Falls Church

1. Refuse the pull of the world. (v.1) 2. Delight daily in God's Word. (v.2) 3. Remember God's purpose for your life. (v.3) 4. Live with eternity in view. (v.6)

3 truths for advancing God's Kingdom. 1. The treasure we carry is…(The Gospel of Jesus Christ). 2. The vessels God uses is… (frail and fragile people). 3. The surpassing power…(belongs to God…and so does all the glory).

Because the Light of the World (Jesus) dwells in us by His Spirit, we are the light of the world, and so must shine our Light. How? 1. We must shine our Light (Jesus) by doing good works. 2. We must shine our Light (Jesus) by deliberately having others see our good works. 3. We must shine our Light (Jesus) by directing all glory to our Father in heaven, not to ourselves. Dinner-time Discussion Towards Being Doers of the Word: 1. What good works are we doing?! Name them. Who, exactly, can see the light of Jesus because of our practical expressions of Christ to them? Name them. Matthew 11:2, John 5:33,35. 2. How can we deliberately have others see our good works? Also, how could we trumpet the good tasks of others in a way that unbelievers will see it? Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Peter 2:12 and 4:10-11. 3. What happens when we take credit for an act of service 'for the Lord'? Isaiah 9:2, and 49:6 and John 8:12 and Matthew 23:5.

Jesus set us free from the destruction of sinful jealousy. 1. The definition of sinful jealousy. 2. The destructive power of sinful jealousy. 3. The cure for sinful jealousy. How can we win against our own sinful jealousy? Who is named Jealous in the Bible? Exodus 34:14 What did jealousy cause King Herod to do? Matthew 2:1-12 Rate the power of these: wrath, anger, and jealousy. Proverbs 27:4

Since we are like Christ, we are useful in the world! 1. Like salt in a rotten world, Christians have a preserving and purifying effect wherever God puts us in the world. 2. Like salt that adds flavor, Christians within a world that lacks meaning, add beauty and purpose. 3. Like salt that makes people thirsty, Christians make people thirst for more of Christ. Conclusion: God delights to use little people like us. Why are Christians distinctive within the world? Ps. 34:8 How can we use salt that has lost its saltiness? Luke 14:34 What is the function of salt? Mark 9:50, Ezek. 16:4 Which people are useful? 1 Cor. 1:26, Col. 4:6, Eph. 4:29

Our Ascended King Jesus generously gave us His Holy Spirit. 1. Through His Spirit, He gives various Spiritual gifts. (v.27-30) 2. Through His Spirit, He gives higher gifts. (v.31) 3. Through His Spirit, He gives His love. (ch.13, v.1,13) What are some benefit of receiving The Spirit? Of what day did Joel prophesy? Acts 2:14-36 What does it mean for our future? Eph 1:13-14 In what way do more blessings come? Titus 3:3-7

Rejoice when persecuted! We are to be exceedingly glad whenever our identifying with Jesus results in us being sinned against! 1. We stand in solidarity with everyone persecuted across the body of Christ. (v.10a) 2. Persecuted for what? "for righteousness' sake," (v.10a), "…on My account (said Jesus)" (v.11b) 3. Persecution is typical life in God's kingdom! "theirs is the kingdom of heaven"! (compare v. 3 and v.10, the beatitude bookends!) 4. We must think differently; persecution is better than winning the lottery! "for your reward in heaven is great." (v.11-12a) 5. Being persecuted was typical for the prophets (and then Jesus)! Outcome: they are all now in heaven. Then count us in! (v.12b) How could anyone be pleased to be persecuted? Acts 5:41 To whom does the kingdom belong? Mt.19:14;25:34, Heb.11:32-40 Who will be hated on account of Jesus? Mt. 10:22; 23:30,37 What happens when we are reviled for Christ? 1 Peter 3:14; 4:14

Our King Jesus ascended and became our Priest-King. 1. Sympathizing with our weaknesses. (ch.4, v.14-16) 2. Satisfying our Holy God. (ch.5, v.1-7) 3. Sourcing our salvation. (ch.5, v.8-10) How is Jesus unique? Hebrews 7:16 In difficulties, where are we to look? Hebrews 12:2 When did Jesus pray with loud cries and tears? Luke 22:44 How is Jesus our Priest-King? Psalm 2:7 and 110:4

Because of Christ's equipping of us, the church is full of peacemakers. 1. Who? We the Sons of God are the ones who make peace. 2. How? Sons of God are part of the solution, not part of the problem. 3. When? Always. We never cease being peacemakers. Conclusion: In the gospel, Christ made peace through the cross, and He Himself is our peace. Christ is The Peacemaker, and we are like Him. Where is this sort of activity needed? How are peace and truth connected to each other? In what way are peace and holiness tied to each other? What are the roadblocks to making peace with you?

