Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church     
 
Pastor Tim Janiszewski - "Listening to Jesus: Week Four"

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Messages of Grace

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This Sunday
February 7, 2016



Sermon Title:
"When Judgment Must Be Made"



Scripture:
Matthew 7:1-6
Picture of Pastor Tim
February 4, 2016
 
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:
 
We turn to our fourth week of listening to Jesus through the Gospel of Matthew. Our goal is to hear from Christ as we read and reflect upon the first gospel between now and Easter Sunday (March 27). I encourage us to take time each day this week to read the passage indicated, to reflect, and then to pray as directed. By the power and presence of the Spirit, may you sense Christ at work in your life this week.
 
Monday--Read Matthew 10:1-15
  • In vv. 2-4, Matthew names the 12 disciples. What does He commission the twelve to do (vv. 5-7)? How does Jesus equip them to do the work (v. 1)? What is the Lord calling you to do? What equipping do you need to be fruitful in it?
  • In vv. 5-7, why do you think that Jesus directs the disciples to take the message to the "lost sheep of Israel" but not to the Gentiles/Samaritans? Why do the Jews get the first opportunity to believe? Are we still to reach out to Jews now?
  • What attitude are the disciples to have about money and possessions as they go?
  • Prayer--For Christ to open avenues to share the Good News with others with no strings attached.
Tuesday--Read Matthew 10:16-42
  • What does it mean for a Christian to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (v. 16)? How can a Christian be both shrewd and above reproach at the same time?
  • V. 22 reads, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." What are you enduring for the sake of Jesus? How do you daily go about trusting the Lord in the midst of it?
  • We know Jesus as Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). In v. 34, Jesus says, "I have not come to bring peace but a sword." How do you reconcile this? Have you experienced both the peace of Christ and the conflict that comes from following Him?
  • Prayer--For grace and strength to stand fast in the face of opposition and challenges to your faith.
Wednesday--Read Matthew 11:1-19
  • John the Baptist is in prison, probably in solitary confinement. His circumstances are awful and his prospects grim. It leads him to question Jesus (v. 3). Do hard times and bad situations ever tempt you to question or to doubt Jesus?
  • How does Jesus reassure John and his disciples (vv. 4-6)?
  • What is Jesus' view of John (vv. 7-14)? How does John compare to the least in the kingdom of heaven, including you?
  • People reject John and Jesus for opposite reasons (vv. 16-19). What are they? For what reasons do they reject Jesus today?
  • Prayer--Confess your doubts. Pray for faith to overcome!
Thursday--Read Matthew 11:20-30
  • We think of Jesus full of love and mercy, and He is. How do we see Him capable of searing judgment (vv. 20-24)? Do you have room to accept Jesus as both loving and wrathful?
  • What does verse 27 tell you about the special and exclusive relationship Jesus has with God the Father? How does it set Him apart from great leaders of other world religions?
  • Prayer--Read and meditate on vv. 28-30. Apply these words to your life through prayer.
Friday--Read Matthew 12:1-21
  • The Jerusalem Temple and Sabbath observance were two pillars of Judaism at the time. Pious Jews revered both. How does Jesus compare Himself to them? What does the comparison reveal about Jesus' true identity? See vv. 1-8.
  • In vv. 9-14, what risk is Jesus taking by going against the religious authorities as He heals a man on the Sabbath day?
  • Verses 18-21 quote from Isaiah 42:1-3, a passage about the Suffering Servant of Israel. By citing it, Matthew begins to prepare us for the cross. What will Jesus fulfill at the cross? How do you benefit from this anticipated accomplishment?
  • Prayer--Give the Suffering Servant your burdens today.
Saturday--Read Matthew 12:22-49
  • In vv. 22-32, what regard does Jesus have for the Holy Spirit who first alighted on Him at His baptism (3:16)? What regard are you to have for the Spirit as He dwells in you?
  • How does Jesus introduce the coming of the cross (vv. 38-42)? How does He tie it to Old Testament prophecy?
  • According to Jesus, what bond for the Christian should be "thicker than blood"? See vv. 46-50.
  • Prayer--In v. 36, Jesus says, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak." Ask God to forgive your careless words. Ask God to make your words thoughtful and life-giving.
Sunday--Sermon Passage: Matthew 11:1-19

Pastor Tim

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