Empowered Servants

John 17

Sermon Notes

1) Jesus Prayed … For our Belief, 3

2) Jesus Prayed …  For our Protection, 15

3) Jesus Prayed … For our Sanctification, 17

4) Jesus Prayed … For our Effective Witness, 20

5) Jesus Prayed … For our Unity, 11, 20-23, 26

Reflection questions:

1) Why does Jesus command us to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12-13) when He also assures us that He will preserve us until the end (John 17:15; Philippians 1:6)? Do you think it’s because Jesus knew that we would not be able to keep those commands perfectly, even after we’re born again? (I John 2:1)

2) If Jesus prayed that we would sanctified in the Truth, then what can you be doing to see that you are sanctified by the Truth? See 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Romans 12:1-2.

3) Is unity opposed to an emphasis on sound doctrine, proper teaching? Consider what Paul writes in Titus 1:9 about elders. (Also see Titus 3:8-11) Is an emphasis on sound doctrine (and the possible need to rebuke which Titus mentions) opposed to patience? See what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

Transformed Servants

Romans 12:1-13

Sermon Notes

1) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to offer our living sacrifice, v. 1

2) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to be transformed, not to be conformed, v. 2

3) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to judge His gifts to us soberly, vv. 3-5

4) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to use His gifts to us accordingly, vv. 6-8

5) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to love and show mercy, no matter

our gifts, vv. 9-13

Reflection Questions:

  1. Where is your home? (Phil 3:20; Ps 119:19) Therefore, how should live during your time on this earth? See Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-4.

  2. If people tend to be attracted to others with similar preferences and gifts, is that a potential danger to our church (or any church)? Read 1 Corinthians 12:17. Are you ever tempted to think that your gifts are unimportant to the body? Read 1 Cor. 12:15-16, 18-20, 26.

  3. Read Galatians 6:9-10. Compare it to Romans 12:9-13, especially v. 13. Should mercy to those outside the church be our highest priority/only priority? Should it be A priority?

Pure Servants

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon Notes

Outline

1) Clarifying Our Gospel Identity, 1-2

2) Appreciating One’s Gospel Partners, 3-5, 7-8

3) Reassuring Us of Gospel Progress, 6

4) Praying for Greater Gospel Fruit, 9-11

Reflection questions:

1)         Where do you find your identity? What part of your life is most important to you? (Some possibilities include: work, relationships, beauty/image, family, money, success, control.) Where should we find our identity? Consider Philippians 3:3-11, especially vv. 8-9.

2)         Do you consider yourself a partner in the great work of the gospel? How are you contributing to the work of the church in service? How are you active in the work of evangelism and prayer? How could you take one small step towards greater faithfulness in these areas?

3)         How does Philippians 1:6 (and 1 Thess. 5:23-24) assure us that we will persevere in the Christian faith? How does Philippians 2:12-13 (and 2 Peter 1:3-11) motivate us towards this same end? Are these two sets of verses contradictory or complimentary?

Messengers on Mission

Luke 10:1-16

Sermon Notes

1. Messengers sent to declare news, not advice 

2. Focused and committed to their mission.

3. Coming in humility and weakness, compelled by the needs of the crowd

4. Delivering a warning, often ignored and rejected

Reflection Questions

1. What are some ways you struggle with being a Messenger? How do you feel you might come off to others? or what are some fears you have with proclaiming the gospel?

2. What are some ways we can get off track and distracted from the mission God gave us?

3. How have you seen message sharing done poorly? What were they getting wrong about how they shared?

4. Why do you think that some reject this message, reject the gospel?

5. How can we have peace even though some people reject the message (and even the messenger)?

The Journey to Jerusalem and the Cost of Discipleship

Luke 9:51-62

Sermon Notes

1) The Lord’s Only Focus, 51-53

2) The Lord’s Overzealous Followers, 52-55

3) The Overwhelming Cost of Following Christ, 56-62

Reflection questions:

1. Was the Cross of Christ an accident, or was it God’s plan (Jesus’s plan) from the beginning? Was God in control the whole time? See Acts 2:23-24; Luke 9:51, 53; 10:38; 13:22, 33, 34; 17:11; 18:31; 19:11, 28.


2. James and John had confidence that God could send fire if He wanted. But was their behavior Godly? Why not? Cf. Habakkuk 3:2.


3. Consider/Discuss the following re: v.62 – J.C. Ryle: “Those who look back want to go back.” Phil Ryken: “If we keep second-guessing our decision for Christ, or looking back fondly on our old affections, or even worse, going to the places where we used to sin, then we will never get anywhere with Jesus. If we want to be his disciples, we need to follow him without further delay.”

