MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 2
SCRIPTURES
Romans 8:28 | And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Isaiah 40:3-5 | Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
Mark 1:1-7 | This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
John 1:19-23 | This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
DISCUSSION
Romans 8:28 | And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Isaiah 40:3-5 | Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
Mark 1:1-7 | This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
John 1:19-23 | This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
DISCUSSION
- Yesterday and today, our readings are about the forerunner of Jesus. Who was this and what did he spend His life doing?
- We see John’s message in Isaiah, Mark, and John. What was it?
- John’s message did not make him popular. It cost his entire reputation (what people thought about him) and often got him in trouble.
- Is your faith in Jesus as clearly evident to people around you as John’s was (Can people tell you are a follower of Jesus)? Why or why not?
- What do people think about you because of your faith in Jesus? What is your reputation and how are you treated differently than non-believers?
- When are you tempted to hide your faith in Jesus from others?
- What has your faith in Jesus “cost” you?
- If nothing, have you truly surrendered to Jesus as Lord?
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2021
January
NAMES OF JESUS: Light of the worldNAMES OF JESUS: KingESSENTIALS: Salvation motivates growthESSENTIALS: Crave Spiritual Food Pt. 1ESSENTIALS: Crave Spiritual Food Pt. 2ESSENTIALS: To live GodlyESSENTIALS: One who loves wisdomESSENTIALS: Not worldly philosophiesESSENTIALS: So your ready to shareBIBLE: Inspired(Authored) by GodBIBLE: Is Inerrant (Free from Error)BIBLE: Is Infallible (will not fail)BIBLE: Helps me growBIBLE: Is Authoritative Pt 1BIBLE: Is Authoritative Pt. 2BIBLE: Obeyed through actionGOD: The trinity (3 in 1)GOD: Is perfectGOD: Is loveGOD: Is creatorGOD: Is all powerfulGOD: Is all knowingGOD: Always presentGOD: JESUS - is GodGOD: JESUS - Son of GodGOD: JESUS - Operates in unity with trinityGOD: JESUS - Is sinlessGOD: JESUS - Our advocateGOD: JESUS - SalvationGOD: JESUS - Our exampleGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Operates in unity with trinity
February
GOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Given to Jesus followersGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Our helperGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - ConvictsGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Guides righteousnessGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Helps us growGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Works through usHEAVEN & HELL - What is heaven like?HEAVEN & HELL - Who goes to heaven?HEAVEN & HELL - What is hell like?HEAVEN & HELL - What is hell like?HEAVEN & HELL - God is the judgeHEAVEN & HELL - Your choice!HEAVEN & HELL - God wants all to be saved!SATAN - His origin - Pt. 1SATAN - His origin - Pt. 2SATAN - Is craftySATAN - How he works (unbelievers)SATAN - How he works (believers)SATAN - Resisting himSATAN - The end of his storyMAN - Created in God's ImageMAN - Entrusted with God's creationMAN - Handcrafted by GodMAN - Loved by GodMAN - Created with a purposeMAN - Created to live for GodMAN - God's MessangersSIN - What is sin?
March
SIN - Where does sin come from?SIN - Everyone sinsSIN - Results in deathSIN - Points us to our need for JesusSIN - The desire for sin and right wars within usSIN - Your Desire > Satan's Temptation > Sin or Escape?SALVATION - God's giftSALVATION - Not deserved or earnedSALVATION - Through faithSALVATION - Only through JesusSALVATION - Through the crossSALVATION - Fully & forever forgivenSALVATION - Faith changes how you liveCHURCH - Is those who follow JesusCHURCH - Meets togetherCHURCH - Loves one anotherCHURCH - Supports one anotherCHURCH - Serves one anotherCHURCH - Proclaims JesusCHURCH - You are the churchLIFE - Foretold and Jesus follwedLIFE - Proclaimed good news to the poorLIFE - Taught in parablesLIFE - Jesus' teaching fell on deaf earsLIFE - MiraclesLIFE - Hated and RejectedLIFE - The only saviorDEATH - The promised savior on a donkeyDEATH - The promised savior\'s betrayalDEATH - The promised savior\'s silenceDEATH - The Savior mocked
April
DEATH - Crucified with sinnersDEATH - Pierced but not brokenDEATH - Buried with the richRESURRECTION - He is alive!RESURRECTION - Bore our sinRESURRECTION - AscendedRESURRECTION - Sits at the right hand of GodRESURRECTION - Gave his SpiritRESURRECTION - Left his followers giftsRESURRECTION - Will Return
2020
September
