The Joyful Slave Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/February 24, 2013
The Joyful Slave Sermon Notes February 24, 2013 Write any notes from the week here I. The Bond Servant of Jesus A. Paul bound by the Spirit He HAD to go to Jerusalem He expected suffering and imprisonment in Jerusalem B. New Testament Bond Servants All the New Testament writers saw themselves as slaves of Jesus Paul Peter John James The servant concept mixed lovingly with sonship C. The Bond Servant Old Testament Concept Exodus 21: 1-7 A loving slave A slave for life D. Paul s View on Being a Bond Slave of Jesus & Righteousness Romans 6 Free from sin Free from the law Slaves of righteousness A slave of God is the most free person on earth 2 19
Read Acts 21:1-14 Table Talk Teens II. Bound and Determined to Finish Well A. No guilt B. No blood on his hands C. He has obeyed the Holy Spirit D. He has known his purpose and followed it fully Question One: Who compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem even though he may face imprisonment and hardships? Question Two: Share why you think Paul had to go to Jerusalem, knowing that there was potential danger facing him. Question Three: If you were compelled by the Holy Spirit, would you be willing to do whatever God wanted you to do? Question Four: One reason this trip to Jerusalem was important to Paul was that he was taking an offering to Jerusalem believers. Paul wanted to make this presentation of money in order to fortify one of his basic doctrines, the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ. Would you be willing to face danger for the cost of unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ? 18 3
Life Group Questions for February 24, 2013 Message =The Joyful Slave Ice Breaker: Tell about one of the most powerful and meaningful moments in your life. Read Acts 20: 17-38. 1. What do you observe about this passage? 2. Have someone read verse 21 again. Based on this verse, what was the core theme that Paul taught? 3. Based on verse 22, why was Paul going to Jerusalem? What does verse 23 say awaits Paul in Jerusalem? What does this say about Paul s relationship with God? 4. Does your concept of God include the idea that He might lead you into suffering? Please explain. 5. Have someone read verse 24. Paul desperately wanted to finish well. Define for the rest of the group what you think it would look like for you to finish well. 6. Have someone read verses 29-30 again. What was Paul concerned about? Do you think his concerns were valid? Have you ever seen a church destroyed from the inside out? Please tell about it. Elementary Acts 21:1-15 Table Talk Day 1: Before you read this week's passage, I would like to give you a brief summary of the previous chapter. In Acts 20 we read about Paul saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders. In Acts 21: 1-15 you will read about Paul deciding to go to Jerusalem. Read Acts 21: 1-15. Was Paul encouraged by others to venture to Jerusalem (v. 12)? Why did they not want him to go? Day 2: Have your parents ever asked you to do something that you were less than thrilled about doing? (Think of a time.) Did they have a good reason for asking you to do what they wanted you to do? (The answer, of course, is "yes" because your parents want you to learn and grow, etc.) Paul was led by God to go to Jerusalem even though the people did not want him to go and even though he was warned of being bound and handed over to the Gentiles! He made God's will for his life his will for his life! Day 3: Is there something in your life that you think God might want you to do that you are not currently doing? Perhaps it's as simple as inviting someone different to sit at lunch with you, someone that you aren't particularly fond of but who is in need of a good friend. Obeying God and doing what He wants us to do is always the right thing. Did you know that God has a plan for you? Did you know that that plan is for your good, and not to harm you! Read Jeremiah 29:11 and ask God to lead you and your life! 7. Throw out some words that describe Paul s relationship with God. 8. Pray for one another. 4 17
Table Talk Preschool & Nursery: Day 1: Read Acts 20:13-21:36 Explain that Paul is traveling by ship to a town called Jerusalem. This is where the Holy Spirit is leading him. Even though he does not know exactly what might happen to him there, he knew that there would be hardships to endure, just like in his other journeys. The Ephesian elders were scared for his safety. Paul left encouraging instructions with the elders and other believers from Ephesus. Discuss what it means to be encouraging and give an example of when you encouraged someone else. Day 2: One of Paul s encouragements was to set a good example as a believer and work hard to earn money and help the weak. Share a story of a time when you shared your money or possessions with someone who was in need. Discuss ways to be a good example to others. Memory Verse:...remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. -Acts 20:35 Day 3: Talk about how the Ephesian elders were sad to see Paul go, but they were encouraged to know that if they lived a life as Paul modeled for them, they could live a life that was right, trustworthy, and pleasing to Jesus. Discuss some of the things Paul did in his life that we can do too. (Look to his attitudes, actions, and speech.) Paul boldly told others the truth about Jesus, loved and encouraged others, and he listened carefully and obeyed the Holy Spirit. Activity: As a family, see if there is anything that you have that you can give to someone in need. If you like, get more specific and find a charity that you could collectively give of your time, money, or possessions. Involve your children in your giving. Personal Devotion Pages The following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom. LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God. BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol: INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol: ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him. These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming. Enjoy! 16 5
Day One 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read and meditate on Acts 20: 17-38. 3. What would you say is the primary reason you are on the earth? Memorize Romans 6: 15-16. Memorize Romans 6: 15-18. Memorize Romans 6: 12-18. Day Five Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. ~Acts 20:26, 27, NAS I am deeply encouraged by Paul s words in these statements. Here is a real human being who accomplished what God created them to do while on this earth. He finished well. All of us are created for some specific purpose. Paul was created to plant churches in the Mediterranean world and preach Jesus. Some of us today are called of God to preach, others to cook, and others to work on computers. Whatever the call of God on our lives, if it is done to His glory and without compromising His truth, it is a legitimate calling. Some of us never do get a clear understanding of what God made us to do as a vocation. For those people, I believe Jesus and Paul would say that their primary call in life is to obey the Holy Spirit and glorify Jesus in everything. Paul teaches us that we can live for God completely. He not only teaches it, he models it. Paul shows us that following God s plan for our lives impacts others. He confidently says, I am innocent of the blood of all men. He knows that his actions and motivations impact others. Perhaps the greatest prayer of my life is that I will finish well. Not many of us do. Not many in the Bible did. Diligence to the end is a rare commodity. Father, I pray that you will not let me veer off of Your course for my life even one millimeter. Holy Spirit, take control of my life and lead me by Your peace and Your word. 6 15
