Message Notes for September 29, 2019

Series: God on Trial

Title: God – you don’t show up anymore!

A Miracle: A supernatural change to an otherwise natural outcome.

Jesus demonstrated the miracle of restraint to show us the depth of His love.

What God wants is for us to know him in an intimate way as our Father, Friend, Comforter, Counselor, Lord — willingly, not under compulsion.

Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

How do we see the miraculous of Jesus in our lives? 

• When we lift Him up!

John 12:32

• By sharing Jesus with others.

Matthew 28:20 \”Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.\”

• When living each day for His purpose.

Joshua 1:9 \”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.\”

• When He is first in all things.

Hebrews 13:5 \”Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, \’I will never leave you nor forsake you.\’\”

• In visions and dreams!
• Through Living His Word!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

• Through faithful, sacrificial service!

1 Timothy 1:5

• Through the connection with His Spirit!

John 14:26 

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of September 29, 2019

Series: God on Trial

Title: God – you don’t show up anymore!

• Have you seen the supernatural of God intersect the natural and change something or someone? Have you seen God intersect your own life supernaturally?  Share your thoughts.
• Philip Yancey writes in his book, The Jesus I never knew;  “I believe God insists on such restraint (of miraculous showings) because no pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence will achieve the response he desires…..only love can summon a response of love.” What do you think about this statement?  Why is it that so many see God’s miraculous works of creation and life change and don’t believe in Him?
• When you think of what Jesus did on the cross, how would you describe this as a supernatural event and a natural event?  Why did God do this in the way He did?  How did this display of God’s power summon a response of love?
• Read John 4: 46-54.  What is John describing in this passage?  What were people longing for?  Why do you think people bounced from miracle to miracle and never developed a relationship with Jesus?  What does that say about us as human beings?  What was different about the official in this story?  Where was his belief – in the miracle or in Jesus?  Why do you think it was different?
• Read Luke 17:11-21. What did the Lepers in this passage believe about Jesus?  What did they want from Jesus?  What did they not want from Jesus?  Why did one return to Jesus?  What does this say about miracles and their ability to draw people into a relationship with Jesus? 
• Read Luke 16: 19-31.  What is going on in this passage?  What does Jesus want us to know?  How does He want us to respond?  What does the rich man want?  Why does Jesus say it will not work?
• The miraculous often doesn’t draw people into a relationship with Jesus, but we do see that a relationship with Jesus often opens our eyes to the miraculous.  Why do you think this is?  For further study on this, review the five ways God shows up miraculously in our lives from the Sunday message.
• Gather in smaller groups and pray for each other.