Sermon Text: Jonah 1:7-16

Cross References: Jonah 1

Sermon Outline:

The cost of grace

The roll of the dice (verse 7)

I am a Hebrew (verses 8-10)

The sacrificial solution (verses 11-12)

Grace for sailors, grace for me (verses 13-16)

Growth Group Questions:

1.    When has God challenged me to be gracious when I didn’t want to be? How does remembering the cross help us to extend grace?
2.    How do we try to figure out what God is doing in our lives? How can we encourage each other to wait on God in our trials?
3.    Has anyone ever been offended with your claim that Christ is the only way to God? How can we respond?
4.    Why is the substitutionary atonement of Christ the only solution for our sin? What does Christ’s sacrifice for us reveal about who God is?
5.    How can we respond with gratitude and praise for what God has done for us in Christ?

Sermon Text: Jonah 1:1-6

Cross References: Jonah 1

Sermon Outline:

I can see Jonah in my deafening pride.

I can see Jonah in my spiritual blindness.

I can see Jonah in the hardness of my heart.

Growth Group Questions:

1. Read Second Kings 14:23-27. When did Jonah prophesy? Who was king of Israel? Why is God’s faithfulness to Israel (in spite of Israel’s relentless sin) an important backdrop for the Book of Jonah?
2. Is God’s call to Jonah clear? Why does Jonah not want to obey?
3. Do you ever remember running from God? What was it like? Do we see ourselves in Jonah? How?
4. What do we learn from the ferocity of the storm, and from the terrified reactions of the pagan sailors to the storm?
5. How can Jonah sleep at a time like this?
6. Richard Phillips writes: “The gospel gives a constant reminder to every believer that his or her own salvation is a sovereign, merciful, and unmerited gift from God, no different in kind from the grace received by the most notorious sinner imaginable.” Why do we so quickly forget this truth and develop disdain for other people?
7. Why would God call Jonah to Nineveh? Where is He calling you?

Sermon Text: Matthew 28:16-20

Cross References: Matthew 28

Sermon Outline:

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Growth Group Questions:

1. Do you think that it’s significant that the risen Lord Jesus speaks to His disciples on a mountain? Why? What other important mountains come to mind? Review 4:12-17. Why Galilee in 28:16?
2. In Verse 17, does Matthew indicate that Jesus rejects those struggling with doubt? Discuss.
3. Why does Jesus allow Himself to be worshipped? Why does this matter to us? What essential Christian doctrines are built upon this truth?
4. Read Philippians 2:5-11. What kind of “authority” has been given to Jesus, and by whom? Why was it given? Why does it matter?
5. Into what kind of world are the disciples being sent – friendly or hostile? Why does this matter to us?
6. Is making a disciple the same thing as evangelizing? Discuss.
7. Why does Christ promise us His abiding presence, forever? Why do we need such a promise? Spend some time, as a Growth Group, praising the Lord for this promise!

Sermon Text: Proverbs 6:16-29

Cross References: Proverbs 6

Sermon Outline:

In regard to my interactions with others, there are always before me two grave dangers as I live the Christian life …

1. that I will be a speaker of gossip

2. that I will be a listener to gossip

If participation in gossip is not the solution to interpersonal conflict, what key truths unlock the Christian way of life in such situations?

KEY 1            2 Cor 12:7-10 LANDSCAPE

KEY 2           2 Cor 1:3-7 LOVE

KEY 3           2 Cor 2:5-11; 14-17 LEADER

KEY 4           2 Cor 4:1-2; 7-12 LIGHT

KEY 5           2 Cor 5:16-21 LENS

KEY 6           2 Cor 6:1-10 LONGSUFFERING

KEY 7           2 Cor 10:3-5 LIFE

Growth Group Questions:

