“Red Letters” Message :: For Further Consideration
Shawn Cossin :: SLW :: 01/16/11
Shawn asked, “Have you ever wondered how things are going to end up?” He spoke about his son, Daniel’s, stickers and also about tying his own tie. When it comes to the end of time, when we stand before God, have you ever wondered what that will be like?
Last week, we considered this question :: Are we really following him? Or is he following us? Discuss how you have personally pursued Christ in the past week.
Read Romans 10:9-10, then discuss these questions…
What does Paul articulate as bottom-line necessity for beginning a relationship with God?
Someone once said, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is not alone.”
Why do you think Jesus spoke so often of needing to follow His commands?
Read Matthew 7:21-23, then discuss these questions…
Have you ever acted hypocritically? How do you think God feels about that?
We can’t be perfect, but how do you stay on track with doing your best to follow Christ?
Pause for a moment in your group and pray for some weaknesses represented in your group.
Shawn talked about the “process” of how God interacts with us…
When we KNOW God, we can LOVE God
When we LOVE God, we can TRUST God
When we TRUST God, we can OBEY God
And out of all this comes the biblical reality that when we OBEY God, we really know Him.
What strikes you most about this process?
Read John 14:23-24… What does Jesus make clear here?
Read 1st John 5:3… Could it be any clearer?
Read 2nd John 1:6… Again, could it be any clearer?
Consider the story of 1st Samuel 15 (where Samuel tells Saul – King Saul – what God wants him to do. But instead of doing everything God has asked him to do, he does most of it but not all), and think about this…
Why would Shawn desire to include this in his message today? What was the purpose of reading it?
What does this story uncover about the human heart, and how does it challenge us to live right?
What a great quote, and challenging - “God’s commands are designed to guide you to life’s very best. You will not obey Him if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him.” (Henry Blackaby)
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Can you think of contemporary examples where it’s hard to hear? Can you think of voices you’ve needed to listen to over the years? Discuss what you’re doing to better “tune in” to the voice of God each day.
IN CLOSING :: Pray for each other and for our church, that we’ll increasingly reveal obedience based on love for God. We don’t want to be legalistic, but we want to be a people and a church that increasingly shows our love for God through obedience. Thanks for praying!!
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