The Humble Friend

Virginia Beach Community Chapel

The Humble Friend

Palm Sunday

April 5, 2020 • Robb Esperat

Sermon: The Humble Friend

Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Sermon Discussion Questions

What is the fanciest meal you’ve ever been to? How did it make you feel to attend?

Read Luke 14:1-6. How would you describe the relationship between Jesus & the religious leaders in this story? Why do you think the lawyers and Pharisees failed to answer Jesus’ questions?

Read Luke 14:7-11. In this parable, what actions does the host perform? How does this parable describe the events that took place in vv1-6?

Jesus’ parable ends with a proverb in v11. This proverb is a classic example of the ‘divine passive’, a way of expressing the action of God without naming him (as a way of showing reverence). What does this punctuating statement tell us about the character of God?

Read Philippians 2:6-11. How does this ancient Christ hymn illustrate the principle of the parable in Luke 14?

Read Philippians 3:4-9. What did Paul have to abandon in order to ‘humble himself’ and receive Christ (vv5-6)? What kinds of things might we put in a similar list? What 'false confidence’ might you personally need to set aside in order to know the fullness of fellowship with Jesus?

Justified

May 3, 2020 • Robb Esperat

JUSTIFICATION When you go to God in prayer, what are your most common habits of thought and emotion? What might they tell you about how you relate to God? Read Luke 18:9-14. This parable contrasts two strategies for justification. What were the 3 contrasts mentioned in the sermon today? Are there any other contrasts you see? In Philip Eveson’s essay on the doctrine of justification, he introduces justification as a grace given to “guilty sinners, who turn in self-despairing trust.” What is meant by ‘self-despairing trust’? How does the tax collector embody it? What would it look like for someone in our day? Everyone struggles with self-righteousness to some degree. Review the ‘diagnostic questions’ from the sermon. Which question is most helpful to you in identifying your own tendencies toward self justification? Do you have a tendency to look down on others with a critical eye? Does your sense of personal goodness, acceptability, and self worth rise and fall according to how well you think you are performing? When you think about your ‘righteousness bank account’, are you worn out from trying to make deposits to keep it (hopefully) in the black, or are you resting in the finished work of Jesus’ merciful atonement? End your time in celebration of God’s merciful atonement for sinners. Review this list of verses on justification (or another list of your choosing). Speak verses to one another and to the Lord by ‘personalizing’ the address. For instance: “Joe, Phil 3:9 says you are ‘found in Him, not having a righteousness of your own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, a righteousness from God that depends on faith.” “Katie, just like Abraham, you have believed the Lord, and he has counted it to you as righteousness (Gen 15:6)!” “Lord, you yourself bore our sins in your body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By your wounds, we have been healed. Thank you! (1 Peter 2:24) MAY 3, 2020

Forgiveness

April 26, 2020 • Robb Esperat

The Difference that makes the Difference

April 19, 2020 • Zach Hardison

1. What are the contrasts to highlight the differences the rich and poor man experienced in life? 2. What are the contrasts after death? 3. What is the significance of Jesus mentioning Abraham in this story? 4. In the story, Jesus only seems to highlight that which the rich man failed to DO in life that led him to eternal suffering in hell. Is Jesus teaching a works-based salvation? 5. The name Lazarus means “whom God helps.” Share some ways that God has helped you through Jesus Christ.