Week of June 13, 2010 The Grateful Disciple Luke 7:36-50 Reflections on this week s message: Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Luke 7:40-43 What do you owe Jesus? Are you thankful for all that He has done for you? Jesus used the illustration above with Simon because Simon was judging the woman who anointed and kissed Jesus feet. Simon and the rest of the community knew this woman to be one, as the writer states, who had lived a sinful life... So, Simon, and others, thought it inappropriate that this sinful woman would be even touching Jesus, let alone making this display of weeping and anointing and wiping His feet with her hair. Jesus, on the other hand, sees this as an honest response to His love and mercy. The one with the larger debt will naturally be more appreciative of the money lender who cancels his debt. So, I ask again; what do you owe Jesus? Are you aware of the debt that He cancelled for you? Without Jesus and His sacrifice, we would all be condemned to Hell for all of eternity. He paid the price for our redemption. Are you thankful for what your Lord has given? The woman in this story had lived a sinful life, she had a reputation, she heard about Jesus and His message of love and the Kingdom of God. It is possible that she had been in the crowd for some of His teaching and saw in Him the hope she needed to lift her to a new life. So she washed His feet with her tears, kissed His feet and anointed them with her most valued possession. This woman worshipped Jesus, while those around her sat in judgment of her. Jesus recognized the sincere love and devotion of this woman; he saw her heart and extended His grace to her. Jesus comes to each of us. Do we receive Him like Simon the Pharisee or like this woman who worshipped Him out of her gratitude? Jesus has cancelled your debt; are you grateful? Love, Pastor Joe Prayer Starter: Getting Started: Grab your bible & journal & find a quiet, comfortable spot to begin your daily Bible reading. You may want to play your favorite hymn or praise music softly in the background. Light a candle & spend a few minutes relaxing, quieting your mind. Keep a notebook nearby to jot down distractions that interfere with your focus to put them out of your mind to deal with later. To prepare to focus on God & His Word, try one of the prayer exercises found under Spiritual Growth Resources. Then pray the suggested prayer starter personalizing it to your needs & desire for God s guidance. This Week's Prayer Starter: Dear Jesus, I come to you today in need of your loving grace. Lift me up, Lord. I want to give you my heart, but sometimes it just seems so hard to let go. You offer the promise of life everlasting, and yet, I hesitate. Open my heart & mind to your teaching today as I spend time in your Word. Help me to surrender my heart & life to you. Help me to recognize my sin & seek your forgiving love. Help me to recognize you as my Savior. Help me to express my love for you & worship you out of my gratitude. Thank you, Jesus, for all you have done for me. Help me to live my life for you. AMEN.
day 1 week of June 13 Read Luke 7:36-50 Why do you think this woman came to the Pharisee s house? What risk did she take in doing so? What does Jesus see in this woman? How are you like this woman? What was Jesus purpose in telling the parable in verses 41-43? Do you receive Jesus like Simon the Pharisee or like this woman who worshipped Him out of her gratitude? What needs to happen for you to feel the kind of forgiveness this woman felt? What is the most loving thing you have ever done for Jesus? Reread verses 48 & 50. Are there any sweeter words than these? Choose one person in this story with whom you identify most. Read the passage again, imagining & experiencing everything from that person s perspective. Talk with Jesus about what this experience stirs in you. day 2 week of June 13 Read Mark 2:1-12 What quality do the men in this story possess that impresses you the most? If you had friends who would take you to Jesus for healing today, what kind of healing would you ask for? Why did Jesus say to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven? What did Jesus actions reveal about himself & the kingdom? What freedom has Jesus words of forgiveness given to you? Do you know someone in need of this same freedom, love, & grace? What sacrifice might you make to bring them to the feet of Jesus? Listen to an audio recording of this passage (www.myfairhopeumc.net & click on online sermons) or have someone read this passage to you. Close your eyes & listen intently as Jesus says, Your sins are forgiven.
day 3 week of June 13 Read Matthew 9:9-13 What is surprising about Jesus choice of Matthew? Why? What is Jesus response to the Pharisee s criticism? How do you think the Pharisees reacted to Jesus response? How might you have responded? If Jesus really does forgive sin, why do many Christians struggle with their forgiveness? Are you aware of the debt that Jesus has cancelled for you? Are you grateful? Remembering how God has been merciful towards you, take a risk today and show mercy to someone whom might be considered an outsider. day 4 week of June 13 Read Psalm 51:1-19 Do you lead a sinful life? What stirs in you as you read this passage? What do you learn about sin in verse 4? What is the psalmist asking in verse 12? Why does the Lord desire a broken spirit & contrite heart? Have you sinned? Do you need Jesus? How have you experienced God s mercy when you have owned up to your sin? What debt has Jesus cancelled for you? Are you thankful for all that He has done for you? Reread this passage, paraphrasing to fit your life, as a prayer between you and God. Surrender yourself & come weep at the foot of the cross.
day 5 week of June 13 Read 1 John 1:5-2:6 What is your attitude toward the sins with which you struggle? Do you recognize who you are? Do you recognize who Jesus is? How does it make you feel to know that Jesus speaks to God in your defense? What do you learn about truth & grace from this passage? In what ways have you seen, heard, & touched Jesus? What do you owe Jesus? Are you thankful for all that He has done for you? How has God s love been made complete in you? Prayerfully consider what these words mean to you, Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace. Thank Jesus for what He has done for you. After reflecting & praying through this week s readings & sermon teaching, I feel God is nudging me to take these steps:
Dig Deeper: CHARACTERISTICS OF MATURE DISCIPLES Read through the qualities of mature disciples listed below and spend some time exploring the related scriptures. What does it mean to be a mature disciple? In what ways is God calling you to grow in your faith? What steps might God be leading you to take to help you in this process? Find a trusted friend to give you some honest feedback & help you to be accountable as you seek to grow as a mature disciple. Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 * Clear evidence of growth in faith * Commitment to spiritual disciplines/practices that support and encourage faith development * Reaching out in service/ministry to others in the community * Seeking faith sharing opportunities * A generous heart toward God in their giving and use of their spiritual gifts * Evidence that the living presence of Christ is in them (we see the Fruit of the Spirit emerging from their lives) * Aware of/seeking to be faithful to the Great Commission and the Greatest Commandment (love God and neighbor) * Integrates faith and life; seeing work, family, social relationships, and political choices as part of one s religious life * An overall attitude that resembles/represents Christ to others Additional Scripture Readings: Galatians 5:22-26 Hebrews 12:5-7 John 15:16 Acts 20:32 Hebrews 12:2 James 1:2-4 Jude 1:20 1 Corinthians 3:2 Hebrews 5:12-14 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! 2 Peter 3:18 John 8:31 If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.