If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
Faith is seen when we live what we believe and take God at His word. This is counter cultural. Time and again I have met people who put forward a belief system, and casually remark, ‘Of course, this has no bearing on the way I live.’ Jesus challenges this attitude. He explains consequences of living or not living what He says.
Bible Zone
- Act on Bible - Living out God’s Word gives strength for life’s challenges.
- Hypocrisy - The Father rewards those who live for God not personal benefit.
- Entertainment - warns those listening for entertainment.
- Use it or lose it - Those who use what they hear are promised more.
Act on Bible
In Luke 6:46 Jesus challenges those who take the name but not the life.
- What title is being applied to Jesus?
- Why would someone use the title Lord but not act as if the person were Lord?
Luke 6:46 "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
Jesus explores the outcome of such life choices. Luke 6:47-49
- What do the two groups of people do that is the same / different?
- How is the difference between them discovered?
- How could this be observed in our day?
Luke 6:47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
The flood comes to both. Jesus does not offer us immunity from life; He gives strength to really live in life’s circumstances!
Hypocrite is the Greek word for actor (Literally: One wearing a mask). Jesus desires that we live for God and warns against being like the people who live for the applause of others. In Matthew 6 Jesus gives many examples. We look at the first.
- In v1 Jesus highlights the principle. For which audiences may we do good?
- How do our actions betray the audience we are working towards?
- What is the fruit of actions done for people, not God?
- How can you guard your heart so that your actions are done for God?
Matthew 6:1 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
2 When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.3 But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
The Lord looks into the hearts of those who listen to His words. Here is His evaluation of one group. Ezekiel 33:30-32
- What is the real response to God’s word in this passage?
- What is going on in the hearts and souls of the listeners?
- What are the motivations of the listeners?
- How do we overcome the temptation to listen without acting on the words?
Ezekiel 33:30 "... They say to each other, 'Come on, let's go hear the prophet tell us what the LORD is saying!'31 So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.32 You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don't act on it!”
The key reason God gives us His word is so we use it. He gives it on trust, and watches to see if we are trustworthy. Consider Mark 4:24-25
- What is the outcome for those who use / do not use what they hear from God?
- What might be involved for you to ‘consider carefully what you hear?’
Mark 4: 24-25 (NIV) “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
LIVE THE BIBLE
