Friday Young Adult Life Group

8/16 Midweek Bible Reflection

8/16/2023

Behold, I am doing a New Thing
(ISAIAH 43:14-28)

Pause & Reflect

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

14 Thus says the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I send to Babylon
    and bring them all down as fugitives,
    even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,
    the Creator of Israel, your King.”
16 Thus says the Lord,
    who makes a way in the sea,
    a path in the mighty waters,
17 who brings forth chariot and horse,
    army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
    they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

[v.14-17] *Biblical principle – The best days are ahead of you, not behind you. The future is always new because of the LORD who makes all things new at each new day. We can live presently in this future grace because of His past faithfulness that made a way to redeem us from every former dark day. This future is secure not by who we are, but whose we are – the LORD, the Holy One, our Creator and King. God’s people had a bleak future awaiting them – 70 years of exile and imprisonment in the grip of the Babylonian Empire. Yet what did God already foretell would happen to the Babylonians who oppressed them, along with the Chaldeans (v.14)? *It does not matter what the future holds, but who holds the future. Who is holding the future of God’s people (v.15)? God calls His people to recall how He delivered them, making a way out of Egypt and through the Red Sea under the leadership of Moses (v.16-17). How do you need to live into God’s future by recalling His past faithfulness? How has God already made a way where there is no way? Are you trusting in the God who holds your future, and gives you hope and faith that the best days with Him are still to arrive ahead of you?

18 “Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20 The wild beasts will honor me,
    the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
    rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
21     the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

[v.18-21] *Biblical principle – In order to live into God’s new future, we must lay aside our former past. We are to recall God’s faithfulness in the past, but do not remember your former ways of old. Don’t keep drinking the past into the present, but move forward and be quenched by new waters the LORD provides to declare His praise. 70 years in exile would be a long time, but God would eventually bring His people back to their homeland from Babylon through hundreds of miles of wilderness and desert (v.18-19). In that long journey back to the homeland, the LORD promises even the wild beasts will not hurt them, and He will provide water to sustain them, so that in the end they might declare His praise (v.20-21). But in order to cling this hope and future, they must not remember the former things or be entangled in their former ways of old. How are you entangled with living in the past while forfeiting what God is doing in the present and holds for you in the future? What past patterns and addictions are you going back to again and again, enslaving you from God’s future grace and growth in Christ? God is doing a new thing right now! Right now it is springing forth. How are you missing it? Are you perceiving it? What must you lay aside right now to discern what God is doing right now?

22 “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
23 You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities.

[v.22-24] *Biblical principle – Although the way into God’s future has been made for us, God is unable to spring it forth because we are burdening Him and wearying Him with our unrepentance. Turn from what you have failed to do, failed to bring, and failed to honor the Lord in your life. Be transformed by God’s grace to start walking with Him aright. God had an amazing hope and future for His people, yet they did not trust in it initially. It may have been too good to be true. It may have been their doubts. Despite this blessing of future grace, God’s people refused to call upon the LORD. Instead, they thought the LORD was wearying them and burdening them with His commands, especially in the giving of offerings (v.22-23). Yet God commanded the giving of offerings not because He wanted the offerings, but because He wanted their hearts. The offerings showed the condition of their hearts. Since they withheld their offerings, they were the ones who were wearying and burdening God with their sins (v.24). God had never wearied nor burdened them. How are you wearying and burdening God? How are you withholding God from bringing His future grace into your life? What are we failing to turn away from to be transformed by the grace of Christ? How can we start walking upright so that His commands are not a burden, but a joy for us to obey out of love for Him?

25 “I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.
27 Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against me.
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and deliver Jacob to utter destruction and Israel to reviling.

[v.25-28] *Biblical principle – Because our sins are many, we will never perfectly and fully repent of everything. Yet, God, by His grace and for His own sake, has forgiven us and does not remember any of our sins. By this, He restores His new future for us while we humbly grow in our repentance in the present. Although God’s people had failed to call upon Him and embrace His future grace, the LORD still promises to blot out their transgressions and remember their sins no more (v.25). He will do this not because of how much they will or will not repent, but because of His own sake – His own grace. Yet this free gift of forgiveness does not mean His people can just live the way they want now. They must know, like their first father (Adam), they need to repent daily and still be handed over to God’s judgment and discipline (v.26-28). Do you know that God forgave you because of His own grace and not by the measure of your own repentance? Does this transform you to live in the freedom to obey Him over the freedom to continue obeying yourself? When is the last time you repented of your own ways? When is the last time you have been touched by God’s grace with tears? How is your repentance restoring God’s future for you?

