Imitating Jesus: Praying like Jesus VI: Prayer and Obedience- Sermon 10

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus VI: Prayer and Obedience November 11, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

A. The Condition

Prayer and Obedience

“If you abide in Me and My words abide in you...”

1. The Promise

   “...ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

2. The Connection between Obedience and Answered Prayer

   “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:18-22

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand? 2. Which attitude toward obedience to God is closest to your own?

“I’m independent and like to be in charge. Obedience is tough for me.” “I don’t like obeying but I’d be afraid of what might happen if I didn’t.” “I want to obey God. After all, He has my best interests in mind.”

Going Deeper

1. Please read John 15:7. What are the conditions and what is the promise? Why do you think Jesus links answers to our prayers to obedience?

2. Please read John 15:1-6. What is the vine’s responsibility? What is the vinedresser’s responsibility? What is the branch’s responsibility? What is fruit? How is the picture of the vine an accurate picture of how God works in the world?

3. What does abide mean? How do we abide? What are some practical steps you can take to abide more consistently in Jesus?

4. Please read John 15:9-11. What does this reveal about what Jesus means by “and My words abide in you?” What do you learn about Christ’s love for you from this passage? What do you think Jesus means by “abide in My love?” How do we abide in His love?

5. Let’s read John 15:7 again. Why would abiding in Christ and having His words abiding in us lead to answered prayer? Compare John 15:16. What do vs. 7 and vs. 16 have in common?

6. Please read 1 John 3:18-22. Do we earn God’s answers to our prayers by obeying? What’s the connection between obedience and answered prayers?

7. If you asked Jesus, “Where do I need to obey You more consistently?” what do you think He would say?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?

Imitating Jesus: Praying like Jesus V: Keep on Praying!- Sermon 9

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus V: Keep on Praying!” November 4, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Keep on Praying! Two Pictures of Persistent Prayer: Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-8

If God wants to answer our prayers, why does Jesus tell us to keep on asking? A. Evil Never Sleeps: Mark 14:32-38

B. Faith Grows by Persistence: Luke 18:1-8

C. The Goal of Prayer is to Get God, not to Get Stuff: John 4:19-24

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What was the longest you prayed for something before God answered? Why do you think it took so long?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Luke 11:5-8 and 18:1-8. What do these two stories have in common? Why does Jesus tell these two stories? Is He saying that God is like the neighbor and the judge? How do you know? So what is Jesus teaching us about prayer?

2. The first reason to keep praying is because evil never sleeps. Please read Mark 14:32-38. Why does Jesus pray in this situation? What does this reveal to you about Jesus? About the disciples? About prayer? How is prayer a protection against evil? Why would this lead us to pray more? How have you seen God protect you when you’ve prayed? What specific evils do you feel the need to pray about?

3. The second reason to keep praying is because faith grows by persistence. Why? Please read Luke 18:1-8. How does vs. 8 fit in? What are some ways persistence in prayer has developed your faith?

4. The third reason to keep praying is because the goal of prayer is to get God, not stuff. Please read John 4:19-24. What seems to be the ancient argument between Samaritans and Jews to which the woman refers? How does Jesus answer this argument? What does vs. 24 reveal about prayer? How does persistent prayer bring us nearer to God?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?

Imitating Jesus: Praying Like Jesus- The Lord's Prayer (Mt 6:9-13) Sermon 8:

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. Do you gravitate towards freedom (“I’ll figure out how to do it myself”), or formulas (“I’ll learn how to do it from someone else”)? How do you think this affects your prayer life?

Going Deeper

3. Jesus teaches us to first pray for God’s sake (vv. 9-10), and then to pray for ourselves (vv. 11- 13)? Why is the order important? How does this enable us to have the right perspective while praying (see Matthew 6:25-34)?
4. Which line of the Lord’s Prayer do you find easiest to pray? Which do you find most challenging? Why?

Application:

5. As a group, think of different ways to use the Lord’s Prayer as a framework for prayer. How could you use it individually? How could you use it while praying together?
6. As a group, spend 10-15 minutes praying through the Lord’s Prayer.

• “Our Father in heaven,” – Thank God for being a good and powerful Father.

• “hallowed be your name.” – Pray that God would be honored and worshipped in your

  community, and in the world.

• “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” – Express

  agreement with God’s will. Pray that people would submit to Jesus as king, that justice

  would prevail, and that people would align with God’s priorities.

• “Give us this day our daily bread.” Pray for your needs.

• “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.” Confess sins, and forgive those

  who have sinned against you.