Seeing the power of God paradoxically causes a holy fear and a growth of the church. 1. The power of Christians meeting together. 2. The power of faith. 3. The power of healing. Where do we see the power of God? What are the similarities to Acts and Jesus' ministry? Luke 6:18 How did Jesus handle the requests of people? Mark 6:56 What is meant by all this healing activity? Revelation 22:1-2

True believers have sincere hearts. 1. In a world of fakes, believers are genuine. 2. Pure in heart: a) matching our inside/outside, b) single-minded. 3. True fellowship with the invisible God is joined with true fellowship with His visible people. How does this teaching show itself in our lives? Why can we not serve both God and money? Mt. 6:24, 12:34. Study our hearts in Romans. Rom. 1:21, 2:5, and 5:5. How do we get pure hearts? Ps. 51:10, Mt. 15:19, 22:37.

God will not tolerate deception in His church. 1. Our society is undaunted and unfearing – only valuing how things seem. 2. Our God says faking is unacceptable. 3. Our churches must decide: holy fear or faking? What is the big deal? What is the similarity to the sin of Achan? Joshua 7:1 How is testing the Lord viewed in the Bible? Deut 6:16 Mt 4:7 Of what is Satan the father? John 8:44

Behold the Glory of the Son of God: The Savior of the World Is Here 1. Meeting the life-giving Jesus. 2. Finding the life-giving Christ 3. Proclaiming the life-giving Savior

Behold the Glory of the Son of God: The First Disciples 1. Meet the Lamb of God 2. Find the promised Messiah 3. Trust the Son of Man

True believers are full of mercy; it is one of the 'weightier matters'. (Mt. 23:23) 1. In a merciless world, only believers remember mercy. a. we remember our own need for mercy from God. b. we remember how we received that mercy - through the death and resurrection of Christ. c. we remember to give mercy to others. 2. We remember what true mercy is. (v.7) 3. We remember that God provides His tenderness and healing within our fellowship. (v.7b, plural 'they') What is the consequence of this teaching? Read his sentence; what crime did he commit? Ps. 109:6-16 Name some opposites of mercy. Rom. 1:31 A disciple is full of what things? Acts 9:36

True believers hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is desperately yearning for right things that are pleasing to God. 1. Christians do not give up and drift along, but rather we keep caring passionately about making things right. (v.6a) 2. Seeking righteousness is seeking a perfect relationship with God, who is the source of all good things. (v.6a) 3. It is God alone who fills and satisfies us; how badly do we desire Him? (v.6b) Considering this teaching, how do we respond? How can we view ourselves accurately? Is. 55:1-3, Heb. 4:12-13 Where do we get righteousness? 2 Cor. 5:21, Rom. 5:21 When will we hunger no more? Mt. 6:33, Rev. 7:16

God causes radical sharing in His church, which is a testimony of great power. 1. Heart unity in the church results in radical sharing. (v.32) 2. Radical sharing in the church has a powerful testimony. (v.33) 3. Radical sharing meets the needs of the poor. (v.34-37) How much is sharing our all? If we will always have poor, why try? Matthew 26:11 What should happen to the poor among us? Deuteronomy 15:4 How should Christians relate to money? 1 Timothy 6:10

Jesus proclaimed that His message is a message of power. 1. The power of understanding. (v.44-46) 2. The power of preaching. (v.47-48) 3. The power of The Spirit. (v.49) How much ability is needed to truly understand spiritual things? Why are we able to understand? 1 Cor 2:14, Eph. 3:18. How does God sanctify us? John 17:17. How do we know we are children of God? Gal. 4:6

Because Jesus predicted His resurrection, we remember His words. So that the supernatural will not perplex and terrify us. (v.1-7) So that we will spread the good news. (v.8-10) So that the truth will make sense to us. (v.11-12) Discuss His Words: What words do we recall when faced with the supernatural? When did you remember God's words as you shared the gospel? On what basis do we believe in Jesus' resurrection?

As three dying men talked, Christ showed us the way of salvation. 1. The dying man's mockery. (v.39) 2. The dying sinner's message and prayer. (v.40-42) 3. The dying King's welcome. (v.43) What is the rescue for us? When convicted of sin, will we trust Christ? Mt. 20:1-16 When we hear God blasphemed, how should we respond? Eph. 3:20-21 How do we know that we can stand on the promises of God? 2 Cor. 12:2-4

Since Christ came and is coming, we have His peace, and we must praise Him. 1. Who is Christ? 2. Why must we praise Him? 3. What is the result? When we reflect on Palm Sunday, what are we to learn? Define peace using verse 42. When did we find peace of heart? Why do we sometimes lack peace and praise? Who says God must be praised? Who found whom? Phil 3:12.

