Falls Church

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 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?

Peter called upon the world to change their minds about Jesus. What about Jesus? He was… 1. Not deserving to be crucified, but to be crowned and honored. (v.37) 2. Not to be rejected, but having the name into which we all must enter, and the gifts we all need: forgiveness and The Spirit. (v.38-39) 3. Not to be considered powerless, but to be known as the Rescuer from a dead community into a living community. (v.40-41) How must we change our minds about Jesus? Why did Jesus come? Mark 10:45 How close are we to Jesus? Eph. 2:13. How must our mind be different than others? Phil.2:14-15

We are called to keep on trading the old for the new: following Jesus! Why? 1. Because it is worth it for a life constantly renewed in purpose. (v.18-19) 2. Because He causes us to be new and follow…immediately! (v.20,22) 3. Because He went to the cross for our former selves, and then blazed a new trail to heaven for our new selves! How do we explain the change? What difference did it for those that followed Jesus? Acts 4:1-20. What have we given up to follow Jesus? 2 Cor. 5:17 Who said, "Behold I am making all things new"? Rev. 21:5

Peter proclaimed the truth about Jesus. 1. Jesus ascended and was exalted. (v.33a) 2. Jesus poured out the Spirit. (v.33b-35) 3. Jesus was declared both Lord and Christ. (v.36) How do we apply this to ourselves? How long must Jesus reign? Luke 2:11 & 1 Cor. 15:25 What was the promise fulfilled; what had to precede it? John 7:39 To whom does Psalm 110:1 refer? Matthew 22:41-46

We learn from the preaching of Jesus! 1. Context (v.12-14) a. persecuted b. deliberate re-locating c. fulfilling prophecy 2. Content (v.15-17) a. powerful b. same as John's (3:2 and 4:17) c. kingdom-centered 3. Application (v.17) a. repent b. see the light c. think kingdom! Friend Group Discussion Questions: 1. When is the last time you identified a sin and purposed to turn from it? 2. In what ways were you sitting in darkness? 3. What does the 'kingdom' content of this message mean for us?

Peter testified of the Living Christ, using the testimony of David. 1. The words of David. (v.25-28) 2. The tomb of David. (v.29) 3. The faith of David. (v.30-31) What should we say to others about Christ? What do we believe/hearts, say/mouths? Rom. 10:9-10 With whom did David fellowship? 1 John 1:3-4 How do we know that Jesus lives? John 17:4-5

Jesus did not doubt His status as The Son of God, so we should not doubt our adoption as children of God! 1. We do not let our weak condition confuse us about our status. (v.1-5) 2. We do not hunger for spectacular proofs - we have God's Word! (v.6-7) 3. We do not desire 'success' more than the privilege of serving. (v.8-11) Family Application Questions: 1. What is the proper role for emotions for a child of God? Heb. 4:15 2. Why would someone hunger for dramatic proofs? 1 John 5:13 3. How could chasing 'success' break the 1st comm.? Phil. 2:1-11

We should respond as if the gospel is really true, because the historical evidence shows that it is. How is the gospel incontrovertible? 1. The miracles – show that Jesus was attested by God. (v.22) 2. The cross – shows that Jesus was delivered over by God. (v.23) 3. The empty tomb – shows that Jesus was raised up by God (v.24) What is the right response to this truth? What is the reason for Jesus' miracles? John 20:30-31 Why was Jesus handed over for us? Rom. 8:32 Col.2:15 In what way did God vindicate Jesus? Rom. 1:4

We start improving our baptism by realizing that the baptism of Jesus has enormous significance, and so does our baptism! 1. The baptism of Jesus meant that from the start, Jesus was on our side. (v.13-14) 2. When Jesus insisted on submitting to John's baptism, Jesus transformed baptism on His way to the cross. (v.15) 3. The gifts that Jesus received in His baptism, He gave to us! (v.16-17) a. The Holy Spirit. b. Adoption as sons of God. c. The favor of a well-pleased God. Why do we tend to underestimate baptism? What was prophesied to be given to Jesus? Is. 42:1 Was it? John 3:34. Who gave us the Spirit? Acts 2:33 Who gave us baptism? Mt. 28:19 Why was another called the firstborn son of God? Exodus 4:22-23

The Spirit is God's greatest gift, and He is given in order to restore and refresh us. 1. Know about the grand gift, and celebrate. (v.1-4) 2. Evaluate the mixed reactions, and keep them in mind. (v.5-13) 3. Understand Peter's explanation, and call on God. (v.14-21) How does this apply to us? What do we know about the power of the Spirit? Ezekiel 37:9-14 Who may call on the name of the Lord? Romans 10:9-13 Who says not to harden our hearts? Hebrews 3:7-12

Psalm 134, the final Song of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) is about the perpetual worship of God. 1. The departing worshippers called for the perpetual worship of The LORD, by calling on the priests who were staying there in the house of The LORD to represent the people by always continuing to bless God, even by night. (v.1-2) 2. The priests express The LORD's commitment to keep on blessing the worshippers. (v.3) 3. In Christ in the new covenant, we keep declaring His excellencies, and He keeps providing us with life forevermore. (Ps. 133:3b) How can there be blessings all around, continually? How often was a priest to be ready to serve God? Hebrews 10:11 What is being done 'round the clock' in heaven? Revelation 4:8 Who praised God at night in a prison? Acts 16:25

The Spirit of God, working with the Word of God, makes known the will of God to the people of God. 1. How does the Spirit guide us? 2. What should we use to guide us in our decisions? 3. Is the leading of the Spirit specific? What are the decisions we must make now? How do we know when God is guiding us? Genesis 24:27 In what ways does God communicate His will to us? Col. 1:9,10 What are the tools God gave us? 2 Timothy 3:16,17