• “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Pray for protection from

  Satan and his schemes. 

Imitating Jesus: Praying Like Jesus- Treat People the Way You Want God to Treat You- Sermon 7

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus”
“Praying like Jesus II: Treat People the Way You Want God to Treat You” October 21 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Treat People the Way You Want God to Treat You”

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12

Three Attitudes toward People Which will Sabotage Our Prayers

1. An Unforgiving Heart

   "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25

2. An Unyielding Heart

   "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24

3. A Selfish Heart

   "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:30-38

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. It has been said, “The most accurate indicator of my true relationship with God is my relationship with people.” Agree or disagree? Why? What does this imply about prayer?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Matthew 7:7-12. What’s the connection between vs. 7-11 and vs. 12? Why the “therefore” in 12?

2. Please read Mark 11:25. What’s the connection between vs. 25 and vs. 22-24? Why would an unforgiving heart prevent our prayers from being answered? According to vs. 25, what are we to forgive? Who are we to forgive? How often are we to forgive? What does Jesus mean by “forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions?” Doesn’t God forgive us because of Christ’s death for us, not because we forgive others? What’s the hardest thing for you to forgive? Why? How does vs. 25 motivate us to forgive?

3. Please read Matthew 5:23-24. What attitude toward people is Jesus warning His disciples about here? Why would this attitude affect the way God answers our prayers? Why makes apologizing and making things right with those who have something against us so difficult? Can you think of an example of “leaving your gift at the altar and first being reconciled with your brother” from your own life?

4. Please read Luke 6:30-38. What according to Jesus is the wrong reason to give? What is the right reason to give? Why does this require faith? How does a selfish heart limit our prayers? Compare Proverbs 21:13. What does this verse reveal about the dangers of selfishness?

5. If God loves us as His children, why would He treat us the way we treat others? How should this

   change the way that we pray?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life? 

Read full transcript

Imitating Jesus: Praying like Jesus II- Expecting God to Answe -Sermon 6

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus II: Expecting God to Answer” October 14, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

The Essence of Faith

"Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)

Expecting God to Answer

The Exercise Faith

"Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.” (Mark 11:23)

Exercising Faith in Prayer

"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” (Mark 11:24)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand? 2. What is the most recent example of a time you really had to trust God?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Mark 11:12-14 and 11:19-21. Why do you think Jesus cursed a defenseless tree? Why does this happen when it does? Do you think there is a deeper lesson here that He wants His disciples to learn?

2. Please read Mark 11:22-24. What does Jesus tell His disciples the lesson of the fig tree is? What does Jesus mean by, “Have faith in God?” Why does the size of our God determine the size of our faith? What does this imply about how we grow in faith? What’s the difference between faith in God and faith in faith?

3. According to vs. 23, how do we exercise faith? Why would anyone want to toss a mountain into the sea? (Note, tossing a mountain into the sea was an expression in Jesus’ day for anything that is impossible, like our expression “when hell freezes over.” So what’s Jesus saying here? There are no promises about withering a tree with a single curse or tossing a mountain into the sea. So how do we determine what we can believe God to do and what we cannot?

4. According to vs. 24, how do we exercise faith in prayer? What if I find I can’t believe that God is going to answer a particular prayer – what should I do? Compare this passage to Mark 9:14-29. Note especially vs. 23. What does asking in faith mean?

5. What are some specific ways Mark 11:22-24 might change the way we pray?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?

Imitating Jesus: Praying like Jesus I: Check Your Motives- Sermon 5

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus I: Check Your Motives” October 7, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Praying like Jesus I The Wrong Motives for Prayer (Matthew 6:1, 5-8)

The Right Motive for Prayer (John 14:8-14)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. Can you give one example of a prayer you’re certain that God heard and answered?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Matthew 6:1, 5-8. How can bad motives spoil good actions? What wrong motivation is Jesus warning about here? How can this motivation ruin our prayers? Can you think of an example of praying to impress people? Of praying to impress God? Read through these verses again and list everything you learn about God. How would believing that God is as Jesus describes Him change the way we pray? To which of these two wrong motives are you most susceptible? Why? Why do you think God cares so much about why we do what we do?

2. Please read John 14:8-14. What is Philip actually asking for here? How does Jesus answer Philip’s request? Why does Jesus say that to see Him was to see His Father? How did the Father make Himself visible in the Son? How does this relate to prayer? (12-14) What is the reason to pray which is always appropriate? Can you think of a prayer you’ve prayed for this reason? Can you think of a situation or need to which you could apply this motive for prayer currently?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life? 

