Learning together about God s plan and purposes for His people at Mayfield Baptist Church

Transcription

1 Learning together about God s plan and purposes for His people at Mayfield Baptist Church Studies prepared by Stephen Nosworthy

2 HOW TO READ AND APPLY THE BIBLE 1 WHAT DOES IT SAY? a checklist of useful questions When, where, and to whom was it written? Why was it written? What kind of writing is it? (History... Poetry...Prophecy...Law) What is the whole book basically about? What do the words tell us? Is there a general Biblical principle that arises out of this particular Bible incident? What did it mean to its original hearers? 2 WHAT DOES IT MEAN? What is the main point or teaching of the passage? If it is unclear, is there a clearer Bible teaching on this same theme? Does this passage tell us something about God, people, the world etc.? Is there an example to follow, a warning to heed, or a promise to obey? Is there a situation today that is similar to the issue in the Bible passage? 3 WHAT DOES IT SAY FOR TODAY? Is there any action to take? Does it lead to praise or prayer?

3 Learning Together about being A COMMUNITY IMPACTING CHURCH Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Study 4 Study 5 Study 6 A Church Defined CONNECT Celebrating Our Life in Christ GROW Cultivating Personal Growth in Christ SERVE Caring for One Another in Christ SERVE Communicating Christ to the World Being the People of God CONNECT grow SERVE

4 Sermon Notes Study 1 - A CHURCH DEFINED Introduction Key Points & Scriptures

5 Application for the Church Application for me personally Is there something I believe God would have me understand or do as a result of this message today? What can I be praying about this week?

6 Study 1 A Church Defined What on earth are we doing for heaven s sake? Or to put it another way, What is God s purpose for us as a bunch of believers in the City of Newcastle? Maybe there are some who would prefer not to think about a question like that. Maybe that s because we have the uneasy idea that our reason for being part of the church here may be different to that of the Owner. The problem is that it s really nice to feel comfortable among the people we ve known for a while probably grown up with some of them...probably got used to doing things in a certain agreeable way...probably a bit suspicious of anything new happening around the place. So maybe we don t want anyone us asking awkward questions like, What on earth are we supposed to be doing? in case it rocks our comfortable religious boat. However, it is a question that every church must ask itself from time to time. We have decided to do that...and the answer that God has led us to is the very thing that now drives us forward. It is wrapped up in two key statements that we believe will define us going forward: MBC Vision Statement Seeking to awaken hearts, renew minds, and strengthen faith in Christ MBC Mission Statement CONNECT grow SERVE Our Vision Statement is intentionally open-ended and one that will always keep us, we believe, moving forward. This identifies where we are going by God s grace, but not how we are to get there. That is the task of our Mission Statement. This statement will keep us on track to the fulfilment of the vision God has given to us. It will enable us to celebrate, cultivate, care and communicate what it means to be followers of Jesus. It is refreshing to know what our purpose in life is all about especially our Godgiven purpose. It is there for us to see and understand how important each part is in aiding our growth in Christlikeness as individuals and as a church. Our desire is to do everything to the glory of our great God - a fellowship of believers who knows what it means to worship and follow the Lord as we seek to faithfully serve both Him and others. That s the kind of church the Owner wants us to be will you come on the journey with us?

7 Just for Starters: 1. The two words or phrases that best describe my church experience in the last 5 years are: i) ii) 2. In recent years, the church has made a contribution to my life in the following ways: i) ii) 3. In recent years, two of the significant contributions I have made to the church are: i) ii) Group Study: 1. Jesus Christ had a vision (Luke 19:10); the Apostle Paul had a vision (Acts 26:17-19). In Proverbs 29:18 we read where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint. In older versions of the Bible this verse reads without vision the people perish. This verse helps us to understand that where there is no prophetic vision or revelation from God, the people no longer care about faithfully interpreting God s Word and His Laws. How important to us as believers at MBC is the realisation that we have been given a vision by God of who we are to be? 2. If you had to give a definition to vision what would it be?

