Healthy Soul of Forgiveness

Main Thought

God created us to love Him and to one another. But we live in a fallen world where everyone sins. As a result, forgiving one another is a necessity. We forgive because Jesus forgave us first. Jesus offers forgiveness that is immediate and unconditional. He commands us to do the same. Forgiveness means that we release offenses, allow God to judge, and won’t use past offenses maliciously against the offending party. (It doesn’t mean immediate trust and restored relationship. Forgiveness is immediately given; trust is gradually earned.) If we don’t forgive others, then Jesus withholds forgiveness from us. It reveals that we don’t understand how much God forgave us from, and our relationship with Him becomes strained. Unforgiveness imprisons us. Forgiveness sets us free, while demonstrating the power of the Gospel to all who see it.

Main Passages

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.

32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

- Matthew 18:23-35 ESV

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

- Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you from last Sunday’s sermon, in the Main Thought, or in the Main Passages above?

2. Reflect on God’s forgiveness toward you. What does it mean to you?

3. Is there a situation in which you need to extend forgiveness to someone else? How might that play out practically for you? (You can be vague regarding names or other specifics, if that’s necessary or wise.)

Freedom in Christ: The Iceberg Principle

Main Thought

Almost everyone comes to Jesus looking for something. We want answers to our questions. We want Him to fix our pain and suffering. But these things are often only “the tip of the iceberg.” About 10-20 percent of an iceberg is visible above the water’s surface, while 80-90 percent lies beneath the surface. In a similar fashion, the Iceberg Principle communicates the idea that 80-90 percent of the issues in our lives actually lie beneath the surface. They’re things that we aren’t aware of, or things that we don’t want to talk about. Jesus wants to get past our surface issues. He wants to dig deeper and deliver us, help us, and sets us free.

Main Passages

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

- John 3:16 NIV

“The thief purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

- John 10:10 NLT

“Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

- John 8:31-32 NLT

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you in last Sunday’s sermon, in the Main Thought, or in the Main passages?

2. Why do you think people have a tendency to only allow Jesus access to “surface issues” in their lives?

3. What would it look like for Jesus to go past the surface in your life? How does He want to heal you or set you free?

Keys to Countering Anxiety

Main Thought

Everyone feels anxious at times. God invites us to bring our anxious feelings to Him, but that’s easier said than done. Feeling anxious can lead to anger, aimless activity, or both. The 12 Disciples probably felt and acted this way when they were trapped in a storm once. Eventually, they turned to Jesus and said: “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus DID care that the Disciples were in a dangerous storm. He was in the boat with them!

In a similar way, Jesus is “in our boat.” He faced his own anxiety-inducing situations. He was questioned by the authorities of his day; He was threatened with violence; and, eventually, He died as an innocent man on the Cross. In the face of these situations, Jesus humbly trusted the Father. Our problems can be big - but God is still bigger. Jesus was confident in the Father’s care for Him, and He moved forward with divine assurance. These three keys can help us stand strong in anxious moments too.

Main Passages

36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

- Mark 4:38

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

- 1 Peter 5:6-7

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

- Proverbs 3:5-6

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. Have you battled anxious emotions recently? What happened?

3. What makes it hard for you believe that God cares for you? What helps you remember God’s care for you?

When We're Stuck

Main Thought

Everyone feels “stuck” sometimes. Bad or unexpected things happen. We become disillusioned with our lives or in our relationship with God. We feel helpless, weary, and empty. These seasons of difficulty, sometimes called “Walls” or “Dark Nights of the Soul,” come and go throughout life. We usually can’t do anything to make our seasons of difficulty end sooner, just like we can’t make the heat of the Las Vegas summer end sooner. 

We are able to adapt to our current season and prepare for the coming seasons. But it’s God who changes the seasons. We can deepen our trust in God as we wait on Him to change things. Meanwhile, God uses our Walls and Dark Nights to change us. He uses our trials like a loving fire that purifies our character and strengthens our souls. If we pause at our Walls, reflect on what God’s doing in us, and participate with Him, then we’ll leave our worst moments as better versions of ourselves.

Main Passages

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

- Psalm 69:1-3

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. 14 Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 15 Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.

- Psalm 69:13-15

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

- James 1:2-4

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. Have you ever faced your own “wall” or “dark night of the soul”? What happened?

3. Has God ever used your trials to transform you for the better, or could He be doing that right now? How can we participate with Him in the process?

How to be Yourself

Culture is obsessed with the idea of finding one’s self. Christians believe that God created mankind - but it goes even further than that. God created each of us as unique individuals with unique identities. Instead of creating our own identities, we are meant to receive our identities as a gift from God. Every part of who we are - our emotions, our personalities, our passions - make the most sense in Him.

Instead, we often try to create our identities with the help of different “masks.” We mask ourselves with performance, or the things we can do; with possessions, or the things that we have; and with popularity, or the way others think of us. All of these things are insufficient to provide identity because they’re subject to change. If we recognize our masks and remove them, then God can reveal our identities. He helps us see who we’re made to be, and teaches us to be ourselves.

