June 28 Sermon Notes & Devotional

Really Knowing Christ’s Love                                             June 28, 2009

Ephesians 3:16-19

Sermon Notes

At first sight it seems strange for Paul to pray that Christ may dwell in the hearts of believers. Did he not already live within them? In answer, it is noted that the focus of this request is not on the initial indweeling of Christ but on his continual presence. The verb [“dwell”] used in this prayer is a strong one, signifying a permanent indwelling rather than some temporary abode.

-Peter O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, 259

 

“My Heart, Christ’s Home” by Robert Boyd Munger

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

-Jesus, John 16:33

“The Tragic End of Michael Jackson” by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

 

Sermon Devotionals for June 28-July 4

 

Day 1:

Do you regularly pray that God strengthens you with power in your inner person?

 

Have you experienced the power of the Christian life as something more than just self-discipline and education? Can you remember a specific time when you experienced more?

 

What happened during that time?

 

 

 

Day 2:

Read “My Heart Christ’s Home” online if you can. Using Robert Munger’s illustration, think of your life as a house. The Study is what you spend your time thinking about & meditating on. The Dining Room is the room of “appetites and desires” – what you really want. The Living Room is your personal prayer & Bible study time. The Work Room is what you are producing for God’s kingdom. The Rec room is what you do for entertainment. The Hall Closet is a place where you keep your dark secrets.

 

What room(s) have you allowed Jesus to “come into” – meaning, given Jesus authority to tell you what to do in that area of your life?

 

What room(s) have you kept Jesus out of – meaning, you are still firmly in control of that area of your life?

 

Day 3:

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Robert Munger talks about giving Christ the “Title Deed to the House” – turning over ownership of our lives to Jesus Christ, so that He may use our lives for His goals and purposes.

 

What is hard about taking this step?

 

 

Why should Christians all get to the point of turning over the Title Deed of their lives to Christ?

 

 

Have you done this in your life? Why or why not?

 

 

 

Day 4:

Do you believe God really and personally loves you? Why or why not?

 

 

What do you go to in order to remind yourself that God really does love you? Does it work?

 

 

Read Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:16 and 1 John 4:7-10. What do these verses point to as a real reminder that God loves you?

 

 

Read 1 John 4:11-12.             What is another sign of God’s love?

 

Read 1 John 5:10. What are we really doing when we deny God’s love for us, as manifested in Jesus Christ?

 

Day 5:

In Ephesians 3:19 Paul talks about being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. The idea is that when we get power to grasp God’s love for us, we start to get filled up with love and joy, and it just spills over onto other people.

 

Would you say that is generally characteristic of your life?

 

If not, can you pinpoint a reason why not? Have you prayed about it?

 

Read 1 John 3:18-20. What does this say we should do even when we don’t “feel” God’s love?

 

Are our emotions always an indicator of whether God loves us or not?

Father's Day Sermon Notes & Devotional

“A Dad Who…”

June 21, 2009

Ephesians 3:14-15

 

1. God our Father is a Dad who knows our ________________.

Matthew 6:8, 31-33

 

2. God our Father is a Dad who is ___________________________.

Luke 6:36

Colossians 3:21

 

3. God our Father is a Dad who _________________________ His ______________________________.

Joshua 21:45

Psalm 145:13

 

4. God our Father is a Dad whose _______________________________ doesn’t _______________________.

James 1:17

1 John 1:5

 

Recommended Resources:

Ed T. McGlasson, The Difference a Father Makes 

Josh McDowell, The Father Connection

 

 

SERMON DEVOTIONALS FOR JUNE 21 – 27

 

Day 1

Read Matthew 6:25-34

This passage seems very “unrealistic”. In fact, it is only realistic in the context of knowing a Father who is all-powerful, all-loving and who actively intervenes in our lives. But Jesus always tells the truth, and so He knows what He is talking about, so it must be possible to obey these commands.

What is your immediate reaction to being told not to worry about things like food & clothes? Do you normally worry about them?

 

What do you normally worry about financially (if anything)?

 

In your life, what would it mean to trust God to provide you with basic necessities?

 

What does Jesus say to focus our attention on (see v. 33)? What do you think this means practically?

 

Does this mean we shouldn’t work (see 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10)? But what should our attitude be about our work, given Jesus’ commands in Matthew 6?

 

Day 2

One of the ways God has shown us His mercy is by forgiving our sins. Read Matthew 18:21-35. In this story, the King represents God and the servants represent us, His people. Note that 10,000 talents represents millions of dollars and a hundred denarii represents a few dollars.

 

Some have said that verse 34 points to the natural consequences of unforgiveness – bitterness, hatred, and even demonic oppression as the “torture” described. Whether or not this is true, it’s clear that if we do not forgive, our walk with God will suffer.

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to forgive someone? What makes it difficult to forgive?

 

Have you ever refused to forgive someone? What happened? Have you forgiven them by now?

 

Forgiveness is not minimizing the offense, or trying to find an adequate excuse for it. Forgiveness means looking squarely at it, calling it for what it is (a sinful choice), and choosing to not hold it against the person any more. Forgiveness means giving up the “right” to punish the person (even in our thoughts, by refusing to forgive them), and handing that right over to God (see Romans 12:19-20). Forgiveness is always possible by God’s grace, if we are willing.

 

Day 3

In general, do you keep your promises?

When you’ve broken a promise, what was the reason you broke it?

 

Has anyone made a promise to you that they didn’t keep, resulting a lot of hurt? What was it?

 

In your heart of hearts, do you believe that God always keeps His promises? Why or why not?

 

Day 4

Read James 1:17 and 1 John 1:5. When someone’s character doesn’t change, we have a better idea of how they will react in a given situation.

Read Psalm 103.

Write down seven things the psalm tells us about God. Pick one and spend your free moments thinking about it throughout the day.

 

Day 5

Which one of these four characteristics (from the sermon) is hardest for you to:

                  1. Believe about God?

                  2. Carry out yourself?

Why is it hard for you to believe that about God?

 

 

Why is it hard for you to be that way? What usually trips you up?

 

 

If you want to improve in any of these four areas, the best way of transformation (generally speaking) involves:

                  1. connecting to God through prayer, worship services, Bible reading

                  2. connecting to a small group of other Christians so you can talk and pray together

                  3. serving others

 

If you’d like information about any of these, and how you can get involved, please talk to the church office or email me: rob@universitybiblechurch.com.

A Prisoner of Jesus - Ephesians 3:1-13

“A Prisoner of Jesus” – Ephesians 3:1-13

2 Corinthians 5:14 – “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

Peter & unclean food/Gentiles – Acts 10

James & John ask for the prime spots in Jesus’ kingdom: Mark 10:35-45