On Sunday, Matt taught from Hebrews 4:15-16 about why Jesus is uniquely qualified to help us with temptation. Jesus is qualified because He is able to sympathize (or suffer with) us because He has been tempted in every way, but without sin.
Consider this:
- Meditate on what it means to be tempted in every respect, yet without sin. How does this affect the way you understand Jesus?
- When you have been tempted in the past, how do you think Jesus feels about that? Is He angry, upset, joyous, etc?
- What does Scripture say Jesus feels when you are tempted?
- How does this affect the way that we approach God in asking for grace in those times?
- Pray that your heart would understand that Christ looks on you with sympathy in the midst of temptation, and that you can approach the throne of grace with confidence because of this.
On Sunday, Matt taught from Hebrews 2:14-18 on temptation, which is defined as the fleshly desire to sin before the sin. Matt gave three points of application on how to fight temptation--the Word of God, prayer, and loving Jesus.
Here are some things to consider:
- Make a list of sins that you are often tempted to commit.
- How have you tried to deal with those temptations outside of God? Did it work?
- How have you tried to deal with those temptations through Scripture, prayer, and loving Jesus? Did it work?
- Pray that God would grant you the Grace to deal with temptation with Scripture, prayer, and loving Christ.
On Sunday, Matt taught from Genesis 5:1-24 about a man named Enoch who walked with God. Hebrews11 explains that it was because of Enoch’s faith that he did not die butinstead was taken by God. Therefore, death does not have reign in our lives, but by grace through faith we have life in Jesus Christ.
The Gospel
- Take some time to define the Gospel.
- What ares of life do you find frustrating or aggravating?
- How does a resurrected Christ address these areas of your life?
- Pray that the Gospel would become apparent through these areas.
On Sunday, Matt taught from Genesis 4:1-9 about the progression of sin from Adam and Eve to their sons Cain and Abel. God told Cain that he must rule over his sin, and if he did not, that sin would lead to death. (Listen here.)
Here are some things to think through this week in light of the sermon:
Man's view:
• Make a list of the top five sins you struggle with.
• Of those sins, which ones do you consider small sins? Large sins?
• How seriously do you take those sins in your life?
• How do you deal? (Do you downplay them, dismiss them, get frustrated with them, etc.)
God's view:
• What kinds of sins does God consider small sins? Large sins?
• How seriously does God take sin in comparison to how serious you take sin?
• How does God desire you to deal with sin?
• For the next week, pray that God would give you the strength to actively fight these things in your life.