The Heart of 1 Timothy (3:14-16)

Outline: The Heart of 1 Timothy (1 Tim. 3:14-16): 

1. The Church's Character 
2. The Church's Confession

Summary:  Now we come to the very heart of 1 Timothy where Paul clearly states his reason for writing: "I am writing these things to you so that...you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth" (vv.14-15).  Godly behavior is expected from members of God's family, God's church.  And when such fitting behavior is embodied by God's church, the church's character takes on a robustness that allows her to do what she was designed to do, namely, serve as a pillar and buttress of the gospel.  But if the church is to uphold the gospel she must first be upheld by that gospel, which is the very heart of her confession, the very mystery behind her godliness.

Main Point: The church upholds the greatness of her confession by means of her godly character

Discussion Questions:

• What do others say about the church?
• How would God have us see the church?  Reflect on the three descriptions provided by Paul:
• The household of God
• The church of the living God
• A pillar and buttress of the truth
• What is the church's confession (cf. v.16)?
• What is the relationship between the church's character and the church's confession?
• Reflect on this statement: "The church does not create the truth; rather, the church is created by the truth and then called to uphold the truth." 
• What part of this sermon was most helpful or instructive to you? Why?  

Application Questions:

• How do I think and feel about the church?  Does my attitude toward God's church shaped more by the world or by God's word? Explain. 

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for adopting us and making us part of his household
• Thank God our church family and the privilege it is to be part of it
• Pray God would help us to depend on and be upheld by the gospel
• Pray that God would enable us to support and elevate the gospel by living godly lives

Wage the Good Warfare (1 Tim. 1:18-20)

Outline: Wage the Good Warfare (1 Tim. 1:18-20)

1. The call to wage the good warfare
2. The means meant to help us wage the good warfare
3. The result of failing to wage the good warfare
4. Application

Summary:   As Timothy's "commanding officer," Paul gave this charge: stay in Ephesus and confront the false teachers (vv.3-7).  This was an urgent order entrusted to a reliable soldier.  However, carrying out this order would be no easy task, which is why Paul uses military language (wage the good warfare!) to describe the serious effort that Timothy must exert.  This effort is a form of internal warfare, a fight to keep one's faith sincere and conscience clear.  The failure to wage this warfare is disastrous (v.20) but the reward for doing so is glorious (2 Tim. 4:7-8).  We must remind ourselves that every order in the service of our Lord is to be carried out in love (1:5).  But this love is a hard fought love. Underneath this love is a battle that must be fought and won in our hearts (faith and a good conscience).  Every time the flag of love is raised, witnesses may know that a battle has been won in the heart.

Main Point:  We must wage the good warfare, a type of warfare that begins in the heart!

Discussion Questions:

• What is the charge being entrusted to Timothy? (cf. vv.3-7)
• Why do you think Paul uses military language (charge/order, warfare)?
• What means or provisions must Timothy utilize in order to wage the good warfare?
• What does it mean to hold the "faith"? To maintain a "good conscience"?  What is the relationship between faith and a good conscience? (v.19)
• How might a culture of discipleship help believers maintain a good conscience?
• Ponder this statement: "Every time the flag of love is raised, a battle has been won in the heart."
• How does one make shipwreck of his or her faith (v.19)?
• What can we learn about church discipline from from v.20?

Application Questions:

• Do I see my Christian life as a call to wage the good warfare? Explain. 
• Is there anything I am currently doing that my conscience is uneasy about?
• How is the death of Jesus good news when I have a troubled conscience?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for waging the good warfare on our behalf and empowering us to do likewise 
• Confess anything you are currently doing that is troubling your conscience
• Ask God to help you and your church family to maintain clear consciences and to come to him honestly and quickly when our consciences are troubled
• Ask the Holy Spirit to make unbelievers in your spheres of influence aware of their sin and to empower you to tell them the good news about Jesus and the power of his blood to cover shame and guilt and to purify consciences

The Promised Prophet (Deut. 18:15-19)

Outline: The Promised Prophet

1. Promise 
2. Fulfillment 

Summary:  As Christians we recognize that Jesus came to us not only as the Son of God but as the promised Son of God.  We believe that Jesus' arrival came after hundreds of years of anticipation.  Therefore, Jesus' arrival is a breathtaking testimony of God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promises He made.  Among those promises was the promise to send a prophet like Moses.  God fulfilled this promise when He sent One final prophet, One who is greater than Moses, One whose words all people are called to heed, One who would lead His people into the Promised Land.  Jesus Christ is the Prophet we've been waiting for.

Main Point:  Jesus is the promised Prophet spoken of long ago.

Discussion Questions:

• What do we learn about how we should read the Old Testament from Luke 24:25-27,44?
• Define what a prophet is from Deut. 18:18-19.
• What do we learn about the promised Prophet from Deut. 18:15-19 & Deut. 34:9-12? 
• Read John 1:20.  What were people even in Jesus' day expecting?
• What do Acts 3:22-26 & Acts 7:27, 51-52 teach us about the identity of the promised Prophet?
• What does Heb. 1:1-2 teach us about how Jesus relates to the prophets who came before Him?
• How does Matt. 17:1-13, Jesus' transfiguration, show Jesus' superiority over all other prophets?
• "Jesus is greater than Moses."  While statements like this were fighting words to many Jews in Jesus' day, they are good news to all Christians today.  Why?

