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

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Messages of Grace

(Past Recorded Sermons) 











Preaching: 
Pastor Steve


 
This Sunday
February 14, 2016



Sermon Title:
"The Proof is in the Pudding"



Scripture:
Matthew 11:1-19
Picture of Pastor Tim
February 11, 2016
 
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:
 
We turn to our fifth 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 13:1-23
  • Matthew 13 is devoted to Jesus' parables. What does the parable of the Sower/Seed indicate about how we can expect people to respond to the Word of God
    (vv 1-8)?
  • In vv. 10-17, Jesus seems to say that His teaching will open up some people and close down others. Further, this is on purpose (vv 14-15, cf. Isaiah 6:9-10). How do you react to Jesus both softening and hardening hearts?
  • In vv 18-23, what are the three factors that try to defeat and destroy the work of the gospel? Do you struggle with them?
  • Prayer--For grace to be like the seed that produces one-hundred times for God's glory.
Tuesday--Read Matthew 13:24-46
  • Jesus gives both the parable of the Weeds (vv 24-30) and its interpretation (vv 36-43). What does He indicate about the ongoing presence of the work of God and the work of the Enemy in our world? So what should we expect in our daily walk of faith?
  • Vv. 31-33 record two little parables on the theme, "A little goes a long way." When have you seen this principle at work in your life with God?
  • Vv. 44-46 record two more little parables. To what lengths should we go in desiring and gaining God's kingdom?
  • Prayer--To desire God, to grow in faith, and to resist the spiritual forces that seek to choke you out.
Wednesday--Read Matthew 13:47-58
  • The parable of the Net (vv 47-50) tells of a separation between the righteous and the wicked at the final judgment. Jesus emphasizes that evil will be consigned to punishment. Do you accept this? How do you think your non-Christian friends would react to it?
  • In vv 53-58, why do people reject Jesus? What causes people to take offense and reject Jesus in our time?
  • In v 58, why does unbelief cut people off from seeing God work in the world? In the church? In your own life?
  • Prayer--For faith that obeys and sees the Spirit of Jesus at work in life.
Thursday--Read Matthew 14:1-21
  • In vv 1-12, why does Herodias want John executed? What temptation does she use to take John down? How do we see this form of temptation take Christians down today?
  • What motivates Jesus to feed the 5,000 (vv 13-21)? What motivates the Christian to serve and help the needy?
  • Prayer--In v 19, Jesus took, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to do an amazing miracle. Ask Jesus to take you, bless you, break you, and give you today to do His work in the world.
Friday--Read Matthew 14:22-36
  • In v 23, we find Jesus dismissing the disciples and the crowd so that he can have time for private prayer. If being alone with the Father was so important to Him, how needful is it for you? How regular and rich is your personal prayer life?
  • "Take heart: it is I. Do not be afraid" (v 27). Where in your life do you need to apply these words?
  • "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (v 31). In what areas do you struggle with doubt? How can this story encourage your faith?
  • Prayer--For a deep prayer life and a growing faith in Christ.
Saturday--Read Matthew 15:-1-28
  • Jesus addresses the tendency to elevate religious tradition over the Word of God. What does He say about the danger of tradition when used this way? Is it still true in the church?
  • In vv 10-20, do you find Jesus more interested in external practice or matters of the heart? Is He implicitly inviting you to do a "heart check-up" today?
  • In vv 21-28, why do you think Jesus initially resists the woman? What does He then find commendable in her?
  • Prayer--That you would have the tenacity and persistence of faith that Jesus finds in this woman
Sunday--Sermon Passage: Matthew 15:21-28, "The Day Jesus Meets His Match"
 
Pastor Tim

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