GREATEST NEWS IS LIFE
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Following or Faltering?
Week 4 – Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The CALL: Matthew 11:24–30 “But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
-God has chosen ME! (Vv. 25-27)
How does Jesus talk about this Choice? God “Reveals”
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
-Jesus Says “Come to Me”
Those: “Working and Burdened Down.”
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
-Jesus Says “Take and Learn”
I WILL find Rest!
The Cost: Luke 9:23-27 (Small Groups)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
-What Does Jesus Say is Necessary if I am to follow Him? (Vv. 23-24)
1) Have to choose to follow Him. “anyone who WOULD follow me.”
2) “Let Him” is a command – DENY YOURSELF and Follow Me.
He directs, I do not. I submit to His direction, word, Instruction, etc. I please Him First and Me second!
3) Take up your Cross (death sentence of shame and pain) DAILY
4) Follow me – Daily
5) Lose your life for His sake – Will find it in Him
What does this mean in real life?
Varied responses – Try to make this personal for you as you lead them to make it personal for them.
What do I need to “turn from” in order to “turn to” Him?
Varied responses – Try to make this personal for you as you lead them to make it personal for them.
-What Does “Taking up my cross” mean? (hint – verse 22)
The ultimate sacrifice of Life, comfort, pride, position, and status – Literally a Death sentence – Shame and Pain before all!
-What does “Profit” and “Lose” mean in verses 24 and 25?
Profit is to gain something you did not have. Loss is of course to lose something you think you have.
-What do you gain if you win the world for a moment, but then lose even your own life/soul forever?
-Profit of losing your life for Christ is you gain everything for eternity.
What ways do I seek to profit by maintaining ‘ownership’ or ‘control’ over my life?
Varied responses – Try to make this personal for you as you lead them to make it personal for them.
-What do I need to Turn From in Following Christ?
Varied responses – Try to get them to think through this on their own!
Homework: Work on memorizing Matthew 11:28-30
We will have Memorization Cards Available for the Teens to work on these verses.