Application Questions:

• How aware am I that Jesus is the fulfillment of hundreds of years of God's promises?  How should the fact that Jesus came make me think about and feel toward God?
• How should I respond to Jesus knowing that He is the promised Prophet?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for all the ways He is greater than Moses 
• Praise Jesus for being the one who can change our hearts and lead us into the Promised Land
• Confess ways you have not been heeding the words of Jesus, God's promised Prophet
• Ask God to help you listen more carefully and wholeheartedly to His Son, the promised Prophet

The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)

1. Affirmation (v.8)
2. Earth-bound promises (vv.9-10)
3. Exhortation (v.11)
4. Heaven-bound Promise (vv.12-13)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Philadelphia.  Philadelphia, like Smyrna, was a healthy church.  Therefore, Jesus did not speak words of rebuke, correction, and warning but words of affirmation followed by promises that were designed to encouraged and inspire them to stay their faithful course.  Jesus promised to help them triumph and endure the sufferings of this life and to lavish blessing on them in the next life if they conquer, that is, if they continue in patient endurance to the end.         

Main Point:  All churches and Christians are called to conquer, that is, to patiently endure suffering and trials though faith-filled obedience to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• Is v.7b an accurate, one-sentence summary of John's vision of Jesus in 1:12-20? Explain. 
• What is the church of Philadelphia affirmed for in v.8?
• What is the relationship between keeping Jesus' word and not denying Jesus' name?
• How is it possible that Philadelphia had "little power" yet was considered a healthy church?
• What earth-bound promises did Jesus give (vv.9-10)? What effect are they meant to have?
• Jesus exhorted Philadelphia (v.11)? Why do even healthy churches/Christians need such exhortations?
• What heaven-bound promises did Jesus give (vv.12-13)? What effect are they meant to have?
• What promise is particularly meaningful to you right now and how might you use it as motivation to patiently endure in the midst of your present circumstances?
• What form does conquering take in the first five churches? How about for Philadelphia?

Application Questions:

• What am I clinging to in order to make it through? What does this reveal about my heart?
• How am I obeying God's word in the midsts of my circumstances? 
• What is it going to take for me to patiently endure to the end?
• How is my weakness an opportunity for God to show His power? (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10)
• What brother or sister is currently in special need of endurance? What can I do to encourage them? 

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for using His loving authority to open and keep open the door of salvation to us
• Praise Jesus for His power and acknowledge His ability help us endure in the midst of trials
• Ask God to help us not be disheartened by our weakness but to trust all the more in His power 

The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

1. Rebuke (vv.1-2)
2. Correction (vv.2a, 3a)
3. Warning (v.3b)
4. Promise (vv.4-5)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis.  From man's perspective, the church in Sardis was a success, but, for God's perspective, they were spiritually sluggish and therefore in great need of a wake up call.  In fact, Jesus said that they were spiritually "dead" and that their works fell shamefully short of what God expects His redeemed people.  And, while there were some happy exceptions who had not "soiled their garments" with sluggish devotion (v.4), Jesus clearly desires every Christian and every church to conquer their spiritual sloth, to be fully alive and genuinely awake in the eyes of God.

Main Point: All churches and Christians are called to conquer their tendency to spiritual sloth by actively remembering and obeying God's word.  

Discussion Questions:

• Is it possible for a Christian and/or church to not have much by way of outward or obvious sins and yet still be in a seriously unhealthy spiritual state? Explain.
• Why does Jesus rebuke the church in Sardis? (vv.1-2)
• What is the differences between sins of omission and sins of commission? (For extra study on on sins of omission see James 4:17; Rom. 7:14-20; Lk. 10:30-37; Matt. 25:31-46).
• What steps does Jesus give to correct and conquer the tendency to spiritual sloth? (v.2a, v.3a)
• What can people expect from Jesus if they do not conquer their spiritual sloth? (v.3b)
• What promises are made to those who do conquer their spiritual sloth? (vv.4-5)

Application Questions:

• Am I spiritually awake or spiritually sleepy? Explain.
• What are things that I know God would have me doing that I am failing to do?  
• How important is it to God that I live an active and obedient life marked by good works as opposed to merely avoiding doing bad things? 
• What changes should I make or what strategies should I employ in order to conquer my tendency to be spiritually lazy?
• How can we believers help one another stay spiritually awake on our journey to heaven?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for securing our acceptance before God by His active obedience to the Father
• Praise Jesus for this merciful wake up call
• Ask God to help you say no to temptation AND live a life of Christ-like, active obedience

The Letter to the Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

Outline: In Revelation 2:1-7

1. Jesus' Affirmation (vv.2-3, 6)
2. Jesus' Rebuke (v.4)
3. Jesus' Correction (v.5a)
4. Jesus' Warning (v.5b)
5. Jesus' Promise (v.7)

Summary: After communicating the sobering vision of who Jesus is and what the church ought to be, John now relays a personal letter from Jesus to each of the seven churches (Rev. 2-3). These letters show that the Jesus described in John's vision is the Jesus who is present with and intimately aware of each church and their circumstances. This can be either terrifying or comforting depending on the health of a given local church.  Jesus wants every local church to be a faithful, conquering church regardless of the circumstances they face; therefore, He brings clear affirmation, rebuke, correction, warnings, and promises according to what each church needs to hear and heed.  The first letter is to the church in Ephesus, a church affirmed for their steadfast commitment to the truth but firmly rebuked for their sad and serious neglect of love.  Jesus tells them in no uncertain terms what they must do in order to conquer their sin and receive the promise.      

