, immutable and everlasting glory, in the love and embrace of each other, and joint enjoyment of the love, mercy and grace in the kindness of Christ. - Spurgeon

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  -- Ephesians 2:4-7 (CSB)

We are more than sinful, we were completely dead in our sin and transgressions. Jesus, not only gives us life, He gives us new mercy every single day. We are all covered in sin, guilt, and shame, but His mercy is so much more. He is rich in mercy, and He lavishes His love on us. That is who this Jesus is.


WHO HE IS…. JESUS!  (4) Easter at Mandarin

Scripture: Ephesians 2.4; Ephesians 2.1-6; John 21.1-19

Jesus turns graves into gardens. He is rich in mercy and lavishes us in His love.
Take a moment and find rest in this song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwX1f2gYKZ4
 
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ.… - Ephesians 2.4

* How should you respond to God, who is rich in mercy and lavish in love?  
* When have you experienced God turning a grave (pain; sorrow; betrayal; sin; shame; hurt) into a garden? Is that needed today... now…at this time?  Meet Him in His mercy and through His lavish love.
* Spend a few moments and move upstream from verse 4 and take in Ephesians 2.1-3. Speak with Jesus about your need for rich mercy and lavish love based on this scripture. Now, move upstream to verses 5 - 6 and be reminded of your position in Him. You have an abundance in Christ.  He is good and you are His. Pause and worship!  Return to Ephesians 2.4 and find rest in rich mercy and lavish love.  As you leave this conversation, leave your grave clothes behind and walk into the gardens of purpose, passion and conviction that He has in store for you.  Yes and Amen!

But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three - sin, guilt, death - are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! - 1 Corinthians 15.57 (MSG)

Why do we so often run or hide because of our sin and shame? We should come out of the hiding to experience the Heart of Christ towards us. The joy of Christ is being made complete as His people come to Him to be made whole. He rejoices in seeing His people forgiven, made whole, new, and complete.

Jesus showed us that  following God is more important than the rules the the religious people enforced. Looking at His life here on earth, it was defined by compassion, love, grace and mercy. The compassion of Christ defines His heart, and should shape our lives. True compassion doesn't stand still, but moves towards action.


Who He Is [Week 2]
Matthew 9:35-39

If Jesus is known for compassion… what are we known for? What is the church known for? How are we as Christ followers showing compassion? How could we do better? 

Where would Jesus be today? Where should you be today? 

Share a ministry opportunity you’ve had the that opened your eyes to the great spiritual needs around you. How might you pursue such opportunities in the near future? 

Do the massive spiritual needs of the world compel you to action or make you feel helpless? How might Jesus call to pray in vs 9:38 impact your reaction? 

How would you describe your attitude toward unbelieving coworkers and neighbors? What factors keep you from feeling compassion for them?

Who He Is….The Heart of Jesus (1) Easter 2021

Matthew 11.28-30

The heart is the central animating feature of all that we are and all that we do.  

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)

* The one thing that we are to do, as His people is found in the first three words of the scripture.  

#1 - Come to me
#2 - Repeat #1

What do you think of when you hear the name Jesus?  Do you know Him as loving. open. welcoming. kind. understanding. compassionate? His heart for you is gentle and humble. In what ways can you continuously ‘come to Jesus’?

* The qualifying attribute of a person that is to come to him is to be weary and to be burdened. 
The minimum bar to be enfolded into the embrace and care of Jesus is to open yourself to Him. Spend some time in communion with your savior, taking steps of vulnerability with the one who is gentle and humble.  Talk with Him about what is wearying you and what burdens your soul.  

* What do you gain in coming to Him?  
Rest.  You find rest for your soul.   His rest is a gift and not a transaction.  Why is it important that you know the heart of Jesus?

His yoke is kind and His burden is light. Happy Easter!

The church is known for many things right now, but over all things, the church should be known for love. We should reflect the perfect love of God, as Jesus brought us into the 'Us-ness' of the Trinity. According to scripture, we are one church, one body of Christ, one movement, one 'Us'. This is what Jesus was praying for in John 17.


The Prayer of Jesus (5)

John 17.20-23

May they all be ONE…. - Jesus in John 17

* US greater than ME!  Jesus is praying for US!  Spend some time reading and talking about John 17.20-23 and the Power of Us.   

- Based on this prayer, why is US so important to Jesus?  

- How would you need to think differently for US to be greater than you?  

- How might the Power of US shape and transform our faith family?

- Read Acts 2.42-47 and Acts 4.32-35 and describe what you see as an US in His church. 

* The Gospel greater than when WE are an US

- Read Jesus’ prayer and journal what He seems to be praying about the impact of US on our homes… our family… our neighbors... our city… the nations.

- Our capacity to serve as an US is the reminder of who and whose we are… Read Colossians 1.13-14 and 3.1-3 and share of what our ‘US’ means as you more fully realize that ‘US’ is right in the middle of all of the Father, Son and Spirit ‘US’.  What an US!! How does this truth shape your hope in the Power of Us? Take a few moments and imagine the wonder of US from these truths and what that could mean through our Mandarin family.  

… that they may be completely one that the world may know that you have sent me. - Jesus in John 17

Are we too busy living FOR Jesus, when we really need to live FROM Him? Our lives, as followers of Jesus, should be lived out of the overflow of His presence, and His truth. Perhaps the greatest thing that He will ever show us is Himself. We are transformed by His word, and now we live as His representatives in this world.

The Prayer of Jesus (4)
John 17.13-19

Those who hear God’s voice best are people who know His word most. - Louie Giglio

* May we experience and enter in to Jesus' joyous delight, so that it is fulfilled and overflows. -John 17.13.  Often, we are so busy living FOR Jesus, when we are truly invited to live FROM Him.  What is the difference? Explore ways that you might live from the overflow… life from Jesus?  Share these ideas with a few people. 

* We are made holy by His truth. Your word is truth. -John 17.19, 17   Those who hear God’s voice best are people who know His word most. We become a living ‘quiet time’  Since it is true that we become who we behold, how can you be intentional about seeking more Jesus?  What is a first step that you will take today in pursuit of Him... consider inviting a few friends on the journey? 

* Jesus has commissioned us to represent him. -John 17.18 We represent who we know.  More than what Jesus is asking you to do for Him; build for Him; create for Him, He is inviting you to life in Him.  When that is your way, Jesus will show up in places in your life that you never imagined. He will move in ways to show Himself strong! When is a time that Jesus has shown Himself strong through you? As you go and remember who and whose you are, imagine what God might do through you as you represent Him….as you imagine, journal the possibilities of your life, lived from Him…tell a few friends of your God-dreams.    

Remember, Jesus will do more than we can every ask or imagine.
Oh, what a Savior! Dream BIG!