MESSAGE OVERVIEW
Have you seen the car stickers that say “HE>i”? They are produced by a Christian-owned company on O’ahu that also sells clothing with the logo on it. It means “He (Jesus) is greater than i” and it is based on John 3:30. That’s where John the Baptist told his disciples to stop following him and start following Jesus. John said of Jesus: “He must increase and I must decrease.” In other words, “HE>i”. In October, Pastor G is talking about just a few of the ways that statement is true when it comes to his life. His hope is that it will inspire you to consider the same thing in your life as well.
This week Pastor G shares how “God Is Greater Than My Guilt and Shame.“
MESSAGE NOTES
For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!” Therefore be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5:14-16
… If anyone wants to become My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ~ Luke 9:23
Every call of Christ leads into death. When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose. ~ Pastor Rick Warren
Oh no. It is actually quite simple. You just chip away all the stone that doesn’t look like David. ~ Michelangelo {Probably not ;)}
TWO CHOICES WHEN I BECOME AWARE OF GUILT
1) I Can Confess It. (Leads to Joy.)
2) I Can Ignore It. (Leads to Shame)
Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9
For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time). Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:8-9
For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:10
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12
And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account. ~ Hebrews 4:13
Therefore since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ~ Hebrews 4:14
For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15
Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help. ~ Hebrews 4:16
Charis (GREEK) ~ Grace (ENGLISH)
Grace, Good Will, Loving-Kindness, Favor
Eleos (GREEK) ~ Mercy (ENGLISH)
Mercy, Pity, or Compassion.
GRACE emphasizes the GIVING of what we DO NOT deserve.
MERCY emphasizes the WITHHOLDING of what we JUSTLY deserve.
GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ: Ephesians 5:14-16
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What does Paul mean when he says “everything made evident is light”? (HINT: You may need to read more of Ephesians 5 to get context.) What does “light” represent in this case? To whom is Paul referring when he says “Awake, O sleeper!” Pastor Greg referred to the song he sang a few weeks ago called “Asleep In The Light” and mentioned that the songwriter was inspired by this passage to write it. Have you ever felt “asleep in the light?” Have you ever felt like our church is sometimes “asleep in the light?” Why or why not? What does Paul mean when he says “the days are evil?” Does your Bible have a different translation of this phrase? If the days are evil, how should that affect the urgency level of our acts of evangelism both individually and as a church body?
READ: 1 Peter 5:8-9
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Why is the devil your personal enemy? In what way is he intending to “devour” you? What can you do about it?
READ: 2 Corinthians 7:8-10
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Have you ever felt the “sadness” of guilt? Have you ever had a parent or mentor or pastor make you feel “sad” in the way Paul is describing it here? According to this passage, why would that person, who loves you, want to make you feel sadness for a short time? What is the difference between Godly Sadness and Worldly Sadness according to this passage?
READ: Hebrews 4:12-16
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
In what ways do you feel the sharpness of the Word of God interacting with you in your life? How do you feel, knowing you are naked and exposed to God? What does the author of Hebrews mean when he says we must “render an account”? The author of Hebrews refers to Jesus as our great High Priest. Why is this significant? What does a High Priest do for the rest of us? What does it mean that Jesus “sympathizes” with our weaknesses? What do the words mercy and grace mean to you? Can you share with your group about a time when you received mercy and grace? How did that happen?