The central truth of this word was –
Your future doesn’t end with the past. In Christ, there is always a new day. God is doing a new thing, bringing you into a new future, making a new way for you to be more quenched to live by His grace and for His glory. Do not remember your former life of old. God doesn’t remember it either. He is doing a new thing in you, through you, with you! Live in His new day! The best days are yet to come!
– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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8/11 Life Group

8/11/2023

Besides Me There is No Savior
(ISAIAH 43:1-13)

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s “Press On” Revival Lock-In? Read the selected texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit desires to say through it.

1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.

[v.1-4] *The biblical principle – We are saved by how precious we are to God, sustaining us to walk through the fires of life without being consumed by them. We are saved when His presence is more precious than even our pains. What fires of life has God sustained you through by showing how precious you are to Him? To God, you are precious in His eyes, enough to exchange anything – even His one and only Son – to have you. But what about you – is the LORD as precious to your eyes too? Or is there something else more precious? When something is precious to us, we long to have it at all costs. What is that for you today?

5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

[v.5-7] *The biblical principle – God saved us from making ourselves our own savior, so that we can live for something far better – His glory. We are saved to bring His glory to all the children of God from the east to the west, from the north to the south. In today’s world, we have too many “saviors” to lean on that makes the Savior Jesus just another option among many others who can deliver us from our problems. One “savior” we most often turn to is ourselves. Yet how can saving ourselves be the ruin of ourselves? Why is it selfish to pursue our own glory, while it is loving (unto us) for God to pursue His own glory? What is the glorious mission that the LORD has left for us that will bring us the fullest joy and meaning in our lives?

8 Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
9 All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true.
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
11 I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”

[v.8-13] *The biblical principle – We are saved to be witnesses that God is always proven right while we are in the wrong. Only the LORD God can save us from our unrighteousness to see and hear that there is no one like Him. How has God always proven to be right in your life? Although there is no one like Him, how do we fall into chasing fake imitations of Him? Like a fireman pleading with us to take his hand and go out of the burning home through its only one-way exit, how have we rejected the pleas of Jesus Christ, thinking there are alternative backdoors to be tried first, or refused to let Him carry us out?

The central truths of this word was twofold –

CENTRAL TRUTH #1 –
There is no idol who sees you as precious and remains with you through the fires of life. It will use you, abuse you, and eventually forsake you. Only the Savior Jesus Christ proves Himself as the one who loved you, gave Himself for you, and remains with you to the end. He did this to fulfill the purpose for which He created you – to gather His children back to Him from every corner of the earth.

CENTRAL TRUTH #2 –
Life is not about finding and choosing the familiar and similar things, but trusting and obeying the one thing that is like no other. Many ways just cloud the one way that God has purposed in your life. Trying many ways will not make you any happier. Stick to go one way – one direction, one spouse, one church, one covenant, one purpose - just as God in Jesus Christ came one way

– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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8/4 Life Group

8/2/2023

*8/4/2023* Young Adult Life Group guide

Treasure in a Jar
(2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-10)
*Special Guest Preacher: Rev. Jim-Bob Park (Compassion Korea)

Pause & Reflect

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Why are we so focused on managing our self-image? (*Hint: Beginning with original sin [Garden of Eden])
What is the most important thing God sees in a worshiper's attitude? (*Hint: See the inner person, the center. The purpose of worship is transformation, not information. Let's change beginning with me, just as I am yet not staying as I am. As worshippers, we have many different jobs and titles in the Lord’s ministry, yet they are for functional purposes to edify the body, not positional purposes for self-promotion. Let's not be mistaken.)
Does the material of the jar matter? Or is the content inside the jar a more critical matter? (*Hint: Clay jars harden when heated. This is like our hearts – the heart hardens to become a hardened-heart when the heat of our pride gets to us. Our pride is not the external jar, but the contents inside it. If there is filth or trash in a golden jar, it is a trashcan/trash jar – not a golden jar. The gold outside loses its value by filthy trash inside of it. But if Jesus is contained even inside a jar for trash, it is a treasure – a life full of His power. A Christian should be in a relational life, not a religious life – Jesus and I should become one in relationship. **What comes out when the jar is broken is what the person contains. We need to examine the content of our jar because one day, like Job, our jar will shatter by the storms of life. We need to be ready. Yet even when our jar shatters, we can say with Job – “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. [JOB 1:21]” Even though our jar shatters, our Treasure never will. In fact, our Treasure inside will piece back our jar in ways more beautiful, magnificent, glorious, and amazing that we could have never had without it shattering in the first place.)
What kind of jar does God use? (*Hint: He uses all kinds of bowls, except one – a dirty bowl. We need to get in the dishwasher. The dishwasher is the story of our life. The blood of Jesus washes away the scum, so that we can come out new and clean. This requires us to repent daily with a humble and thankful heart for the life of Jesus that has made us clean jars forevermore.)
Why is the world getting darker? (*Hint: The world is doing its job properly – spreading its darkness. The problem is not with the darkness but with the light. The world looks darker because the light is not doing its job properly. Even the smallest light – as small as a mustard seed – can repel any darkness. Let's play our role as the light of Christ properly! Let's keep the dishes clean! The story of the plate in the dishwasher is the story of our lives. The story of the jar is only my life before God! There is no need to look at others, compare and evaluate how dirtier or less dirty you are. Any dirt makes a dirty dish. Instead, look at what’s inside your jar, and when the trials of life shatter your jar, remember who is piecing it back together more beautifully than before – Christ in you.)

