MSG: Video Call - All In Charge! - Session 2
Nov
13
Details
Opening Reflection
Faith in God is more than believing the right things. It’s living the right way because you believe the right things.
Hebrews 11:1–7 is a say-it-all description of what faith is and what faith does: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. The belief of the heart and mind is an essential ingredient of faith, but it does not summarize all that faith is.
True biblical faith is always something that you live. If your faith does not reshape your life, it is not true faith.
Faith is not just intellectual assent to a body of truth. I’m afraid that’s what faith looks like in evangelical academic circles.
But real faith radically rearranges your life. This is why Hebrews 11 focuses more on what people did with their lives than it does on the details of their theology. Faith is deeply theological, but it is much, much more than that.As the writer of Hebrews defines faith, he immediately gives three examples of how real faith in God transforms the way that you live.
First, faith redirects and recaptures the worship of your heart (Cain).
Second, it produces in you a heart of obedience (Enoch).
Third, faith causes you to submit to the calling of God (Noah).
Now think about it; everyone’s life is shaped:
by what he worships,
by the rules that she obeys, and
by the life calling that he gives himself to.
True, living, biblical faith causes you to submit all three of these shaping influences to God. He becomes the object of the worship of your heart. His rules define the moral boundaries of your life. And his kingdom work becomes your joyful calling.
It’s radical to believe that God really does exist and rewards those who seek him, and that radical belief does radical things to your living. Remember, you can’t conjure up this life-shaping faith. No, it is a gift of his grace.
For further study and encouragement: Genesis 6–9
Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), 289.
Faith in God is more than believing the right things. It’s living the right way because you believe the right things.
Hebrews 11:1–7 is a say-it-all description of what faith is and what faith does: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. The belief of the heart and mind is an essential ingredient of faith, but it does not summarize all that faith is.
True biblical faith is always something that you live. If your faith does not reshape your life, it is not true faith.
Faith is not just intellectual assent to a body of truth. I’m afraid that’s what faith looks like in evangelical academic circles.
But real faith radically rearranges your life. This is why Hebrews 11 focuses more on what people did with their lives than it does on the details of their theology. Faith is deeply theological, but it is much, much more than that.As the writer of Hebrews defines faith, he immediately gives three examples of how real faith in God transforms the way that you live.
First, faith redirects and recaptures the worship of your heart (Cain).
Second, it produces in you a heart of obedience (Enoch).
Third, faith causes you to submit to the calling of God (Noah).
Now think about it; everyone’s life is shaped:
by what he worships,
by the rules that she obeys, and
by the life calling that he gives himself to.
True, living, biblical faith causes you to submit all three of these shaping influences to God. He becomes the object of the worship of your heart. His rules define the moral boundaries of your life. And his kingdom work becomes your joyful calling.
It’s radical to believe that God really does exist and rewards those who seek him, and that radical belief does radical things to your living. Remember, you can’t conjure up this life-shaping faith. No, it is a gift of his grace.
For further study and encouragement: Genesis 6–9
Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), 289.
Introduction
Many people play it safe, retreat when things get tough, and slip into predictable and familiar patterns. Christians who are all in take risks, charge forward even when it is tough, and are willing to try new things if there is a chance it will forward the cause of Jesus.
Many people play it safe, retreat when things get tough, and slip into predictable and familiar patterns. Christians who are all in take risks, charge forward even when it is tough, and are willing to try new things if there is a chance it will forward the cause of Jesus.
View the Video - Discussion
1. Our battles don't look like the ones that Colonel Joshua Chamberlain fought, but we have them nonetheless. Tell about a time you felt outnumbered, shot at, or knocked down.
A.) How did you respond in that difficult life situation?
B.) How did you experience God's presence with you?
2. Colonel Chamberlain's date with destiny defined his life and future. His decisive action had a much bigger impact than he could have ever imagined in the middle of the battle.
a.) What is a battle or challenge you are facing today?
b.) What is one bold and decisive action you feel God is calling you to take, and what is keeping you from charging forward and taking action?
1. Our battles don't look like the ones that Colonel Joshua Chamberlain fought, but we have them nonetheless. Tell about a time you felt outnumbered, shot at, or knocked down.
A.) How did you respond in that difficult life situation?
B.) How did you experience God's presence with you?
2. Colonel Chamberlain's date with destiny defined his life and future. His decisive action had a much bigger impact than he could have ever imagined in the middle of the battle.
a.) What is a battle or challenge you are facing today?
b.) What is one bold and decisive action you feel God is calling you to take, and what is keeping you from charging forward and taking action?
