Application Guide: The Gospel of Matthew – Part 4

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV)

May 16, 2004: “The Gospel of Matthew - Part 4” by Pastor Kimber Kauffman, Senior Pastor College Park Church. Pastor Kimber continued his series on the Gospel of Matthew with today’s focus on the escape to Egypt in Matthew 2:13-23. As he began his message, Pastor Kimber reviewed Matthew’s shock & awe of the true greatness of the coming of Jesus and concluded with…

• How intense Angelic and Demonic activity surrounded the event as the forces of good and evil intensify the battle between good and evil.
• How Jesus is the fulfillment of O.T. Scriptures that foretold his coming and the events that would follow.

Good and Evil are real. This special child was, and is, dearly loved and worshiped, and at the same time was, and is today, ignored and deeply hated. We need to make a commitment. We can’t stay neutral. The battle is real. The gospel is all out war between God, goodness, love, kindness vs. Satan, badness, hatred and cruelty. There is no place for average commitment.

Application Questions:

1. What can we learn from Matthew 10:34-39 about neutrality? How does this effect us, when one who is on fire for the glory of Christ and desiring to live in obedience to him, comes into disagreement with others in the family? In the work place?

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being low and 10 being all out commitment to Christ, where are you? (Pass out 3x5 cards and have them write down their ranking).

3. What can we learn from Revelation 3:14-22 about neutrality? What must we do to be pleasing to God? What can we do to demonstrate our love for him when we come together for worship? In our everyday life?

4. Pastor Kimber asked that we at College Park help get the word out!!! What can our flock group, and each of us individually, do to get the word out about the greatness of Christ?

5. How can we come to know him better? What can we do to obey him, love him, and center our lives on him? What can we do to avoid having our thoughts and actions be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ?

6. What can we do to maintain our focus on Christ, and demonstrate that we are loving, tender, compassionate, followers of Christ? How can we, like velvet steel, demonstrate our strong, solid, godly, commitment to him, in our personal life? In our interaction with others in our home, in our work place, and in our community?

Commitment: As a result of tonight’s discussion, consider prayerfully what you would like to begin doing differently, or strengthen what you are already attempting to do. Write it down on a 3x5 card and review it often over the next couple of weeks. Throughout each day, ask the Lord Jesus to help you accomplish what you have written.