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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7/21 Life Group

7/21/2023

*7/21/2023* Young Adult Life Group guide

Press On!
(PHILIPPIANS 1-4)

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s “Press On” Revival Lock-In? Read the selected texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit desires to say through it.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
…
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

[chapter 1] *The biblical principle – Pressing on to the LORD is the posture of pressing against what holds back your partnership, your progress, and your pleasure to gain more of Jesus Christ. Is there someone you “thank God in all your remembrance of them…. with joy because of their partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”… that “you hold in your heart” as partakers of God’s grace… that “you yearn for them with the affection of Christ Jesus”? How does Paul’s affectionate prayer show you what covenant partnership within the church should be, and how that helps us to press on? How can you cultivate your posture of pressing against the things holding you back from the Lord? How is even death a progress for us? How does this transform the way we live and continue joyfully in the present?

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[chapter 2:1-11] *The biblical principle – Have the mind of Christ Jesus to what is pressing back against you. The mind of Christ pressed against grasping equality with God, being served as God, physically appearing like God, even the way He was to die as God. As low as Jesus was pressed down is as high as the Father God exalted Him up over all things, so that every knee and tongue – whether receiving or rejecting Him – will bow and confess that He is Lord. How is the mind of Christ different from the mind of self? How has the Lord given you the equipment of Christ’s mind to put on that empowers you to press forward? Although putting on the mind of Christ will press us down in the world, what will the Father God do as we obey Christ at all costs?

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
…
17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

[chapter 2:12-18] *The biblical principle – Like Christ, being pressed down does not mean it is impossible to press on. Like Paul, even if you are being poured out, God pours in simultaneously. There is light shining through you that is straightening and untwisting what is around you. Be glad and rejoice at God who works in you His good and pleasing will, so as you press on, it is really Christ generating it within you. Although we are being poured out in the service of Christ, what should be pouring in as Christ – the chief servant – serves us? What needs straightening and untwisting within us and around us as the light of Christ shines forth for us to press on?

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need
...
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

[chapter 2:19-30] *The biblical principle – The mind of Christ is carried on by fellow workers and soldiers, messengers and ministers to the needs of God’s people. Press on by their work, which is Christ’s work for you. How does living into the soldier’s mentality help us press on in the Lord? Does a soldier get involved in civilian affairs, or live half-alerted to their surroundings? How can our identity as soldiers of Christ to each other, and other soldiers around us, help us press on in Christ’s work?

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh--
…
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

[chapter 3:1-6] *The biblical principle – The goal is not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Paul had many things to boast about in the flesh that came by way of his birth, reputation, and achievements. Yet, none of these were things to put confidence in because they pressed against the goal of the Spirit, which was to confidently worship and glory in Christ Jesus alone. What can you boast about in your flesh – by way of your birth, reputation/title, and achievements? How can these things be hindrances to pressing forward in the goal that the Spirit has for your life? Where are you placing your confidence?

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

[chapter 3:12-16] *The biblical principle – The goal of attaining Jesus is fixed and guaranteed in the future, but we have not already obtained it in the present. Therefore, we are called to press on in forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead. Maturity is measured on humility – not on what we think we’ve attained, but on how far Christ has progressed us. How are you growing in maturity through humility? How is our pride obsessing over something in the present, over humbly hoping for to attain Christ in the future? How do we want all of something now, when Christ wants us to confess we have yet to obtain it?

