News

Where are You Going for Christmas? – part 3

Mike Thorburn/ Matthew 2:1-12/ December 23, 2018

• God uses the circumstances of our lives to change us – Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:1-7)
  • Life gives us struggles and trials but allow the Holy Spirit to change you and make you more like Jesus
• God uses the circumstances of our lives to change those around us – the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
  • Allow the Holy Spirit to turn your fear into joy as you fix your eyes on Jesus and his salvation
• God uses the circumstances of our lives to change the world – the wise men (Matthew 2:1-12)
  • Allow the Holy Spirit to produce in you a faithfulness that will not only endure but allow others to see Christ in you and their need for Jesus

Galatians 4:4

[bctt tweet=”Your faithful testimony will bear fruit at the Lord’s appointed time – Matthew 2:1-12″ username=”baysidesanjose”]

Because your faithful testimony will bear fruit at the Lord’s appointed time:

• (1) Be faithful because God is at work in your life, the lives of those around you, and around the world (2:1-2)
  • Matthew 2:1–2
  • Ecclesiastes 3:11 – What can we say is true of every person in the world?
  • Daniel 4:9
  • Daniel 5:11
  • God will also place believers into places of influence so that they share the true path to eternity – How is this true in the life of Daniel?
  • What God has done through others will bear fruit – How did Daniel bear fruit?

Because your faithful testimony will bear fruit at the Lord’s appointed time:

• (2) You can bear fruit in spiritually troubled times (2:3-6)
  • Matthew 2:3–6
  • 3 reasons believers can be spiritually troubled
    • Troubled because of those who hate God (3)
    • Troubled because of those who should know God (4-5)
    • Troubled because we do not realize that God is over all things (6)
    • How can we overcome these difficulties?

Because your faithful testimony will bear fruit at the Lord’s appointed time:

• (3) God will give you joy when you acknowledge His unstoppable will (2:7-10)
  • Matthew 2:7–10
  • He’s Everything to Me – if you know this song take time to sing it with your group

Because your faithful testimony will bear fruit at the Lord’s appointed time:

• (4) Be faithful at Christmas to worship Jesus (2:11-12)
  • Matthew 2:11–12
  • What are you offering to Jesus? Don’t focus on how difficult you journey has been or how others have it easier. Fix your focus on Jesus and giver him your worship.
  • Share how you can be faithful, seek the Holy Spirit’s power to persevere and endure.

Your faithful testimony will bear fruit at the Lord’s appointed time

• Share a part of your life where you would like to bear fruit this week

1. Read Luke 2:1-7
2. Can you think of a time when you had to go on an unexpected journey?
3. Share one Christmas story that had an unexpected turn of events or outcome.
4. The word “Advent” stems from the Latin word adventus, which literally means “coming” or “arrival.” In context, this commonly refers to the coming of Jesus on Christmas day. Jerome, when composing the Latin Vulgate, also used adventus when translating the Greek word parousia (see https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g3952 ). This word has a similar meaning, but in a broader context refers to Jesus’ second coming at the end of time. Definition of “advent.” (Google) – the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
   with “the advent of television” entertainment changed forever; synonyms:arrival, appearance, emergence, materialization, occurrence, dawn, birth, rise, development.
5. Discussion

We glorify God when we meet the unexpected with faith (Luke 2:1-7)

(1) Human events are used by God (1-2)

What were the human events that happened in this passage?

Share a human event (new job, moving as a child, a world event) that you now see as something God used in your life.

(2) God’s sovereignty includes human responsibility  (3-4)

Where is God’s sovereignty in this passage? What fulfillment of scripture do you see? Where do you see human responsibility?

Trains run on two rails or tracks. For the believer, the two tracks of life are God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. What happens when we only emphasize one track over the other? How is Grace the engine of the train, faith the passenger compartment and our works the caboose?

(3) God is often glorified most when we are stretched  (5-7)

How many ways can you see how Joseph and Mary were stretched?

Take 2-3 minutes each to share how you are being stretched.

Leaders: please email your attendance and meeting details (place and time) to findjesus@baysidesanjose.com

Life Groups have 4 components and are designed to be 2 hours in length

(1) Opening – 10 minutes

• hang out, share a testimony, worship, ice breaker)

(2) Application study – 45 minutes

Sermon based application and reflection. Follow these guidelines:

• Review the Sermon – Assess Your Life based on the Sermon – Apply the Sermon
• Read the passages and discuss how to implement them in life. Use the questions given below or create your own.
• Discussion: As you go over each sermon point and each scripture, discuss – How it gripped you, what you’re struggling with, how are you trying to apply this truth to your life?
• When have you? How will you? What does it take to?
• Application is intentional acts of obedience. Remember the old Quaker saying: “What is the manner of your life in regard to these things?”
• As you go through the discussion, remember that the goal is application. Our goal is to be doers of the word and not just hearers only – James 1:22
• There is no need to reteach the sermon or to read every scripture but feel free to refer to your sermon notes from the worship service.
• What other application points were given during the message?

