Belief: Jesus Amazes

1 Corinthians 4:20 - For the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in POWER .

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness."

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the POWER at work within us.

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

I Want to See Jesus Move...

... so I need to HUMBLE myself. (Mk 5:21-22)

... so I need to believe that He CAN and WILL help me. (Mk 5:23-34)

... so I need to trust Him if He seems LATE . (Mk 5:35-42)

... so I need to accept things I don't UNDERSTAND. (Mk 5:43)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 5:21-43

1. Can you come to Jesus without humbling yourself? Why or why not? How exactly do you humble yourself?
    
2. Why did Jesus tell the woman her faith made her well (lit. saved her, verse 34)? What was the substance of her faith?
    
3. How would you define “answered prayer”? What does “an answer to prayer” mean? How do you know when a prayer has been answered?

Breakout Questions:

1. What is something you have prayed for that “the Lord has seemed late in answering”? (Mk 4:35) Why do you think He hasn’t answered your prayer in the way that you wanted? What is your response going to be?
    
2. Pray for the upcoming Franklin Graham Crusade and our church’s involvement in it. If we are to be involved, we need the Lord to raise up a leader who will help get us plugged in. This is a tremendous evangelism opportunity!

Demons: Agents of the Enemy

Three Displays of Power:

1. Evil has the power to DESTROY. (Mk 5:1-7)

The Abyss (read): Luke 8:31, 1 Peter 3:19-20, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6-7, Revelation 9:1, 11:7, 17:8, 20:1, 3

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.


2. Jesus has the power to DELIVER. (Mk 5:8-15)


3. Jesus has the power to DIVIDE. (Mk 5:16-20)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 5:1-20

1. Do you believe demonic possession happens today? Why or why not? How could you tell if someone does have a demon?
    
2. Why do you think the demons wanted permission to enter the pigs? What do you think happened to the demons after the pigs died?
    
3. Why did the locals beg Jesus to leave? What does that tell you about them?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another: How do you need Jesus to show up powerfully in your life?

Fear: Absence of Faith

1. Storms reveal my WEAKNESS. (Mk 4:35-37)


2. Storms reveal what I THINK about Jesus. (Mk 4:38)


3. Storms reveal who Jesus REALLY is. (Mk 4:39-41)

Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Isaiah 12:2 - I will trust, and will not be afraid...

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:35-41

1. Why do you think the disciples assumed Jesus didn’t care about their plight? Have you ever felt that you were going through a storm, and Jesus doesn’t care (Mark 4:38)?
    
2. Think of a storm that you have gone through. What did Jesus revealed to you about Himself when the “wind ceased”?

Breakout Questions:

What are you afraid of? Illness? Financial crisis? Issues with your family? What reminder from God’s Word do you need to conquer your fear?

Kingdom: Supernatural and Unstoppable

1. You do YOUR PART. (Mk 4:21-25)

Ways We Hide the Light (Our Baskets and Beds):


1. FEAR


2. SIN


3. SHAME


4. SELF-CENTEREDNESS


5. COMPLAINING

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...


2. God does HIS PART . (Mk 4:26-29)


3. God gets RESULTS . (Mk 4:30-34)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:21-34

1. Sunday we talked about “Ways We Hide the Light (Our Baskets and Beds)” from Mark 4:21. Which of these 5 things get in your way of sharing the Gospel with people? How can each of these be corrected?
   a. Fear
   b. Sin
   c. Shame
   d. Self­-centeredness
   e. Complaining
    
2. When you think of evangelism, do you lean more towards Calvinism (God does what He wants with who He wants, period) or Armenian-ism (saving people is up to each of us)? What do you think Mark 4:21-29 says about the matter?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be better lamps for Jesus!

Gospel: A Response is Required

1. The Parable (Mk 4:19)
• Seed -
• Path -
• Rocky ground -
• Thorns -
• Good soil -


2. How have you responded to the message of Jesus? (Mk 4:14-20)


1. "I don't GET it." (Mk 4:15)


2. "I can't TAKE it." (Mk 4:16-17)


3. "I don't WANT it." (Mk 4:18-19)


4. "I RECEIVE it." (Mk 4:20)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:1-20

1. How can you tell which way someone is responding to the Gospel? What does it look like if they are hard-hearted, shallow-­hearted, or worldly-­hearted?
    
2. How do you know if someone truly receives Jesus? Can you really know? What evidence (or “fruit”) can you look for?
    
3. What determines if someone produces 30­-fold, 60­-fold, or 100-­fold?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for someone, by name, that you know needs to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. And pray for an opportunity to share with that person!