Jesus is Better

(from 2/04/18 sermon - Spencer Teal)

Announcements

Reminders

● Agape bottles - Due back Feb 18.

● Juan-Carlos - On trip to Ecuador

● Men’s Softball - Want to play? Sign-ups are now. Contact Anthony at 767-0167.

I. OPEN

This is the first night back from a long community group break. Have fun! Take time for new introductions and to catch up with everyone. Enjoy your time around the table.

II. PRAY

III. READ

Hebrews 1:1-4 - “ 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. ”

Q - Sermon takeaways from those who were in attendance?

IV. REFLECT

As we go through this Jesus is Better series with our walk through the book of Hebrews we will see over and over again the comparisons that are made from the past and how that Jesus is always better, superior, or greater than those things. The writer of Hebrews sees believers looking back at what they had from their past and forgetting how that these things were only a shadow of the things that were to come. In essence, they were beginning to forget their first love, so the writer is going point by point to show that in each instance

Jesus is indeed better.

Discussion - As we look at Heb 1:1-4 we see a comparing and contrasting right off the bat. In the first verse we are reminded that in the past “God spoke” “many times and in many ways” but now He has“spoken to us by His son.”

Q What are some of the ways God spoke to/revealed Himself to his people in the past? In what way(s) is the fact that God speaking to us directly through Jesus superior?

Throughout the Old Testament we see some of these ways God revealed Himself to his people. There were the prophets, the law, the festivals, the miracles, etc. And all of these things were indeed good. But, when we come to understand the Jesus actually came to FULFILL the law then we recognize that that is much better. In Luke 24:44 Jesus reminds us that “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Discussion

Q1 - What are some of the things that WE AS A CHURCH run to as a replacement for Jesus(think about things like attending church, giving, serving, our religious heritage passed onto us by our families, reading the Bible, etc.)

Q2 - Why is it so easy to turn to these things instead of turning to Jesus Himself...or instead of remembering that the only reason these things have any relevance is if that do actually point us to Christ, the Better One. Jesus says in John 5:39, “ You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me .”

The Scriptures aren’t given to us so that we’ll have something to do that will bring us favor with God. Community groups don’t exist just so that we can get together to eat and fulfill our obligation to love others. We don’t give because doing so is an indicator that we are sacrificing for the Kingdom’s sake. No...in all of these cases our primary motivation is and must always be Jesus...serving with the hands of Jesus, giving generously because He gave SO generously, attending community group to push each other into a closer walk with Jesus, and reading our Bibles so that we can better know Jesus. Jesus is better and must be, or must become, our motivation for each thing that we do.

Q - So, how about you...what good or maybe even bad thing(s) do you turn to in place of the Jesus who is always better? Feel free to share, and to pray for one another.

V. FURTHER APPLICATION

You are encouraged to actually speak the name of Jesus as you talk with others throughout your week. We have somewhat watered down His name by using it inappropriately and/or by not using it at all. Let’s speak the name of Jesus with boldness, reminding others and ourselves that He indeed is better! Let’s say it together…”Jesus is better!”

VI. CLOSE

Final thoughts?

VII. BE ON-MISSION

Who do you know that is far from Him or is turning to other things other than Him? Remember what Spencer said on Sunday, there’s a younger generation who has tried the church and religious thing and has said, “No thank you” and has moved on. Do you know anyone like this that you could/should go to in order to point them back to the majesty of Jesus, the One who is better than anything else that they might be pursuing?