Church Notes: Encouragement and Evangelism

The following were my notes from leading our church’s assembly on 6/6/2010.

Assignment

The past two Sundays we’ve been discussing evangelism and encouraging others. We’ll continue that theme this Sunday. In preparation, please study the following:

• Matthew 3:13-17
• Matthew 17:1-8
• John 12:20-30
• Luke 22:39-44

My Notes

Today’s discussion is about perspective.

• Read from “The Lion of Judah??” pp. 41-42 in Wild at Heart.
• Read 2 Kings 6:8-23.

Last week we talked about our individual strengths and weaknesses—a time of edification and reflection. GOD designed us to need each other. We need encouragement and that’s why GOD tells us to assemble together (Heb. 10:24-25). Jesus also needed encouragement. Every son longs to hear his father’s approval. Jesus was no different. GOD fulfilled Jesus’ need at the most crucial times in His life.

1. Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus is baptized by John.
   Jesus was just about to start the work GOD had given Him. Why do you think the Holy Spirit descended visibly on Jesus? (John 1:32-34) Did Jesus have the Holy Spirit prior to this point?
2. Matthew 17:1-8 – Jesus is transfigured.
3. Matt. 16:21 – Jesus began to show His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem, suffer and die, and be raised the third day. Peter tells Jesus that these things won’t happen. Jesus rebukes him. Six days pass and then Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on this high mountain. Peter made the “build three tabernacles” comment because he didn’t know what to say (Mark 9:5-6).
4. John 12:20-30 – Jesus prays for GOD to glorify His name.
   Six days before the Passover, which was the day Jesus died (John 18:28), Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The following day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey as He was hailed by the people. Those who saw Jesus raise Lazarus told others what Jesus had done (12:17-18). Hear the desperation in Jesus’ voice in v.27.
5. Luke 22:39-44 – Jesus prays in agony in Gethsemane.
   Seeing His Son in agony, praying for another way, the Father sent an angel to assist Jesus. It’s unfortunate that we don’t know more about what exactly the angel did for Jesus, what their conversation was.

Relating this to evangelism

We need to do our best to view life from a spiritual perspective. We fight against spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:11-12). The enemy is Satan and his angels. Satan is trying to devour as many of us as he can. He works on each of us individually (1 Pet. 5:8-9). Many are deceived, weak and beaten down by tragedy and hardship in life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He longs to save them but someone must bring them to Him (Mark 16:15-16).

We are fighting a spiritual war to save ourselves, our family, and as many others as we can. Therefore do not view your life as mundane, common nor pointless. Rather, view it as GOD having given you an opportunity to fight—to play a part in His story. Every morning you get up, picture yourself putting on your spiritual armor and getting in your chariot to ride off to the battle field. There are many lost people who long for a friend, someone who genuinely cares about them. They need Jesus, but many don’t realize it because they don’t understand what Jesus has to offer them and how He can help them.

Lord’s Supper Preparation

• Matthew 26:30-32, 56
• Isaiah 53:3-6
• Deut. 21:22-23

Jesus is called the Man of Sorrows (Isa. 53:3). He had the toughest of missions that took Him along the roughest terrain with no one who could share in His burden. Yet He did not fail. What strength! Be thankful. We are but scattered sheep without our Shepherd.