Our high priest outranks everyone else. - Heb 4:14
Our high priest understands us. - Heb 4:15; Heb 2:5-18
We can come to him confidently. - Heb 4:16
Jesus learned obedience through suffering - Heb 5:1-14
Jesus confronted difficulties with prayer - Heb 5:7
His prayers were heard because of his reverent submission - Heb 5:7
Jesus learned obedience - Heb 5:8-10
innocence vs. virtue
Temptation - the source of Jesus' suffering - Heb 2:18
Learned obedience perfected Jesus' high priestly ministry.
Temptation and the believer - James 1:2-4; James 1:12-18
Suffering as a result of temptation.
Temptation makes us feel unclean.
Uncleanness keeps us out of "the temple".
Perseverance results in crown of life.
Process of temptation: desire --> sin --> death
Don't let desire drag you away.
Christmas
Jesus' Birth - Luke 2:1-20
Jesus growing - Luke 2:39-52
Let little baby Jesus grow up in your life.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God - Heb 1:1-4
Let's Go All The Way - Heb 12:1-13
Drop the baggage
Jesus is our example.
Have the right attitude about it - Prov 3:11-12; James 1:12-18
Satan misrepresents God as wanting to keep good things from us.
He did this in the garden of Eden
He does this today largely through the media.
1Cor 10:13 - God provides a way out.
Endure hardship as discipline - Heb 12:7
Endure - Mark 13:13; Luke 8:4-15; Rom 5:1-4; 1Pet 2:20;
Luke 21:19; Rom 2:7; Rom 8:25; 2Thes 1:4; 2Tim 2:11-13
Suffering -> Perseverance -> Character -> Hope - Rom 5:1-5
Our present sufferings - Rom 8:18-39
Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees!
Keep obeying.
Make level paths for your feet!
Get rid of the things that trip you up.
Get rid of the things that make others trip.
Walk In The Light - 1John 1:5 - 2:6
God reveals himself - 1John 1:1-4
This revelation is the foundation for everything else.
Complete joy is a major goal.
God is light - 1John 1:5
Walk in the light and live by the truth - 1John 1:6-7
Let God's light (i.e. his Word and his Spirit) illuminate your life.
Live in such a way that the saints can see what's going on in your life.
God's light exposes sin - acknowledge it. - 1John 1:8-10
Judge yourself - 1Cor 11:28-32; Rev 3:19
Confess without demanding forgiveness.
God can deal with our sin - 1John 2:1-2
Knowing God means obeying him - 1John 2:3-6
Obedience implies repentance.
Strength in Weakness
Don't mistake kindness for weakness - 2Cor 10
Don't measure strength by carnal standards - 2Cor 11
Don't boast about your strengths - 2Cor 12:1-6
When you're weak you are strong - 2Cor 12:7-10
"Thorns in your sides" - Num 33:50-56
Don't use your authority for selfish purposes - 2Cor 12:11-21
We too must learn obedience through suffering temptation
Get the right perspective - God's!
It's not about you - the Kingdom doesn't revolve around your desires.
Suffering can help you perfect obedience.
Anchor yourself to the principles of God's Word.
Let God schedule your good times - Luke 9:23-25; Rom 13:14
Fasting - not manipulating God but breaking our self-addiction!
The Standard - Mat 5 - 7
How to be successful in your endeavors now that it's your season so that you can manifest in the natural what is being birthed in the spiritual.
New Rules - Mat 5:1-12
Context - addressed (and applicable) to disciples only
The Poor In Spirit - Dependent on God
Those Who Mourn - sorrowful over the state of things
The Meek - not self-promoting
New Roles - Mat 5:13-16
New Responsibilities - Mat 5:17-20
New Material
Preparation
Main Passage
NIV
Hebrew Study Bible
KJV
The Message
NASB
RSV
Exegetical Idea
Subject
Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why
Complement
Developmental Questions
Explain It: What does this mean?
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Homiletical Idea
Purpose of the Sermon
Make it plain
Use accessible language and modern parables
Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.
The Standard - Mat 5 - 7
Surpass the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees - break out of your comfort zone
Your Anger - Mat 5:21-26
Spoken to disciples
Anger is dangerous - Mat 5:21-22; James 1:19-21
Anger is the source of murder
Angry speech is a warning sign
Raca (emptyhead)
Fool
Speech - Eph 4:25-32; James 3:1-12
Get rid of anger - Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; 1Tim 2:8; Tit 1:7
Prioritize reconciliation over religious activity - Mat 5:23-24
A brother/sister who sins against you - Mat 18:15-20
Withdrawing fellowship - 1Cor 5; 1Tim 1:18-20
Wheat and Weeds - Mat 13:24-43
Discipline of Elders - 1Tim 5:19-20
Restoration - Gal 6:1-2
Forgiveness - Mat 18:21-35
Unequally Yoked - 2Cor 6; Deut 22:9-11
Obedience better than sacrifice - 1Sam 15:22-23
Settle Disputes - Mat 5:25-26
Reject the pride that often accompanies anger.
Harmony - Rom 12:16-21; 1Pet 2:11-25; 1Pet 4:12-19
Your Desires - Mat 5:27-30
Your Spouse - Mat 5:31-32
Your Word - Mat 5:33-37
Your Rights - Mat 5:38-42
Your Enemies - Mat 5:43-48
Your Reputation
Alms (Giving) - Mat 6:1-4
Prayer - Mat 6:5-15
Fasting - Mat 6:16-18
Your Property
Accumulating - Mat 6:19-21
Stinginess - Mat 6:22-23
Lifestyle - Mat 6:24-25
Kingdom First - Mat 6:26-34
Your Observations - Mat 7:1-6
Final Points
Look to the Father for whatever you need - Mat 7:7-11
Treat others the way you want to be treated - Mat 7:12
Embrace the restriction of the Kingdom life - Mat 7:13-14
Beware careful whom you follow - Mat 7:15-23
Practice what Jesus preaches - Mat 7:24-27
Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
Group A: Mat 5:13-16 (from last week)
In what ways do you act as salt - preserving those around you?
In what ways are you a light for those around you?
Group B: Mat 5:17-20
Jesus spoke these words to his disciples. Are you in that category?
Are you more righteous than the Pharisees and teachers of the law?
Is God calling you to a level of righteousness that surpasses the traditions that you've grown comfortable with?
Group C: Mat 5:21-22
Are you angry with someone? If so, whom?
Have you used harsh language with anyone this week?
How are you dealing with your anger?
Group D: Mat 5:23-24; Mat 18:15-20; 1Cor 5; 1Tim 1:18-20
Do any of your brothers and sisters have anything against you?
What was the last thing you did to reconcile with a brother or sister?
Discuss your track record in obeying Mat 18:15.
Discuss your track record in obeying Mat 18:16.
Have you ever seen Mat 18:17 practiced? How did you feel about it?
Do you know anyone who calls himself or herself a believer, but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolator, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a swindler? If so, what kind of relationship do you have with this person?
Witnessing Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings
Make sure everyone in your life group has a prayer partner.
Pick a base of operations as a focus for your group's outreach ministry.
Plan a social event for your group to which you can invite some of the unbelievers you've been praying for.
