Life Church Message 2009-02-15 - The Standard 2009 (Part 3):

Jesus Is Our Standard

Preparation - Mat 3:1-12

Select the Passage - Mat 3:1-12: Jesus' Introduction

Jesus' Introduction

John's Ministry - Mat 3:1-12

Study the Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Discover the Exegetical Idea

God is coming and you need to get ready.

Analyze the Exegetical Idea

This will have eternal consequences - Mat 3:7-10

Formulate the Homiletical Idea

Get Ready For Jesus

Determine the Purpose of the Sermon

Keep it simple.

Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.

Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose

Outline the Sermon

Preparation - Mat 3:13 - 4:11

Select the Passage - Mat 3:13 - 4:11: Jesus' Certification

Jesus' Certification

Jesus' Baptism - Mat 3:13-17

Jesus' Temptation - Mat 4:1-11

Lust of the flesh

Lust of the eyes

Pride of life

Study the Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Discover the Exegetical Idea

Jesus is uniquely qualified to be God's representative to us.

Analyze the Exegetical Idea

Explain It: What does this mean?

You need to know the qualifications of the people who serve you.

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

Formulate the Homiletical Idea

Determine the Purpose of the Sermon

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables.

Make sure people do something with God's message.

Keep it simple.

Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.

Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose

Outline the Sermon

Preparation - Mat 4:12-25

Select the Passage - Mat 4:12-25: Jesus' Validation

Jesus' Validation

Jesus' Ministry - Mat 4:12-25

His Message - "Repent . . ." - Mat 4:12-17

Implicitly assumes God's existence.

Implicitly assumes that God wants a relationship with you.

Implicitly assumes that a relation with God must be on his terms.

His Disciples ("Follow Me") - Mat 4:18-22

His Results - Mat 4:23-25

Follow Jesus!

Study the Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Discover the Exegetical Idea

Jesus wants people to follow him.

Analyze the Exegetical Idea

Explain It: What does this mean?

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

He said "follow me".

Formulate the Homiletical Idea

Follow Jesus.

Determine the Purpose of the Sermon

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables.

Make sure people do something with God's message.

Keep it simple.

Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.

Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose

Outline the Sermon

Introduction

Our mission is to develop mature followers of Jesus Christ who love God with everything they've got, genuinely love their neighbors, and take the lead in expanding God's Kingdom in the world around them.

Our vision is based on the vision of the River of Life found in Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2.

It is a vision of a revolutionary movement with these key elements:

its people relate to God on his own terms by following his Son, Jesus christ,

its people are known far and wide for living fruitful lives that nourish and heal their families, networks, and communities,

it seeks and welcomes unchurched people who have been transformed by God's life and power into new followers of Jesus.

Key concept: follow Jesus.

Ask questions.

What does this mean?

How do I do it?

Is it enough just to go to church?

We're presenting "The Standard 2009"

A major part of what it means to follow Jesus.

Not by rules, but by listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit

Jesus started it all - it's his "fault".

Get Ready For Jesus

Joke - The Pope Is His Driver

Read the text - Mat 3:1-12

John was Jesus' forerunner.

Baptism based on Jewish practice of Mikvah.

We need to get ready for Jesus

If we don't it will have eternal consequences - Mat 3:7-10

Jesus Is God's Approved Representative

Know the qualifications of the people whose services you depend on.

Doctor, lawyer, accountant

Police - The 14 year old who impersonated a Chicago police officer.

Had uniform, radio, ticket book, but no gun or badge

Identified himself as a transfer from another district

Was assigned a partner and went on patrol

Really wanted to be a police officer

Accountant - Obama's cabinet nominees and their tax problems

Jesus' Baptism - Mat 3:13-17

He receives the Father's seal of approval.

He receives the Holy Spirit

Jesus' Temptation - Mat 4:1-11

He faces the full range of human temptation (1John 2:15-17):

Lust of the flesh

Lust of the eyes

Pride of life

He overcomes.

Follow Jesus

Jesus' Ministry - Mat 4:12-25

His Message - "Repent . . ." - Mat 4:12-17

Implicitly assumes God's existence.

Implicitly assumes that God wants a relationship with you.

Implicitly assumes that a relation with God must be on his terms.

His Disciples ("Follow Me") - Mat 4:18-22

Jesus wants people to follow him.

His Results - Mat 4:23-25

Follow Jesus!

Read his story.

See his glory.

You're In The Kingdom Now!

Introduction - Follow Jesus

Jesus' Ministry - Mat 4:12-25

His Disciples ("Follow Me") - Mat 4:18-22

Jesus wants people to follow him.

His Results - Mat 4:23-25

Follow Jesus!

Read his story.

See his glory.

Read the Passage - Mat 5:1-12

In the Kingdom old liabilities become assets.

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight. - Luke 16:1-15

". . . rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him." - 1Pet 2:2-8

Understand the Attitude of a Kingdom Person

Poor In Spirit

ptochos (beggar) here as opposed to penes (working poor)

Example: Pharisee vs. Beggar - Luke 18:9-14;

Example: Churches of Laodicea vs. Smyrna Rev 3:14-22; Rev 2:8-11

Those Who Mourn

The Meek

Those Who Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness

The Merciful

The Pure In Heart

The Peacemakers

Those Persecuted Because Of Righteousness

Salt Of The Earth and Light Of The World

Stay salty!

