December 24, 2024 • Ben Potloff • 1 Timothy 1:12–17
1 Timothy 1:12-17 | Ben Potloff | "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (v. 15). The good news of Christmas is that God himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, came to rescue and redeem sinners to his own eternal glory!
Do You See What I See?
December 22, 2024 • Ben Potloff • John 9
John 9:1-41 | Ben Potloff | "Jesus said, 'For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind'" (v. 39). Some of the sayings of Jesus can be difficult for sinful human beings to understand and—often—even harder to accept. However, the idea of judgment is critical to understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. For the one who trusts in Christ, there is great hope in the final Judge.
MAIN IDEA
Jesus came to make the blind see.
OUTLINE
I. Pain is not punishment or purposeless, but is a platform that displays God’s power (vv. 1-7)
II. Rejecters of Jesus are blind and guilty, believers in Jesus have light and life (vv. 8-41)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What stands out to you in this passage? Why?
2. What is difficult to understand or accept in this passage? How does your natural—and sinful—self want to push against the words of Jesus?
3. What hope is there for sinners facing a judge like Christ?
4. How does this passage give you a richer understanding of the person and work of Jesus?
5. How does this passage call you to live differently?
The Seeker
December 15, 2024 • Ben Potloff • Luke 19:1–10
Luke 19:1-10 | Ben Potloff | "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus is familiar to those who grew up in the church. Zacchaeus, a wee little man and swindling tax collector, climbs because he simply must see Jesus. Despite the grumbling of the crowd, Jesus goes to his house and declares good news: good news for Zacchaeus then and good news for us today.
MAIN IDEA
Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
OUTLINE
I. Jesus pursues the unworthy and despicable (vv. 1-7, 10)
II. Salvation by faith leads to a changed life (vv. 6-9)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Are you familiar with the Sunday school story of Jesus and Zacchaeus? Before Sunday's sermon, what did you think was the main point of this story?
2. What was Zacchaeus seeking? What does he find?
3. What does this narrative teach you about the person, work, and mission of Christ?
4. How does this passage challenge you to think and/or live differently?
The Greatest
December 8, 2024 • Ben Potloff • Mark 10:35–45
Mark 10:35-45 | Ben Potloff | "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (vv. 43b-44). How are the people of God supposed to interact with one another? Here, we see that they are to love and self-sacrificially serve.
MAIN IDEA
The Servant is the greatest.
OUTLINE
I. The human heart seeks self-serving glory (vv. 35-41)
II. True greatness is achieved through self-sacrificial serving (vv. 42-45)
The Reason For The Season
December 1, 2024 • Ben Potloff • Matthew 5:17–20
Matthew 5:17-20 | Ben Potloff | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (v. 17). In the Old Testament, God gave His people the Law and the Prophets so they would know what is required for them to be in right relationship with Him. Sadly, Israel rejected, distorted, and fell short over and over again. Something needed to be done for God's people to be forgiven of their sins and counted righteous before God! Here, we see that Christ is the one who does what sinful people could never do in the face of God's perfect law.
MAIN IDEA
Christ came to fulfill God’s Word.
OUTLINE
I. The Old Testament points to Christ (vv. 17-18)
II. The Old Testament endures in Christ (vv. 19-20)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What stands out to you about this passage? What is challenging or confusing about what Matthew records here?
2. What is the purpose of God's Law and His Prophets in the Old Testament?
3. How is God's grace seen in Christ's fulfillment of the Law and Prophets on your behalf?
4. What does this passage teach you about the person, work, and purpose of Jesus Christ?
5. How does this passage challenge the way you think or how you live?
