Passage: Matthew 6:19-24

Questions for thought

Why do we have trouble admitting to our struggle with greed?

Where do you spend the majority of your time/money?

What do you love the most? Is this where you are spending the majority of your time/money?

What does your Heavenly portfolio look like?

Passage: Matthew 5:13-16

Notes

Disciples of Jesus are meant to impact the world.

By preserving and flavoring.

By shining in dark places and revealing beauty.

“Discipleship is as visible as light in the night, as a mountain in the flatlands. To flee into invisibility is to deny the call. Any community of Jesus which wants to be invisible is no longer a community that follows him.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Questions for thought

What troubles you in the Darkness?

What is the purpose of salt and light?

What happens to mankind (us) when left to our own devices (desires)?

Why is it important to have our light shine before others ?

Passage: Matthew 18:15-35

Notes

The Motivation

The Cost

The Method

"Forgiveness flounders because I exclude my enemy from the community of humans and I exclude myself from the community of sinners." Miroslav Volf

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Questions for thought

How great is the debt that I have been forgiven?

Why do we find it hard to forgive others compared to the debt that we owe?

Are you willing to give up your right for (vengeance, payment, indignation ...) in order to forgive?

Are you willing to pay the cost for reconciliation?

Passage: Matthew 18:1-6

Questions for thought

What does it mean to have childlike Faith and how do we show it?

When was the last time you were impressed by God?

How do we take the lowest position to become completely dependent on Jesus?

Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God?

Passage: Matthew 7:1-6

Questions for thought

Why are we a judgemental society?

Does the Bible tell us not to judge others?

How do we recognize the depths of our wrong doings (Log) in our lives, so we can help another with the issue (spec) in their life?

How can we share our brokenness with others to let them know they are not alone and need Jesus also?

Sermon: The Leader Paradox

Passage: Mathew 20:17-29

Questions for thought

Like the twelve disciples in Mat 20:17-29 why do we, at times, "not get it" as to the truth of what Jesus teaches us through His Word?

What does "being a great leader" look like to you?

How can you turn the Cup of your Suffering into your Cup of Hope and Freedom

Passage: Matthew 5:10-12

Notes

Matthew 5:44 But I say you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

The goal is not to be loved by everybody, but to love everybody.

Questions for thought

How can your persecution be a blessing?

Should we be surprised when we are persecuted for righteousness sake?

How can we be careful to not mix this persecution with persecution because of our own mistakes?

How blessed are we that we can share/observe our faith openly compared to those who are persecuted by the government for theirs?

What does it mean to you to Love God and Love your neighbor?

Passage: Matthew 20:1-16

Notes

1. The Kingdom of Heaven is right-side up in an upside down world

2. The Kingdom of Heaven is concerned with the state of our heart

3. The Kingdom of Heaven is just, but not always fair

Questions for thought

Why do we often try to equate equal with fair?

What does your heart tell you when you feel like things aren't fair for your day wage?

Where is your value found in the Kingdom of Heaven?

What is your response to the unfairness that Jesus received on the cross?

Passage: Acts 1:6-11

Questions for thought

Why is it important from time to time to study the basic concepts of the Gospel?

What is your purpose in being a witness for Jesus? (Why should you be a witness?)

How do we help people Know who God really is?

How do we Grow in our relationship with Christ?

As we Go, how do we serve those in the community around us?