Called to Obey

Introduction:

James 5:17a - Elijah was a man with a nature like ours.

1 Kings 16:33 - Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.

How Am I Called to Obey? (1 Kings 17:1-24)

1. By Praying according to God's Word. (1 Kings 17:1)

   See: James 5:17-18, Deuteronomy 11:16-17, 1 Kings 8:35

2. By Doing exactly what God's Word Say. (1 Kings 17:2-6)
3. By Serving as God's Word directs. (1 Kings 17:7-16)
4. By Trusting God's Word no matter what. (1 Kings 17:17-24)

   James 5:16b - The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Kings 17:1-24

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Does your prayer life seem unbalanced right now? What would it look like to pray big prayers to a big God and expect big results?
   

3. How do we justify or excuse our disobedience to God’s Word? How do you see yourself struggling to obey the Lord in a specific way right now?
   

4. What holds you back from serving others as God’s Word directs? How do you feel called to serve right now?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Natural Response

Introduction:

The ONLY Two Responses to Christ (Matthew 2:1-12)

1. Reject Christ to worship Myself .
2. Reject Myself to worship Christ .

   John 3:19 - "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 2:1-12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do most people respond so poorly and negatively to Christ?
   

3. What does it look like to reject yourself to worship Christ? How can you mature in your desire and ability to worship the Lord?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Do You Know It All?

Introduction:

Job 1:22 - In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Job 2:10 - In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 7:20 - “Why have you made me your mark? Why have I become a burden to you?”

Job 13:3 - “But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.”

See: Job 23:2-6

Questions to Ask Myself When I Question God (Job 38-39):

1. Am I qualified to evaluate the One who Supervises Me ? (Job 38:1-3)

   Circle the correct answer: - Yes or No

2. Am I able to know more than the One who Created Everything ? (Job 38:4-21)

   Circle the correct answer: - Yes or No

   Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.

   Galatians 6:7 - Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will He also reap.

3. Am I wise enough to give advice to the One who Directs What I Cannot Control ? (Job 38:22-39:30)

   Circle the correct answer: - Yes or No

   Romans 11:34-35 - “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?”

   1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Covering Job 38-39

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What does it look like to question God? How do you see yourself questioning God right now?
   

3. Go around and share things that you cannot possibly know about this life, this world, and this universe. How should these things that we do not know affect our view of God and ourselves?
   

4. Can you think of a time when you tried to advise/counsel God but His plans ended up being way better than your own?

Breakout (men and women separate):
Share how you struggle with a “I know better than God” mentality right now and pray for one another.

Don’t Be THAT Guy

Introduction:

How to Figure Out if You're Being THAT Guy:

1. Do You Fail to Recognize that You Have Blind spots ?

   Job 42:7 - "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

   Job 42:8 - "For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

   1. By assuming God's Plan and People's Motives .

      Read more: Job 5:27, Job 15:9-10, Job 13:7

      1 Samuel 16:7 - "For the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

   2. By having Unbiblical and Unhelpful Convictions.

      Read more Job 4:7-9, Job 8:4

      Job 11:6 - "Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves."

      Job 4:7 - "Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?"

      2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

      1 John 3:5 - You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

      1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.

2. Do You Mean Well but Fail to Cmfort Well .
   1. By talking Way Too Much .

      Read more: Job 16:2-3, Job 13:5

   2. By saying the Wrong Thing at the Wrong Time.
   3. By saying the Right Thing in the Wrong Way.

      Read more Job 6:14

      Isaiah 42:2-3 - He will not cry aloud or lift up His voice or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Covering Job 3-31

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How do you see yourself being THAT guy or THAT girl right now when it comes to helping others especially those who suffer?
   

3. Why is it so unwise to assume God’s plans and other people’s motives?
   

4. What are some unbiblical and unhelpful convictions that many Christians have bought into?
   

5. How can you grow in your ability to comfort well?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Hope

Introduction:

Since My Future is Filled with Hope... (Micah 4:1-13):

1. I submit to God's authority even though it's Not popular . (Micah 4:1-5)
2. I trust that God is always at work even when it Seems Like He is Not . (Micah 4:6-10)
3. I do not fear those who Stand Against Me . (Micah 4:11-13)

   Romans 16:20 - "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Micah 4:1-13

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What is hope? Why is it so important for Christians to possess a strong sense of hope?
   

3. In what area of life do you feel the most pressure to conform to the world and not stand out for Christ?
   

4. How do you see yourself struggling with trusting in the Lord right now?
   

5. How can we resist the temptation to live in fear of the future from day to day?

Breakout
Pray for one another.