Providence Church of San Diego

Text: Ephesians 5:1-2

Main Idea: Christians are declared righteous in part because their sin and punishment are imputed to Christ.

God's judicial declaration of a believer's justification is built upon the two-fold doctrine of imputation.

Part 1: The believer's sin and punishment imputed to Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21

The act of imputation was made possible by Christ giving Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God.

Discussion Questions: According to Romans 5:12-19, how are Adam and Jesus similar? How are they different? What is original sin, and how does it affect us? What is imputation? In justification, what is imputed to believers and what is imputed to Christ? Describe the righteous life of Christ. When you stand before God the Judge, would you rather have your own righteousness or Christ's? How does the grasping of this doctrine lead you to respond in different areas of your life (family, friends, enemies, church, etc.)?

Text: Romans 5:18-19

Main Idea: Christians are declared righteous in part because Jesus' perfect righteousness is imputed to them.

The greatest problem: Sin

Genesis 2:15-17; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 22:36-40

The gracious solution: Justification

Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:4-5; Matthew 3:13-15; Matthew 5:17, 20; Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28; Philippians 2:5-7

The glorious implications of the imputed righteousness of Christ: (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

A righteous position before God.

Discussion Questions: According to Romans 5:12-19, how are Adam and Jesus similar? How are they different? What is original sin, and how does it affect us? What is imputation? In justification, what is imputed to believers and what is imputed to Christ? Describe the righteous life of Christ. When you stand before God the Judge, would you rather have your own righteousness or Christ's? How does the grasping of this doctrine lead you to respond in different areas of your life (family, friends, enemies, etc.)?

Text: Jonah 4:1-11

Main Idea: God's unrelenting grace for sinners transforms them to be centered on Him and His purposes.

A God-centered life delights in God's ways and character. (vs 1-4)

Exodus 34:5-7; Num. 14:18; 2 Chron. 30:9; Neh. 9:17; Psa. 86:15, 103:8, 111:4, 112:4, 116:5, 145:8; Joel 2:13

A God-centered life finds comfort in God Himself, not in His gifts. (vs 5-9)

Job 1:21-22; Philippians 4:12-13

A God-centered life shares God's compassion for sinners. (vs 10-11)

Matthew 9:36-38; Matthew 10:29-31

Discussion Questions: Why was Jonah so angry with God? When have you been angry with God? Why? "Do you do well to be angry?" How does it affect your disposition toward the difficult people in your life when you consider the gracious character of God (merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster)? Are there gifts in your life that are comforting you instead of God Himself? Who are your "neighbors" right now? How could you share God's grace with them this week? Who could you invite to church with you on Easter Sunday?

Text: Jonah 3:1-10

Text: Jonah 2:1-10

Main Idea: When the LORD's people cry out to Him in distress, He answers and delivers them.

Jonah's distress was purposed by the LORD. (vs 1-6a)

Hebrews 12:3-13

Discussion Questions: In what ways has distress led you closer to God? What are some dreadful things God uses to awaken people to the truth of the desperation of their situations and their need for Him? What are your idols (things from which you draw an inordinate amount of self-worth, personal value, sense of security, or comfort)? In light of the work of Christ, what makes the exclusivity of salvation (it belongs to the LORD) just and holy?

Text: Jonah 1:1-17

Main Idea: God's sovereign purposes will be accomplished, and anyone who attempts to defy Him does so at great cost.

God gives Jonah a clear and specific command. (vs 1-2)

2 Kings 14:23-27

Jonah defies God's clear and specific command. (vs 3)

Hebrews 12:3-13

Discussion Questions: Why do we struggle to believe God's Word to us is better than our wishes? Has God revealed clear and specific commands to you that you are in any way defying? How have you fled "to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD?" How should you respond to that fact that God will not let go of His own? In what ways do you need to display true repentance and submission to the LORD today?

Main Idea: We steward the Gospel by living in light of its implications as we proclaim it.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:20

As we steward the gospel God's way and for God's glory...

Let's hear, understand, and believe the Gospel.

εὐαγγέλιον, ου n: (derivative of εὐαγγελίζω ' to tell the good news,') the content of good news (in the NT a reference to the gospel of Jesus) - 'the good news, the gospel.' In a number of languages, the expression 'the gospel' or 'the good news' must be rendered by the phrase, for example, 'news that makes one happy' or 'information that causes one joy' or 'words that bring smiles' or 'a message that causes the heart to be sweet.'

Let's proclaim the Gospel as we live in light of its implications.

Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Let's guard and treasure the Gospel.

Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Discussion Questions: How clear is your understanding of the Gospel? What are the implications of the gospel upon the daily life of Christians? How are you walking those implications out? Why is it difficult for many Christians to share the good news? How could you be of greater benefit (salt and light) to your neighbors? What are some practical ways you can reach for the gospel treasures of power, courage, and love?

Text: Psalm 90

Main Idea: We manage time faithfully by living each moment in light of God's eternality, and the brevity of this life.

Managing the blessing of time God's way and for God's glory requires three things:

The recognition of God's majesty and eternality. (vs 1-2)

John 17:3; Proverbs 9:10; Philippians 3:7-11

Discussion Questions: How could regularly considering your own mortality lead to better management of your time? Meditate on the majesty and eternality of God, then consider that He shares His eternal life with You!

Recommended Resources: The obituary section! Mr. John Bunyan's Dying Sayings, What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman,  Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies

Text: Matthew 6:19-24

Main Idea: When we recognize that we are managers of God's blessings we will glorify God by managing money God's way.

God is the owner of everything.

Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:7-8

We are stewards of God's blessings.

Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:15

As God's people, we are to be faithful managers of God's blessings.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 4:2

Managing money is a particularly important aspect of stewardship.

You need a plan

Discussion Questions: Why do material things have such a strong pull on us? Is it difficult for you to recognize that God owns everything? Why? Does the way you manage money reflect that God owns everything and you are to be a faithful manager of it? Which particular application from point 5 might you need help with today?