1. What does it mean “to sow discord among brothers”? What is this behavior such an easy trap into which any of us can fall?
2. Read Romans 1:29-30 and Second Corinthians 12:20. Does God take gossip seriously? Why don’t we? Based on what we’ve learned in Matthew, did gossip have anything to do with the circumstances leading to Christ’s crucifixion?
3. Define “gossip”. Use Proverbs 11:13, 16:28, and 26:20 for help. Can truthful words ever be gossip? Explain. Is it just as wrong to listen to gossip as it is to speak gossip?
4. Read Second Corinthians 12:10. Did people gossip about Paul? Can we expect people to gossip about us? How should we respond when it happens? Read Second Corinthians 2:5-11 for help with your answer. Who, ultimately, prompts all gossip?
5. Read James 3:6. How can we teach our children and grandchildren about the dangers of improper speech?
6. Read Romans 5:8 and Second Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:1-10; 10:3-5. Why should we not respond to gossip with gossip?
7. What should we do the next time we’re tempted to gossip or to listen to gossip?

Sermon Text: Matthew 27:24-44

Cross References: Matthew 27

Sermon Outline:

Typical of the human condition in general, the last hours of Christ’s life were specifically marked by a contempt of our Savior more severe than any we’ve observed in Matthew …

The Civil Mocking                                Verses 24-26

The Private Mocking                            Verses 27-31

The Cultural Mocking                          Verses 32-37

The Public Mocking                             Verses 39-40

The Religious Mocking                        Verses 41-43

The Criminal Mocking                         Verses 38 and 44

Is there any good news?

Growth Group Questions:

1. How do we know from the Scriptures that Pontius Pilate was not a brave leader? Have you ever behaved in a way that was cowardly? What were the consequences?
2. How do we observe in today’s text that every segment of society and culture turned against the Lord Jesus Christ? Be specific in your answer. Read Romans 3:9-20. What does Paul say about the natural man’s perspective on the righteousness of Christ? Do we see that validated in Matthew 27? How?
3. Read the parallel account in Luke 23:32-43. What did the second criminal come to understand? Why is this hopeful for us? What did the forgiven thief on the cross receive from Jesus?
4. Which thief on the cross are we?

Sermon Text: Matthew 27:1-23

Cross References: Matthew 27

Sermon Outline:

Why would anyone trade that which is of incalculable value for that which is limited, fleeting, and even destructive? Left to itself the human heart fails to recognize or desire the True Source of all that is good. Matthew exposes the dark hearts of men that the glorious light of the gospel might come bursting forth.

The pride of the religious leaders – 27:1-2

The guilt of the traitor – 27:3-10

The self-preservation of the governor – 27:11-21

The animosity of the crowd – 27:22-23

The beauty of God’s glorious plan – 27:20-23

Growth Group Questions:

1.   Read Jeremiah 17:9 as a group. In what way did a deceptive heart have an impact on the actions of the religious leaders? What about Judas, Pilate, and the crowd?

2.   Matthew 27:5 tells us what Judas decided to do with his guilt. What are some other ways that people deal with the problem of guilt today? What does Judas’ solution tell us about the spiritual condition of his heart?

3.   Read Ephesians 2:1-9. What does this passage have to say about our spiritual condition before God’s intervention? What does it have to say about how gloriously good God has been to us?

4.   What should our response be to the realization of God’s goodness toward us?

Sermon Text: Matthew 16:21-28; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 27:45-56

Cross References: Matthew 16, 17, 20 & 27

Sermon Outline:

THE MISSION    16:21-28

THE MEANING    17:22-23

THE MESSAGE    20:17-19

THE MIRACLES    27:45-56

Growth Group Questions:

1. Find an Old Testament Scripture that predicts Christ’s suffering, and share it with the other members of your Growth Group. Discuss. Why would a disciple of Christ struggle with the idea that He must suffer?
2. What is significant about Matthew 16:21?
3. What does Jesus mean when He says that His followers must take up our cross and follow Him? How do you know? Why would a disciple of Christ struggle with the idea that he or she (the disciple) must suffer?
4. Read Exodus 26:31-33. What was the significance of the temple veil? What was the significance of its being torn by God?
5. Why did the disciples not readily accept the fact that Jesus would literally be raised from the dead?
6. Why is the doctrine of resurrection – Christ’s and ours – difficult for some people to believe? Why is it essential to our Christian faith?
7. Why did the earth shake and why were the rocks split? Why would God raise up once-dead saints to testify in Jerusalem? What does this mean for us? Consider Colossians 1:18 and First Corinthians 15:20.

