Dec. 05, 2021

Abundant Joy

 Primary Text:  Hebrews 12:1-2                  December 4 & 5, 2021

 Last Week’s Teaching:   Abundant Freedom

 1)  No Longer Slaves

 Romans 6:1-7:  What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 

DQ 1) What does it mean that our “old self was crucified” with Christ?

DQ 2) What role does our personal will play in living a new life? 

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 2)  The Power of Truth

 John 8:31-32:  To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

 DQ 3) Do you believe lies about God, others and/or yourself?  

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 3)  If You Forgive

Matthew 6:14-15:  For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

 DQ 4) What is forgiveness?  What is the process of forgiveness?

DQ 5) Why must forgiveness be “lived out” in order for it to be 

            complete?

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 This Week’s Teaching:

 1)  The Joy Before Him

 Hebrews 12:1-2:  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

DQ 1) Define joy.

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 DQ 2) How might the world’s definition of joy be different from that of 

           Christ?

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 2)  The Way of the Cross

 Luke 9:23-24:  Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

DQ 3) Are you struggling to hold on to your life or are you surrendering

           it to Jesus?   

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 3)  Your Strength

 Nehemiah 8:9-11:  Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God.  Do not mourn or weep."  For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."  The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day.  Do not grieve." 

DQ 4) What is the joy of the Lord?

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 4)  His Joy

 John 15:9-17:  "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

DQ 5) How does Christ’s joy differ from joy that comes only from 

            within ourselves?

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