Main Point: The church in Ephesus must remember the way they used to love one another, repent of their neglect of that love, and renew their efforts to love as they have in the past.

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean that Jesus "walks among the seven golden lampstands" and what impression should this truth make on all churches, including FBC? (v.1cf. 1:13; 2:23)
• What does Jesus affirm about the church in Ephesus? (vv.2-3,6)
• What about the church in Ephesus provokes Jesus to firmly rebuke them? (v.4)
• What three steps does Jesus command Ephesus to take when He corrects them (v.5)?
• What is the meaning of the term repent?
• What warning does Jesus give them if they do not mend their ways (v.5b)?
• What promise does Jesus extend to them if they do mend their ways (v.7)?  
• Why is it so important that we have strong minds committed to truth and big hearts engaged in acts of love?

Application Questions:

• How firmly am I committed to learning and applying the truth of God's word in my life?
• How engaged am I in showing acts of kindness, compassion and self-sacrifice toward my brothers and sisters in Christ?
• Do I need to repent and mend my ways in one or both of these areas?
• What would it look like for me to be a head/heart person (one marked by truth and love)?
• Does my individual commitment to truth and love effect the brightness of our lampstand at FBC? Explain. 

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for any ways we are excelling in our commitment to truth at FBC
• Praise God for any ways we are excelling in our love for one another at FBC
• Repent of any ways you have been personally neglecting truth and/or love
• Pray that God would help FBC to shine as a head and heart people
• Ask God to help you grow in your commitment to truth and your engagement in love so that you might do your part to help FBC shine brighter

John's Vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:9-20)

Outline: In Revelation 1:9-20

1. John's vision of the Son of Man & the churches (vv.12-16, 20)
2. John's response to the vision (vv.17-19)
3. How should churches respond to this vision? 

Summary: John is given a vision packed with symbols designed to tell us about who Jesus is and what the church ought to be.  This vision terrifies John nearly to death.  But Jesus tenderly comforts John with the gospel and then commissions him to write the things that he has seen (and will see) to the churches. This vision of the Son of Man is meant to shape the life and mission of every local church.

Main Point: John's vision of the Son of Man is designed to both frighten and fortify every local church into faithful living as they await the return of the Son of Man.

Discussion Questions:

• Discuss the descriptions of Jesus in vv.13-16. Taken together, what does John want the churches to know about who Jesus is?
• The churches are symbolized as "seven golden lampstands." What does this symbol say about what churches ought to be? (cf. Ex. 25:31-40, 37:17-24; Lev. 24:1-4; Matt. 5:14-16).  
• How does John respond to the vision? Why do you think he responded that way? 
• What effect do you think Jesus' words in vv.17b-18 had on John?     
• How should the churches in general and FBC in particular respond to this vision of the Son of Man and the seven golden lampstands? 
• Why might it be important to keep this vision (vv.12-16) in mind as we study the letters to the churches in chapters 2-3?  

Application Questions:

• How has this vision heightened my view of Jesus and who He is?
• How has this vision heightened my view of churches and what they are meant to be?
• In what ways is God calling me to live more faithfully in light who Jesus is and who we wants me to be as a member of my local church?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus as the glorious Son of Man 
• Ask God to open your eyes to see more of the glory of Jesus
• Ask God to help you develop a higher view of the local church
• Pray that God would help FBC to shine brightly for the glory of the Son of Man and for the good of those who desperately need to see Him for who He really is
• Pray that God would awaken you to be more faithfully devoted to Him so that you might do your part to help your local church shine brighter

Godly Submission to Governing Authorities (1 Pet. 2:13-17)

Outline: In 1 Peter 2:13-17

1. God ordains governing authorities
2. God commissions governing authorities
3. God commands his people to submit to governing authorities

Summary: This is the second of two sermons aimed at preparing our minds and hearts for the upcoming elections.   After telling us that we are a chosen and set apart people living as sojourners and exiles in this world (2:9-12), Peter goes on to explain how we are to conduct ourselves among unbelievers.  He begins on the societal level, calling God's people to exercise godly submission toward governing or civil authorities (2:13-17).  Christians must recognize that it is God who or ordains and commissions these authorities and therefore our submission to them is in fact another evidence of our submission to God himself.  Godly submission looks like doing so much good that the ignorance of fools is silenced and civil authorities cannot help but praise our good behavior.

Main Point: Christians are called to honor God by exercising godly submission to civil authorities.

Discussion Questions:

• How should the fact that it is God who ordains governing authorities shape the way that we think about the upcoming election? (cf. Rom. 13:1)
• What does God commission governing authorities to do? (v.14; cf. Rom. 13:3-4)
• According to 1 Pet. 2:13-17 (cf.Romans 13:1-7), what motivations should incline us to submit to governing authorities? 
• Are there biblical limits to this command to submit to governing authorities? (cf. Peter and the Apostle's example in Acts 5, esp. vv.29,40-42)
• Exercise: read 1 Pet. 2:18-3:6.  How does God expect believing wives and slaves to respond to disobedient husbands and masters? How might this help us think through how to respond when civil authorities are disobedient to God's commission?
• How might Jeremiah's exhortation to Israelite exiles in Jer. 29:4-7 be instructive to us in our cultural moment? 