Nothing’s Free except the Grace of God

Creekside Community Church
“Nothing’s Free except the Grace of God” September 30, 2012
Greg Arthur – Elder

Nothing’s Free except the Grace of God Everything is Earned. (Gal. 6:7-8, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, Matthew 25:23)

Salvation Is a Gift (Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 11:29) Unconditional Love (Rom 8:38-39)

Pardon (Rom 6:23)
The Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13) Adoption (Rom 8:15-17)
New Life (2Cor 5:21)

Saved Once and For All Time (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:5-9, 1Pet 5:9-11)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. In the film, “True Grit” Mattie Ross says, “You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another. There is nothing free, except the grace of God.” Do you agree with Mattie or disagree? Why?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Gal. 6:7-8, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, Matthew 25:23. What fundamental law of creation does each of these passages teach? How can you see this law in nature? In your own experience?

2. Please read Eph. 2:8-9. How does God’s plan of salvation compare with this fundamental law? Why must salvation be free? How does the biblical plan of salvation compare with what other religions teach about salvation? Do you think that when you received God’s gift of salvation, you received it as a free, unearned gift? Why or why not? What problems would you expect to see in a person who is still trying to earn their relationship with God?

3. From the following passages, what are some of the things God freely gives us without requiring anything from us but faith? (Rom 8:38-39, Rom 6:23, Luke 11:11-13, Rom 8:15-17, 2Cor 5:21) How should God’s free gift affect us?

4. Some people believe that it is possible to lose the gift of God. What do the following passages teach about this? (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:5-9, 1Pet 5:9-11) How should we view our own sins, weaknesses and faithlessness?

5. How does understanding that salvation is a free, unearned gift affect your relationship with God?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?

Imitating Jesus: Jesus and the Benefits of Scripture- Sermon 4

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Jesus and the Benefits of Scripture” September 23, 2012

John Bruce – Pastor

Strength (John 8:31-32)

Success (Luke 8:12-15)

Satisfaction (John 14:21, 15:9-11)

Stability (Matthew 7:24-27)

Jesus and the Benefits of Scripture

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. Only 10% of American Christians have read the entire Bible. 35% say that they never read the Scriptures and the great majority of the rest report they only read the Bible once a week on Sundays in church. What kind of problems would you anticipate for the church in America in the next decade in light of the increasing biblical illiteracy of its members? What could be some reasons for today’s Christians’ lack of interest in the Bible?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Luke 11:27-28. Why did Jesus correct this woman? What does “blessed” mean? Please read Joshua 1:7-8, Psalm 1, and Ezra 7:9-10. What blessings do you see attached to hearing and doing the Scriptures? Do you think most Christians are aware of the benefits reading and applying the Bible? Why or why not?

2. Please read John 8:31-32. What blessing from taking the Scriptures seriously does Jesus promise in this verse? How does the truth set us free? Can you think of an illustration from your own life where deception kept you enslaved to sin but the truth of Scripture set you free?

3. Please read Luke 8:12-15. What blessing from taking the Scriptures seriously does Jesus promise in this parable? What are the different responses to the word? Which soils do you think represent true believers? Why? How is the word of God linked to fruitfulness and productivity?

4. Please read John 14:21 and 15:9-11. What blessing from taking the Scriptures seriously does Jesus promise in this passage? Why do you think Jesus equates love for Him to hearing and doing what He says? How does this compare with the way Christians today think of loving Jesus? What is fullness of joy? Why do you think Jesus links joy to obedience to His word?

5. Please read Matthew 7:24-27. What blessing from taking the Scriptures seriously does Jesus promise in this passage? What do the two builders have in common? In what ways are they different? How does hearing and obeying the Bible produce stability? Can you think of a personal illus?

6. Which of these four blessings is most motivational to you right now? Why?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life? 

Imitating Jesus: Jesus and the Purpose of Scripture- Sermon 3

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Jesus and the Purpose of Scripture” September 16, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Jesus and the Purpose of Scripture
Jesus Relied Upon the Scriptures to Show Him What God Wanted Him to Do. (Matthew 4:12-16, 8:16-

17, 12:15-21, 13:10-15, 34-35, 21:4-5, Luke 19:46)

Jesus Relied Upon the Scriptures to Show Him What Would Happen to Him. (Luke 18:21, John 12:38- 41, 15:25, Matt. 26:20-24, John 13:18, 17:12, Mark 14:49, John 18:8-9, Matt. 26:31-25, 52-56)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. Can you think of a time when you were absolutely sure you were in the will of God? Can you think of a time when you weren’t so certain? What made the difference?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Matthew 4:12-16, 8:16-17, 12:15-21, 13:10-15, 34-35, 21:4-5, and Luke 19:46. What do these verses indicate to you about the way Jesus determined God’s will?

