COME, SEE, GO, TELL Sermon Study Guide for February 6, 2011 Matthew 28:1-7 The gospelcentered life is a life where a Christian experiences a growing personal reliance on the gospel that protects him from depending on his own religious performance and being seduced and overwhelmed by idols. The gospel centered life produces: Confidence (Heb. 3:14; 4:16) When the gospel is central in our lives we have confidence before God – not because of our achievements, but because of Christ’s atonement. We can approach God knowing that he receives us as his children. We do not allow our sins to anchor us to guilt and despair, but their very presence in our lives compels us to flee again and again to Christ for grace that restores our spirits and gives us strength. Intimacy (Heb. 7:25; 10:22; James 4:8) When the gospel is central in our lives we have and maintain intimacy with God, not because of our religious performance, but because of Jesus’ priestly ministry. We know that Jesus is our mediator with God the Father and that he has made perfect peace for us through his sacrifice allowing us to draw near to God with the eager expectation of receiving grace, not judgment.
Joe Thorn
We began a series of message surrounding our capital campaign, “Renew for Our Future”. Be sure you have seen the video posted on our website. In your small groups or study sessions, read and consider Matthew 28:19. Answer these questions as you begin your time together: 1. How many years/months have you been attending Christ Church? What are the changes you have seen and experienced over that period of time? How have you changed in your spiritual walk as a result of the ministry at Christ Church? What has been the most influential part of this ministry for you? 2. Read Matthew 28:1-7. What is the angel asking them to “come and see”? How is Christianity based on an event instead of (as in other religions) a philosophy, a book, or an ethical code of conduct? Read 1 Corinthians 15:14. What does Paul say about the Resurrection and its importance? 3. When you “came and saw” in your own faith, what did you see? What happened to convince you of the truth of the Christian faith? If you are not yet totally convinced, what would need to happen for you to “come and see”? 4. I mentioned in the message that people’s hearts are changed when they “get” the Gospel message. They begin to see that the love of God has fully provided for them through the empty tomb. This is a “grace awakening” in which we begin to realize the great love of God. Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and comment on how this is the supreme example of God’s Grace in our life. 5. Read the excerpt on the left. What does a “gospel-centered” life mean to you? 6. How has the gospel been communicated and/or received by the generation of people behind you (i.e., your own children and/or grandchildren)? 7. Jewish couples have Jewish babies and Muslim couples have Muslim babies. But Christian couples do not have Christian babies. Every person must come to faith on his/her own. Jesus said they must be “reborn” (John 3). Comment on this statement. What does it mean that ‘God has no grandchildren’? 8. One of the greatest challenges today is reaching the next generation with this Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What, in your opinion, are the strengths of the culture today? What are the real challenges of this culture? 9. How can/should Christ Church reach the next generation? What advice would you give me (Fr. David) and/or our staff leadership? Feel free to email me at DavidR@ChristChurchPlano.org