Highly to Be Praised

Guest Speaker: Mark Ort

Effects of Psalm 145:

1. We gain a PROPER VIEW of God.



2. God receives glory through our PRAISE .



3. Our PRAYER LIFE is enhanced.



4. We become EFFECTIVE WITNESSES of His greatness.

Mark Ort - HBCPN Elder

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 145

1. What did you learn about the character of God in this passage that you did not know before?
    
2. What aspects of your prayer life need to change in light of Psalm 145?
    
3. Is it important or necessary to recite God's attributes back to Him in our prayers?
    
4. How does Psalm 145 affect your evangelism? Who do you need to talk to specifically and what will you tell them?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Homework:
Write your own four or five sentence prayer of exultation and post it on the refrigerator as a reminder to praise God! Maybe even start your own prayer and praise journal.
Read 1 Kings 8 (prayer for the temple)

Glory: A Glimpse of Majesty

How to Recognize a Real Mountaintop Experience:

1. Jesus is highly EXALTED , and I am HUMBLED by his presence. (Mk 9:1-6)



2. God clearly SPEAKS to me, and I am CHALLENGED by His Word. (Mk 9:7-13)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 9:1-13

1. Do you come prepared to encounter the Lord on Sunday? How would you tell someone to prepare themselves for Sunday service?
    
2. For what purpose did Jesus become transfigured before the 3 disciples? Why was it Moses and Elijah who showed up? Why did Jesus' death keep becoming the focus of the conversation (Mk 9:9-10, 12, cf. Luke 9:31)

Breakout Questions:
Pray for our church - we would be a place where God continues (increasingly so!) to show up and show us His glory.

Commitment: All or Nothing

Following Jesus Requires

1. You must DENY yourself. (Mk 8:34)



2. You must APPRAISE your soul. (Mk 8:35-37)



3. You must consider the COST of NOT following Jesus. (Mk 8:38)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:34-38

1. What would you say to someone who says, "I would like to come to church, but I don't want to give up my party lifestyle." What would Jesus say in light of Mark 8:34-38?
    
2. Why would someone be ashamed of Jesus and His words (Mark 8:38)? What does that mean? Do you ever feel ashamed to speak up for Jesus?

Breakout Questions:
Is there any area in which I am not "dead to self"? Any area I have resisted giving up that I know I need to? Pray for one another!

Confession: The Heart of the Matter

Three Questions About Jesus You Have to Get Right

1. Do I understand the MAN ? (Mk 8:27-30)



2. Do I understand the PLAN ? (Mk 8:31-33)



3. Have I made him PERSONAL ? (Mk 8:29)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:22-33

1. In Mk 8:29, Jesus made the issue about Him personal ("Who do you say that I am?"). How would you explain to someone what it means to make Jesus "personal"?
    
2. Why did Jesus not want His disciples telling people He is the Christ?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Unbelief: Missing the Point

1. Those committed to UNBELIEF can't commit to JESUS . (Mk 8:11-15)




2. Those committed to JESUS sometimes ACT like those committed to UNBELIEF . (Mk 8:16-21)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:1-21

1. Jesus gave a warning in Mark 8:15: "Watch out; beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod". Restate this warning in your own words. What, exactly and specifically, are we to "watch out" for?
    
2. Why didn't Jesus just show the Pharisees a sign? Why was Jesus grieved that they wanted one? Compare this account to Matthew's version in Matthew 16:1-4.

Breakout Questions:
Are there any areas of hypocrisy or sensuality in your life? Pray against that leaven!