Legalism: When Tradition Trumps the Bible

Legalism is:


Legalism is NOT:


4 Reasons I Don't Want to be Trapped in Legalism:

1. I don't want to be a CRITICAL person. (Mk 7:1-5)


2. I don't want a MEANINGLESS religion. (Mk 7:6-7a)


3. I don't want to dishonor God's WORD . (Mk 7:7b-8)


4. I don't want to MISREPRESENT God. (Mk 7:9-13)

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

Personal Reflection Questions:
Read Mark 7:1-13

A simple prayer for you to pray this week. Personalize this, and bring this before God:

Father, I want to hunger for you more, I want to thirst for You and the things that You are about. Show me any areas of hypocrisy in my life, and let me have a genuine walk, a living and powerful relationship with You that comes from the heart. I know that there is nothing I can do to earn Your love and forgiveness, because You have already provided it in Jesus Christ. Please give me the faith to embrace all that He says He is.

Storms: When Jesus Becomes Personal

Jesus cares for ME.

• He PRAYS for Me. (Mk 6:46)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

• He WATCHES over me. (Mk 6:48a)

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4

• He STAYS with me. (Mk 6:48b)

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

• He COMFORTS me. (Mk 6:50)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:45­-56

1. Jesus walking on water was the event that made the “lights come on” for the disciples that Jesus was not only God, but He loved them and cared for them. (Mark 6:35-41) What was it that made the “lights come on” for you? What made you realize that Jesus has a personal love for you? Take turns sharing!

Breakout Questions:

Pray for the love of Christ to control you, your Small Group, and your church! (2 Cor 5:14)

Provision: Jesus Supplies

Jesus Provides:

1. ... REST for the Weary. (Mk 6:30-32)


2. ... COMPASSION for the Weak. (Mk 6:33-34)


3. ... SATISFACTION for the Hungry. (Mk 6:35-42)


4. ... PERFECTLY for the Workers. (Mk 6:43-44)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:30-44

1. The miracle of feeding the 5,000 men is in all 4 Gospels. Why do you think all 4 writers included it? What does this miracle tell you about Jesus?
    
2. Share with the group a time that the Lord provided for you in an amazing way.
    
3. What was your biggest “take-­a-way” from the message?

Breakout Questions:

1. Fill in the blank: “I need Jesus to provide _________ for me.”
    
2. Pray for one another.

Authentic: Ministry by Jesus

7 Marks of a Jesus-Authentic Ministry

1. TEAMWORK (Mk 6:7a)


2. AUTHORITY (Mk 6:7b)


3. DEPENDANCE (Mk 6:8-10)


4. DETERMINATION (Mk 6:11)


5. BOLDNESS (Mk 6:12)


6. GLORY (Mk 6:13-15)


7. PERSEVERANCE (Mk 6:16-29)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:7-29

Evaluate the Ministry of Harvest Pittsburgh North (and your personal part of it) using a school grading system: ABCDF in the areas outlined above in the sermon. In the area(s) that are weak, what can be done to improve? What steps will you take to make it happen?

Breakout Questions:

Pray specifically for our nation and its leaders. (1 Timothy 2:14)

Unbelief: Jesus is Amazed

Unbelief is Amazing Because...

1. It chooses to ignore the EVIDENCE (Mk 6:1-2)



2. It chooses to object with IRRELEVANCE (Mk 6:3a)



3. It chooses to think with EMOTION (Mk 6:3b-4)



4. It chooses to forfeit BLESSING (Mk 6:5-6)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:1-6

1. What is the hardest objection to the Christian faith / the Bible, in your opinion? (Evolution, what about the dinosaurs, where did Cain get his wife? etc etc).
    
2. Why do people “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”? (Mark 6:12, Romans 1:18) Why is sin such a motivator to deny the truth of God?
    
3. Why did Jesus “do no mighty work there” in Nazareth? (Mark 6:5) How did unbelief play a part in that? Why did He still do a few?
    
4. How could Jesus “marvel” at their reaction if He already knows what is in the heart of a man? (John 2:24-25)

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another: that we be people of faith moving towards God instead of unbelief moving away from God.