While officials dishonored and condemned Him, Our King provided faithful testimony about who He really is. 1. The Temple, not made with hands, was put on trial, rigged with the intent to find evidence to put Him to death! (v.53-59) 2. The Christ, the Son of the Blessed, was questioned and pressured to testify! (v.60-61) 3. The Son of Man, seated and coming with the clouds of heaven, was condemned in their court, insulted, mocked, spat on, and struck with blows. (v.62-65) What is the irony of Jesus appearing before the high priest? In what ways was Jesus a faithful witness? Rev. 1:5 1 John 1:9 At what times was Jesus silent and why? Isaiah 53:13, Luke 6:26 How did Jesus endure the ordeal? Prov. 18:8, 1 Peter 2:23

True believers are meek. 1. Meekness is being gentle and yielded to God. (v.5a) 2. The meek will inherit the earth. (v.5b) 3. Christians never lose out in the long run. (v.5) As we take this truth seriously, what will we think and do? How is 'survival of the fittest' wrong? Mt. 21:5, 1 Tim 6:11 To whom does the earth belong, to be given away? Ps. 24:1 In the end, who will 'reign upon the earth'? Revelation 5:10

Because Christ holds all power, when we pray in His name, we have real-world, real-time results, plus eternal results. 1. From where does that power come? 2. What forms does that power take? 3. How can we access that power, and for what is it used? How much boldness do we have? When we are bold, of whom are we mindful? Isaiah 37:16 Who has authority over us constantly? Revelation 2:26-29 What events encourage us to speak up more? Philippians 1:14

Jesus gives us courage to speak about Him to others. 1. Courage to speak comes from spending time with Jesus. (v.13) 2. Christians speak about undeniable facts (v.14-15) 3. The highest authority has called us to speak. (v.16-22) How can we grow in courage? How in our lives do we spend time with Jesus? Ps.119:99 What if we do not know what to say? Luke 21:15 Why does higher authority impact our speaking? Mt. 28:18

1. Your sins are truly forgiven. (v.12) 2. You truly know God. (v.13) 3. God's Word is transforming you. (v.14) 4. You are winning the spiritual battle. (v.13-14)

Christians experience opposition and persecution, but in the end, we are safe because we bear the name of Jesus. 1. Governments sometimes hinder Christians, but cannot hinder the gospel. (v.1-4) 2. Officials sometimes question Christians, but all power belongs to Jesus. (v.5-11) 3. Everyone must encounter the greatest power: Jesus. (v.12) What does The Name mean to us? What place does Jesus' name have in the future? Phil. 2:6-11. How does it apply to us that Jesus is the stone? Ps.118:22, 1 Pt. 2:7 When it becomes time to speak, who gives us words? Lk.21:12-15

Jesus comforts those who mourn! 1. Jesus comforts those who mourn that God is not fully glorified. 2. Jesus comforts our consciences that mourns over our own sin. 3. Jesus comforts us when we mourn together, comfort one another. Friend group application: Do we mourn? If so, about what do we mourn? Psalm 118:136 How do we mourn and be cheerful at the same time? Rom. 12:8 With what do mourners become comforters? 2 Cor. 1:3-7

The healing power of the gospel is God's blessing to us. 1. The display of this healing power: walk! (v.1-10) 2. The source of this healing power: the Jesus that they killed! (v.11-16) 3. The blessing of this healing power given to us: repent! (v.17-26) Where in our lives is the healing power of God? What is similar to the work of Jesus and Paul? Jn 5:5 Acts 14:8-10 Will God hold us responsible for our sins of ignorance? 1 Tim. 1:13 How did we once walk, compared to now? Eph. 2:1-10

What is happiness, and where is it to be found? Happy are the repentant, for we own the kingdom of heaven! What makes us repentant people happy? 1. We are not poor (we own the kingdom!), rather we are poor in spirit. 2. We know we have nothing to give for our spiritual debts, nothing to say to our judge, yet we are rich. 3. We know that we need God, or we die, and we have God! Individual or group application: How is our attitude, our 'spirit'? Rich or poor? Prideful or humble? Who is responsible for turning our debts into riches? When do we need Jesus in a such a dire way that we die without Him?

The essentials of a church family are: learning, loving, worshipping, praying, evangelizing. A learning church family. (v.42) A loving church family. (v.42,44,45) A worshipping church family. (v.42,43,46,47) A praying church family. (v.42) A rescuing church family. (v.47) How must we consider the essentials again? In what ways are we committed to a learning lifestyle? Matthew 28:20 Who needs us to show him/her the love of Christ? Luke 12:32-34 What practical step deepens our prayer life? Colossians 4:2

We follow Jesus, because He is able, willing, and ready to heal us of our sins. 1. Able to cure any wound from any sin. (v.23) 2. Willing to receive us as followers, no matter how loathe-some our sin. (v.24) 3. Ready to lead us and teach us. (v.25) Where is God's power evident in the world today? Identify a spiritual sore that you have. What would you say to someone who thinks his/her life is too vile to be forgiven? What do we learn from this text being located just prior to the Sermon on the Mount?