2. Please read Romans 12:2 and 2 Tim. 3:16-17. What do these two passages indicate about finding God’s will? Why do you think finding the will of God is so troublesome for some believers?

3. Do you think God leads us apart from the Scriptures? Why or why not? If so, how do we know it is God leading us?

4. Please read Luke 18:21, John 12:38-41, 15:25, Matt. 26:20-24, John 13:18, 17:12, Mark 14:49, John 18:8-9, and Matt. 26:31-25, 52-56. How did Jesus know what would happen to Him? How do you think this knowledge affected Him? What do you know about what will happen to you in this life from the Scriptures? How does this knowledge affect you?

5. What place does the Scriptures play in revealing God’s will for our life? What else do people rely upon to indicate God’s will? Can you think of any pitfalls in using other methods?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life? 

Imitating Jesus: Interpreting the Scriptures Like Jesus- Sermon 2

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus”

“Interpreting the Scriptures like Jesus”

September 9, 2012 John Bruce – Pastor

JesusreadtheScripturesasonestory. (Luke6:1-5)

Jesus read the Scriptures as a story from history. (Luke 17:26-29, 11:29-32)

Jesus read the Scriptures as a story about Himself. (Luke 24:13-32, 44-47)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. Why do many people think that interpreting the Bible is difficult? What would you say to someone who complained, “The Bible is too difficult to understand. Somebody else can tell me what it means.” What parts of the Bible are the most difficult for you to understand? Why?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Luke 6:1-5. Why were the Pharisees upset with Jesus and His disciples? How does Jesus answer their objection? What’s Jesus’ point? What does this passage reveal about the way Jesus read the Scriptures? How should the way Jesus read the Scriptures change the way we read the Scriptures? Can you see any benefits of reading the Scriptures the way Jesus read the Scriptures?

2. Please read Luke 17:26-29 and Luke 11:29-32. What does this passage reveal about the way Jesus read the Scriptures? How should the way Jesus read the Scriptures change the way we read the Scriptures? What should I do if I have a hard time believing that some of the stories from the Old Testament actually happened?

3. Please read Luke 24:13-32 and 44-47. Why do you think the two disciples’ eyes were initially prevented from seeing the resurrected Jesus? What did they learn from their encounter with Him? What does this passage reveal about the way Jesus read the Scriptures? How should the way Jesus read the Scriptures change the way we read the Scriptures? How might approaching the Bible in this way change what you see?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?

Imitating Jesus : Living Under the Authority of Scripture (Matt. 4:1-11)- sermon 1

Notes  Read

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus”
“Living under the Authority of Scripture” (Matt. 4:1-11) September 2, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Honoring the Scriptures more than our Appetites

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" (Matthew 4:1-4)

Honoring the Scriptures more than the Approval of Men

“Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" (Matthew 4:5-7)

Honoring the Scriptures more than our Ambitions

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" (Matthew 4:8-10)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

2. Do you think every Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not? Do you consider yourself His disciple? Why or why not? In what way would you most like to be more like Jesus?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Matthew 4:1-4. If Jesus is God, how was it possible for Him to be tempted? (Hebrews 2:17- 18, 4:15) Why do you think the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness TO BE tempted by the devil? Why was it necessary for Jesus to be tempted? Why do we need to be tempted?

2. How does Jesus honor the Scriptures above His own appetites in this passage? What was Satan’s intention? Why would the devil’s suggestion tempt Jesus? In what ways do your appetites compete with the Scriptures for your allegiance?

3. Please read Matthew 4:5-7. How does Jesus honor the Scriptures over the approval of men in this passage? What was Satan’s intention? Why would the devil’s suggestion tempt Jesus? In what ways does your desire for human approval compete with the Scriptures for your allegiance?

4. Please read Matthew 4:8-10. How does Jesus honor the Scriptures over His own ambitions in this passage? What was Satan’s intention? Why would the devil’s suggestion tempt Jesus? In what ways do your ambitions compete with the Scriptures for your allegiance?

5. Do you think it is to our benefit to learn to live under the authority of the Scriptures? Why or why not? What in our culture makes living under the authority of the Scriptures difficult for Christians today?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?