The Good Samaritan and the 2nd Greatest Commandment

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon Notes

1) The Standard, 25-28

2) The Self-Absorbed Sinner, 28-29

3) The Story of the Samaritan, 30-35

4) The Searching Question, 36-37

Reflection questions:

  1. The lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” But he seemed to really want to know who wasn’t his neighbor. Do you ever try to limit the definition of neighbor? Who is hard for you to love?

  2. How in depth should we apply God’s law? Meditate upon these words (part of Westminster Larger Catechism 99): “A. For the right understanding of the Ten Commandments, these rules are to be observed: 1. That the law is perfect, and bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience forever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin. 2. That it is spiritual, and so reacheth the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works, and gestures.”

  3. What are better questions we can ask than, “Who is my neighbor?” Here’s one example for you to answer: What do you think it means to be a neighbor?

Rejoicing in Salvation

Luke 10:17-24

Sermon Notes

1. A future-focused joy (17-20)

2. A God-focused joy (21-22)

3. A personally-relevant joy (23-24)

Questions for Reflection:

1. What is the difference between Joy and Happiness?

2. How can temporary success distract us from our eternal purpose and destination?

3. If we base our happiness on our own achievements, how could that set us up for disappointment and sadness in the future?

4. In what ways do we also get to see what the "prophets and kings desired to see?"

Generous, Hard-Working Servants

Exodus 25:1-8; 35:4-5; 36:2-7

Sermon Notes

1) Our Generous God, 25:1-8; 35:4-5

2) A Generous People Who Gave Their Best, 25; 35; 36

3) A Generous People Who Gave More Than Enough, 36:2-7

 

Reflection questions:

1.       Read 2 Corinthians 8, and focus on v.9. How did Paul motivate the Corinthians to give? Guilt? Or God’s Generosity?

2.       Read Exodus 25:1-2; compare it to 2 Corinthians 9:7. What similarities and differences do you see? Why were they giving? (Cf. I Cor. 16:1-4; Romans 15:25-31) What is similar about the way they gave?

3.       What else did God’s people give besides their possessions (“treasures” according to Phil Ryken)? See Exodus 35:25-26, 30-35; 36:1-2. Compare to Romans 12:1-13.

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.