This is Jesus, Saying to You, Come!

THIS IS JESUS! Alpha and Omega The Way Shepherd Rock Anchor Vine King Immanuel JESUS Christ The Truth Lamb of God Messiah Light Savior Son of Man Son of God The Life Lord I AM Master What will you do with HIM? “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” ~ John 15:5 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” ~ John 10:27 Week 28 June 3-9 Sermon Notes Matthew 14:22-33 This is Jesus, Saying To You, “Come!” 1. Jesus had a lesson to teach the disciples. He always has a lesson to teach us. Learn it! 2. If Jesus needed time alone with God, you certainly do! 3. Obedience to Jesus is no guarantee of being spared adversity. It is not necessarily safer to be in God’s will, but it is better. That is where you experience his presence and power. 4. It is not only in times of crisis that you need faith. You are always called to follow, trust and obey Jesus. 5. Jesus knows your situation and limits, but He will push you to endure more than you think you can handle so that you learn to trust Him. 6. The very thing the disciples feared, Jesus walked all over. The things you fear, Jesus can walk all over. 7. Jesus’ first words were not to calm the storm, but to calm their hearts. Are you more concerned with the “storm stopping” or Jesus being with you? 8. If Jesus commands it, even the impossible is possible. 9. Peter didn’t manufacture an adventure so that Jesus had to perform a miracle, instead he joined Jesus in what He was doing. When Jesus invites you to join Him, He will give you all the power you need. 10.The ultimate test of faith is to obey when all you have to go on is the word of Jesus. 11.Yes, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink, but at least he was willing to get out of the boat! When you do begin to sink, do what Peter did, call on Jesus to save you! 12.While they all worshiped Jesus, surely Peter had the deeper sense of awe because he experienced the power of Jesus. When the time comes that Jesus sees you through the storm, be sure to praise Him. A Season To Flourish! Producing Nourished Rooted This Is Jesus! ~ Prayer Journal I pray for my family (List names and prayer requests for each.) This Is Jesus! ~ Prayer Journal I PRAISE God because He is … I pray for my church family and ministry (Note requests) I CONFESS (agree with God ) my failures and His mercy … I pray for those in my life who need the Lord 1. 5. 2. 6. 3. 7. 4. 8. I pray for these missionaries, evangelists and ministries I pray for my nation, community and these world issues: I THANK God because He has … I ASK God to … 1. Lead me, my family, and our church to know, to trust and to abide in Christ. May we walk as He walked, may we love others with His heart, may we speak truth with His wisdom, may we be transformed by His presence in our lives and through it all glorify God. This Is Jesus! This Is Jesus! Monday, June 3 Tuesday, June 4 Living With Hope Today, we begin a journey to discover what hope is, what hope does, and how to strengthen hope. We will also consider why we sometimes lose hope and what to do when that happens. Read Psalm 39:1-8. How would you define hope? Living With Hope Hope is confident expectation, not a mere wish for something. Hope is a desire for something good to happen. People set their hearts on hope and base their lives on hope. The issue is what is your expectation and what do you desire to happen? Read Psalm 71:1-16. Where is solid hope found? What is it that only God can do? What is the source of hope? Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-24. Do you think Jesus said, “Oops, I didn’t realize I was sending them into that mess - my bad!” when He saw them struggling agains the storm? Do you think Jesus caused the storm, or simply knew it was coming and took advantage of it to teach the disciples a lesson? When you face a storm - whether of your own making, a temptation or attack from Satan, or just a natural occurrence do you think it surprises Jesus? If not, then what does that tell you? Don’t ever think being a Christian means you won’t face storms, and life will always be smooth sailing! Why do you think Jesus allows you to endure struggle before He comes to you? The next time you are enduring a struggle what will you do? Begin memorizing Matthew 14:29. Write it out here and voice it out loud as you write it. Sharing God’s Love (Continuing counsel of how to love people who are grieving.) There is one more thing to not say to someone who is grieving that can be harmful. Be very hesitant to say that their death is, “God’s will.” In some cases, it may be God’s will, in others it may not be. You are not God, so don’t speak for Him. You want to help people turn to God and not away from God in bitterness. Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-27. Jesus allowed the disciples to struggle agains the wind from the evening to the 4th watch (3-6 AM). Is your faith and character proven in times of peace, comfort and ease or in times of trouble and stress? Do you think Jesus would have waited so long if He knew they were going to sink? Doesn’t He always know the right timing to come to you? Do you always remember that? So the disciples were screaming in stark terror when Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” What difference does the presence of Jesus make to you when you are in a crisis? In what specific ways does Jesus give you courage? Read this weeks memory verse out loud 3 times - slowly. Sharing God’s Love What can you say to someone who is grieving? All of these depend on the situation and how recently the loss occurred. 1. Don’t just say, “I am sorry.” Add, “I know they were very special to you.” Or, “I miss them too.” Or, “I am praying for you.” Or, “May I hug you?” 2. “Please don’t worry about crying in front of me, I am here to support you.” 3. Ask! “If you want me to do something, say something, pray, sit for a while or leave I will do it.” This Is Jesus! This Is Jesus! Wednesday, June 5 Thursday, June 6 Living With Hope Did you know that the word “hope” is only found in the Gospels once or twice? (Depending on which version of the Bible) Why would that be? Jesus was with them! Hope had come, the Savior was there. Then in the rest of the New Testament “hope” is used around 80 times. Why is that? Read Titus 1:1,2. Living With Hope Read 1 Peter 1:3,4. Jesus was crucified and His followers lost hope. Jesus was resurrected and His followers regained hope. Jesus returned to heaven and His followers continued to live with the certain hope of His return. Believers still do today. We eagerly expect and wait on Jesus to take us to our eternal home. How does that affect you today? Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-29. When Peter saw Jesus he didn’t say, “Jesus, you crazy guy! What are you doing out there? Get in the boat with us where it is safe.” Do you ever try to persuade God to keep your life easy and comfortable? Why do you think Peter wanted to go out to be with Jesus? Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-29. Often we sing, “Wherever He leads I’ll go” but is that really true for you? Some people have “boats” that they are comfortable in and won’t dare jump out of. They are afraid they might fail or even sink! If you have a “boat” like that what is it? Some people say, “Someone has to stay with the boat!” Do you ever make excuses to keep from stepping out in faith? Such as? You have to learn to discern the difference between a foolish impulse and faithful obedience. You must have the wisdom and assurance that Jesus is calling you. Only when Jesus says, “Come!” do you go. Write this weeks memory verse, on a card and post it where you will see it often. Read it every time you see it. Sharing God’s Love More things to say to someone who is grieving: 4. Please don’t worry about what your home looks like (or whatever they apologize for.) Offer to be there, or to help take care of anything that needs to be done. 5. I have not been through what you’re facing, but I want you to know I love you and will be here for you. 6. It is not wrong to feel angry and frustrated. God can handle your feelings. Other people are afraid of what’s “out there” that keeps them from stepping out in faith - even though Jesus is out there! Would you rather play it safe by yourself, or step out to be with Jesus? Why? Read the memory verse over and over, each time emphasizing and considering the next key word. Sharing God’s Love Things to say after some time has passed: 1. Can you tell me a little about his death? What happened? 2. How have things really been with you and your family? 3. If there has been a difficult issue to deal with, depending on your relationship and without merely being nosy, ask how things are going and if there is anything you can do. 4. Ask about the children. If appropriate offer to take the kids out for ice cream or whatever. This Is Jesus! This Is Jesus! Friday, June 7 Saturday, June 8 Living With Hope Instead of setting their hope on Jesus, some choose other things or people. Name some examples: Living With Hope Read Ecclesiastes 5:15. The problem with setting your hope on things or people is that there is a time limit on all of them. Beauty fades, there is never enough money, people fail you or die, things break, careers end, … So when hope in those fades or dies, then what? What will motivate you? What will strengthen you? You may have mentioned things like loosing weight, having a family, winning the lottery, having a great career, … Read James 1:10,11. Why will hope in each of these things ultimately fail? Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-31. Jesus didn’t say, “Hold on Peter, let me calm the waves down first.” It would have made it easier, but Jesus isn’t interested in a weak faith. Both the storms you face and the calling Jesus makes on your life are used to strengthen your faith. So whether it is a storm such as family turmoil, job stress, financial struggle, disease, pain, temptation, … Or whether it is Jesus calling you to step out and love someone, to share your faith, to abandon a sin, to volunteer for a ministry, to build up your spouse or kids, … The question is will you keep your eyes on Jesus and let Him walk through the storm with you, or will you freak out? Can you identify circumstances in which you tend to take your eyes off of Jesus? What can you do to handle those circumstances differently? Recite the memory verse until you can do it all from memory. Sharing God’s Love Other things to say and discuss: 1. Talk about the person who died and mention their name. Don’t fear that it may cause tears. They are constantly on their mind anyway. But don’t press hard. Give them time. 2. Ask what some of their favorite memories are. 3. Ask how they met. Ask about the persons background. Say, “Can you tell me about her.” “How did you meet?” Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-33. In what way(s) do you need to “get out of the boat and walk on water with Jesus?” Getting out of the boat is the only way to grow in faith and have victory over fear. Getting out of the boat is the only way to discover and obey your calling. Getting out of the boat is the only way to experience the fact that Jesus is faithful. (And even if you look away for a moment, Jesus will catch you when you call out to Him.) Getting out of the boat is the only way to be with Jesus. Find some way to share the memory verse with someone else. Maybe in a card, a phone call, in a random conversation. Sharing God’s Love Grief is a process to work through and no one proceeds on the same schedule or path. However, you should encourage the positive things they are doing in their grief. Such as talking, praying, taking one moment or one day at a time, claiming promises of Scripture, … This Is Jesus! Sunday, June 9 Living With Hope People like to have things to hope in - their strengths and abilities, a political leader, a job, a bottle, a team, a fantasy, … Why? Read James 5:7,8. Do you like to be patient? Does anyone? Other words for patience are “wait” and … “hope!” What are you to do while patiently hoping? Why is that important? Growing In Faith Read Matthew 14:22-33. Where are you? I’m huddled down on the bottom of the boat with a life preserver on. I’m looking at others walking on water and thinking they are stark raving crazy. I’m looking at others walking on water and thinking I want to be out there with them. I’ve got one leg in the boat, and one leg out. I’m out of the boat – but the wind is starting to look bad. Oops, I took my eyes off of Jesus and I’m sinking. I’m walking on the water with Jesus and loving it. I have walked on water with Jesus and now He has taken me safely to the other side, now I fall at His feet and shout, “He is the Son of God!” Where should you be? What are you willing to do to be there? Notes _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Sharing God’s Love What have others said or done for you that you appreciated when you were grieving (or that you witnessed)? _________________________________________________________ What about negative or hurtful things that were said or done? Answers to blanks in sermon notes: Learn it, Jesus, adversity, crisis, endure, walked, hearts, impossible, invites, obey, sink, awe Next week we will consider what acts might be of help. _________________________________________________________