8 3. MBC s Church Vision Statement is taken from Colossians 1: How do you consider these verses to be relevant to all who are connected in some way to MBC and its ministries? Read Colossians 1:6-12; Paul prays for the believers at Colossae (Colossians 1:9-12). What kind of church would we be if we truly prayed the following thoughts for one another: i) bearing fruit in every good work ii) growing in the knowledge of God iii) being strengthened with all power iv) having great endurance and patience v) joyfully giving thanks to the Father

9 5. What does it mean to be in Christ? (Colossians 1:28) Reflection: The people in my Small Group are: I will undertake to pray for each person in my Small Group according to Paul s prayer outlined in Colossians 1:9-12. I will do this for each person on a daily basis through this coming week.

10 Sermon Notes Study 2 CONNECT Celebrating Our Life in Christ Introduction Key Points & Scriptures

11 Application for the Church Application for me personally Is there something I believe God would have me understand or do as a result of this message today? What can I be praying about this week?

12 Study 2 CONNECT Celebrate Our Life in Christ We re here to make worshippers first and workers only second. We take a convert and immediately make a worker out of him. God never meant it to be so. God meant that a convert should learn to be a worshipper, and after that he can learn to be a worker...the work done by a worshipper will have eternity in it. It was A.W. Tozer who said that, and he is absolutely right! The first and essential activity of every true believer is the worship of their Creator and Saviour. Having said that, it is still sobering to realize that however sincere we might be, from God s point of view, our worship may be either acceptable or unacceptable (Genesis 4:5; Romans 12:1). But if our heart s desire is to be a true worshipper who celebrates our relationship with God in Jesus Christ, then we will be eager to understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable and make sure that we get it right. True worship and a celebration of our life in Christ is that which God accepts and which honours Him. In other words, it is worship which conforms to the truth about God and reflects His character. This fact drives us back to the Bible, for it is here where God tells us about Himself and about the kind of worship that He accepts. And the amazing this is that through our worship we are able to find the true essence of our connection with God and therefore with one another. This connection brings life, vitality and purpose. In both the Old and New Testaments we find that the fullest expression of a person s worship is the whole of life response to God. Jesus speaks about this in Matthew 22:37, and Paul says the same thing in a different way in Romans 12:1. In the Old Testament, God gave His people a particular form of celebration that was focussed on a sacrifice that represented the atonement for a person s sin. However, this always depended on the individual s heart-attitude towards God. These Old Testament sacrifices looked forward to, and were superseded by the great and totally different sacrifice of Jesus. It is on the basis of His death (and on no other basis) that people may now draw near to God to find personal forgiveness and a liberty to approach Him in worship. It is, too, in this way, that we not only connect with God in our worship, but also with one another in fellowship, care and service.

13 Just for Starters: How would you describe to a Believer and to a non-believer what you mean by WORSHIP? Group Study: 1. Is there a difference in your understanding between the words Celebration and Worship? Discuss. 2. What does Psalm 29:1-2 tell us about the nature of worship? 3. Why should we worship God? - Psalm 95:6-7 - Exodus 20:2-6 - Deuteronomy 6: John 4:23-24

14 4. Think about praise and thanksgiving. Is there a difference in understanding these two words? What part do praise and thanksgiving have in our worship? (1 Chronicles 29:10-14; Luke 17:15-18) 5. Both private and corporate worship that which we do individually and that which we do with other believers are taught in Scripture (Psalm 69:30; Psalm 86:12; Psalm 145:1-3). To what extent to do you consider your corporate worship and celebration as being dependent upon your personal worship of God? 6. Our God is One who desires a relationship (connection) with us that is both personal and intentional. Discuss what it means for you to be connected with God and with others through relationship in Jesus Christ. Reflection: Consider Psalm 95: Choose an aspect of God s character that is especially meaningful to you right now and write your own four-line psalm of response to God. If it is not too personal, share your psalm with your Group.

