Application Guide: “Looking Unto Jesus: Thy Kingdom Come”

(Mt. 9:35-38)

 

March 13th, 2005: Joe Bartemus, Pastor of Adult Education, preached a sermon that summarized Jesus’ work plan for bringing about his Kingdom. As Matthew 5-7 describes what it looks like to live in the Kingdom of the Heavens, chapters 8-9 show Christ’s Kingdom work in action. Mt. 9:35-38 summarizes these chapters in three features: Jesus’ job description (teaching, proclaiming, and healing), his source of motivation (compassion), and his succession plan (God working through men who are prayed into the harvest field).

 

1.      Pastor noted that Jesus went to where the people were – he came and dwelt among us and spoke in the synagogues (v. 35). 

a.      If we are going to do mission work “where the people are” in 2005, where then should we be going to be a witness? Should we expect people who need Christ to be knocking at our doors or stepping into church?

b.      What are some ways in your own sphere of influence that you can proclaim Christ and his Kingdom and demonstrate his transforming power to a sin cursed world?

 

2.      Application: Jesus is actively pursuing his Kingdom and is defeating evil.

a.      When in your life do you feel like Jesus isn’t having victory over evil? How can we respond in faith when it seems like evil has the upper hand?

b.      If Jesus has come to you where you are, and you have experienced the gospel he proclaims, what implication does this have in regards to your ability to daily have victory over sin (cf. Rom 6)?

 

3.      Jesus’ motivation for ministry was compassion – a love in action. He looked upon the harassed and helpless, the shepherdless, and the ripe for harvest.

a.      What if Jesus’ ministering began in 2005 – who would be the “harassed and helpless” that he would go to? What kind of interaction do you have with these kinds of people?

 

4.      Jesus sees potential us – even while seeing us at our worst – because of his ability to transform lives.

a.      What about this fact is encouraging in your own life?

b.      How would our interactions with people be different if we viewed everyone based on the fact that they are made in the image of God (they have intrinsic value) and have potential to be used by God? What if we viewed everyone we came across as a potential believer?

 

5.      Jesus’ succession plan is that we would pray for people who are driven by the power of God to go into the harvest.

a.      How does your prayer life for missions, evangelism, and the world need to grow? What are some ways you ought to be contributing to the work of the harvest?

b.      Why are we so afraid of witnessing to people? Why do we respond to evangelism out of a guilt trip? Why don’t we look at evangelism as a wonderful privilege to be a part of God’s work of building up his Kingdom?