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
…
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

[chapter 3:17-21] *The biblical principle – Maturity in Christ will influence those around us, and call them to imitate our progress and example in walking with Christ, avoiding the enemies of the cross of Christ. Progress toward the goal points others to our citizenship in heaven with Jesus through a new glorious body. Can you call others to imitate you, because of your imitation of Christ? How can we progress to towards that – so that we might set the example with our lives pressing onward towards the Lord?

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

[chapter 4:1-3] *The biblical principle – Joy is the fuel to press on in the Lord. The joy of Christ is unleased when brothers and sisters in conflict agree in the Lord. Gospel laborers are not in competition but companionship, laboring side by side for the same cause. Where are we disagreeing with one another? How can we agree “in the Lord”? How is a focus of being “in the Lord” the key to igniting joy in our brotherhood, sisterhood, families, marriage, and church?

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

[chapter 4:4-9] *The biblical principle – The joy of Christ is the power to release anxiety about anything, but in everything keeping to prayer with persistence and a thankful heart. The peace of God rests on those who rejoice in this power, and it will guard their hearts and minds to think the thoughts of Jesus. How is the power of Christ’s joy being released in your life? How is joy both an emotion of the heart and a condition of the heart through all circumstances? How does joy in the Lord cause thankfulness to the Lord in every situation to press on?

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

[chapter 4:10-13] *The biblical principle – The joy of Christ does not depend on the fulfillment of needs but on the strength of God to endure any need, empowering us in Christ to go through all things with Him. The joy of Christ teaches us to be content, whether in need or in need to give more out of our plenty. His joy strengthens us to obey to face every circumstance with Him. How have we sought joy in fulfilling needs over the strength of God to endure every need? How is your joy in the Lord not swayed by whether you are in need or in plenty? How does Christ’s joy cause you to live in neither poverty nor riches, but only on what is needful, “lest you be full and deny Him and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest you be poor and steal and profane the name of your God” (Proverbs 30:7-9)?

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
…
19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

[chapter 4:14-23] *The biblical principle – The joy of Christ’s provision seeks the fruit that increases to the credit of others. When our joy is when God supplies the needs of others through us, then our supply will never run dry in Him, according to the riches of His glory in Christ. How is it far more joyful to seek the fruit that increases to the credit of others? How has God’s supply never run dry when our aim has been to supply the needs of others to press on fully in the Lord?

The central truths of Philippians –

Press On by Christ’s Example
(PHILIPPIANS chapters 1-2)
Although He was pressed down in every way, Jesus pressed on for the joy set before Him – to put His mind in you. Put on the mind of Christ! Press against the crooked and twisted mind of this generation. He has given you the desire to gain His mind in every situation, so press forward to live worthy of the gospel of Christ! We are at war – be the soldier in this army for Jesus. Let us be alert, awake, and in joyful adoration as we press on to hear and follow our worthy Commander and King.

Press On Toward the Goal
(PHILIPPIANS chapter 3)
The goal is to attain the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus, showing even the gains we get in this world are all really a loss compared to gaining Jesus and being found in Him. Those who are mature will confess this has not been obtained yet, but is humbly realized as we progress towards our heavenly citizenship and new glorious body.

Press On in Joy
(PHILIPPIANS chapter 4)
Joy is the fuel of God’s strength that causes us to press on. Joy from God is unleashed in peace (brothers and sisters in conflict agree in the Lord), in prayer (that removes anxiety), and provision (whether plenty or still needy). Joy is the contentment we can always take from the LORD to endure all things over have all things. Joy is the power to give thanks in all things. May the joy of the LORD – rejoicing in the LORD – always be your forever strength for all things!

– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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7/14 Life Group

7/14/2023

Behold My Servant Whom I Uphold
(ISAIAH 42:1-9)

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

[v.1] In the past chapter 41, the LORD had promised to answer His people. Now, He reveals the ultimate answer that was to come. God’s people have a bleak exiled future, yet who can they wait upon to behold? This individual is certainly a reference to Jesus Christ from Matthew’s quotation of these verses (see Matthew 12:15-21), yet what is the title given to Him?
*The biblical principle – Behold the Servant of the LORD, whom He upholds for you! With the posture to be served by His Servant, our soul’s delight will be in Him and His Spirit will be upon us. The Servant of God did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. When we learn to be served by Him, we can then truly serve one another. How are you remaining in a posture to be served by Jesus – the servant of the LORD? How might you be hindering Jesus from serving you with His life and words? If the Son of God became a servant to sinners, how does this humble you to serve those around you with His servant’s heart?