Christ’s Patient Endurance with His Clueless Disciples

Luke 9:37–50

Sermon Notes

  1. The disciples’ unbelief: lack of faith in the Son’s power, 37–42
  2. The disciples’ indifference: lack of understanding about the Son’s mission, 43–45
  3. The disciples’ arrogance: lack of humility in the Son’s presence, 46–48
  4. The disciples’ combativeness: lack of awareness of the Son’s enemies, 49–50

Reflection questions

  1. Whose unbelief does Jesus condemn in this passage? Compare Mark 9:18–25. What is the remedy for unbelief? (Consider this quote from Calvin’s Harmony of the Evangelists, II:325–6 – “As our faith is never perfect, it follows that we are partly unbelievers ... It is our duty in the meantime, carefully to shake off the remains of infidelity which adhere to us, to strive against them, and to pray to God to correct them, and, as often as we are engaged in this conflict, to fly to him for aid.”)n
  2. Is it wrong to strive to be great? Is it wrong to strive to the greatest, or greater than your brothers and sisters in Christ?
  3. Read Luke 9:50. Now read Luke 11:23 (and the context). Who or what is Jesus denouncing in each verse? What common allegiance is he encouraging? What common enemy is present in both passages?

The Transfiguration

Luke 9:27–36

Sermon Notes

  1. The Glory of the Greater Moses, 27–31
  2. The Gaffe of an Overwhelmed Disciple, 32–34
  3. The Greatness of God the Son, 34–36

Reflection questions

  1. Phil Ryken writes: “Jesus prays before each new phase of ministry (e.g., Luke 3:21; 6:12; 11:1) ... this is most necessary when we are about to take up a new calling, such as school, work, ministry, marriage, parenthood, or retirement.” (Luke, I:470, emphasis added) What upcoming transitions should you be praying about?
  2. Peter wanted the glorious presence of Christ to remain, and in his excitement, he also put Christ on a level with Moses and Elijah (cf v.33). How are we tempted to make the same errors: Desiring victory and glory before suffering (cf vv.23–27 from last week), or thinking too little of Christ? (Is 59:1, 16ff)
  3. How have you been tempted this week to “listen” (v.35) to someone other than God’s Son? What steps could you take to focus more on Christ’s Word? See Psalm 1:2–3.

Christ, Christians, and the Necessity of the Cross

Luke 9:18–26

Sermon Notes

  1. The Christ of God, 18–20
  2. The Christ of the Cross, 21–22
  3. The Servants of the Cross, 23–26

Reflection questions

  1. Judas Iscariot was present with Peter and Jesus during Peter’s great confession, v.20. What does Scripture tell us about those who confess Christ but later deny Him? See 1 John 2:19
  2. 1st-Century Israel wanted a king to free them from Roman occupation. (See John 6:14–15) They wanted Messiah to conquer by force instead of conquering by suffering (v22). In what ways do you seek to avoid suffering (which Christ says is inevitable for Christians) in this life?
  3. Reflect on your own (or discuss, if you’re with a group) what this quote means: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot) And if you don’t already know his life story, Google Jim Elliot.

The Needy Need Him

Luke 9:10–17

Sermon Notes

  1. The searching need to know
  2. The broken need fixing
  3. The hungry need provision

Sermon Questions

1a) What are some life questions you think you'll never find the answer to?
1b) Has the Bible at least partially answered that question for you?
2a) If you could fix something broken in the world, what would it be?
2b) How has the coming of Jesus show us a glimpse of healing for that brokenness?
3a) What do you fear most that you might one day find yourself in lack of?
3b) Is God able to provide that? What must you believe in order for that fear to go away?

Sending the 12

Luke 9:1-9

Sermon Notes

1)       Jesus’s Disciples are given power to proclaim and heal, 1-2

2)       Jesus’s Disciples are just passing through with no possessions, 3-5

3)       Jesus’s enemies are perplexed yet pursuing, 6-9

Reflection questions:

1)       Do you ever underestimate the power that God has given you to testify about His Kingdom? If so, consider Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 2 Tim. 1:7. What role do good works play in the proclamation of the gospel? See Titus 2:10

2)       Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10. Compare and contrast these verses with vv.3-4 and with Isaiah 55:3. What does God’s Word say about contentment? Why does He also invite us to enjoy “rich food”? Can we enjoy His good gifts and still understand the difference between needs and wants?

3)       Read 1 Peter 3:15. What do you think it looks like to defend the hope that is within you “with gentleness and respect”?