Matthew 11:9-24

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Matthew 11:9-24

Responding With Zeal

August 18, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 11:9–24

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Sermon Discussion Questions:

1) What qualities made John the Baptist great in Jesus’ eyes, and how can we seek to imitate his zeal and humility in our own lives?

2) What does it mean to "take the kingdom of heaven by force" (Matthew 11:12)? How does this challenge our approach to following Jesus?

3) Jesus compares His generation to children who refuse to play (Matthew 11:16-17). In what ways can we be tempted toward spiritual apathy, and how can we combat it?

4) The people found excuses not to respond to either John’s call to repentance or Jesus’ message of grace. What common excuses do people make today, and how can we address them in our own hearts?

5) Jesus warns of the consequences for those who witness God’s works yet remain unrepentant (Matthew 11:20-24). How does this passage shape our view of God’s justice and mercy?

Matthew 12:46-50

September 29, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 12:46–50

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What does it mean for us to be a Gospel-centered family as a church? 2. How can we grow in demonstrating the kind of sacrificial love that Jesus shows to us? 3. What are practical ways we can actively love one another, especially when it's difficult? 4. What are some risks or challenges we face as a church when we start to feel successful? 5. How can we guard against pride and self-sufficiency, staying humble and dependent on God? 6. In what ways can we create an environment where confession and honesty are encouraged? 7. Jesus redefines family as those who do the will of His Father (Matthew 12:50). How can we grow in our loyalty and commitment to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when facing disagreements or difficulties?

Matthew 12:38-45

September 22, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) In what ways do we, like the Pharisees, sometimes demand signs or proof of God’s presence in our lives? How can we cultivate a faith that trusts without needing constant affirmation? 2) How do we see the desire for entertainment or spectacle in today’s church culture? In what ways can this be a distraction from true worship and relationship with Christ? 3) What does it mean to submit to Christ’s reign in our daily lives, and what might that look like practically? 4) The Queen of Sheba traveled great distances to seek wisdom. What are some practical ways we can seek God’s wisdom in our daily lives?

Matthew 12:33-37

September 15, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 12:33–37

1) In Matthew 12:34, Jesus says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." What do you think your words reveal about the condition of your heart? 2) Jesus compares people to trees, saying we are known by our fruit (Matthew 12:33). What are some examples of "good fruit" and "bad fruit" in our words and actions? 3) How can we cultivate the kind of heart that consistently produces good fruit? 4) James 3:7-8 describes the tongue as a "restless evil, full of deadly poison." Why is it so challenging to control our speech, and how can we seek God's help in taming our tongues? 5) Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, as they speak against Him despite the good He is doing. How can we guard against hypocrisy in our own lives, especially when it comes to how we speak about others? 6) Ezekiel 36:25-27 speaks of the new heart God will give his people. How does recognizing our need for heart transformation lead to real and lasting change in our words and actions? What role does repentance and reliance on God's grace play in that process?