Application Questions:

• Am I marked by godly submission to the authorities God has put in my life (civil authorities, employers, a husband, church leaders, etc)?
• In what ways do I honor or dishonor the civil authorities God has put in place?
• What changes need to be made in my thinking and in my heart attitude in order for me to honor God with my words, attitude, and actions this coming election season?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you have not had a submissive heart toward authorities He has placed in your life
• Praise God for sending Jesus, the King of Kings, who who has acted and continues to act for our greatest good and who is preparing an eternal kingdom where peace and quite and comfort and lavish provision will be enjoyed by all His loyal subjects. 
• Ask God to help you grow in godly submission so that you can have a more winsome witness in your different spheres of influence. 

Building Your Life on the Rock (Matt. 7:24-29)

Outline: Matthew 7:24-29

1. Wise people will build their lives on Jesus' words
2. Foolish people will build their lives on something other than Jesus' words 

Summary: To conclude His sermon, Jesus reminds us that there are really only two types of people in the world: those who build their lives on His words and those who do not.  After telling us that people who do not do the will of His Father will not get to be with Him in His eternal kingdom (7:21-23), Jesus illustrates the same point by using the analogy of two builders.  A wise builder did the hard work of digging a foundation so that he could build his house on the rock and was therefore able to endure the storm. A foolish builder, however, did the easy work of avoiding a foundation altogether and was therefore swept away when the storm came.

Main Point: One will either stand or fall based on whether or not one hears and obeys Jesus' words

Discussion Questions:

• In what specific ways has God challenged you through the Sermon on the Mount?
• Discuss: "Jesus didn't preach this sermon in order to be admired and applauded but obeyed."
• Describe the labor involved in building upon the rock vs. building upon the sand?
• If the rock represents Jesus' words, what does the sand represent?
• What do rain, floods, and winds represent? Can you find any helpful clues from the context? 
• How will obedient people fare when trials and judgment come their way?
• How will disobedient people fare when trials and judgment come their way?
• Is obedience necessary in the Christian life? Explain. 
• How does gospel-grace relate to gospel-obedience?

Application Questions:

• Am I astonished at the authority of Jesus' teachings? 
• In what ways am I taking to heart and obeying Jesus teachings? 
• In what ways am I ignoring or failing to obediently live out Jesus teaching?
• What would I be doing differently if I was truly taking Jesus' teachings to heart?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you've ignored or failed to obey the teachings of Jesus
• Thank Jesus for leading you to the Father's heart through His preaching and teaching and the ways that Has spoken to your heart throughout this sermon series 
• Praise God for the ways He's helping you walk in Spirit-empowered obedience
• Ask the Holy Spirit to to help you more faithfully and radically obey Jesus' words

The Horror of Self-Deception (Matt. 7:21-23)

Outline: Matthew 7:21-23

1. The reality of self-deception
2. The nature of self-deception
3. The horror of self-deception 
4. The remedy to self-deception

Summary: A pilgrim must not only beware of being deceived by others (Matt. 7:15-20), but must also beware of deceiving himself (vv.21-23).  Jesus tells us plainly that on judgment day many, many people will face the sad reality that they have deceived themselves into thinking that they had a relationship with Jesus when in fact no such relationship ever existed.  Many actively disobey God's will yet still expect to receive His mercy while others boast in their own works only to hear the words "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."  

Main Point: On judgment day, many who claim to know Jesus will be justly cast into hell by Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• What is one assuming by addressing Jesus with the words “Lord, Lord”?
• What clues from the text tell us how widespread self-deception will be on judgment day? 
• Paraphrase Jesus' words: "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
• Why do you think Jesus wants us to know the reality, nature, and horror of self-deception? 
• Why would Jesus refer to people who do "good" things (v.2) as "workers of lawlessness"?
• What is the remedy to self-deception?

Application Questions:

• How sure am I that I'm not self-deceived?  What is my confidence based on? 
• Are their people in my life that may be self-deceived?  How might God be calling me to reach out to them?
• Am I truly doing the will of the Father? Explain.
• What will my claim be before Jesus "on that day"? 

Prayer Points:

• Confess any presumption or pride or lack of concern for the eternal well being of others
• Thank Jesus for this sober, yet loving and caring warning 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to to help you focus on doing God's will in God's power

Recognizing False Prophets (Matt. 7:15-20)

Outline: Matthew 7:15-20

1. What are false prophets like? (v.15)
2. How do we recognize false prophets? (v.16-18, 20)
3. Where are false prophets going? (v.19)

Summary: When we connect Jesus' call to enter by the narrow gate and travel the hard road (7:12-14) with the command to beware of false prophets (7:15-20), we realize that Jesus is telling us that there are people who will point us to a wider gate and tempt us with promises of an easier road. These false prophets are like wolves dressed like sheep, seeking to deceive and destroy (v.15).  Jesus will eventually destroy such people (v.20), but, in the meantime, Jesus protects His sheep by telling them how to see through such deception by recognizing their bad fruit (vv.16-18, 20).

Main Point: Beware of false prophets.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the relationship between 7:13-14 and 7:15-20? 
• According to v.15, what are false prophets like?
• What does the fact that Jesus gave this warning say about the type of Shepherd He is?
• According to vv.16-18 & 20, how do we recognize false prophets?
• What types of bad fruit might help us discern the true identity of false prophets?
• Reflect on this statement: "Sheep, not just shepherds, must beware of false prophets."
• Where are false prophets going in the end (v.19)? Why?

