life walking

Adventures in Missing the Point
Matt. 22:14-40

This Sunday Grant did a great job of showing how even the most learned in scripture can miss the point as they tried to trap Jesus with what they thought were clever questions. Sometimes, we get so drawn to the things of this world that we lose sight of what God has called us to. Certainly that was true for the Pharisees and Sadducees. We went from the Pharisees questioning Jesus about paying taxes, to the Sadducees questioning Jesus about the resurrection, to finally the Sadducees and Pharisees gang up on Jesus: "Teacher, Which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

Grant made several interesting points that would be good to just, as he puts it, marinate on. So I encourage you to go to the church website and listen to it again.

At the end Grant challenged us to filter our activities as individuals and as a church body through these two questions:
Does it lead us to a better love of God?
Does it lead us to love others?

In light of these two questions ask your LIFE group to evaluate their past week. Now, challenge them to use this questions as a filter for their activities in the coming week.

Just one more question, is anyone looking at this blog? If so, please post a comment to let me know. Thanks, Keith.

Lazerus
John 11:1-44

The climactic miracle of raising Lazerus from the dead was Jesus' public evidence of the truth of His great claim, "I am the Resurrection and the Life."

Jesus did not go immediately. But His delay was not from lack of love, or from fear of the Jews. He waited till the right moment in the Father's plan. Lazarus' sickness would not end in death; that is, in permanent death. Instead Jesus would be glorified in this incident. John 11:4, "....Jesus said, "this sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified throught it."

Both Martha and Mary expressed their belief in Jesus' authority when they stated that Lazerus would not have died if Jesus had been there (John 11:21 and John 11:32). Jesus told Martha that Lazerus would rise again but Martha thought he was talking about the resurrection at the last day. Jesus told Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Then He asks Martha a very important question, "Do you believe this?" Martha's answer is the incredible truth all believers confess, "Yes, Lord," she told Him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the would."

Some tidbits
1. I am the resurrection and the life. This is the fifth of Jesus' great "I am" revelation.
John 6:28, "I am the bread of life"
John 8:12, "I am the light of the world"
John 10:7, "I am the gate"
John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd"
John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life"

2. The fact that lazarus had been dead for four days is significant, since early rabbinic sources suggest the Jews believed the soul hovered near the body of the deceased for three days.

3. This is one of the few passages that describes the emotions from Jesus. He was deeply moved and He wept. Deeply moved may either be translated "groaned" or more likely "angered." Jesus' weeping differed from that of the people. His quiet shedding of tears differed from their loud wailing.


Questions:
1. What was the purpose of raising Lazerus from the dead?

2. How does this event impact your life today?

3. John 11:27, Have you publically confessed who Jesus is lately?

4. Have you had the opportunity to lead someone to that confession for their first time?

5. Explore the "I am" passages.

6. Why was Jesus angry? (Could it be He was angry because of the people's unbelief or hypocritical wailing. Or was Jesus angry at the tyranny of Satan who had brought sorrow and death to people through sin. )

7. Why did Jesus weep? (Was He weeping over Lazerus death or was He weeping over the tragic consequesces of sin.) Remember, Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazerus from the dead. When was the last time you felt real sorrow because of sin in the world, in your own life?

Humility or Pride, Luke 18:15-27

Luke:18:15-17, this short section was placed here to follow up on the message of the previous parable, Luke 18:9-14 (the pharisee and the tax collector). Jesus had taught that it was necessary to be humble before God. In these verses He compared humility to childlikeness: Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. In these words Jesus was stating that a person must come to Him in humility in order to enter the kingdom. Children come with expectation and excitement. They come realizing that they are not sufficient in themselves. They depend totally on others. If these same attitudes are not present in adults, they can never enter into the kingdom. Humility allows God to exalt the individual, while pride must be disciplined. Even the disciples were guilty of falling into a judgmental spirit, as seen in their attitude toward children.

1. Robert Upshaw challenged us with this question: when was the last time you approached Jesus like a child? Example?

2. In the parable, the pharisee used other people as his standard for measuring righteousness. The tax collector used God as his standard for measuring righteousness. What standard would you say you use?

