Southside Forums

[Pastor Charles]

Life Group Lesson
October 14, 2007
Mike and Lisa Tarry

Matthew 26-28

Matthew 26:31-35; 69-75 - Peter had been foretold that he would deny Jesus three times. Yet, he told the Lord, “I will never desert you. Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny You! Did Peter deny Jesus? Why? There is no way to tippy toe around this, when the pressure was turned up, Peter rejected Jesus. Did Jesus in return reject Peter? No. He knew Peter was going to do it, yet He still showed love, grace, and mercy upon him. Although it was very serious what Peter did, it wasn’t enough to ruin the relationship that Jesus desired to have with Peter.

Have you ever denied Christ, turned your back on Him, or simply didn’t speak up or stand up for Him when you should have? Jesus knew this would happen to you, yet, He died for you the same as He did for Peter. Pray for the Lord to reveal your weakness in this area and confess that you have done just as Peter, then rest assured that the blood of Jesus covered that sin. Isn’t our Savior awesome and kind?

If we are to be Christ-like, then what are we to do when a friend turns their back on us? Look at Mark 16:7. Why do you think He specifically mentioned Peter? He wanted Peter to know that His love for him was unconditional. We are to love our friends the same. We all mess up just as Peter did. Rejection is hard and it hurts badly. Be Jesus with skin on; forgive the one that has turned their back on you. Seek them out just as Jesus sought out Peter in Mark 16, and remember that God loves His people, even when they are faithless.

We see in Matthew 27-28 that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sin thru the death, burial and resurrection; He overcame the power of sin. The in Matthew 28:19-20, The great commission, Jesus commands us to go and tell others about Him. To teach them, baptize them and to obey all the commands that He has given us. Then ends this command with a promise that He will be with us always. Can you help spread the gospel? Name some ways that you can be more effective in spreading the gospel throughout the world? Pray and ask God to reveal to you whom He has chosen for you to share this good news with.

Read Mark 4:35-41. Jesus is looking for faith in these verses. He says, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” There is no, “let’s try to cross, or can we cross?”, but “Let’s cross.” Jesus knew before hand that the storm was coming. Why do you think that He went to the back of the boat and slept? Why do you think the disciples were so scared? They were in the presence of the One that they had seen perform many miracles. But still they did not grasp who He really was. This point is driven home by the comment, “Who is this man? Even the winds and waves obey Him”. We go through storms in our lives and many times our faith is tested. When storms come into your life are you tossed to and fro? We may sound or act very spiritual when times are easy, but when the storms come what does our heart reveal about our true nature? Spend some time with the Lord and ask Him to strengthen your faith in Him.

[John and Melissa Simmons]

I remember first accepting Christ at Southside, how could one forget the day they were saved... anyhow the point being I tried to immerse myself in anything and everything concerning Gods work there. And was blessed with being able to participate in many ministries, as well as recieving alot of counsel and ministry on lifes problems at hand and growth as a Christian. There were times I found myself with serious doubts because I had not yet grown mature enough Spiritually to realize how to let God have total reign....meaning I found myself fighting off that nagging temptation we have all had from time to time to take control and try and fix something ourselves. Something Mike and Lisa and many others shared in my hardest of times when I was struggling with health and financial and marital issues, was the fact that I had to lay things down at the altar and leave them. I am thinking to myself , I knew life long Christians throughout my life that couldnt always do that..how was I going to do it, I was new , just like a kid on his first day of school. It felt hopeless on top of every thing else going on at the time.
But you know my friends ,people that would later be some of my closest friends and people I would seek Spiritual guidance from never ceased praying, never stopped sharing that Godly love or fellowship and never stopped giving me sincere and truthful advice based on Gods word.
Even if I thought I knew how to address an issue, I would ask . I learned early on it was the wise thing to do. God worked through those friends and made available resources and counsel through Gods word, or based on the Word in a study help, that taught me the things I needed to know to accomplish this task of leaving it to Gods control.
Its still not the easiest task in the world. But at least now I know how to go about it and what it takes. One of the most important things it takes is pure, beleif and faith in God and his promises. Not just some ,but all of them. 2nd Tim.2:15 Says that we are to study to show ourselves approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.(KJV)
This is how we grow, how we learn. Scripture also teaches us to seek counsel from the Spiritual leadership with the Church. Teachers,ministers,Pastors,etc.
The second thing to remember is that scripture teaches God is not slack concerning his promises as some men count slackness. Meaning he will follow up He will make good on His promises.
The third thing is that we have to realize when fighting off that feeling of picking up that issue from our Lords feet and seizing control , that God works in HIS time according to HIS will for our lives. When we come to understand that . Then a true wisdom will have been gained.
Sound impossible? I assure you its not. Better yet God promises in scripture that all thing are possible with Him. It also teaches if we wait upon the Lord, we will rise above everything as if on Eagles wings.
Got Faith?
If there is any doubt, then I share one of Gods best promises, one of my favorites, and one I have seen him bring to pass in my very own life and the lives of some very close friends over the past year...
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you , says the Lord, they are plans for good and not disaster, for a future and a hope.(NLT)
When we are searching for that faith, then God tells us how to acheive the mindset for that as well in the book of Psalms amongst other places.
Psalms 46:10 Be Still! And know that I AM GOD!

Christ says all it takes is the faith equal to that in size of a Mustard Seed...
As is stated so concisely in this lesson by Mike... what will this test reveal about our hearts , our faith... dont feel alone if you need the help and support of others to help you to learn how to lay an issue down at the altar and leave it. I think I can safely say this is a situation every Christian has had to face and learn to do. If we are to expect others to put their faith In our Lord, this is a neccesary step to further our witness to them in our own faith in our Lord.

Scripture also teaches one other vital thing concerning faith.
It says without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
We all must continually build on those things where our faith is concerned.
A task that will be ever present, but dont think of it as an challenge, but an opportunity to let the light shine!
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God Bless ! John and Melissa Simmons