Show Notes
Are You Exhausted Doing What Jesus Never Asked? What if some of the most familiar Christian advice is keeping you from enjoying Christ? In this message, Andrew challenges the pressure to rededicate your life, put God first, live by the Ten Commandments, and agonize over finding God's perfect plan for every decision. You don't need another promise, checklist, or formula. You've been joined to Jesus. He isn't merely your priority. He is your life. Discover the freedom of getting your eyes off your performance, walking by the Spirit, and trusting Christ to bear His fruit through you. Discussion Questions: Read Ephesians 1:21–22 and Colossians 3:4. What is the difference between trying to continually "put Christ first" and recognizing that Christ is already your life and already above all things? Read Acts 17:28 and Philippians 1:21. How do these verses challenge the idea that the Christian life is about fitting Jesus into one part of our lives rather than living from Him as the very source of our life? Read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20. If the Holy Spirit already lives in you and you already belong to God, how might that change the pressure to repeatedly "rededicate" yourself to Him when you feel you have fallen short? Read Romans 7:4 and Romans 7:6. According to these verses, what happened to our relationship with the Law when we came to Christ, and what has replaced the "oldness of the letter"? Read Galatians 5:18 and Galatians 3:24–25. What was the Law's purpose, and what do these passages say about our relationship to the Law now that faith has come and we are led by the Spirit? Read 2 Corinthians 3:7–9. Why does Paul call the commandments engraved on stone a "ministry of death" and "ministry of condemnation," and how is the ministry of the Spirit different for someone who has spent years trying to measure up? Read 1 Timothy 1:7–9. What does Paul mean when he says the Law is good when used lawfully, but that it is "not made for a righteous person"? How does that challenge the idea that Christians need the Ten Commandments as their daily rulebook? Read Romans 12:2 and Philippians 2:12–13. Instead of anxiously searching for a hidden plan from God before every decision, what do these verses suggest about how God works through a renewed mind and even through our own desires? Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. If Scripture says we can eat, drink, and do "whatever" we do to the glory of God, what freedom does that give us when facing ordinary decisions where several choices may all be perfectly acceptable?
More from The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley
I want to know the Bible better and be able to hear what Jesus is telling me about my life. Were Adam and Eve both guilty of disobeying God? What was the result? Can you explain 1 John 1:9 again? And what about repentance like we see in Revelation with the churches? Isn't repentance still biblical?
How do you confront an unbelieving friend involved in habitual sin? I've been hunting for a job for a long time. What should I do? My friends reject my explanation of 1 John 1:9. Is there a way that I can explain it better?
I was arrested and now nobody at my church will talk to me. I've lost my family, my friends, and everything! What can I do? I had a long-term affair, and now I struggle with the memories of it. What can I do?
Did Jesus Really Give You His Glory? Discussion Questions: Read John 16:13-14. Whom is the Holy Spirit hearing from? About what? Why is this important? Read John 16:15. What are the 'all things" the Holy Spirit is disclosing to you? Read John 17:20. How do we know this prayer is not just for Jesus' disciples? Read John 17:21. What does it mean to you to be "one"? And to be "in Us"? How does this truth compare to popular messages about our closeness to God? Read John 17:22. React to this statement: Jesus has given me His glory. Read John 17:22. First, how close is Jesus to the Father? Now, what does this verse say about you? Read John 17:23. What is Jesus' testimony here concerning how loved you are? What does it mean to you to hear this from Jesus Himself? Read John 17:24. React to this statement: I'm a gift from the Father to Jesus. Read John 17:24. In what way has this prayer request been fulfilled? (Hint: Consider Ephesians 2:6 in your answer.)
Why does the deity of Christ matter so much? How does union with Christ change our whole perspective? Can you talk about grace for salvation and grace after salvation? What does it mean to be complete in Christ? What is the gift of tongues? Are there two types of tongues?