Jan. 29, 2023

Belonging to Jesus

Primary Text: John 15:9-16           

Previous Teaching: The Goodness of God

1)  A Good God 

Psalm 34:6-10:  This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.  Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

DQ 1) What is goodness--particularly as it relates to being a fruit of the Spirit?

DQ 2) What are the good gifts God has specifically given you?

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3)  Families for the Lonely 

Psalm 68:5-6:  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. 

DQ 3) What constitutes a family?

DQ 4) What are the differences between biological, cultural, and spiritual families?

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This Week’s Teaching

1)  An Old Testament Church 

Romans 3:19-20:  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.  Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 

Galatians 3:10-11:  All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."  Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."

DQ 1) What was the primary purpose of the Old Testament Law?

DQ 2) Why can humans not fully obey the Law without Christ?

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2)  The Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16:  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

DQ 3) What are the ways in which Jesus completely fulfills the role of a High Priest?

DQ 4) Why is Jesus able to sympathize with our weaknesses?

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3)  Premium Purchase 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20:  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore, honor God with your body. 

DQ 5) Can Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit obey the Law of God?

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4)  Friends of God 

John 15:9-16:  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.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. 

DQ 6) What does it mean to be a friend of God rather than only a servant?

DQ 7) Are you a friend of God?  Do you belong to Him?  

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