15 Sermon Notes Study 3 GROW CULTIVATE PERSONAL GROWTH IN CHRIST Introduction Key Points & Scriptures

16 Application for the Church Application for me personally Is there something I believe God would have me understand or do as a result of this message today? What can I be praying about this week?

17 Study 3 GROW Cultivate Personal Growth in Christ Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it! Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labour with a tireless intensity, with his power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being his perfect one in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:27-29 The Passion Translation) Take a close look at those verses! If we are honest with ourselves under the scrutiny of God s Word we would have to agree that each of us as a Christian must be involved in learning and growing. Certainly the Apostle Paul was one who devoted all his energies to learning about how to live as a Christian. As a faithful steward of the Word of God, his life s task was teaching and encouraging others to do the same. In our efforts to grow into mature believers, we are not left to our own meagre resources. We not only have the complete example of Jesus, but we also have the presence and power of God s Holy Spirit who takes the Word of God and applies it to our hearts, minds, and lives. As Paul puts it, We are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Coupled with this are two key truths to growth: God has provided teaching and encouragement which are available to us by being part of the Body of Christ, the Church; and, there is the personal responsibility of each believer to be cultivating their Christian walk through prayer, devotion, discipline and the reading of God s Word. The experience of conversion occurs in a split second a soul is born again and by the grace of God is made part of the family of God. However, maturing into the person God wants each of us to be takes a lifetime of learning, obeying and growing. Therefore, being a disciple means taking responsibility. When God s truth is taught and learned and obeyed among His people there is great blessing, and He is truly glorified. Just for Starters: Read Matthew 28:

18 1. What is the key command contained in these verses? 2. To whom was the command given? And by whom? 3. What credentials did Jesus have for giving this command? (see: Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; Ephesians 1:20-22) 4. In light of Matthew 28:18-20, what does it mean for me to be a disciple of Jesus? Group Study: 1. What things are necessary for me to be growing in Christ? 2. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus says that one of the steps in the disciplemaking programme is learning and obeying His commands. How has God ensured that this learning will take place in His church? - Romans 12:7b - 1 Corinthians 12:8,28 - Ephesians 4:11-1 Peter 4: What is a believer s personal responsibility as he/she listens to the Word of God? (1 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 17:11)

19 4. In Colossians 1:28, what do you understand by the expression mature in Christ (NIV), or the full understanding of truth (Passion Translation)? Share together and list your thoughts as a group. 5. Is there an alternative to faithful teaching? If so, what is the outcome? - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - Isaiah 8:20,22 - Ezekiel 13: If all I receive is just one message per week in Church on a Sunday, is this adequate to bring me to Christian maturity? (Colossian 1:9-10) What is our Lord s view about this? (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49) Reflection: What can I do to enhance my Christian growth and the understanding of my grace relationship with God?

20 Sermon Notes Study 4 SERVE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER IN CHRIST Introduction Key Points & Scriptures

21 Application for the Church Application for me personally Is there something I believe God would have me understand or do as a result of this message today? What can I be praying about this week?