Application Questions:

• How discerning am I when it comes to knowing false prophets by their fruit?  
• Are there any teachings that I'm listening to or people I'm influenced by that may fail the fruit test?  
• Am I acting more like a wolf than a sheep? In other words, is my influence (my actions and attitudes) having positive effects or negative effects on people around me?
• What kind of fruit am I bearing? What parts of my life need pruning in order to bear more and better fruit (cf. Jn. 15:1-8)?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you are acting more wolf-like than sheep-like in your attitudes and actions.
• Thank Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for standing between you and ravenous wolves, for laying His life down that you might be spared.  
• Ask the Holy Spirit to increase your powers of discernment, to help you train yourself to distinguish good from evil.

The Golden Rule and the Narrow Gate (Matt. 7:12-14)

Outline: Matthew 7:12-14

1. The Principle: The Golden Rule (v.12)
2. The Picture: The narrow gate (vv.13-14)

Summary: With the word "so" in Matt. 7:12,  Jesus signals that He is drawing His sermon to conclusion as well as summarizing what He as been preaching up to this point.  He summarizes the Sermon in a principle known as the Golden Rule (GR), which He also says is a faithful, boiled-down summary of all that is written in the Law and the Prophets.  So Jesus commands His followers to live out the GR (just as He did; cf. 5:17). This principle, though simple, is deep, profound and demanding.  The rigor called for in living out the GR is pictured in Jesus' parallel command to "Enter by the narrow gate." To follow Jesus example of living out the GR, one must be a pilgrim who is willing to enter by the narrow gate and travel the hard road accompanied by few people.  But while the demands are great, so is the payoff when the Lord's pilgrims reach the end of their road and enter into eternal life, a place where every heart is golden, a place where living out the GR comes easy.

Main Point: Treat others they way you would want to be treated. Living out this principle, though certainly demanding, is the path that leads to eternal life.

Discussion Questions:

• Meditate on the following equation: The Law and Prophets (shorthand for the OT) = Love God and People (Matt. 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-31) = the GR (Matt. 7:12).
• How does the fact that Jesus Christ came, lived, died, rose, and gave the Holy Spirit shape the way we think about living out the GR?
• How much of a priority should the GR have in the life of a Christ-follower? 
•  What is so golden about the GR? What makes it so universally effective in relationships?  
• How does treating others the way we would like to be treated help bring much-needed moral clarity and focus in our relationships with others? (cf. Eph. 5:28-29).
• Practice applying the GR to some scenarios that you would like to think through:
• How would I want to be treated if I was  _____? 
• Would I like it if someone ______ ? 
• Compare the two gates/ways described in vv.13-14.
• Option #1: "though the gate be conveniently wide and the journey 
  seductively
   easy and the travel companions comfortingly many, their end will be eternally destructive."
• Option #2: The rugged Man who traveled a rugged road who hung on a rugged cross tells dear His pilgrims to enter the narrow gate, travel the hard road, accompanied by few people who who are headed for eternal life. Think through the key words: narrow, hard, few, life and explain why what is to come is worth all the present struggle.    

Application Questions:

• How often do I actually apply the GR by "putting myself in other people's shoes"?  What is Jesus teaching me about the priority the GR should have in my life? 
• Are the choices that I make on my earthly pilgrimage based mainly on what is convenient, easy, and what others think of me or on a living faith in Jesus, a determination to do what pleases Him no matter how hard life gets, and a commitment to travel this journey with a band of fellow pilgrims who have the same commitment? Explain.   

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you've been failing to live out the GR and for ways you have slipped off the narrow path in favor of what is convenient, easy, and accepted by the majority 
• Wash in that "river" of gospel grace which mirrors at every point the rugged road of obedience
• Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to treat others they way you would like to be treated
• Ask for greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's promptings, the inner whispers that remind us to "follow the harder road instead."

Anxiety-Free Christianity (Matt. 6:25-34)

Outline: Matthew 6:25-34

1. The causes of anxiety
2. The cures for anxiety

Summary: 
In the last passage, Matt. 6:19-24, Jesus called us to a life of single-minded, whole-hearted devotion to God.  We have seen that this will look like a lifestyle aimed at piling up good works fueled by pure motives. In this sermon on Matt. 6:25-34, Jesus anticipates that God's children will be tempted to anxiety when they give their Father their complete loyalty.  Jesus calls His followers to a life of single-minded devotion buttressed by a robust child-like trust in their Father's care for them.  One way to mine this text is to consider Jesus' words as explaining both the causes and cures for anxiety.  

Discussion Questions:

• What is the relationship between the call for single -minded devotion (vv.19-24) and the command "do not be anxious" (vv.25-34)?
• What are other words that are synonymous with the term "anxiety"?
• Discuss the following causes for anxiety: 
• Anxiety is caused by a warped perspective on what your life is all about
• Anxiety is caused by an even deeper sickness—unbelief 
• Anxiety is caused by unholy ambition (misplaced priorities)
• Anxiety is caused by dragging tomorrow's troubles into today
• Why is anxiety incompatible with common sense?
• Discuss the cures for anxiety: 
• Anxiety is cured by a God-centered perspective on what life is all about
• Anxiety is cured by a deep faith, a robust trust in God's Fatherly care for you
• Anxiety is cured by seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness 
• Anxiety is cured by pushing anxiety off another day
• How might obedience to the teachings from last week and this week bring about a sweet sense of simplicity in one's life?

