April 14, 2013 Pastor Mike Bogart “The Difference the Resurrection Makes” The ascension of Christ is most fully recorded in Acts 1: 9-11. The angels had an excellent reminder for the awestruck disciples: What we DO in response to the risen Christ is what matters. So, what difference does the resurrection make? Ephesians 1:1-10 Verse 2: Grace. Grace means God loved us when we didn’t know or care about him. Summarize grace in your own words here:
Verse 2: Peace. It means that down deep, there is nothing to upset or damage us. It means we need not give in to fear or worry or doubts. John 14:27, Philippians 4:7. Verse 3: We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavens, including: • • • • •
Reigning with Christ. 2 Timothy 2:12 Co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17 Judging angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3 No more sadness or pain. Revelation 21:4 Living with God forever. Psalm 23:6
Verse 4.: We have been chosen to live:
• Blamelessly. What does blameless living look like in the 21st century?
• In love. There is some question punctuation in this verse. It could read: “,,,that we should be holy and blameless before him (period). In love he predestined us--“. It could also read: “,,,that we should be holy and blameless before him in love (period). He predestined us---“ I am going to go with the second reading: that the love spoken of is a quality God called us to. Love is caring in action. In what ways is the direction of your life moving toward love?
Verse 5: We are God’s adopted children. This means we aren’t just creations of God, but we are truly his own children, participating in his image and life.
Verse 6: We are to live for God’s praise and glory. That is, our lives are meant to honor God and, especially to represent Jesus well in this world. Verse 7: Forgiveness of sins. Whatever we have done, thought, said—can be washed away through faith in Jesus so that nothing remains. It should free us. Verses 9-10: He has revealed to us important things about his plan for the future. Specifically that he is going to bring all things to himself through Christ. Does Jesus’ resurrection from the grave make any difference? It makes ALL the difference!
So what should we do about Jesus’ resurrection? Simply live as if all of this were true (and it is)!
© 2013 Campus Bible Church, Fresno, CA. 93726 www.campusbiblechurch.com
The Purpose of Growth Groups Growth Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of God’s Word (Rom. 8:29 & Heb. 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen. SHARE Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first, this sharing will include planned “sharing questions.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable. STUDY Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous Sunday’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life. SUPPORT Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms, such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs. SERVE Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live (Eph. 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s kingdom.
Growth Group Homework For the week of April 14, 2013
SPECIAL SERMON Message Title::“The Difference the Resurrection Makes”
Pastor Mike Bogart April 14, 2013
Welcome to the Spring Quarter of Growth Groups! During your first meeting you will spend time getting acquainted and going over the Growth Group Covenant together. The homework is shorter this week to give you ample time for this. We pray that over the next ten weeks you make some great new friends, grow deeper in your faith, and begin caring for one another. GETTING TO KNOW YOU 1. To get to know one another a little better, answer the following question: Would you rather travel back in time and revisit your childhood, or forward in time and visit your future? After having some fun with the previous question, share any special plans, activities or prayer requests you have for the next few months.
For more information about the Growth Group ministry @ Campus, visitwww.campusbiblechurch.com/growthgroup or contact Pastor Kenton Rahn –
[email protected]. Sunday Messages and Notes: Find at: www.campusbiblechurch.com/messages Weekly Growth Group Homework: Find at: www.campusbiblechurch.com/homework Campus Bible Church Podcast: Search iTunes podcasts: Campus Bible Church Campus Bible Church | 4710 N. Maple Ave. | Fresno, CA 93726 | Office: 559.291.9116
2. After Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, the disciples seemed to struggle with what to do next. Have you ever wondered about God’s plan and calling for your life? If so, have you reached some resolution?
DIGGING DEEPER 3. Give an example from your own experience in which you saw God’s grace in action.
6. Sometimes Christians have been accused of being unloving. How would you answer that accusation? In what ways is your own life moving in the direction of love?
4. Using verses like John 14:27 and Philippians 4:7, how would you offer the peace of God to someone who was depressed or upset?
7. Other blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:1-10 are forgiveness, adoption, insight into God’s plan, the calling to live for God’s glory and the coming blessings in heavenly places. Which of these most grabs your attention or meets a need? Why?
TAKING IT HOME
Notes:
5. The sermon this week explained that blamelessness doesn’t mean following rigid rules or becoming a boring person. In one sentence, describe what living blamelessly might look like in the 21st Century.
