Happy Mother's Day!
Sermon Slides:
Sermon Notes
I. Expected to ________ _________
A. _____________________ doesn’t belong (v. 2, 6)
B. Proof of _______________ (v. 8)
II. Instructed to ___________
A. ______ you _________ (v. 4)
B. ____________________ is key (v. 5)
II. Motivated by ____________
A. Love is _____________ (v. 9-10)
B. For our __________ (v. 11)
Going Deeper
- In what ways do you feel like you’re failing or not doing “enough”? What does God’s Word tell us to do with these kinds of feelings? What verses or passages come to mind?
- Read 1 John 1:8-10. As humans, we know we’re not perfect. We sin. We make mistakes. We let others down. How do these verses give us hope, even when we fall short? Where are we supposed to take our feelings of guilt?
- Read Romans 8:1. What is comforting about this verse? What makes it difficult to believe? What is significant about the phrase “in Christ” in this verse?
- Read Matthew 11:28-30. Sometimes our feelings of guilt or inadequacy aren’t connected to a particular sin, but rather to unrealistic expectations. What do you think others expect of you? What do you expect of yourself? What, if anything, feels “burdensome” about those expectations?
- What is the difference between what people expect of you and what Jesus expects of you? (see Micah 6:8) Can we always meet the expectations of people? Can we always meet the expectations of Christ?
- Margaret Clarkson wrote “God’s commands are His enablings.” How does God enable or empower us to do what He has commanded? (see 2 Peter 1:3-4)
- If it’s God who gives us the ability to obey Him, what are we supposed to do? (see John 15:4-5)
- Augustus Lopes says, “United with Christ, we are as close to God now as we will ever be. Through Him, we have full access to the presence of God and enjoy privileges of the world to come.” How does this perspective help us when we feel like we’re far from God?
- Read Luke 9:10-17. When we bring what little we have to God, what is He able to do with it? How does this story illustrate what we should do when we feel like we’re “not enough”? What is one thing you can do this week in response to what you’ve learned?