Sermon Discussion

Sermon: Majesty – Jesus, the Servant of All

Text: Matthew 20:20-28

Introduction

When it comes to the discussion about leadership, much of the focus is placed on the leader. What attributes makes a great leader? What can the leader motivate others to do for him or her? However, Jesus explains a leadership philosophy that is contrary to this. He focuses on the followers. How is the leader to serve his or her people? In this message, Pastor Charlton reminds us of Christ’s humility as a servant-leader as an example of how we are to live our lives in service to others.

Discussion Questions

1. In your opinion, what makes a good leader? What makes a good follower?
2. What is humility? How do you recognize humility in yourself and others?
3. What are some of the difficulties in serving with humility? How do you deal with these difficulties? Where do you go?
4. As a community, how can we be a source of encouragement for servant-hood? (Think practically.)

Moving Ahead

Whether we want to be a leader or follower, we all want to be loved and accepted. As a leader, we want our followers to devoted and loyal to us. As followers, we want strong but caring leaders who watch over us and provide care for us. In either case, it’s all about us and not about anyone else. Jesus challenges this way of thinking and living. He calls us to serve other because we are his disciples. We are called to walk in His footsteps and do as he does.

Meditate

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.   – Matthew 20:26-28

Sermon Discussion

Sermon: Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty & Know Peace

Text: 2 Samuel 12

Introduction

As much as we realize it or not, the world doesn’t revolve around you or me. Intellectually, we know this but we certainly don’t  always pray this way. How much of our prayer is centered on us, our well-being, and our wants and desires? How much of our prayer is centered on God and His sovereignty over our lives? In this sermon, Pastor Yun reminds us that the key to having peace comes from prayer, a prayer that centers around God and His sovereignty over us and our situation.

 

Discussion Questions

1. What is the most amusing or unusual thing you ever heard a kid ask for?
2. Read 2 Samuel 12. What do you notice about David’s prayer life? What are something significant about it?
3. Pastor Yun mentioned that “Prayer is not about seeking God’s favor in our personal concerns.  Prayer is about having us be less concerned about us and more about learning to understand and being content with what God is doing.” How does prayer help us “to be content” with what God is doing? Does it matter how we pray?
4. What’s the difference between asking God for our needs and wants versus demanding these things? How do we know the difference?
5. What is something that you have been praying to God about lately? How can we acknowledge His sovereignty over this issue? What kinds of things or attitudes do we need to change when we approach this issue?

Moving Forward

If prayer is only about getting things to fulfill our desires, then it becomes a venue to idolize things besides God. Maybe that is the reason why God doesn’t give us what we think we need. Instead, he uses the hardships and blessings in life to point us back to a relationship and dependence upon Him and nothing else.

Meditate

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.                     - Isaiah 55:8-9

In His Time

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.  

- Galatians 4:4-7

Have you ever wondered why God decided to send Jesus at the time that He did? If we look back at history, we can presume several significant reasons. The common Greek language, the peace of the Roman Empire, improved travel, and even the spread of the Jewish people, along with their synagogues, all helped the good news of a Savior from sin spread far and wide.  Yet really these are just observations made from a human perspective.  Scripture never gives us the reason why God sent Jesus when he did.  Instead, we are simply told that God sent his Son "when the set time had fully come."

Yet, we can be sure that this was in God's perfect timing. In His infinite wisdom and love, He came to fulfill the hopes and dreams of God’s people for all those years was born.  For centuries God had promised to send a Savior, and when the time had fully come, he sent his one and only Son. Not a moment too soon and not a moment too late.

One of my favorite songs is "In His Time." It starts by reminding us that "He makes all things beautiful in His time." There is a beauty in how things all work come together perfectly. Despite how much we think we know, we are called to trust in His infinite wisdom. The song ends with this line "Lord, please show me everyday. As you're teaching me your way. That You do just as You say. In Your time." And we can be assured that God will keep His promises in His time.

Questions for thought:
1) What does it mean to "wait on the Lord?" When is it easy to "wait on the Lord"? When is it difficult for you "to wait on the Lord"?
2) Take a moment to reflect on the timing of God's blessings on your life. Can you see the beauty in it?