22 Study 4 SERVE Care for One Another in Christ Throughout the Bible, people who belong to God are constantly referred to as servants servants of the living God...servants of fellow believers and servants of mankind. Ephesians 2:10 tells us quite clearly that God has saved us and that He has good works for us to be doing. These are works which will shine as a light before a watching world (Matthew 5:16), works which reflect God s love and concern for His world and its people, and works which authenticate our claim to be true followers of Jesus Christ (John 13:34-35; Hebrews 9:14). The question for each of us is How can I serve God in such a way that I will bring glory to His name? Lord, why did You tell me to love all men as my brothers? I have tried, but I come back to You frightened. Lord, I was so peaceful at home, so comfortably settled; It was well furnished, and I felt so cosy I was alone I was at peace, Sheltered from the wind and the rain, but clean. (Michael Quoist) If the essence of serving God is to obey what He has told us to do, then the great commandment (Matthew 22:39) which tells us to love our neighbour, and the new commandment (John 13:34-35) which tells us that others will know us by our love for one another, must be taken to heart. We live in a world where caring for someone else is usually interpreted as what do I get out of this? It s not all that often that someone does something in a loving, self-sacrificing way. When it does happen it is newsworthy because it is not the norm. Therein lays the dilemma. Within the church, it is meant to be the norm! If you were to look up the phrase one another in the New Testament you would find a treasury of riches. There are many passages surrounding this phrase, and they speak powerfully to the concept of the body of Christ being a group of believers who mutually care for one another, minister to one another and consequently build one another up. This is a real challenge that comes from God! Just for Starters: 1. What comes immediately to mind for you when someone says care for one another?

23 2. What is your response to the poem by Michael Quoist? Group Study: 1. Why do you think it is important that a fellowship of believers (a church) should serve its community and world? 2. Is serving God only for eager Christians? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6) 3. Look at Philippians 2:1-8 which presents Jesus as our example of ultimate servanthood. Make a list of the attributes and attitudes that we should cultivate if we are to be true servants of our Lord. 4. In what ways does our church demonstrate the love of God through the care we show to others? 5. In what other, or better, ways could we demonstrate the love of God to people in our community and world through acts of compassion and sacrificial service?

24 6. What things or attitudes prevent us from taking God seriously in this matter of serving Him through our care for one another? Reflection: True compassion is an expression of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is always ready to give and always willing to sacrifice. Love never asks how little can I do? Love always asks how much! Love does not merely go the measured mile it travels to the uppermost. Love never haggles and never bargains with a nicely calculated less or more. Yes, compassion is generous because it is the life of Jesus Christ flowing through us. - G.H. Morrison Is there someone you know who is in need? Bring this person and their circumstances prayerfully before the Lord, and following His guidance decide what you might be able to do to show love to that person in Jesus name.

25 Sermon Notes Study 5 SERVE COMMUNICATE CHRIST TO THE WORLD Introduction Key Points & Scriptures

26 Application for the Church Application for me personally Is there something I believe God would have me understand or do as a result of this message today? What can I be praying about this week?

27 Study 5 SERVE Communicate Christ to the World Sixty or so generations ago, one of the greatest of all Christian evangelists wrote, I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). And even though we have witnessed in the last century an explosion of knowledge, freedom, space, communication, and individualism, these have not made Paul s concern obsolete. In fact, they have only made the task of communicating the explosive dynamic of the gospel even more urgent. The good news of Jesus, because it is so dynamic, demands to be shared. And those of us who believe have both the responsibility and the privilege of conveying this good news to others - the precious message that through faith in Jesus Christ, eternal and abundant life is offered to all people. Why, then, are we so often reluctant sharers? Why, even when we sometimes feel a strong sense of oughtness about speaking out this truth, do we fail to do it? Maybe, in part, it s because we tend to identify faith-sharing with a certain technique or programme that leaves many believers feeling that s not for me, or that s not my gift. However, it doesn t have to be that way. Faith-sharing comes from the overflow of a life shared with Jesus and with others. Paul puts it like this: God...through Christ changed us from enemies into His friends and gave us the task of making others His friends also (2 Corinthians 5:18). Sharing good news is a life-style patterned after God. However, the danger for any believer is that of becoming a thermometer instead of a thermostat. Immature believers reflect the temperature of the world around them; mature disciples set it! The life-style of Jesus demands that we influence others as salt and light in the world. But we can t be both salty and bland at the same time. We can t both shine the light and be dull. We must influence our world through the communication of Jesus Christ and by living a life that is faithful to Him. Just for Starters: 1. What is your emotional and practical response to the realisation that you have lost something that is absolutely precious and irreplaceable?

