Fully Rely On God
Written by Ed Allen
Sunday, 27 May 2007 08:19
Sermon Notes
The SHIFT Series:
Serve lovingly
Hang out authentically
I (check back next week)
Fully rely on God
Totally accept
God uses us in accomplishing His great purposes of effecting real life-change in those around us.
We need to remember:
- God has the power to change people's lives
- God uses us in that process
Luke 18:18-27
The Rich Ruler
18A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good?except God alone. 20You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"21"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
27Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
- Jesus recognized in this young ruler's life the idolatry of money.
- Jesus told His disciples "What is impossible with men is possible with God" and reminds us that God is the One doing the work.
What does “Rely On God” look like?
- Recognize what God is doing. God is at work around us.
- Express the truth. God does not need us to apologize for Him. Depend on the truth and God will do the rest.
- Leave the results to God.
- Yield ourselves and other people to God in prayer. Pray for:
- Boldness
- Openness
- Needs to be met
Visit our sermon series website at www.gatewaychurch.org/shift
Small Group Study Questions
This week Ed spoke from Luke 18:18-27, about how it is harder for a rich person to inherit eternal life than for a camel to go through an eye of a needle. But what is impossible for men was possible through God. We need to RELY on God to use us in accomplishing His great purposes of effecting real life-change in those around us.
- Recognize what God is doing
- Express the truth in love
- Leave the results to God
- Yield to God in prayer
- Pray for boldness
- Pray for openness
- Pray that God would meet people?s needs
Icebreaker: How do you feel when people sing happy birthday to you?
Worship: Sing praise songs or read Isaiah 12, and pray back things you are trusting God for and that you will proclaim Him to the nations.
Group Questions:
- What is the rich young ruler?s view on gaining eternal life? What kind of answer is he looking for?
- What do you think is the "real issue" (idols) for most people in Northern Virginia?
- Do you really believe God wants to use you to help people to Christ and life change? Why or why not?
- Ed said in the area of evangelism, ?We either fall into one of two ditches, God is personal and I should not push my religion on someone else, or it is all up to me and I have to persuade people to God.? Which ditch do you tend to be closer too?
- How could you RELY on God more in this process of seeing life change in the people around you?
- Ed said, ?God uses us to accomplish His great purposes of effecting real life-change in those around us.? How does this truth relate to the process of evangelism?
- Did you notice that the man came up to Jesus with this life-altering question? Why do you think he approached Jesus? Why don?t more people approach you with matters of spiritual import?
- Read {bible 31}John 15:1-8{/bible}. How does this truth apply to our evangelistic efforts?
OUT time:
Make a list of five people who are not followers of Christ. Start praying five minutes a day that they will become followers of Christ.