Following Jesus (Part 2)

Pastor Rocklyn E. Clarke - Sunday January 15, 2006

© 2006 Life Church Ministries, Inc.

Introduction

Bible Reading 1/8 - 1/14: Gen 18:20 - 31:16; Mat 6:25 - 10:25; Psalm 8 - 12; Prov 2:6 - 3:15

OT Timeline:

OT Contemporary Books:

Review - Learning Organization - personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, systems thinking

Be Fruitful and Multiply

Creation Story

God created everything - Gen 1:1-3

Man and Woman are to be fruitful and multiply - Gen 1:24-31

Man has the breath of life - Gen 2:4-7

It is not good for the man to be alone - Gen 2:15-25

Your life group doesn't have to be perfect - just available.

Remember - the apostles had issues of their own.

Gospel Age

God has regenerated us

God still wants us to be fruitful and multiply

Make disciples - Mat 28:18-20;

Preach the good news to all creation - Mark 16:14-20

Preach repentance and forgiveness to all nations - Luke 24:45-53

Those who have faith in Jesus will do what he did - John 14:5-14

As the Father sent me I am sending you - John 20:19-23

God wants to use you in 2006

He wants to use you inside the body (i.e. the local congregation)

He wants to use you outside the body (i.e. evangelism and discipleship)

You can't multiply by yourself

Take stock of 2005

Did you expand the Kingdom in 2005?

If not, what will you do differently in 2006?

Following Jesus

The Son is in charge - Psalm 2; Acts 4:23-30; Acts 13:29-37

Why do the nations rage? - Acts 4:23-30

You are my Son, today I have become your Father - Acts 13:29-37; Heb 1:5; Heb 5:5

Kiss the Son

Jesus launches his ministry

Baptism - Mat 3:13-17

This is my Son, whom I love . . .

Temptation - Mat 4:1 - 11; Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15

Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life - Gen 3:1-8; 1John 2:15-17

Jesus used scripture

Jesus and worship

Worship the Lord your God and serve him only - Mat 4:10; Deut 6:13

Jesus accepted worship

Magi - Mat 2:2,11

Man born blind - John 9:38

Women at the tomb - Mat 28:9

Disciples - Mat 28:17

New Material

Following Jesus (continued)

Describe following Jesus from the perspective of Kingdom enlistment

The Father has entrusted everything to the Son - John 5:16-47

By calling God his Father Jesus acknowledged his equality with God

Honor the Son as you honor the Father

Trying to go around the Son dishonors the Father

Jesus launches his ministry (continued)

Recruits Disciples - Mat 4:17-22

Jesus knew that he needed to extend himself through others

Who are you extending yourself through?

We have benefitted from those who extended themselves through us

Coutney McBath and Michael Harrison came alongside me to support me.

Karen Cummings helped to move me into ministry.

Ed Johnson, Purcell Dorsey, Pastor Andy, Chris Hill

Meets Needs - Mat 4:23-25

Jesus addressed the people's perceived needs.

Whose needs are you addressing?

Works Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings

Keep sharing your testimonies

List the people in your oikos on a 3 x 5 card (one person per card)

Discussion Questions

Reflect on John 5

In vs. 16-18 John states that by calling God his own Father Jesus was making himself equal with God. When and how did you come to understand that Jesus was equal with God?

In vs. 19-21 Jesus describes his focus on doing the Father's will.

What would the people who know you say your focus is?

What would you want them to say your focus is?

What aspects of your life are consistent with a focus on the Father's will?

What aspects of your life are inconsistent with a focus on the Father's will?

In vs. 22-27 Jesus explains the authority that the Father has delegated to him.

What does this imply for people who insist on trying to relate to God apart from Jesus?

Have you ever tried to "go around Jesus" to get to the Father?

In vs. 28-47 Jesus expounds on his unique role in God's Kingdom.

Jesus said that the work that the Father gave him to finish testifies that the Father sent him (vs. 36), What does the work that you do say about your relationship to the Father?

Reflect on Mat 4:17-25

Who are you partnering with in ministry?

What are you doing to address the needs of others outside the church?

What does the Kingdom of Heaven (same as Kingdom of God) mean to you?

How has your understanding of God's Kingdom changed over the years?

Reading - "This Is The Army" by Irving Berlin

We all have been selected from city and from farm They asked us lots of questions, they jabbed us in the arm We stood there at attention, our faces turning red The sergeant looked us over and this is what he said: This is the Army, Mister Jones No private rooms or telephones You had your breakfast in bed before But you won't have it there any more This is the Army, Mister Green We like the barracks nice and clean You had a housemaid to clean your floor But she won't help you out any more Do what the buglers command They're in the Army and not in a band This is the Army, Mister Brown You and your baby went to town She had you worried but this is war And she won't worry you anymore (::alternate verse from sheet music:::) A bunch of frightened rookies were list'ning filled with awe They listened while a sergeant was laying down the law They stood there at attention, their faces turning red The sergeant looked them over and this is what he said: