Imitating Jesus: Loving God with our Treasure- Sermon 15

Imitating Jesus: Loving God with our Talents- Sermon 14

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” Loving God like Jesus Loved God II
December 9, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Loving God with our Talents

"For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:14-30

1. What do the talents represent?

2. What is the master’s business?

3. What is the slave’s responsibility?

For further thought and discussion: Getting Started

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

Going Deeper

1. Please read Matthew 25:14-30. Why did Jesus tell this parable? What do you notice about what the master entrusts to his slaves? Judging from this passage, what do you think the talents represent? What are some ways God has made you unique? What kind of personality has He given to you? What are your strengths? What are your skills? What are your spiritual gifts? What opportunities to serve Him has He given to you?

2. The master tells the slaves to do business for him while he is gone. What business is God in? Please read Matthew 28:18-20. What is Jesus going to be looking for when He returns? What are some possible ways you could use your unique personality, strengths, skills, gifts and opportunities to make more disciples of Jesus? What holds you back?

3. Judging from this parable, what was the responsibility the master gave to his slaves? Compare the two slaves with the one. What contrasts do you find? Why is taking risks necessary for reward? Why is playing it safe so dangerous for the servant of God? What risks do you feel like God is calling you to take for His profit?

4. Is this parable about service or about salvation? Why? If we’re saved by grace through faith, how do we explain the fact that the 3rd servant is lost? What’s the point of this parable? How can you better love God through the use of your talents?

Application:

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

Imitating Jesus: Loving God With Our Time- Sermon 13

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” Loving God like Jesus Loved God I
December 2, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

Loving God with our Time

1. How Jesus Saw the Will of God

   “Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” John 4:31-34

   1. Jesus’ food is secret.

   2. Jesus’ food is satisfying

   3. Jesus’ food is sustaining

2. How Jesus Saw Time

   "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” John 4:45-46

   1. Time is not unlimited but short.

   2. Time is not measured in minutes and hours but in opportunities.

   3. Time does not belong to us but to God.

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’s the biggest struggle you face in managing your time? Why?

Going Deeper

1. Please read John 4:31-34. What led up to this conversation? How does the way Jesus saw the will of God compare with the way most people seem to see the will of God? What does the word “food” imply to you about the way Jesus viewed serving God and about His relationship with His Father? How do you feel about doing God’s will? How clear are you about what accomplishing His work means for you? Complete this sentence: “My food is....”

2. Please read John 4:35-36. What do these verses reveal to you about the way Jesus viewed time? How does the way we use time reveal our relationship with God?

3. Please read Luke 12:16-21 and Matthew 24:45-51. What do these parables show about Jesus’ view of time? Why is it critical to our relationship with God that we realize that our time in this world is not unlimited but short?

4. Please read Matthew 25. How do these parables illustrate that time is not measured in minutes and hours but in opportunities? What does “all time is not equal” mean to you? If you saw time as a series of opportunities rather than as standard measurements, how might your life change?

5. Please read John 17:4-5. How does the life of Christ demonstrate that our time does not belong to us but to God? If you were to stand before Christ tonight, do you think He would say that you had accomplished the work He gave you to do? Why or why not?

Application:

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

Imitating Jesus: By Thanking Jesus- Sermon 12

Series: Imitating Jesus Date: November 25, 2012 Speaker: Richard Moore, Director of Student Ministries

Imitating Jesus: Praying like Jesus VII: Not My Will…- Sermon 11

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus VII: Not My Will...” November 18, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

“Not My Will...”

“And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14:36

Why God Sometimes Says “No.”
A. To Perfect Us (Hebrews 2:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-11)

B. To Prosper Us (Philippians 2:5-11, Acts 16:6-10)

C. To Protect Us (1 Kings 19:4-8, Genesis 17:18-21)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

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

2. Has God ever said no to a prayer you’ve prayed? Why do you think He said no?

Going Deeper

1. Please read Mark 14:36. Why do you think Jesus prayed this way? How does God say no to His Son? How does He say yes?

2. How is God’s refusal to remove the cup from Jesus an example of God’s purpose of perfecting us? (Hebrews 2:10) What would have happened to Jesus if God had said yes to Jesus’ prayer? To us? How does Paul’s experience in 2 Cor. 12:9-11 illustrate how God’s purpose of perfecting us may lead to some prayers going unanswered? Have you ever asked God to deliver you from something – and He didn’t? What happened? Why do you think God answered this way?

3. How is God’s refusal to remove the cup from Jesus an example of God’s purpose of prospering us? (Philip. 2:5-11) What couldn’t Jesus have had if God had said yes to His prayer? How does Paul’s experience in Acts 16:6-10 illustrate how God’s purpose of prospering us may lead to some prayers going unanswered? Can you think of an illustration of God saying no to a request you made to prosper you?

4. How is God’s refusal to remove the cup from Jesus an example of God’s purpose of protecting us? Of protecting others from us? How does 1 Kings 19:4-8 illustrate how God sometimes says no to protect us from ourselves? How does Genesis 17:18-21 illustrate how God sometimes says no to protect others from us? Can you think of an illustration of God saying no to a request you made which protected you? Which protected others from you?

5. Does Jesus’ experience in the garden change the way you look at unanswered prayers? How?

Application:

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

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?