BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT DID JESUS DO TO SAVE US? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to show what God is like and to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. We can invite everyone to come and see the good news about Jesus. Memory Verse: Read the Story:
New Christians may find themselves wondering, Now what? What do I do? To answer these questions, we may talk with those new believers about Bible reading, prayer, community, and mission. Though these are all good and essential things, they alone do not capture Jesus’ initial call to His disciples. When Jesus first began calling disciples, He used two words: “Follow Me.” He didn’t say “Clean yourself up” or “Work harder.” He said, “Follow Me.” The call to follow Jesus is a call to our souls to find rest. He invites us to be with Him and enjoy Him. Jesus’ invitation is not to be amazing, to do great things, or even to get to work. Jesus’ initial invitation is to follow Him. Jesus has most certainly called His followers to go and do good works, but the order in which we heed His calling and instructions is vital to our spiritual health. It’s easy for us to get caught up in the activity of God, the work of His mission, and the effort we must engage in to grow as He desires for us; however, these are not to be first. God calls us to come to Him; draw near to Him; and to see a glimpse of His goodness, beauty, splendor, and grace. And it is only in seeing these realities that we will go and do faithfully. For if we seek to go and do before we come and see, we will find ourselves in a spiral of constant despair, feeling like we are falling short or equally as dangerous, feeling like we must earn our way to God. Jesus’ call to His disciples to come and see is the same invitation that we have today. Whether we have walked with God for decades or are new to the faith, our greatest need is to draw near to God and experience His glorious grace. It is then that we will see Him for who He truly is, understand ourselves more fully, and then live faithfully for His glory. Gospel application:
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BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT DID JESUS DO TO SAVE US? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Jesus was tempted, but He trusted God and never sinned. Jesus is perfect and righteous. A perfect sacrifice was required to take away sin. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross to free us from sin and to give us the power to say no to temptation. Memory Verse: Read the Story:
We’ve all felt some degree of hunger at one time or another. We may have had a long day at work with no time for lunch and come home hungry. We may have had a hard workout and found ourselves craving a large meal shortly afterward. We may have skipped breakfast in a hurry to get to church only to hear our stomach growl as the pastor shares that he’s wrapping up for the third time. Hunger reminds us that there is something we require to satisfy a physical need. Have you ever felt a similar sense of hunger deep in your soul, a hunger for God? Have you ever found yourself longing for a moment with God, an experience of His Spirit, a message from His Word? The temptation of Jesus teaches us how to face temptation ourselves, but it also subtly reminds us of the blessing that comes as we hunger for God. The first experience of temptation for Jesus came in the form of the enemy, Satan, tempting Him to use His power to turn stones into bread. Jesus’ response reminds us that feeding on God’s Word is the ultimate source of satisfaction. In our own lives, we may hunger for a million different things. We may deeply desire companionship, food, a feeling, money, a job, notoriety, and so on. Those things can all be very good things, but they are not what Jesus was referring to when He spoke to the tempter. Jesus spoke to the blessing that comes in hungering and thirsting for God Himself because, as is the case in all things Jesus said and did, He is God and knows what’s best. What do you long for above all else? Do you find a deep longing in your soul for God? Do you recognize that nothing else in this world will satisfy that desire? And are you satisfied with Him giving you Himself to meet your greatest need? Not only does the Scripture say that there is blessing in hungering for God, but your experience will also prove that nothing will satisfy you like He can and will. Gospel application:
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT DID JESUS DO TO SAVE US? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Jesus never sinned, but He obeyed God and was baptized like sinners are baptized. Baptism reminds us of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It reminds us that when we trust in Jesus, we turn from sin and start a new life—a life lived for Jesus. Memory Verse: Read the Story:
What gives you hope? It seems like a simple question, and most of us who regularly attend church likely know the “right” answer to the question. However, it’s the most important question for every person who has ever lived because your answer will determine your security and eternity. Unlike the hope the world has to offer, we can have a sure and steadfast hope that will never fail. In the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism, we see John the Baptist offer words of warning that lead us back to the question, what gives you hope? John warned the Pharisees sternly that no family, tradition, or outward practice is sufficient to save people from the wrath of God due to them for their sin. People are saved only by the grace of God received through faith and repentance. The same is true today. Though we may be tempted to find our hope in the faith journey of our parents, grandparents, or even children, those experiences are not sufficient to save. Though it is a gift to have family members who have placed their faith in Christ, our hope does not come from them. Similarly, no tradition is sufficient to save either. Though we may uphold the traditions and practices—baptism, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, and so forth—those practices alone are not able to save from sin and secure eternity with God. John the Baptist made it clear that the faith that leads to repentance brings the certainty of salvation. The larger context of the New Testament reminds us that this repentance is always paired with genuine faith. When these are present, the believer will bear the fruit of the Spirit. What gives you hope? The only true answer is that we must put our hope in Jesus. Only faith in His finished work on the cross rescues us from sin and death, empowers us to live for Him, and promises us life with God forever. Gospel application:
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December 2023
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