Sermon Notes:

The Battle for Your Heart – Malachi 4:1-6

The condition of your heart is very important to the Lord

• Matthew 4:10
• Luke 6:45
• Luke 24:38
• Luke 21:34

When our eyes see God’s plan, our hearts will be filled with God’s presence

1. See the distinction between good and evil

• Malachi 3:18
• Matthew 4:10
• Hebrews 6:10

2. See the coming judgment

• Malachi 4:1
• Acts 24:14–15
• Acts 24:24–25
• Matthew 3:1–12

3. See the King

• Malachi 4:2
• Matthew 8-10
• Hebrews 12:2

4. See the victory

• Malachi 4:3

5. See God’s word

• Malachi 4:4
• Matthew 4:1-11

6. See God’s prophets

• Malachi 4:5-6
• Revelation 11:3-6

Hail! the heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”

Questions:

After reviewing the sermon and discussing each sermon point and scripture, feel free to use some or all of these questions depending on time restraints.

1. What are you eagerly anticipating three months from now? What are you dreading? How are you preparing for those dates?
2. Is the Day of the Lord inked, penciled, or not even on their calendars?
3. As Malachi is the last prophet until the New Testament, what is the importance of verses 4-5?
4. What one thing have you learned from Malachi?
5. What one application are you making?

(3) Ministry time – 30 minutes

•  Accountability, Sharing and Prayer: Men with men, women with women. Transparency (2 or 3 minutes each about what we are going to do with what we’ve discussed). What were you convicted about? How will you apply it, deal with it? What is shared at this time is only for the men or only for the women in your group.

(4) Fellowship – 25 minutes

• Getting to know one another, food or snack. A connection time! Have fun!

Leaders: please email your attendance and meeting details (place and time) to findjesus@baysidesanjose.com

Life Groups have 4 components and are designed to be 2 hours in length

(1) Opening – 10 minutes (hang out, share a testimony, worship, ice breaker)

 (2) Application study – 45 minutes – Sermon based application and reflection.

Follow these guidelines:

• Review the Sermon – Assess Your Life based on the Sermon – Apply the Sermon
• Read the passages and discuss how to implement them in life. Use the questions given below or create your own.
• Discussion: As you go over each sermon point and each scripture, discuss – How it gripped you, what you’re struggling with, how are you trying to apply this truth to your life?
• When have you? How will you? What does it take to?
• Application is intentional acts of obedience. Remember the old Quaker saying: “What is the manner of your life in regard to these things?”
• As you go through the discussion, remember that the goal is application. Our goal is to be doers of the word and not just hearers only – James 1:22
• There is no need to reteach the sermon or to read every scripture but feel free to refer to your sermon notes from the worship service.
• What other application points were given during the message?

Sermon Notes:

God Never Changes, But You Can – Malachi 3:6-18

(1) Resolute, Relentless Refining (3:6)

• Malachi 3:6
• Numbers 23:19
• James 1:17
• Hebrews 13:8
• 5 unchanging truths because God does not change:

(2) Returning Repentance (3:7)

• Malachi 3:7

(3) Rebellious Robbery (3:8-12)

• Malachi 3:8–12
• Acts 5:1-11

(4) Reckless Religion (3:13-15)

• Malachi 3:13–15

(5) Righteous Response (3:16-18)

• Malachi 3:16–18
• 4 Signs of genuine repentance:

Questions:

After reviewing the sermon and discussing each sermon point and scripture, feel free to use some or all of these questions depending on time restraints.

1. How have you “wearied” the Lord? Do you “fear” Him? How has the Lord Responded?
2. If given the chance next Sunday to declare war on sin, what sins would make it into your 3-point sermon?
3. How had Malachi’s peers robbed God?
4. How does the Lord challenge the people to put him to the test?
5. What was futile about their worshiping God with a “what’s in it for me?” attitude?
6. How will everyone get their just desserts in the end?
7. What distinguishes the righteous from the wicked?
8. When have you struggled with bad things happening to good people? Good things happening to bad people?
9. What does it feel like to be in relationship with such a God who “does not change”?
10. If you could change one thing about God, what would it be?
11. In what ways do you rob God every day?

(3) Ministry time – Accountability, Sharing and Prayer: Men with men, women with women. Transparency (2 or 3 minutes each about what we are going to do with what we’ve discussed). What were you convicted about? How will you apply it, deal with it? What is shared at this time is only for the men or only for the women in your group.

 (4) Fellowship – Getting to know one another, food or snack. A connection time! Have fun!

• A) Intelligence (John 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6)

What did you think of James 2:19 and how it relates to faith?

How often do you spend time reading about the character or person of God?

• B) Reliance (2 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 3:3; Proverbs 3:5-6)

What is the opposite of reliance? Which one do you tend to struggle with?

• C) Allegiance (Romans 1:5; Psalm 37:5; James 2:17)

Is there an area in your life where your allegiance is challenged?

2) The Difference between Gift Faith and Growth Faith

Gift faith                                                        Growth faith

The faith that saves                                     The faith that sanctifies

Eternal Life by Faith                                    Living by faith

At the point of salvation                             Throughout the Christian life

Begets growth faith                                     Follows gift faith

One size fits all                                           Differing amounts of faith

We receive it as a gift                                 We cultivate through faithfulness

Completely separate from works                Includes works of obedience

Does the same work for all                         Does different work for each

One time event                                           Perpetual development

You contribute nothing                              You get out what you put in

How does saving (gift) faith affect what you do?

As you go over each sermon point and each scripture, discuss: How it gripped you, what you’re struggling with, how are you trying to apply this truth to your life?