2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

[v.2-4] Describe how this servant (Jesus) will use His voice? How will He see bruised and broken people? How will He persevere in ministry?
*The biblical principle – The Servant of God will not break nor extinguish the most bruised and faintly burning life. He sees value in what appears useless and dismissive. He will grow strong to heal and reignite. What are the bruises and faintly burning things in you and around you? Will Jesus simply break-off and blow-out these things, or does He treat them with gentleness and value? How is the LORD fanning into flame the faintly burning flame, and making strong the bruised reeds in your life? Will He ever grow faint or discouraged to do it for you?

5 Thus says God, the LORD,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people,
    a light for the nations,
7     to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the LORD; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth
    I tell you of them.”

[v.5-9] The LORD now turns to speak to His servant. How does He identify Himself (v.5)? How has He called His servant? What is the servant given? For what purpose was the servant called (v.6-7)? With His servant, what will the LORD do with the former things?
*The biblical principle – The Servant of God will be given a covenant people, whose eyes will be opened, whose imprisonment will be freed, to behold new things spring forth from the LORD. Who is the God who called you? Like the servant Jesus, how are you hearing the LORD’s calling? How is the LORD opening your eyes and bringing you out of the dungeon? What are you staying the former things, when the LORD is declaring new things over your life?

The central truth of this word was – Behold Jesus – the servant of the LORD whom He upholds! Be served by Him daily. Although being the Son of God, He came as the Servant of God to His people. There is no bruise too broken nor fire too faint that He cannot restore nor rekindle. He is doing a new thing to spring forth in you, so be served by Him to be filled to serve His life to one another.
– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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7/7 Life Group

7/5/2023

*7/7/2023* Young Adult Life Group guide

I the LORD will Answer
(ISAIAH 41:17-29)

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

17 When the poor and needy seek water,
    and there is none,
    and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them;
    I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water.

[v.17-18] God’s future exiled people at the hands of the wicked Babylonians would undergo extreme suffering – they would even lack their basic needs for water and food. When they reach the point of thirsting and seeking for water, what does the LORD promise?
*The biblical principle – Like our thirst for water with a parched tongue, we must learn to seek and thirst after the LORD to know His answer. His answer will be unexpected, abundant, and transforming. How is the LORD keeping you in a state of being thirsty and needy to seek after Him? What areas of life are we remaining in plenty while refusing to be needy? What does God have in store – what kind of blessings await – for you when you stay thirsty for Him?

19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.
I will set in the desert the cypress,
    the plane and the pine together,
20 that they may see and know,
    may consider and understand together,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
    the Holy One of Israel has created it.

[v.19-20] Alongside providing water to quench their thirst, God will plant seven different trees to grow alongside each other to provide shade for His people. Why will He do this?
*The biblical principle – His answer will be a shade and shelter for us to consider that only the hand of the LORD accomplished and created it. How have you known an answer from the LORD that was undeniably from the work of His hand alone? How has God’s answers been a shade and shelter for you?

21 Set forth your case, says the Lord;
    bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.
22 Let them bring them, and tell us
    what is to happen.
Tell us the former things, what they are,
    that we may consider them,
that we may know their outcome;
    or declare to us the things to come.
23 Tell us what is to come hereafter,
    that we may know that you are gods;
do good, or do harm,
    that we may be dismayed and terrified.
24 Behold, you are nothing,
    and your work is less than nothing;
    an abomination is he who chooses you.

[v.21-24] The LORD now moves to confront the idol world, demanding that they come into His courtroom and prove themselves to be god. What were these idols utterly unable to do, making them “less than nothing”?
*The biblical principle – One main difference between an answer from God and an answer from an idol is in the ability to speak – idols cannot talk nor tell of former/future things like God. If idols cannot talk, how are we creating their speech in our minds with our own desires in the flesh that lead us away from the LORD? If only God can tell of the former and future things in your life, what present things do you need to release to His control? How does that bring you His peace over doubt/fear?

25 I stirred up one from the north, and he has come,
    from the rising of the sun, and he shall call upon my name;
he shall trample on rulers as on mortar,
    as the potter treads clay.
26 Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know,
    and beforehand, that we might say, “He is right”?
There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed,
    none who heard your words.
27 I was the first to say to Zion, “Behold, here they are!”
    and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.
28 But when I look, there is no one;
    among these there is no counselor
    who, when I ask, gives an answer.
29 Behold, they are all a delusion;
    their works are nothing;
    their metal images are empty wind.