Day Five 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Meditate on Psalm 13. 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you today in any way He would like to speak. Give Him permission to say things that you do not want to hear. Day One And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. ~Acts 20:22, 23, NLT This conversation lets us in on the splash the Christian church has made in the Roman Empire. Many people have come to repentance and faith, bringing transformation and joy to thousands. However, the movement has catalyzed many Jews into vehement hatred for Paul and the apostles. Their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah has brought about an inevitable clash of world views. They now want Paul dead. As Paul gives a tearful goodbye to the elders of the Ephesian church, he lets them in on his motives for going back to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit graciously and lovingly draws Paul into the lair of the lions. His love for Paul also compels the Spirit to tell Paul that if he obeys, chains and suffering lie ahead. On one hand, we see the beautiful way the Holy Spirit leads us. He is gracious, loving, kind, and compelling. He is never demanding or controlling. Manipulation for selfish purposes is from the dark kingdom, not from the Lord. He lovingly compels Paul to walk boldly into suffering for His name s sake. 4. Finish your Bible memorization today. On the other hand, we see Paul s loving response. His greatest delight is obeying the Spirit. This theme of loving slavery to the Spirit sews itself throughout Paul s life and writings. Father, I am Your slave! Lead me where You will! 14 7
Day Two 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read and meditate on Romans 6. 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to begin transforming your character in such a way that you praise Him when troubles come. 4. Meditate on 6: 1-18. Put your name in where Paul says, You and personalize this prayer for yourself. 5. Continue memorizing and meditating on the scriptures for this week. Day Four And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd God s flock--his church, purchased with his blood--over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following. ~Acts 20:28-30, NLT Paul s admonition to the Elders of the Ephesian church shows the heart of a father and apostle eager to care for the flock of Jesus church. He is well aware of the schemes of the enemy, who, if he cannot persecute the church into oblivion, will attack from the inside, causing schisms and heresies to divide her. Paul sees the need for the leaders of the church to protect her from divisions and heresies. His letters to the churches will continually address wrong teaching, wrong thinking, and wrong theology. Paul believed in the organized church, something we find little of in this day and time. He risked his life to establish the organized church. Over time, heresies, wrong theologies, and selfish motives crept into the church that Paul fought so hard to establish. It is this corrupt version of the church that so many wish to escape. But the church will never be perfect as long as imperfect people attend and lead. Father, teach me to give grace to others in the church. Teach me to pray for those in leadership that they may boldly preach truth without compromise. Show me how to live in a way that glorifies Jesus. 8 13
Day Four 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Meditate on Romans 6 again today. Day Two If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life. ~Exodus 21:6 The New Testament writers, no matter their race or socioeconomic background, saw themselves as bond slaves of Jesus the Messiah. They all, with loving hearts, take this concept from the Old Testament law about bond slaves. 3. Take time to confess these things: I am no longer a slave to sin, but a slave to righteousness. I am free from sin. My life has been crucified with Christ, and my past is His past. My future is Jesus future. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. God set forth in the law a provision for the release of slaves every seventh year. However, if a man or woman loved their master and wanted to stay under his authority for life, they could choose to be a bond slave. If this was agreeable to both parties, the master would take the slave publicly to the doorpost of his home and punch a hole in the slave s earlobe with an awl. From that day forward, the slave would wear a loop earring signifying that he or she was a bond slave. They were marked for life and joyfully wore the earring of a person who chose their own fate. As we read the New Testament, we find the common introduction by the writers as the bond slave of the Lord, or the servant of the Lord. In the Greek, this word is doulos and it always means bond slave. These writers see themselves as loving slaves of Jesus Christ. They have chosen their fate and happily choose the title that places them under the kind, loving authority of the Master of the universe. Father, I choose this day to be Your slave. I am no longer a slave of sin, or of self, but I am Your slave! 12 9
Day Three 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Meditate again on Acts 20: 17-38. 3. Bring at least three friends or loved ones to the Lord and ask Him to bring them to repentance and faith. Ask Him to show you how you can boldly love them and speak the words of Jesus into their lives. Day Three Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God s grace. ~Romans 6: 14 This bond servant theme, though it sounds like slavery, is truly the most freeing concept in the New Testament. Paul declares boldly in Romans 6 that I have died with Christ. A common theme in today s books and movies is when a person who is in big trouble fakes their death and then takes on a new identity. Believe it or not, this is a Biblical concept! However, my death is not a fake! Jesus, my great substitute, took my life with Him on the cross. He took my sin, my past mistakes, my past foolishness, and my past reputation and nailed it on the cross with Him. I had made a conscious decision to be a slave to the law, which automatically makes me a slave to sin. Then, when Jesus was resurrected, I was IN HIM! I was raised to a new life, a new identity, and a new master! I am no longer under the law or under sin, but under righteousness! When I struggle to get free from sin, Satan has deceived me to believe that I am still under my old master - for IN CHRIST, I am free from the law and free from sin. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. The news is almost too good to swallow. I am now a slave of Jesus, not of sin. My identity is rewritten in Him. His past is now MY past, His future is now MY future. I am His bond servant. Jesus, I joyfully take on my new identity IN CHRIST! I receive Your freedom and Your authority in my life! I am Your servant! 10 11