Don't lose the qualities that the Lord values.

Understanding the Context

Beatitudes: positive confession (e.g. “I am poor in Spirit and the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to me“).

Analogies for beatitudes:

Welcome to Life Church Sunday Service

Blessed are those of you who came early to set up. Yours is . . .

Blessed are those of you who gave up a convenient parking space . . .

Blessed are those of you who gave an offering . . .

Welcome to Christmas Dinner

Blessed are those of you who rushed to get here. You can relax.

Blessed are those of you who are cold. You will be warm.

Blessed are those of you who are hungry. You will eat.

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

There is no other way to follow Jesus!

Preparation

Expository Preaching

Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers.

Select the Passage

Study the Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Discover the Exegetical Idea

Subject

Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why

Complement

Analyze the Exegetical Idea

Explain It: What does this mean?

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

Formulate the Homiletical Idea

Determine the Purpose of the Sermon

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables.

Make sure people do something with God's message.

Keep it simple.

Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.

Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose

Outline the Sermon

Preparation - Mat 5:17-20

Select the Passage - Mat 5:17-20

Study the Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Discover the Exegetical Idea

Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets.

Analyze the Exegetical Idea

Explain It: What does this mean?

Fulfill (plerow Gk.), (i.e. fill up) - examples: Luke 4:14-21

God's Word: Common Law, case law

Jesus brings out the full meaning of God's Word so that we can successfully obey it.

Don't get it twisted. Just because I don't promote the traditions of the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law doesn't mean I'm against the Law! I'm teaching you the real Law - the "chronic" - "uncut funk", "the bomb" - 24K!

Don't think that because we don't use the "King James", and we don't maintain a lot of church traditions that God has nothing to say about the details of your life. He does!

Jesus is giving his authoritative interpretation because he wants us to make the Kingdom.

New York City Regents exam

Massachusetts MCAS exam

Drill sergeants: "I'm hard on you in order to save your life"

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Yes - Jesus is the Word - John 1:1-14

Yes - Jesus is God's image - Col 1:13-20

Yes - Jesus is the exact representation of God - Heb 1:1-3

Yes - Jesus words will never pass away - Mat 24:35

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

Our relationship with God must be on his terms.

Jesus is the authoritative interpreter and illustrator of scripture.

Do what Jesus says!

Formulate the Homiletical Idea

You have overcome, for I am here!

LIve and In Living Color

Determine the Purpose of the Sermon

Prepare people to follow Jesus by:

understanding his authoritative role with respect to scripture,

understanding his high regard for scripture,

Darwin Day - 2/12/2009 (200th anniversary); Evolution Sunday

understanding the high stakes involved in following him.

Expect Jesus to fulfill the scriptures by showing us practical ways to obey them.

This passage and Mat 7:12-14 frame Jesus' approach to the Law and Prophets.

Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables.

Make sure people do something with God's message.

Keep it simple.

Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.

Outline the Sermon

Fulfilling the Scriptures

Prep congregation for unchurched

Israel was badly in need of reform

2003 MTV Video Music Awards 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Don Juan, and Christ Rock

Movements create conditions that require renewal.

The Kingdom Of God is the ultimate kingdom. It can deal with the need for renewal in ways that other kingdoms can't.

Review of Beatitudes

Jesus came to fulfill the scriptures, not to abolish them.

Fulfill (plerow Gk.), (i.e. fill up) - examples: Luke 4:14-21

God's Word: Common Law, case law

Jesus brings out the full meaning of God's Word so that we can successfully obey it.

Don't think that because Life Church doesn't use the "King James", and we don't maintain a lot of church traditions that God has nothing to say about the details of your life. He does!

Jesus is giving his authoritative interpretation because he wants us to enter the Kingdom.

Modern examples of techniques designed to achieve a standard:

New York City Regents exam

Massachusetts MCAS exam

Drill sergeants: "I'm hard on you in order to save your life"

Jesus is presenting scripture in a way that will enable us to obey it.

Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)

Scripture Reference - Mat 5:17-20

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:17-20

Discuss Jesus' attitude towards the Old Testament as revealed in this passage. How does this affect your view of the Old Testament?

Is the Old Testament helpful to you? Is it confusing? Discuss.

Based on this passage how might you be least or great in the Kingdom?

Jesus wants his disciples' righteousness to surpass that of the Pharisees so that they will enter the kingdom of heaven. He wants them to succeed! Have you viewed Jesus' teaching as designed for your success before? Does this make a difference in the way you read the gospels?

Witnessing Activities

Consider the Life Church Mission:

Please discuss as a group some of the ways we can help equip you to carry out this mission and make a list that your life group leaders can bring back to the pastoral team.

What aspects of reaching out to the unchurched are you most excited about? What aspects are most challenging to you?

How confident are you about helping someone else to follow Jesus?

How confident are you about following up or discipling a new Christian?

How comfortable are you about inviting people you know casually to visit Life Church? How comfortable are you about inviting people you know well? Discuss.

What Bible passages or issues would you like to understand better?

The Standard 2009 (Part 3): Fulfilling The Scriptures

Pastor Rocklyn Clarke - Sunday February 15, 2009