[v.25-29] As the only God who controls the future, the LORD would raise up from the north King Cyrus of Persia to deliver His exiled people from the hand of the Babylonians. This would not happen for another hundred years, yet the LORD declared it so that all might say what?
*The biblical principle – Only the answer from God is right as He controls the beginning, middle, and end of all history. How has God proved Himself right every time with His answers in your life? How have we been proved wrong, and how has that been a blessing instead of a curse?

The central truth of this word was – In life, we all wait for an answer – to a prayer request, for a future decision, etc. Are we seeking the answer from the LORD? God has already given us every answer in Jesus Christ. He is the answer – all His promises are answered as “yes and amen” for those who abide in His words. Learn to seek and thirst after His words over alternative answers. Only His Hand can be Your answer, as He grips you to trust in what He has promised. Only He has ability to speak, and what He says is always right.
– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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6/29 Reflect

6/29/2023

*6/25/2023-7/1/2023* Bible Reflection guide

Pause & Reflect

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message – “Fear Not, for I Am with You” – from ISAIAH 41:1-16? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

1 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;
    let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
    let us together draw near for judgment.
2 Who stirred up one from the east
    whom victory meets at every step?
He gives up nations before him,
    so that he tramples kings underfoot;
he makes them like dust with his sword,
    like driven stubble with his bow.
3 He pursues them and passes on safely,
    by paths his feet have not trod.
4 Who has performed and done this,
    calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, the first,
    and with the last; I am he.

[v.1-4] The “coastlands” are those people & nations not only in distant lands, but also distant hearts – whose hearts are far from God. Yet, the Lord still offers a way for them to renew their strength and approach Him. How ought they first approach God’s presence?
*The biblical principle – Listen in silence, for God’s presence is speaking. How is God speaking to you in the silence? Have you listened in silence before His presence? How can growing your listening time be more fruitful to your speaking time (with God and others)?

5 The coastlands have seen and are afraid;
    the ends of the earth tremble;
    they have drawn near and come.
6 Everyone helps his neighbor
    and says to his brother, “Be strong!”
7 The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith,
    and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good”;
    and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.

[v.5-7] When the people of the “coastlands” – whose hearts are far from God – find themselves before the presence of God, they are afraid. Yet instead of fearing God and turning away from their idolatry, what do they do?
*The biblical principle – The presence of God will make us all afraid – that will either strengthen our idolatry or our repentance. How has fear of God actually turned you to run away from Him instead of run towards Him? Who encourages you with, “Be strong!... It is good” when you are walking in a way that is not good, in contrary to the holy Spirit’s conviction? How can fearing God strengthen us to repentance instead of resistance?

8 But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 Behold, all who are incensed against you
    shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
    shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 You shall seek those who contend with you,
    but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
    shall be as nothing at all.
13 For I, the Lord your God,
    hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
    I am the one who helps you.”

[v.8-13] Although God’s presence in the “coastlands” will repel people away, His presence with His chosen people will draw them near. How are God’s people different than the people of the “coastlands” – what has He done and promises to do for them?
*The biblical principle – Unlike the world, God chose His people as His servants and friends to be their Helper with His abiding presence. Did you choose God, or did God choose you? If it is God who first chose you, how is this defining your identity and calling as His servant? How does this assure you to no fear anything at all, but know the Lord your God is with you, upholding you, and helping you? How does the enemy come to steal and destroy these things?

14 Fear not, you worm Jacob,
    you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;
    your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge,
    new, sharp, and having teeth;
you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,
    and you shall make the hills like chaff;
16 you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away,
    and the tempest shall scatter them.
And you shall rejoice in the Lord;
    in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

[v.14-16] No one can stay untransformed in the presence of the Lord. God’s people were once as weak as a “worm” – yet what would they be transformed to become and do?
*The biblical principle – Knowing we are His chosen and redeemed people, God’s presence transforms us to rejoice in Him always. Are you transformed by the fact that God has chosen you and redeemed you? Does it leave you to rejoice in Him? How are we still stuck in the worm-like weak life, when God has chosen and redeemed us to live the new created life in His increasing joy?

