August 27, 2023

Clearwater Community Church - FL

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August 27, 2023

Simple Obedience :: “Simple Faith in the Risen Christ”

August 27, 2023 • Pastor Josh Kee • Matthew 16:1–12

Matthew 16:1-12 Sermon Information

Series: Simple Obedience

Title: “Simple Faith in the Risen Christ” 

The Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ request (16:1) - "Give us a sign”

The irony is that Jesus had been doing many signs and wonders, proving that he is the Messiah (see Matt 14:13-21; 15:29-39)

The religious leaders did not want a sign in order to believe, but to accuse Jesus

Jesus’ response (16:2-4) – “Discern the times”

The sign of Jonah – repeated from 12:38-42

Jesus’ resurrection would serve as the ultimate sign of his identity and validate his teaching

The testimony of Jesus’ Person and Work are sufficient for saving faith

Q: What motivates our tendency to desire signs in order to trust God in our lives?

The disciples’ dilemma (16:5) – “We forgot bread”

Jesus’ warning (16:6) – “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees”

It only took a small amount of leaven to affect the whole dough (see Matt 13:33)

There was a much greater danger than the lack of basic needs

“leaven” = unbelief; self-righteousness = rejection of Jesus

Unyoked-ness to Christ

The disciples’ confusion (16:7) – “No bread = No leaven”

Jesus’ rebuke (16:8-11)

Scarcity is not the issue; unbelief is the issue

The disciples had become preoccupied with earthly matters (see Colossians 3:1-3)

The disciples’ understand (16:12)

Jesus is firm, yet patient, as he helps the disciples see through the temporal to the spiritual

Rejoice that we have God’s Spirit to lead us into truth (John 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 2:10-16)

Main Point:

Preoccupation with our own welfare (Will God provide?) often causes us to lose sight of God’s kingdom.

Jesus had already taught the disciples that:

He came to provide righteousness (5:17-18)

God is their Father, who knows their needs and cares for them (6:8, 32)

They were to pray for “daily bread,” trusting God for their provision (6:11)

They were not to be anxious about their necessities (6:25-34)

The parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, 22)

When we are fixated on God’s Kingdom (Matt 6:33) we will not be preoccupied with temporary concerns

Question: Are you building your life in such a way that you don’t need God?

Such a life may be marked by a sense of security but void of glory and any lasting treasure (Matthew 6:19-21, 24; 1 John 2:15-17)

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes didn’t need Jesus because they had their law (and their enhancement of the law – fences)

God hasn’t asked us to build fences for our security but to enter into Christ by faith and remain in by faith, through our connection with his body in community

“Therefore, when a proud wit and supernatural knowledge revealed meet together, the proud heart storms and loves to struggle, and devise this thing and that thing to commend itself; and hereupon comes heresies, the mingling of natural wit with divine truths.” (Richard Sibbes, A Glance of Heaven, Works, vol. 4, pp. 156-59)

Discussion Questions:

Where are you prone to become preoccupied with the temporal matters of life and lose sight of the eternally significant matters of God’s Kingdom?

Where are you most prone to distrust God’s provision?

How does genuine faith that God is our Father who knows our needs and promises his provision free us to “seek first [God’s] kingdom and righteousness”?

Are you building your life in such a way that you don’t need God? Does anything need to be rearranged (repented of)?

How does your involvement in Christian community protect and nurture your faith? How does neglect of community put you in spiritual danger?

Read the following passages and rejoice at God’s abundant provision:

John 1:1-16; Romans 3:19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Colossians 1-2; Hebrews 10:1-16; 1 John 1:1-2:14

Confess any areas of fear, worry, unbelief

Write down any ways you are prone to earn or achieve righteousness on your own

November 26, 2023

November 26, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Matthew 28:16–20

Theme: Simple Obedience to Jesus’ Commission Passage: Matthew 28:16–20 Jesus’ Great Commission to His Followers: 1. Jesus’ plan comes to followers who ... a. Respond (16), b. Worship (17a), c. Yet, Doubt (17b). 2. Jesus’ plan calls His followers to make disciples of the nations. a. Why? Jesus possesses complete authority over everything (18). b. How? (19–20a) i. Get started (19a). ii. Call people to follow (19b). iii. Teach them to obey Christ’s commands (20a). c. What about ...? Jesus will empower you to the very end (20b). Main Idea: Christ followers make followers of Christ. Application Questions: · As a follower, where are you doubtful or weakest in following Christ? What step can you take this week to begin to address this? · What does it mean that Christ has “been given all authority in heaven and on earth?” How does this impact your life and decision-making? · Is Christ’s plan optional for each of his followers? Why do many Christians not involve themselves in His plan to make disciples? · With the gifts and abilities Christ has given you, how are you helping (how can you help) others follow Christ? If you are not involved helping others follow Christ, what can you do to get started?

November 19, 2023

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Matthew 26:47–57

Passage: Matthew 26:47–57 Theme: Simple Obedience and Violence Realities of Following Christ: · Betrayal · Violence done against Christ · Injustice Command: “Put your sword back in its place”: There is no place for violence in Christ’s Kingdom Community (51). Reasons for Non-Violent Response: 1. Violence destroys the violent (52). 2. Violent response betrays trust in God’s ability to protect (53). 3. Violent retaliation misses God’s greater purposes for His suffering Servants(s) (54). Main Idea: Christ followers should respond to betrayal, violence, and injustice by displaying Christ through their nonviolent actions. Application Questions: · Why is it that even as believers we are drawn toward violence and violent responses when wronged? What might this indicate about violence and us? · Are there occasions when Christians should respond with violence or act violently? Provide NT examples or teaching. · How does the cross bring about justice for the Christ follower as well as the one who rejects Christ? (See 1 Peter 2:18–25) · How should we apply Jesus’ teaching here to believers regarding self-defense and military service? · What are you doing to counter injustice by displaying Christ through loving actions?

November 12, 2023

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Matthew 26:31–46

Passage: Matthew 26:31–46 Theme: Simple Obedience and Failure No matter our intestinal fortitude and spiritual resolve, we will fail on our desire to perfectly follow Christ. Why? 1. Distraction from readiness 2. Lack of prayer 3. Weakness of Flesh Good News: 1. God knows this. 2. He sent his Son to experience this and overcome it for us. Commands: Look to Christ’s example: 1. Remain watchful for Christ (38) 2. Persist in prayer (41) 3. Join Jesus in facing the tests God has allowed in your life (46) Main Idea: Christ followers overcome temptation, opposition, suffering, and even their own failures by repeatedly returning to Christ. Application Questions: · What are the ways or areas in which you think of yourself as a spiritual failure as a Christ follower? · Which reason for failure to follow Christ do you struggle with the most? How do you plan with and through the power of the Holy Spirit in you to address this? · How do (or can) you persist in prayer? What steps do you need to take to create a space for prayer in your daily routine? · How can you help create a culture of readiness and prayer with the believers in your life? · The next time you fail or begin thinking that you are failing in your following Christ, what are you going to do to counter those thoughts? What actions are you going to take to return to Christ?