Group Notes | February 26
Overflow: He Is All You Need
February 26, 2017
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Open:
If you could eliminate one item from your life that you think would lower your stress level, what would it be?
For several weeks, we have been looking at Hebrews 12 and 13, trying to identify the “weights” or sins that keep us tied to this world, and which take our focus away from living a full Christian life. This week we want to internalize the wonder that the God who created the universe still stoops to give sinners His grace for redemption and abundant life by being all we need.
Focal Passage: Hebrews 13:20, 21; Romans 12:2
Discuss:
He Is Our Peace
- Read Hebrews 13:20a. God is called the God of “peace.” What is the greatest peace God offers? What really comes to your mind when you think of the word “peace”? These early believers were being persecuted for their faith, and were questioning their commitment to Christ. Can you share a time when your faith was challenged to the extent you wanted to quit?
- Read Jas 1:2, 3 (NAS, if possible). James also was encouraging believers who were having their faith tested. What other types of peace (besides salvation) does God give?
He Is Our Shepherd
- Read verse 20b and Matthew 9:36. How are people like sheep?
- What are some qualities of a shepherd? Why is God called your Shepherd (Psa. 23)?
He Is Our Deliverer
- Read verse 20c. It’s hard for us to identify with a religion of daily sacrifices; for this reason, the NT provides many verses that lay background for the amazing sacrifice of the crucifixion. Why did He want to shed His blood for us?
- Read Col. 2:13-15 (NAS, if possible). What has He delivered you from?
He Is Our Provider
- Read verse 21a. What are some of your daily needs? Just so you don’t miss it, what does this section of the verse assure you?
- What is He equipping you for? Why is that such an important point to grasp?
He Is Our Hope
- Read verse 21b. What does God wish to produce in you? How will He do this? Read Heb. 6:18, 19. What are some of the areas listed as provisions of God’s hope?
Action Applications:
- Take the first steps: identify any thing, person, or activity in your life that is replacing God;
- Be committed to walking away from whatever or whomever you listed in #1;
- Pray over your commitment every day;
- Share your burdens with Christians who have your best interests at heart; don’t walk this journey alone!
Close:
We have learned so many things over the past several weeks—things that, when put into practice, will begin to relieve the daily levels of stress that we seem to carry on our backs. Taking those first small steps toward getting freedom from debt, forgiving those against whom we have long-held grudges, discarding habits or companions that pull us down: all these and more begin to give us freedom to live as Christ would have us live, and to do so in His power, with His presence, and with our hand in His! Hopefully you have made the action points for the past several sermons into daily prayer practices, so that you keep making progress. Be sure you pray for those who are fighting battles just as you are, and if possible, meet with them for a time of encouragement. And soon you will be able to say with Paul, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39). Amen!
Memory Verse: Hebrews 13:21: “(May God) make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Quote: “The only place you cannot fail is when you are in God’s will!”