Application Questions:

• What circumstances in my life as of late have become a context for my anxiety?
• What causes of anxiety seem particularly relevant to my case?
• What is God prescribing in order to cure your anxiety?
• What might life look like if I followed the Dr.'s orders?

Prayer Points:

• Humble yourself before God by casting all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you 
• Thank God for adopting you in Christ that you may live happily content in His Fatherly care 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to remember that you are not an orphan but a well-loved child of God who can always cry out "Abba, Father" and your Father will hear your cries

Christian Simplicity: Part 2 (Matt. 6:19-24)

Outline: Matthew 6:19-24

1. Two treasures (v.19-21)
2. Treasures visions (vv.22-23)
3. Treasure masters (v.24)

Summary: 
In Matt. 6:19-24, Jesus calls his followers to a life of single-minded devotion to God.  In order to make His point, Jesus utilizes three couplets: two treasures, two visions, two masters.  In this sermon we considered all three couplets but focused primarily on the two visions and the two masters.  Jesus wants us to see that where we put our heart dramatically effects our spiritual lives. To put it negatively, if we accumulate money and possessions in this short life, that is, if our spiritual eye is fixed on material treasures, then we will lose spiritual vision and find ourselves serving money, not God.  But, more positively, if we seek to be rich toward God in this life by piling up good works done out of pure motives, then we will enjoy clear spiritual vision and find ourselves serving God, not money.

Discussion Questions:

• Review: what are material treasures and spiritual treasures?
• How do Jesus' commands in vv.19-20 show his care and love toward us?
• What is the relationship/connection between the two treasures and the two visions?
• What does it mean that they eye is the lamp of the body in physical terms?
• What does it mean that they eye is the lamp of the body in spiritual terms? (cf. 5:29;7:3)
• Reflect on this statement: "obedience clarifies, sin clouds."
• How does having dim vision effect our relationship with God?
• How does having dim vision effect our witness in the world? (cf.Luke 11:33-36)
• What is the meaning of the term "master"? Why is it impossible to serve two masters?
• Reflect on this statement: "Duel devotion is a mirage"
• Reflect on this statement: “we will either use money to serve God or use God to serve money."
• If spiritual vision is cloudy, what does that say about our treasure and our loyalty? 
• What has personally challenged you most in the past two sermons on Christian simplicity?

Application Questions:

• Am I currently enjoying clear spiritual vision (i.e. Do i have purpose, drive, holy ambition, passion to love God and others, etc.)? If not, what might this say about what I'm treasuring and where my loyalty actually is?
• What changes is God calling me to make in order to live a life of single-minded devotion?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways your heart has been in the wrong place leading to dim vision and disloyalty.
• Praise Jesus for living a life of perfect loyalty to the Father and for dying on a cross so that you might become a His loyal and faithful servant!
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to put and keep your heart in the right place, to maintain clear spiritual vision, and to lean more fully what it means to serve Christ as Master.  

Christian Simplicity: Part 1 (Matt. 6:19-21)

Outline: Matthew 6:19-21

Two treasures:

1. Treasures on earth (v.19)
2. Treasures in heaven (v.20)
3. Treasure principle (v.21)

Summary: 

We have seen that Jesus came to bring about radical obedience in His followers (Matt. 5:1-48, esp. vv.19-20, 48), an obedience that is to be fueled by pure motives (Matt. 6:1-18, esp. vv.1,3-4, 6, 9-10, 17-18).  Now in Matt. 6:19-24, Jesus fuses radical obedience and pure motives together in order to call His followers to a life of simplicity, that is, a life of single-minded devotion to God.  In order to make His point, Jesus utilizes three couplets: two treasures, two visions, two masters.  In this sermon we considered the two treasures, where Jesus teaches us not to store up material treasures on earth but rather to store up spiritual treasures in heaven because He wants to ensure that our hearts are in a safe place.  

Discussion Questions:

• What are earthly treasures and why does Jesus command us not to store them up?
• What is Jesus not prohibiting in v.19?
• How does Jesus' parable in Luke 12:16-21 illustrate this command?
• What are spiritual treasures and why does Jesus command us to store them up?
• Describe the treasure principle of v.21 in your own words.
• How is this a call to a life of simplicity, a life of single-minded devotion to God?
• Are these commands loving or unloving?  Explain.
• Reflect on this statement: "Jesus is the best financial advisor in the universe."
• How might a material treasure become a means of storing up spiritual treasure?
• What are some practical ways we might learn to be rich toward God?

Application Questions:

• Honestly, am I being rich toward myself or rich toward God?
• What material things am I most prone to hoard? What changes is God calling me to make?
• How might I cultivate both short and long-term generosity?
• How might I cultivate simplicity (learn contentment, detach from stuff, cap expenses, and grow in the ability to discern how to best use God's money)?
• How can I simultaneously attack debt and cultivate generosity?
• Think trajectory: how can I grow in generosity each year as I get closer and closer to seeing my Lord Jesus face-to-face?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you have been rich toward yourself and stingy toward God
• Praise Jesus for becoming poor and dying on a cross so that you might become rich toward God and inherit eternity!
• Ask God to help you to, by the power of the Holy Spirit, break any sinful habits of hoarding material possessions and to help you learn to store up spiritual treasures in heaven.  