3. It is so easy for us to justify our actions and at the same time stand in harsh judgment of other. What standard would others say you use?
Look for an opportunity to show God's grace and mercy to someone the same way God extended His grace and mercy toward you.

4. What areas of pride are keeping you from walking in humility? Use this time to confess them and acknowledge your dependence on God?

The transfiguration and healing of the demon-possessed boy
Mark 9:1-29, also Matt. 17:1-23 and Luke 9:28-43, 2 Pet. 1:16-18

Mark 9:2-13

The term transfiguration comes from the Greek verb metamorpho, from which we get the word "metamorphosis." This means a change in outward appearance in keeping with one's inner nature. This was a revelation of Jesus' glory. The radiance of His glory was evidenced in His face and in His garments that became as white as the light. Jesus' transfiguration allowed what He is by nature to be shown publicly for the first time in His earthly life. For a brief time Jesus' human body was transformed (glorified) and the disciples saw Him as He will be when He returns visibly in power and glory to establish His Kingdom on earth (Rev. 1-14-15).

Why Moses and Elijah? Perhaps these two men and the disciples suggest all the categories of people who will be in Jesus' coming kingdom. The disciples represent individuals who will be present in physical bodies. Moses represents saved individuals who have died or will die. Elijah represents saved individuals who will not experience death, but will be caught up to heaven alive (1 Thes. 4:17). These three groups will be present when Christ institutes His kingdom on earth. Furthermore the Lord will be in His glory as He was at the transfiguration and the kingdom will take place on earth, as this obviously did. The disciples were thus enjoying a foretaste of the kingdom the Lord promised (Matt. 16:28).

1. What do you think God's purpose was in the transfiguration? For Jesus? For Moses and Elijah? For the disciples? What does it mean to us today?

2. Why were Moses and Elijah, of all Old Testament people, present on this occasion?

3. Why do you think Jesus took only Peter, John, and James?

4. In Mark 9:1, A few days before the transfiguration, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." Do you think Jesus was talking about the transfiguration? Why or why not?

5. God spoke to the disciples, saying, "This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him." "Listen to Him" can be translated as "Be obedient to Him". How have you listened to Jesus this week? In what ways have you obeyed Him? In what ways has He transformed your life?

Mark 9:14-29

From this mountain top experience, Jesus, Peter, James, and John returned to the other disciples. They found them arguing with the teachers of the law. The disciples had been unable to cast out a demon from a boy. The demon was a deaf and dumb spirit. As Grant emphasized Sunday, what a contrast! From a mountain top encounter with God, to the disciples arguing with the teachers of the law. Jesus had given the disciples authority to cast out demons (Mark 6:7), yet they could not cast out this demon. Jesus was clearly frustrated with their lack of belief.

1. The teachers of the law may have questioned Jesus authority, thus causing the disciples to doubt. What do you think the disciples were arguing about? Have you had experiences where you have questioned Jesus' authority and thus hindered your ministry opportunities?

2. The disciples could not heal or cast out the demon of the boy because of their lack of faith as well as the lack of faith of the boy's father (Mark 9:24, "I do believe help me overcome my unbelief!") How is our faith increased?

3. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles where they had experienced God and stay a while. As Peter stated in Mark 9:5, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here." But, Jesus took Peter, James, and John from that mountain top experience to the reality of day to day ministry. While those mountain top experiences are "good", Jesus has work for us to do. Have there been times when you have sought only the mountain top experiences and neglected your earthly ministries?

Feeding of the 5000

Matt. 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-4, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15

The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand took place in Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew, Peter, and Philip. Bethsaida was a fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus sought to retreat with his disciples. This is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.

John called it a sign (6:14). In supplying bread for the people, Jesus demonstrated His role as a prophet, for two Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, had been used by God to provide bread miraculously (Exod. 16:11-16 and 2 Kings 4:38, 41).

