Cypress Church

SOLA – Sola Deo Gloria, for the glory of God…As the Apostle Paul challenged the Corinthian church so are we to “…do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Being sin’s influence constantly pulls us to self-glory, seeking the glory of God alone keeps Him greater than i. Therefor to keep seeking God’s glory is to Constantly Confess Sin, Continually Celebrate God, Determinedly Do Good Works for God, and Be Like Bach!?! (doing all for the glory of God SDG)

Today we not only give a report about all that went on this summer through our mission’s trips, but there is also a challenge to be open to the coaching of Jesus. Because serving Christ can shape our character if we are humble and willing to learn.

Doubt is a reality of life. Doubt happens after victories/steps of faith and during storms…it happened to the disciples and particularly Peter. However, Jesus asks the probing question, Why do you doubt?, to help Peter and the disciples and us followers of Jesus to discover that Doubt fades when we choose to see the real Jesus. Matthew 14:22-33 takes a couple of occurrences of life and reveals a few responses to doubt that help us see the real Jesus.

Worth Our Salt “If salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?” Matthew 5:13-16 – August 20, 2017

Understanding the Passage When you initially read through the passage, what did you think it was about? After hearing the sermon, what did you find God wanting you to focus on? What did this healed man recognize about Jesus? Who in Jesus’ ministry had a hard time recognizing Him? Why do you think that was? Why is it hard sometimes to recognize God’s leading/conviction/working in our life? What do you think Jesus was trying to tell the Pharisees and teach His disciples here? Parallel Scriptures How does 2 Kings 6:17, Proverbs 20:12, Luke 24:31, and 2 Corinthians 3:16 tell us about seeing God? How does the concept of Ebenezer from 1 Samuel 7:12 connect to our passage in Luke 17? Personal Reflection When do you find yourself more aware of God’s presence in your own life? When is it hard to remember that God is with you? What Ebenezer/practices could you set up in your own life to remind you of God’s faithfulness toward you? Who in my life do I dismiss/judge because they are different or view things differentl

Most everyone is seeking for something; seeking to learn, grow, mature, rest, have fun, please God, find God, find peace, live for Jesus, know God more, enjoy family, enjoy friends, be better, find a family, experience hope, and the list goes on. What are you seeking? That was a question Jesus asked a few followers and asks us to have us ponder and solidify our aim in life. This question from John 1:35-42 brings up other questions; why seek Jesus? what are we seeking to gain? how will we respond? All to point us to the reality that ‘Seeking Jesus is the only sure way to experience real hope.

The question Jesus asks, that we are looking at this morning, moves us to explore the intentionality of Jesus. After John sets the scene and Jesus washes the Disciple’s feet, Jesus hijacks the minds of these disciples and asks, “Do you understand what I have done to you? Their minds are grasping for understanding for Jesus washing their feet did not fit their worldview, their mindset. Why would the most powerful and highest authority of life, God Himself, Messiah choose to place Himself in the position of the lowliest servant? Jesus was pointing them and us to a life of intention…to love intentionally, be humble intentionally, serve intentionally and live with intentional diligence…to ask ourselves How will we intentionally follow Jesus today?