Sincere Fasting (Matt. 6:16-18)

Outline: Matthew 6:16-18

1. Explanation of Matt. 6:16-18
2. Why should a Christ-follower fast?
3. How should a Christ-follower go about practicing the discipline of fasting?

Summary: Having considered giving and praying, we now focus on fasting, Jesus' third and final illustration of this overarching point:"Beware of doing the right things from the wrong motives" (6:1)! Jesus warns us that God will not reward the obedient act of fasting if that act was fueled by wrong motives.  Motives are intensely important to God!  Our fasting should be fueled not by a craving to be seen and praised by others, but by a desire to be seen and rewarded by God.  Fasting is designed as a means of stimulating and expressing a sincere hunger for God, not as a hypocritical platform to attract the praise of men.

Discussion Questions:

• Review: how do giving, praying, and fasting relate to the warning given in 6:1? 
• Very basically, what is fasting?
• What is meant by the phrase "means of grace"? How is fasting a means of grace? 
• How should Jesus assumption ("when you fast") shape a Christ-follower's view of fasting?
• What is it about the activity described in v.16 that is hypocritical?
• What does it mean to have pure motives?  What motives should fuel our fasting?
• What is the purpose of fasting? In other words, why should a Christ-follower fast?
• What are some practical ways to go about practicing the discipline of fasting?

Application Questions:

• How often do I fast? Why do I fast that often?
• What is God teaching me about fasting?  
• What steps might God be leading me to take in order to grow in this discipline?
• What motives should fuel my fasting?
• What happy effects might fasting have on my life if I'm willing to make it a habit? 

Prayer Points:

• Confess to God your lack of hunger for Him and your neglect of the means of grace wisely designed by God in order to stimulate your appetite for spiritual things.
• Praise Jesus that He had enough hunger for the both of us and for teaching you to hunger and thirst after righteousness. 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you cultivate the discipline of fasting and to increase your hunger for the things of God.  

Sincere Praying (Matt. 6:5-8)

Outline: Matthew 6:5-8

1. Sincere praying is fueled by pure motives  (vv.5-6)
2. Sincere praying is marked by child-like trust (vv.7-8)

Summary: Just when we've been freshly inspired to radically obey God's word and display God's character (ch.5), Jesus hits us with a sobering warning in Matt. 6:1: "Beware of doing the right things from the wrong motives!"  Jesus warns us that God will not reward an obedient act if that act was fueled by wrong motives.  Motives matter to God--big time!  In His second illustration of this warning, Jesus teaches us that sincere praying comes from pure motives and a deep trust in our heavenly Father's care for us.  Our praying should be fueled not by a craving to be seen and praised by others, but by a desire to be seen and rewarded by God.  Our praying should be marked not by the empty and mindless repetitions of a pagan, but by the assurance and confidence of a well-loved child of God.

Discussion Questions:

• Review: what is the relationship between ch.5 and the warning given in 6:1? 
• What is it about the activity described in v.5 that is hypocritical?
• Is it possible to be unsaved and still have a passion for prayer? Explain.
• What reward does a hypocrite receive?
• Why is God's special presence in the prayer closet and not on the street corner?
• What does it mean to have pure motives?  What motives should fuel our prayer lives?
• What difference is there between how Gentiles pray and how God's children pray? (vv.7-8)
• What rewards can be expected by those who pray out of pure motives and deep trust? 

Application Questions:

• How much do my motives matter to God?
• What motives have been fueling my prayer life as of late? What should be fueling me?
• What habits of empty, mindless prayer have I formed?  What are some remedies?
• What would it look like to pray like a pure-motived, active-minded child of God?

Prayer Points:

• Confess to God any impure motives or distrust that have hindered your prayers as of late.
• Praise Jesus for shedding his blood to wash away all your bad motives and distrust.
• Praise God for adopting you so that you can relate to Him in prayer as a well-loved child.  
• Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your prayer life by purifying your motives and increasing your trust in your heavenly Father's care for you. 

Sincere Giving (Matt. 6:1-4)

Outline: Matthew 6:1-4

1. Jesus' general warning (v.1)
2. Giving from impure motives  (v.2)
3. Giving from pure motives  (vv.3-4)

Summary: With unique authority, Jesus has resurrected the original intent of God's word from under the rubble of false teaching (vv.16-48), showing us that we display God's character when we radically obey the original intent of God's word (5:9, 45, 48).  But just when we are freshly inspired to radically obey God's word and display God's character.  Just when we are ready to shine.  Jesus hits us with a sobering warning: "Beware of doing the right things from the wrong motives!" People often separate the quality of the act from the quality of the motive, but God does not.  Jesus warns us that God will not reward an obedient act if that act was fueled by wrong motives.   It’s one thing to do the right thing; it’s another thing to do the right thing for the right reason.  Motives matter to God--big time!  To illustrate His warning, Jesus gives three common examples of acts of righteousness that can be done out of impure motives: giving, praying, and fasting.  Here we consider Jesus' first example--giving.  Our giving should be fueled not by a craving to be seen and praised by others, but by a desire to be seen and rewarded by God.  Heavenly rewards are for those who desire the Father's gaze more than people's praise.  