Jesus Challenged the Twelve to feed the multitude to make them wrestle with the fact that their resources were inadequate and that He alone could meet their needs. The leftovers revealed the gracious abundance of Jesus' provision for the people.

1. Jesus asked the disciples to feed the multitude. The disciples determined that it would be impossible for them to do that with the resources they had. Would Jesus ask the disciples to do something that could not be accomplished? They just need to understand the source of their provision and be obedient. Is there something that Jesus is calling you to do but you have questioned His ability to provide?

2. Give some examples when you have seen God provide in what seemed to be an impossible situation?

3. In Matt. 14:14, Jesus was compelled by compassion to teach and heal the multitudes. Though He may not have felt like it or may have been tired and needed some "alone time", His compassion for others drove Him to action. Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to perform acts of compassion? Have you acted upon that prompting? Why or why not?

The sending of the 12, Mark 6:7-13 and Matt. 10:1-20

The gospel of Mark is thought to be written by John Mark who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey and proved to be a less-than-dependable servant. Though he proved to be a reliable servant later. Mark was a companion of Peter, who was one of Jesus' closest friends in His earthly ministry. Therefore, the Gospel of Mark is believed to contain many of the thoughts, teachings, and firsthand impressions of Peter.

The whole gospel of Mark is summed up in a phrase from Mark 10:45: "Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." From Mark 1:1 to 8:30, the theme of this book is the ministry of the Servant, Christ. From 8:31 to the end of the book, the theme is the ransoming work of the Servant.

In Mark 6:7-13, Mark recounts Jesus' sending of the 12 to preach the message of repentance and that the kingdom of heaven is near (Mark 6:12, Matt. 10:7). He does not send them ill equipped. He gives them authority and instructions.

1. In Matt. 10:1 and Mark 6:7, Jesus gave his apostles authority over evil spirits and the authority to cure every kind of disease and sickness. As the apostles began their ministry, how do you think the evil spirits knew the apostles had authority over them and the people around them knew they had authority to cure sicknesses? Did the apostles have a sealed document, special clothing, a special mark, or maybe a secret handshake?

2. Do we have the same authority today as the apostles had then? If no, why not? If yes, why are we not exercising that authority or seeing demonstrations of that authority more often?

3. Jesus sent the apostles in groups of two. What was the significance in that? Does that provide a model for us today?

4. The apostles were to take no food, money, or extra clothing. What do you think was Jesus' purpose in that instruction? (This was an opportunity for both the givers and receivers)

5. What do you think was Jesus' purpose for sending the aposties on this short ministry trip?Was it to begin the spread of the gospel, to train the apostles while he was still on earth, other thoughts?

Jesus knew healing the cripple would be another opportunity for an object lesson for the Pharisees concerning the sabbath. See Mark 2:23-28 for the first lesson. He knew all the regulations the Pharisees had placed on the sabbath and now it was time to see if they really understood the purpose of the sabbath. He asked them a question in Mark 3:4, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?" Jesus was angered by their silence and was grieved at their hardness of heart.

1. According to the laws of the sabbath, was Jesus wrong to heal the cripple? What is the purpose of the sabbath? In Mark 2:27-28, Jesus stated, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even over the sabbath." (Quote from Zondervan pictorial Bible Dictionary, "Jesus came into conflict with the religious leaders of the Jews especially on two points: His claim to be the Messiah, and on the matter of sabbath observance. The rabbis regarded the sabbath as an end in itself, whereas Jesus taught that the sabbath was made for man's benefit, and that man's needs must take precedence over the law of the sabbath.")
2. This passage concerning the sabbath allows us to examine other areas in our lives where we may be following the letter of the law but missing the intent of the law. Describe a time when some spiritual area in your life became so legalization that you moved away from the true intent of God's word? What caused that to happen?
3. Are there areas like that now? Are you placing yourself or others under the bondage of your legalism and driving them away from the truth that you desire them to understand? Or perhaps you are using these legalistic areas to manipulate someone.
4. You may want to take time with your group to pray. Ask God to reveal any areas where your heart may be hardened to the truth of God. If there are, your group time would a safe place to confess and repent.