28 Group Study: 1. The first word that comes to my mind when I think of evangelism is The feeling I have whenever I am challenged to share my faith is My most memorable experience of being witnessed to by another person, or in sharing my faith with another person, was Why is it not enough to only witness through the way we live our lives why must we also be prepared to speak about our faith in Jesus? 5. How does 1 Peter 3:15-16 summarize the two aspects of faith-sharing both lifestyle and word? 6. Jesus tells three parables in Luke 15:1-32. Think about the following: - What is the response in each parable to something of value being missing? (Luke 15:4b; 15:8b; 15:20b)

29 - What happens when that which is missing is found? (Luke 15:5-6; 15:9; 15:20b-24) - What is Jesus application in these parables? (Luke 15:7,10,24) 7. What does it mean to you that you are a person of value and that there is a party in heaven just for you at your salvation? What does it mean for you to realise that everyone else is also a person of value for whom Christ died? 8. If someone asked you, How can I become a Christian? how would you answer them? Reflection: What steps could you take to ensure that your lifestyle will provide opportunities for people to hear about Jesus?

30 Sermon Notes Study 6 BEING THE PEOPLE OF GOD Introduction Key Points & Scriptures

31 Application for the Church Application for me personally Is there something I believe God would have me understand or do as a result of this message today? What can I be praying about this week?

32 Study 6 BEING THE PEOPLE OF GOD A lone brick has virtually no value. Tossed by itself in the front yard, it is useless. It can even be a nuisance or a danger depending on who wants to pick it up and what use they want to put it to. If it is placed in the street it will get run over and worn out or broken down. It will get chipped and fragmented and it will be less than the brick it was meant to be. There in the middle of the road it may even do damage to whatever car or bike it encounters. However, a brick that is properly positioned in a wall actually functions according to design. It is supported and sustained by the other bricks around it and they each are stronger than if they sat by themselves. If each brick is placed with the others according to the builder s plans, then it will result in a useful, beautiful, purposeful and strong structure. This analogy describes the role of Believers within the church. When a Believer in Christ purposefully decides to go it alone, they are usually ineffective and can actually do harm to the body of Christ. They can be harmed themself because they are not being used in the way in which they were made. In other words, there is no such thing as a solo Believer! But when a Believer is interacting with other Believers, they help each other and fulfil God s purpose. Believers sometimes don t understand the importance of their part in the body of Christ. The church is not the place down on the corner or that building up on the hill. The church is far more than that! It is a living and dynamic organism, not an organisation. The church is people people who are eternally linked with one another through faith in Jesus Christ and who express that faith by coming together and fulfilling the purpose to which we have been called by God. God s call for us at MBC is that we would CONNECT grow SERVE as we follow Him. Let s be the people of God. Just for Starters: 1. A car bumper sticker reads, Christians aren t perfect, just forgiven! Does this slogan give the believer in Christ the freedom to do whatever they like, or is it an opportunity of praising God?

33 Group Study: Living Stones: read 1 Peter 2: What are believers to rid themselves of? (1 Peter 2:1) 2. Why are believers supposed to crave spiritual milk? (1 Peter 2:2) 3. Why did Peter compare Christ to a living stone? (1 Peter 2:4, 7-8) 4. What is significant about believers being built into a house? (1 Peter 2:5) 5. Why has God given special status to His people? (1 Peter 2:9-10) 6. Why are we to live good lives among unbelievers? (1 Peter 2:11-12) The Mortar Unity in Christ: read Ephesians 4: What characteristics should believers show? (Ephesians 4:2)

34 8. What is the key to maintaining spiritual unity? (Ephesians 4:3) 9. What will unity in the body of Christ keep believers from? (Ephesians 4:14) 10. How does your spiritual condition affect the health of the rest of the body? (Ephesians 4:16) Reflection: Read Ephesians 3: Use Paul s prayer in this passage as a model for your own prayer for yourself and for the church.