Sermon Text: Matthew 22:23-33; 23:37-39

Cross References: Matthew 22 & 23

Sermon Outline:

PROBLEM

PRIDE

PROVOCATION

PERSUASION

POWER

PARADOX

PROMISE

Growth Group Questions:

1. What do you know about the Sadducees? What drove them? Was their doctrine the same as that of the Pharisees? Discuss. Why did they bring this question to Jesus?
2. Read Deuteronomy 25:5-10. What was the purpose of this portion of God’s law regarding “levirate marriage”? Did the Sadducees rightly understand it? How do you know? How did the Sadducees’ rejection of the doctrine of resurrection affect their interpretation of these Scriptures?
3. How is Christ’s handling of the Sadducees’ question so masterful?
4. What is the contrast between Matthew 22:33 and Matthew 23:37? How do you explain it?
5. If God is truly sovereign over salvation, why does Jesus truly grieve over those who reject Him? What does this show us?
6. Read Romans 11:25-36. To what great event does Jesus point in Matthew 23:39? Discuss.
7. Read John 1:9-14. What should be our hear posture toward those who are lost, “spiritually stubborn”, or whose doctrine is otherwise imperfect? Discuss.

Sermon Text: Matthew 26:47-68

Cross References: Matthew 26

Sermon Outline:

I.  The Betrayal  Matthew 26:47-50a

II. The Arrest  Matthew 26:50b-56

III. The Trial  Matthew 26:57-68

Growth Group Questions:

1. Have you ever been betrayed? Have you ever betrayed anyone? What did the Lord teach you through these experiences? Discuss.
2. Read the parallel account in Luke 22:47-53. Why do you think that Jesus questioned Judas about his kiss of betrayal? Did Jesus know what was about to happen? How do you know?
3. Read the parallel account in John 18:1-11. Who cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant? Why is this interesting in light of all that we’ve learned about the apostles thus far in our study? In light of last week’s text (Matthew 26:36-46), what is significant about John 18:11?
4. How can we tell from today’s text that Jesus’ “trial” was completely unfair? Discuss.
5. Read Isaiah 53:1-7. Why did Jesus not offer an aggressive defense of Himself and His ministry?
6. Did the high priest really want to know if Jesus was the Christ? Discuss.
7. Who will see the Lord Jesus Christ “coming on the clouds of heaven”? When? Cite Biblical support for your answer. Close by praising Christ for His sovereignty and love!

Sermon Text: Matthew 26:36-46

Cross References: Matthew 26

Sermon Outline:

SETTING

SOBRIETY

SORROW

SUPPLICATION

SUBMISSION

STAKES

SUCCESS

Growth Group Questions:

1. Do you remember a time when you had “every good spiritual intention,” but you failed miserably? Why does this happen?
2. Jesus clearly instructs Peter, James, and John to stay awake and alert in prayer. Why are they unable to do that? What lessons can we learn?
3. Read Luke 22:44. Why is Jesus excessively sorrowful? What “cup” is He dreading? Why?
4. Read Hebrews 5:5-9. If Jesus is fully God, why did He need to be “made perfect” through suffering? What did Christ’s suffering prove?
5. Could Jesus have failed at His mission? What would have happened had He failed?
6. “Not as I will, but as You will!” Why is this resolve by Jesus an important example for us?
7. Read Psalm 22:14-16. Spend some time as a Growth Group praising the Lord for the sacrifice of Christ for us!