The central truth of this word was – Sinful fear is caused by absent faith. We are afraid because we do not trust God is near nor God is Immanuel (with us). In these times, we need to learn to listen in silence, for often our talk obscures God’s presence. His presence should make us all afraid initially – either strengthening our idolatry or stirring-up our repentance. Unlike the world, we are chosen by God as His honored servants and friends, so be gripped today by Your great Helper, His abiding presence. He is transforming you to rejoice, for it is His presence within you, through Christ, by the Spirit, empowering you with joy to do so! So rejoice, again we say, rejoice in Him! – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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6/23 Life Group

6/23/2023

Your Will Be Done
CityAlight

Your will be done, my God and Father
As in Heaven, so on Earth
My heart is drawn to self-exalting
Help me seek Your kingdom first

As Jesus walked, so I shall walk
Held by Your same unchanging love
Be still my soul, O lift your voice and pray
"Father, not my will but Yours be done"

How in that Garden He persisted
I may never fully know
The fearful weight of true obedience
It was held by Him alone

What wondrous faith to bear that cross
To bear my sin, what wondrous love
My hope was sure, when there my Saviour prayed
"Father, not my will but Yours be done"

When I am lost, when I am broken
In the night of fear and doubt
Still, I will trust in my good Father
Yes, to one great King I bow

As Jesus rose, so I shall rise
In ransomed glory at the throne
My heart restored
With all Your saints, I sing
"Father, not my will but Yours be done"

As we go forth, our God and Father
Lead us daily in the fight
That all the world might see Your glory
And Your Name be lifted high

And in this Name we overcome
For You shall see us safely home
Now as Your church, we lift our voice and pray
"Father, not my will but Yours be done"

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
CityAlight

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing, "All is mine"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message – “He Gives Power to the Faint” – from ISAIAH 40:12-31? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

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12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? 14 Whom did he consult, and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. 16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

[v.12-17] God not only desires to – but also carries the ability to – comfort His afflicted people (v.1-11). What abilities does the Lord declare about Himself?
*The biblical principle – Comfort comes from the Creator – not from creation. What abilities & qualifications does God have to bring you comfort? How far can a word/gesture/action from someone be of comfort? Is God able to give far above that?

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18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? 19 An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. 20 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. 21 Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; 23 who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

[v.18-26] God’s people at the time had doubts about His comfort, so they began comparing and seeking counterfeit comforts on the earth. Yet, how foolish is it to compare something or someone with God?

*The biblical principle – Comfort from God is incomparable to the comfort in creation. When have you experienced your heart starting to compare – with others and other things against God? How is God’s comfort incomparable to creation?

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27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

[v.27-31] Although His people doubted and wearied in their doubt against Him, what does God promise them if they wait in hope upon Him?
*The biblical principle – God’s comfort is the power to wait for Him and run with Him without growing weary. How does God’s comfort come in a time of waiting? When has waiting and hoping upon the Lord resulted in renewed strength to rise up with wings like eagles? Where is God comforting you to spread out your wings to soar with Him courageously over fall weary?

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The central truth of this word was – You have access to incredible power because of your God of all power. Look up! Wait for Him, be comforted by Him, run with Him. Look in! Be convicted. Look around! Creation is calling forth the comfort from its Creator. Comfort comes from the Creator – look up to Him before towards another. Comfort from God is incomparable – nothing is worthy enough to be compared in creation, because it is the power from Him to wait for Him and run with Him in this life without growing weary. For the power of Christ Jesus that is at work within us, be comforted and live to bring His comfort to each other! – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
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Life-Praying
Spend a moment with the holy Spirit. Pray for one another.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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6/16 Life Group

6/16/2023

Through It All
Hillsong Worship

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You

I'll sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

What Love, My God
CityAlight

What love, my God, would bring You down to earth
What king would take a low and lonely birth
Yet to this dark and broken place You came
To sleep beneath the stars that You had made

What love my God, would send the way of life
To walk the road, rejected and despised
That You might know the weakness I possess
And be my rock of strength and righteousness

O Your love, my God like a flood
As heaven opened up pouring out on us
O praise the King who came to the world
In His love like a mighty flood

What love, my God, could hold You to the tree
To bear that overwhelming debt for me
The Son of heaven leaves the Father's side
The Healer bleeds, the life was made to die

What love my God, so gracious and extreme
Was strong enough to come and fight for me
To go through hell and down into the grave
And raise me up to see You face to face
You raise me up to see You face to face

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message – “Comfort, Comfort My People” – from ISAIAH 40:1-11? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

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1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
    that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
    double for all her sins.