SERIES OVERVIEW- No ExcusesNO EXCUSES - True followers of Jesus are doers - NO EXCUSES - Doers love God -NO EXCUSES - Doers share the gospel & make disciplesNO EXCUSES - But First...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Desiring the world...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Being young...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Being weak...IS NO EXCUSE!GOSPEL — Salvation is through faithGOSPEL - Works are evidence of true salvation (faith)GOSPEL - Believe and confess equals faith & worksGOSPEL - Faith leads to Jesus as Lord (of our works)GOSPEL - Knowledge does not saveGOSPEL - Faith and works modeled by the early churchGOSPEL - Doers (true disciples) are known by their fruitBAPTISM - What is it?BAPTISM - Why we do itBAPTISM - When we do itBAPTISM - Is sharing the gospelBAPTISM - Is a symbolBAPTISM - Is part of maturingBAPTISM - What is next?BIBLE - The Bible is foreverBIBLE - The Bible show us JesusBIBLE - The Bible gives lifeBIBLE - The Bible guides my life
October
BIBLE - The Bible changes me from the inside outBIBLE - The Bible corrects and teaches meBIBLE - The Bible helps me growPRAYER - How to prayPRAYER - PRAISE - Remembering God is in controlPRAYER - REPENT - When you need help doing what is rightPRAYER - ASK - pray for the work of the gospelPRAYER - YIELD - Pray for Gods willPRAYER - Keep praying...be persistent in prayer!PRAYER - Do not pray like this!FELLOWSHIP - Love one anotherFELLOWSHIP - Encourages maturityFELLOWSHIP - Stronger togetherFELLOWSHIP - Pursues unity & is others focusedFELLOWSHIP - Helps those strugglingFELLOWSHIP - What does it look like?FELLOWSHIP - Avoid fellowship with unbelieversWORSHIP - Worship is living with Jesus as LordWORSHIP - We were made to worshipWORSHIP - Changes our perspectiveWORSHIP GOD - For who He isWORSHIP GOD - For what he has doneWORSHIP GOD - To point others to himWORSHIP - Can only come from a pure heartGIVING - Is part of our worshipGIVING - To God because it is HisGIVING - We are commanded to giveGIVING - Give cheerfullyGIVING - God Blesses those who giveGIVING - God moves powerfully through givingGIVING - Heart Check!
November
SERVING - Because He saved usSERVING - Like Jesus servedSERVING - Equipped by GodSERVING - Through our GiftsSERVING - Serve God by serving othersSERVING - Points others to JesusServing - Requires sacrificeFASTING - Seeking God above all elseFASTING - As you wait on the LordFASTING - As part of repentanceFASTING - As you petition the LordFASTING - On behalf of othersFASTING - With right motivesFASTING - Jesus satisfiesCOMMUNION - As a regularly practiced disciplineCOMMUNION - The passover part 1COMMUNION - The passover part 2COMMUNION - A look backward to remember God’s giftCOMMUNION - A look inward for examinationCOMMUNION - Looking outward to proclaim the gospelCOMMUNION - Looking forward to Christ’s returnNO EXCUSES RECAP - Faith and WorksNO EXCUSES RECAP - FruitNO EXCUSES RECAP - Keep growing to stay on guardNO EXCUSES RECAP - Stay FocusedNO EXCUSES RECAP - Share the GospelNO EXCUSES RECAP - BE BOLD!NO EXCUSES RECAP - PassionFAMILY TREE - The family of JesusFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - Abraham
December
FAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - IsraelFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - JudahFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - DavidFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - RahabFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - John the BaptistON THE MOVE - Journey of a young JesusON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 1ON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 2ON THE MOVE - Jesus in EgyptON THE MOVE - Jesus in NazarethON THE MOVE - Jesus in GalileeON THE MOVE - Jesus, Rescuer in JerusalemMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 1MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 2MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Virgin BirthMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Visited by ShepherdsMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Gifts from KingsMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Mourning the innocentMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Rejected by his ownPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to ZechariahPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to MaryPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to JosephPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to ShepherdsPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to SimeonChristmas Day Devotion - Needle in a HaystackPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to AbrahamNAMES OF JESUS: Price of PeaceNAMES OF JESUS: Immanuel - God with usNAMES OF JESUS: Rescuer and SalvationNAMES OF JESUS: Our RighteousnessNAMES OF JESUS: Savior