Love for the Long Haul

Mesa Church

Love for the Long Haul

January 15, 2023 • 1 John 2:3–14

How do we really know we are Christian? A genuine and authentic faith begins with a historical and incarnate Christ. He really showed up and we must really show up to follow him in our lives if we want to claim the Truth lives in us, too. And yet, many, in today’s world, believe that to be their authentic and true self, they must embrace their sinful nature and follow their temptations. But John challenges that lie. We cannot follow Jesus without obeying his commandments.

TALK ABOUT IT - Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself.

1. What is the evidence my spouse loves me? Parents? Friends?

2. Why do actions need to align with our beliefs in our lives? What difference does living a consistent life make?

3. What are the 3 “proofs” of love for God from this passage? Which do I struggle with the most?

4. Why is having a vision for a life long relationship with God important to being able to “go the distance?”

5. PRAYER: “Father, being our heart to your heart and motivate our action from your love for us."

For Our Kids

March 5, 2023 • Jordan Hansen • 3 John, John 14:6, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 5:16

Raising a child is no easy task. Shaping and influencing the next generation of followers of Jesus is no simple process. Our kids are faced with challenges in their personal lives, but also the dangers and threats of living in a world that does not know God. If all of our parenting could be summarized into a few values, what would those values be? What do we want for our kids? The shortest book in the entire Bible has a lot of punch packed into 15 total verses. TALK ABOUT IT - Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. What were the most important lessons our parents or grandparents taught us in life? 2. What do we want our kids to learn from us? If we could only teach them 3 things, what would they be? 3. What does John’s conflict with Diotrephes lead him to teach Gaius in this letter? 4. How will I help my kids, or the next generation, to know Jesus and to follow him with their whole hearts? 5. PRAYER: “Father, help us to raise the next generation to know you and to live for you and your mission on this Earth!”

Embracing The Challenge

February 26, 2023 • Pete Campbell • 2 John

It's not always easy to face challenges in life, but it's important to remember that we can't always control what happens to us. What we can control is how we react to those challenges. Do we let them harden our hearts or do we let them make us more compassionate? If we can learn to love God and others despite the challenges we face, we will be much better off in the long run. TALK ABOUT IT - Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. How does life’s challenges & struggles reveal what I truly believe? 2. What are my reactions & thoughts towards compromising situations & mindsets that I’m not ready for? 3. In what ways have I allowed life's challenges to harden my heart? 4. What can you do to develop thick skin when it comes to my faith? 5. In what ways can you become a friend of sinners? Think of a couple things you can do this week to love people while embracing the challenge.

Get Out Of The Way!

February 19, 2023 • 1 John 5:13–21, Exodus 34:14, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:34, Romans 8:26–27

Prayer. What is the point? What makes us selfish in our evangelism is often times proved in our prayer lives. If God answered all of our prayers, would the world change, or just OUR world? As John comes to a conclusion, He wants His spiritual family to KNOW they can have confidence in their prayers to God. As believers, we have access to the God of all Creation, Jesus in the flesh, who desires to move. Confidant prayer moves us out of His way. What confident prayers move us out of the way? TALK ABOUT IT - Questions to GROW through with family, friends, & myself. 1. How would I describe my prayer life? Do my prayers move me out of the way for God to move? 2. What kind of prayers please God? How does “the Lord’s prayer” please God? 3. Do I pray for people in my life to experience the true God, Jesus who IS eternal life? Why / why not? 4. What modern day idols have the most access to tempt me? How does God help me? 5. PRAYER: “Father, give me the confidence to pray bold prayers that move me out of the way for you to move!”