[v.1-2] For the last 39 chapters, God’s message through Isaiah had been largely one of judgment and discipline. But this isn’t the end of His words. What message does the LORD tenderly say, and why ought they embrace it?
*The biblical principle – Comfort is not in becoming comfortable, but in being forgiven. Where is your comfort today? How does forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ leave you in comfort?

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3 A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry!”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

[v.3-8] What does the “voice” cry out and say?
*The biblical principle – To receive comfort, the way of the LORD must be prepared and the word of God must be heard. How are you preparing to receive comfort? How are you preparing to hear the word of comfort?

9 Go on up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
    lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

[v.9-11] God’s people are called to go to a high mountain, lift up their voice, and behold who?
*The biblical principle – Behold your Comforter – the LORD God your Shepherd-King. Who are you going to? Who are your eyes lifted up to see as your Comforter? Are you letting the Comforter carry you in His arms and gently lead you today?

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The central truth of this word was – There is a voice in the wilderness of life crying out to offer you comfort. Will you listen and receive it? The comfort that God’s people needed was not relief from ancient warfare, but spiritual warfare from their sins. Comfort is not in becoming comfortable, but in being forgiven. This prepares the way of the LORD for the word of God to be heard and truly comfort our hearts. Our Comforter is none other than our Shepherd-King, who carries us and gently leads us through all our afflictions in His arms. Behold, Your Comforter!
– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
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Life-Praying
Spend a moment with the holy Spirit. Pray for one another.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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6/9 Life Group

6/9/2023

My Worth is Not in What I Own
Fernando Ortega, Keith and Kristyn Getty

My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
And I will trust in Him, no other
My soul is satisfied in Him alone

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom's fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed, my ransom paid
At the cross

I will Trust My Saviour Jesus
CityAlight

I will trust my saviour Jesus
When my darkest doubts befall
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all

I will trust my saviour Jesus
Trust Him when my strength is small
For I know the shield of Jesus
Is the safest place of all

Jesus, only Jesus
Help me trust You more and more
Jesus, only Jesus
May my heart be ever Yours

I will trust my saviour Jesus
He has said His way is best
And I know the path He's chosen
Leads to everlasting rest

Oh on that cross, how it was seen
I can go now ever trusting
in the One who died for me
What could I bring,
for Your gift is complete
So I trust You, simply trust You,
Lord with every part of me

Life-Sharing

What has God been teaching you through last week’s message – “Show Your Treasure” – from ISAIAH 39:1-8? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

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1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly…

[v.1-2a] Although God had graciously healed and extended Hezekiah’s life by 15 years, what did Hezekiah do when the wicked Babylonian messengers sent him letters and a present?
*The biblical principle – It is possible to receive the grace of God in a time of need, yet turn around to welcome the pleasures of man in a time of plenty. What are you welcoming gladly that is not from the Lord?

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…And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.

[v.2b] Hezekiah not only welcomed these wicked Babylonian envoys, he also did what?
*The biblical principle – What we show to others is often the unseen treasure within ourselves. What are you showing from the pride within? What is your unseen treasure?

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3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

[v.3-4] The prophet Isaiah now confronts Hezekiah for what he has done. What kind of questions does Isaiah ask in order to bring conviction to Hezekiah?
*The biblical principle – Knowing who your treasure is shown to is a way the holy Spirit brings conviction. Who is your treasure being shown to, where you are willing to not withhold anything from? How does the holy Spirit bring conviction to your heart?

5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

[v.5-7] What was the Lord’s word and judgment to Hezekiah for his actions?
*The biblical principle – God removes all to become all for us – our highest and only lasting treasure. What is the Lord removing? How is this making Him your all?

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8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”

[v.8] A terrible word of judgment from God was announced, yet why was Hezekiah not too concerned with it?
*The biblical principle – What’s far more important than prospering in your days is when you will stand before God on His day. Are you ready for His day? Do you desire for Jesus to come now or stay away a little longer? How can we long for the day of the Lord?

The central truth of this word was – Like Hezekiah, we too have been gifted by God with remaining undeserved years to life. How will we live out this grace? Will we welcome the praises of man or live for the pleasures in Christ? Will we show to others our true unseen treasure, knowing who our treasure is by the holy Spirit’s constant conviction, or hold on to the seen treasures of life? May the LORD remove all to become all – our highest and only lasting treasure. May His day over our days be the living and growing hope, so that we might walk humbly with Him. Until that day, show your treasure! – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
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Life-Praying
Pray for one another.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)

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Young Adult (College/Post-Graduate) Life Group, 6:30pm every Friday @ various locations

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