Discussion Questions:

• How would you paraphrase the general warning given in v.1?
• How does v.1 build a bridge between chapters 5 and 6?
• What is hypocrisy?  What is it about the activity described in v.2 that is hypocritical?
• What reward does a hypocrite receive?
• What does it mean to not let "your left hand know what your right hand is doing"?
• What are some strategies for giving discreetly and secretly? 
• What dangers may come from focusing solely on these strategies?
• What does it mean to have pure motives?  What fuel should drive our acts of obedience?
• Reflect on this statement: "Rewards will be received or revoked depending on the sincerity of the motives fueling the work."

Application Questions:

• What motives have been fueling my obedience as of late? What should be fueling me?
• When I get irritated or bitter due to being unappreciated, what might be amiss in my heart?
• How often am I aware of my motives and not just my actions?
• How much do my motives matter to God?

Prayer Points:

• Confess to God any impure motives that have tainted your good works.
• Praise Jesus for shedding his blood to wash away your bad works and your bad motives 
• Praise Jesus for dying on the cross so that His good works and His pure motives would be credited to your account.
• Ask God to purify your motives and help you do the right things for the right reasons.
• Beg the Holy Spirit give you the desire to attract God's gaze more than people's praise.  

The Heart of the Law

Check out this word study of "heart" in Deuteronomy! 

As we've been studying Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we've learned that Jesus is teaching the law how it was always to be taught.

 

He isn't abolishing the law.

Or contradicting the law.

Or adding to the law.

Or even teaching "hidden" things from the law. 

 

Jesus taught the true "heart of the law." The Pharisees missed it completely. They focused on external obedience to rules and in doing so they misunderstood most important part of the law: the heart. 

It really isn't difficult to see that the law focuses on the heart primarily. For instance, a quick word search for "heart" in Deuteronomy shows it's mentioned 43 times! 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL 43 INSTANCES AND EASILY SEE THE HEART OF THE LAW YOURSELF!

Notice the gospel in this word study:

• God has set His heart in love on His people
• God has required complete obedience of our hearts to Him. His word is to be hidden in our hearts, loved completely, and fully obeyed with joy.
• But our hearts have a severe problem. Our hearts are stubborn and hard and fearful and unloving and prideful and wayward and worship other gods. We need a changed heart.
• The solution? God promises that by His sovereign power He will change our hearts so that we can fully obey and love Him!

Deuteronomy gives us the good news of the promise of changed hearts, and Jesus fulfills this by being the man with the perfect heart that loved God and obeyed God fully. By His death for our sins He now changes our sinful hearts by giving us His heart, His Holy Spirit, and now we can live as the law always intended: out of genuine obedience from the heart. 

Jesus' Teaching on Anger (Matt. 5:21-26)

Outline: Matthew 5:21-26

1. Understand it
2. Obey it

Summary: Having described the type of kingdom character (5:2-11) that will make Jesus' followers stand out from the world (vv.13-16), Jesus clearly states that he came not to void out but to fill out the OT (5:17-20).  Since Jesus came to fulfill the OT, we can and should excel in our obedience to the OT in such a way that exceeds the "obedience" of the scribes and pharisees.  It is this superior obedience to the Law described in v.20 that Jesus is going to unpack using six different examples in vv.21-48 (anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, love of enemies).  Jesus first teaches on the law "You shall not murder," helping us to understand it and to obey it.  With strong and serious language, Jesus brings us back to the heart of this Law, teaching us that it was never about merely avoiding the external act of murder; rather, the Law itself called for a deeper and more demanding level of obedience.  Don't murder, of course.  But also avoid allowing anger to brew in the heart.  Jesus teaches that a murderous heart is just as damning as a murderous act.  Therefore, to avoid murder we must deal with the heart issue of anger by promptly pursuing reconciliation (vv.23-26).

Discussion Questions:

• What misunderstanding of "do not murder" is Jesus correcting in vv.21-22? 
• What is the proper understanding of this law and how should this shape our view of the Law?
• "A murderous heart is just as damning as a murderous act." How can this be?
• What is the relationship between murder and anger? (cf. 1 John 3:15). 
• What do Jesus' two mini parables teach us about how we are to obey this command (vv.23-26)?
• Who should initiate the reconciliation process, the offender or the offended (cf. 5:23, 18:15; 11:25)?  What principle can we arrive at in terms of dealing with conflicts?
• Discussion: Anger is a "bottom feeder."  You can feed it and foster it or starve it and spear it! 
• How would you counsel this person: “I know I'm saved, but I’m struggling deeply with anger!”
• How should we think about conflict resolution with unbelievers (cf. Rom. 12:18)?

Application Questions:

• Do I tend to focus on surface obedience or heart obedience?
• Is there anyone in my life against whom I'm harboring anger or resentment?
• What would it look like for me to humbly and faithfully obey Jesus words about dealing with anger and pursuing reconciliation?
• How can I seek to starve anger (the destructive bottom feeder) that can grow in my heart?
• How can I protect my brothers or sisters from the destructive power of unchecked anger?

Prayer Points:

• Confess any anger your are harboring against another person.
• Praise God for sending Jesus to absorbed the wrath that would have been poured out on you.
• Praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you understand and obey God's word.
• Ask God to bring to mind anyone whom you are angry with or whom may be angry with you.
• Ask for courage and humility to promptly pursue reconciliation with those brought to mind.