26 May 2006
JESUS IS LORD
Classes from leadership conference
Compiled by Jarrett Odwallo
JESUS’ DEPENDANCE ON GOD
By Steve Mukenya
Jesus was able to do so much because of his dependence on God. He knew where his confidence came from. He never lost his identity because he went to God at all times.
Jeremiah 17:5-8
We are cursed if we depend on man for strength. If you do so, your heart will turn away from God. In all of us there is a rebellious attitude towards depending on others and take this same attitude to God. Trusting in God might not make sense sometimes, but the more we feed ourselves on his word the more we will understand the need to do so and gain strength from such a life. Worry will steal away our confidence on God. Our walk with God has tremendous power!
Proverbs 3:5
How many times do we do things out of routine?
What is it that you do not trust God in?
John 8:54, John 8:15-16
THE ROLE OF PRAYER
Jesus regularly withdrew to lonely places to pray. Prayer was the sweat and tears of his ministry!
Q. How often do you pray on your own?
The more you focus on God the smaller the world becomes.
Prayer is powerful – you need to focus on the purpose more than the act!
Luke 6:12-13
Jesus always did what was right because he prayed.
Mark 1:35
The more you pray the more you are focused. There is nothing so small or insignificant that you do not need to pray about it.
Q. What dominates your life – prayer or anxiety? Are you prayerful or fretful?
Jesus was never behind schedule because he prayed.
Mark 10:27-31
There is nothing impossible with God!
THE LORD YOU DO NOT KNOW ABOUT
By Mike Odwallo
Acts17:23-27
Q. Do you know the God you worship?
God is the creator of the universe and he does not live in temples built by hands.
John 4:22-24
God is spirit and his worshippers must worship him in truth and spirit.
For you to know God you must know his likes and dislikes. Know what God hates!
1. GOD HATES FAMILIARITY
Familiarity breeds negligence. Examples from the bible:
The Ethiopian eunuch – it had become his custom to travel to Jerusalem to worship yet he did not know God.
Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-11 – they had become too familiar with the things of God. Saul in 1 Samuel 13:7b-13 – what he did angered God.
There are many times that we do not give God the respect due him. When we come before God we need to realize who he is.
A great example of a person who feared God is Abraham.
Genesis 18:27-32
Abraham was a great friend of God but he knew his limits.
When you are too familiar with people you will not learn much from them. Rather than combine a friendly intimacy with a respectful distance and deep respect, you may easily become careless in your expression and appreciation.
Peter had to be reinstated by Jesus at the end because he had become too familiar.
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee had become too familiar with God while the tax collector would not even look up to heaven! Which one are you?
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
Q. Are you too hasty when approaching God?
God is in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few and your actions faithful!
THE GLORY OF THE CROSS
You cannot find Jesus until you encounter the cross
1. THE CROSS AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
Acts 2:22-24, 36-37
Peter had experienced the cross. He preached powerfully to the multitudes without any fear. The apostles moved from house to house telling them about Jesus. The cross drove them and they were willing to loose their lives for the sake of the cross.
The cross was the heart of every single message preached in the gospels.
Acts 3:13-16
Peter took them to the source of the power. He took them to what happened at the cross. The cross gave them courage.
Acts 4:8, Acts 5:27-32
The disciples took every opportunity to remind the people of the cross.
The message of the cross is the power of God. Every Sunday as the communion message is preached you need to give it the attention it deserves.
2.THE CROSS AND THE WORLD
Galatians 6:14-
The cross of Jesus crucified the world to us. It is the power of the cross that transforms.
The cross takes the focus from self to looking for opportunities to glorify God
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul resolved to know nothing except Jesus and him crucified. He chose the simplicity of the cross.
Those who refuse the glory of the cross, glory in their own shame
Philippians 3:18-19
When your mind is on earthly things you become an enemy of the cross. Every day should be an opportunity to die to self and a chance to preach the message of the cross.
“It is finished,” said Jesus at the cross!
JESUS’ MINDSET
Philippians 2:5-8
Your mindset should be like that of Jesus Christ. He was not swayed by anything or anyone because his mind was set.
Mark 10:43-45
When you have the right mindset to serve then you will rise above pettiness.
Are there individuals or groups of people whom you are not willing to serve?
Mark 8:32
Peter was not ready to serve a suffering messiah. Without the right mindset you will pick and choose who and how to serve rather than serve sincerely and genuinely without showing favoritism.
Matthew 12:18-21
As a servant what is your mindset? A servant has no rights.
When you are a servant you will wait on God. Comfort will not be your goal. Jesus was not comfortable.
A servant has no image to uphold or reputation to maintain.
Matthew 9:12-13
As a servant your priority is to meet the needs of those around you.
Q. Has it been your mindset, focus and priority to identify and help meet needs around you?