Main Passages

“And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

- Luke 4:2-3

5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

- Luke 4:5-7

9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here…

- Luke 4:9-12

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

- Luke 3:21-22

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. Which one of the three masks - performance, possessions, or popularity - have you struggled with most recently?

3. How can God help us become the best versions of ourselves?

Going Back to Go Forward

Main Thought

In life, sometimes we find ourselves going the wrong direction. Maybe you made a bad decision or followed some bad advice. Maybe it wasn’t your fault and you’re in a bad situation because of somebody else’s choices and now you’re off course. The good news is you’re not stuck!. You can change course by making a decision to follow God. It starts with something called “repentance” which literally means to turn or change direction. But Once we change direction we must continue walking in that direction by living a life of repentance. If we do this we will arrive at the destination God intended for us. 

Main Passages:

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, - Romans 5:12-20                                      

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. - Deuteronomy 28:1-2

15 “But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Deuteronomy 28:15

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. - Galations 3:13-14

Discussion Questions:

1. What stands out to you from the main thought or passages above?

2. Describe one or two positive actions or attitudes that you feel you inherited from your parents. If you feel comfortable, discuss any negative ones.

3. Do you feel like your life is going in the right direction? Is there an area of your life that you feel is stuck or going in circles? If so, is there someone you trust that you can speak to for help?

Don't Quit, Find your Grit

Main Thought

You may not want to hear this but all christians suffer. Either you have, you are, or you will. But God doesn’t randomly allow us to experience tough seasons. Sometimes God leads us to them and through them because he has a purpose in them. Most of us are familiar with the term, IQ or Intelligence Quotient. It indicates a person’s mental ability. A less familiar term is something called AQ or Adversity Quotient. AQ measures how effectively one responds to adversity and their ability to continue to work through it. When it comes to success in life, scientists and psychologists agree that AQ is more important than IQ. A more simple description of AQ would be GRIT, which is the ability to persevere over a long period of time without giving up. You won’t find the word grit in the Bible. But God’s word describes grit in other ways like, endurance and steadfastness. The bible informs us that “in this world there will be trouble” (John 16:33). Therefore, we need grit to make it through the tough seasons of life. The good news is grit can be developed. But grit alone is not enough. We also need God’s grace which is enough when grit runs out. When we encounter difficult times the Bible encourages us to endure and persevere because there is a reward which comes in the form of changed lives. First yours and eventually others.

Main Passages:

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.  8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:1-10

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- Galations 6:9

38 Then he (Jesus) said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
- Matthew 26:38-39

Discussion Questions:

1. On a scale of 1-5, when you experience difficult times, what would you say is your “GRIT” level? (1 = You give up easily and 5 = You’re the king of the grind) Briefly explain your answer. 

2. During difficult times, do you typically rely on your own effort or do you typically ask God for help? Why?

3. How will this week’s topic change the way approach difficult seasons of life moving forward?

We Need Spiritual Formation

Main Thought

Disciples are people who follow God, fish for people (by sharing their faith in Jesus), and fellowship with other believers. There are great things that we need to do. But are they enough to secure a long-lasting relationship with God, healthy relationships with others, or a life of service in His Kingdom? No. We need spiritual formation! Spiritual formation is the process by which God transforms us internally. The goal of spiritual formation is to help us love Jesus with all we have, and to look like Him in all areas of our “inner being.” Our inner being includes our emotional health, mental health, our family history and hurts, our sin, and our character development. It’s every part of us that we can’t see - and God wants to use every situation as a tool for spiritual formation. Formation begins when we ask, “Who am I becoming?” Good actions flow from us naturally when good change is happening inside us.

Main Passages

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

- Matthew 4:19

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

- Mark 12:30

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

- Romans 8:28-29

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and/or Passages above?

2. What part of your “inner being” needs the most growth, or spiritual formation, right now?

3. In this season of your life, how is God calling you to become more like Jesus? Who are you becoming?

Wrestling for Change

Main Thought

Jacob was a known deceiver. He even lied to his family in order to get what he wanted. As a result, he eventually needed to wrestled with life - which included situations that he helped create. He wrestled with himself internally. His spirit and emotions faced moments of inner turmoil like ours do. But Jacob also wrestled with the Divine and encountered God. That’s when he finally faced the truth. God touched Jacob’s hip, injuring him and caused him to walk differently. Then, God gave Jacob a new name. He was recognized as a new person.

Change starts to happen inside us when we admit the truth about ourselves. We allow God into the dark and difficult parts of our lives. This can include our emotions, our character flaws, or the lies we’ve come to believe about ourselves. It can hurt, but that’s when God can touch us and change us. Then we’ll begin to discover the incredible things God wants to do in us and through us. We can become new too.

Main Passages

6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed…

- Genesis 32:6-7

24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”

- Genesis 32:24-27

28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip

- Genesis 32:28-31

Discussion Questions

1. Is there a situation or circumstance that you’re wrestling right now?

2. Have you wrestled with your own spirit and/or emotions recently? If so, why?

3. What difficult truth have you discovered about yourself in the situations you mentioned? How might God be trying to help you change and grow?