Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 17 May 2020

INTRODUCTION

1. Goals:

a) A genuine Faith

b) A growing Faith

c) A great Faith

2. Dealing with problems that hinder the growth of our faith

a) Wrong teachings

b) Wrong practices

c) Correction Needed

d) Consistent practice of our faith to be encouraged

PART III (PRACTICES)

1. The Problem of being “Judgmental” (Matthew 7:1-5)

a) A text that is often:

i) Misread

ii) Misunderstood

iii) Misused

b) Do not judge

i) It does not mean we don’t use our critical faculties

ii) It means that we do not become judgmental

c) Judgment

i) Means of judging to be understood

ii) No double standard

iii) What we judge others with

iv) We must be prepared to be judge by the same standard established

d) The danger of hypocrisy (Matthew 7:5)

i) We see the faults of others

ii) But we do not see the same or worse faults in ourselves

e) Word of warning

i) We cannot be unworthy “dogs” and “swine”

ii) That which is holy would not be given or entrusted

2. The Problem of a poor prayer practice (Matthew 7:7-11)

a) We may have learned much about prayer

i) How not to pray (like a hypocrite or like Gentiles) (Matthew 6:5, 7)

ii) How to pray (Matthew 6:6-13; The Lord’s Prayer)

b) The question is whether we actually practise praying

i) Do we Ask, Seek, Knock? (Matthew 7:7)

ii) Do we believe God will answer? (Matthew 7:8)

iii) Do we have doubts that God will answer our prayers?

iv) Do we have a problem of unbelief?

3. The Problem of not practising the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)

a) A rule that is found in the Law and the Prophets

b) What do we desire that people do to us?

c) Are we also doing right by them?

d) Can we expect good when we do evil?

4. The problem of seeking an easier path (Matthew 7:13-14)

a) Broad gate and broad path

i) Many seek these

ii) They lead to destruction

b) Narrow gate and difficult path

i) Few seek and find it

i) But it leads to eternal life

c) The challenge to choose the road less travelled (Robert Frost)

THE PATH OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

1. A path of following Jesus

2. A path of faith

3. A path of cleansing and correction

4. A path that is both narrow and difficult

THE PATH THAT THE APOSTLE PETER TOOK

1. Corrected

2. Challenged

3. Changed:

a) A man of faith

b) A man of courage

c) A man of conviction

d) A man of God

e) A channel of blessing