3. Read: Matthew 21:12 — 13; Matthew 15:1 — 9; and Luke 4:31 - 37
Matt 21:12-13
21:12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
13 “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
Matt 15:1-9
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’
6 he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Luke 4: 31-37
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,
34 “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”
37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. {NIV Lk 4:31–37}
Matt 21:12-13
21:12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
13 “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
Matt 15:1-9
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’
6 he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Luke 4: 31-37
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,
34 “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”
37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. {NIV Lk 4:31–37}
3. a.) What do you notice and learn about the character, boldness, and strength of Jesus in these accounts?
b.) How do these biblical depictions of Jesus paint a different picture than many of the "tender" and "soft" portraits of Him that are often presented ?
b.) How do these biblical depictions of Jesus paint a different picture than many of the "tender" and "soft" portraits of Him that are often presented ?
4. a.) Mark teaches about how Jesus was never passive but passionate. As you look at Christians today, what are some signs and indicators that we are becoming passive?
b.) What are signs and indicators that we are growing more passionate?
c.) How would you describe your heart and lifestyle when it comes to living for Jesus and following Him no matter what the cost?
d.) How are you passive and how are you passionate?
b.) What are signs and indicators that we are growing more passionate?
c.) How would you describe your heart and lifestyle when it comes to living for Jesus and following Him no matter what the cost?
d.) How are you passive and how are you passionate?
5. a.) Respond to this statement: "Indecision is a decision and inaction is action!"
b.) What is one decision and action you have been avoiding, and how can your group members pray for you as you seek to charge forward, following God's will in this area of your life?
b.) What is one decision and action you have been avoiding, and how can your group members pray for you as you seek to charge forward, following God's will in this area of your life?
Matthew 16:17–18
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
6. God's people are the church. We are called not to keep the world out, but to attack the very gates of
hell and charge forward with the love, truth, and message of Jesus.
What are ways you see the church charging forward and making a difference for Jesus in this world?
hell and charge forward with the love, truth, and message of Jesus.
What are ways you see the church charging forward and making a difference for Jesus in this world?
7. As God's people gathered, the church, we are called to put a full- court press on certain things. What are practical ways your group can press forward and pursue God's will in one of the following areas?
• Seeking justice for the oppressed in your community
• Reaching out with the message and grace of Jesus to the lost in your communi ty
• Showing compassion for the hurting and broken in your community
• Strengthening families in your community
• Meeting some other need in your community
• Seeking justice for the oppressed in your community
• Reaching out with the message and grace of Jesus to the lost in your communi ty
• Showing compassion for the hurting and broken in your community
• Strengthening families in your community
• Meeting some other need in your community
Philippians 3:12–14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
8. Part of charging forward is leaving things behind.
What are some of the things Christians need to forget, leave behind, and give up as we press forward toward the high calling of Jesus?
9. What is one thing in your own life that God is presently calling you to leave behind as you charge forward, and how can your group members encourage and cheer you on in this specific area of your life?
10. We can all be tempted to give up on something that we know God wants us to pursue. His will can be hard, and we can simply wear down and throw in the towel. Checkmark one area of your life in which you believe God wants you to charge forward, and then in the space provided write one practical step you might take to move ahead.
O Your marriage
O Your finances
O Your health
O An addiction you deal with
O How you relate to one of your children
O A goal you need to set
O A kingdom cause you need to enter into
O Another area [Your Response]
b.) How can your group members pray, support, and encourage you in this area of growth?
O Your marriage
O Your finances
O Your health
O An addiction you deal with
O How you relate to one of your children
O A goal you need to set
O A kingdom cause you need to enter into
O Another area [Your Response]
b.) How can your group members pray, support, and encourage you in this area of growth?
Closing Prayer
Take time as a group to pray in any of the following directions:
• Thank God for the people in your life who have followed Him boldly and given you an example of what it means to charge after God, even when it is difficult or scary.
• Pray for eyes to see where you have become complacent and lazy in your faith and lifestyle. Ask God to wake you up, convict you, and move you to fresh action.
• Praise Jesus for counting the cost and taking the cross for you. Thank Him that He never gave up on you.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to help you turn your eyes away from the past and to help you focus on the new things God wants to do in and through you.
Take time as a group to pray in any of the following directions:
• Thank God for the people in your life who have followed Him boldly and given you an example of what it means to charge after God, even when it is difficult or scary.
• Pray for eyes to see where you have become complacent and lazy in your faith and lifestyle. Ask God to wake you up, convict you, and move you to fresh action.
• Praise Jesus for counting the cost and taking the cross for you. Thank Him that He never gave up on you.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to help you turn your eyes away from the past and to help you focus on the new things God wants to do in and through you.
To be fully alive is to be fully present It mandates leaving the past in the past.
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