at the corner

Apply: The Danger of Unbelief

Eric Hughes — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:02:26 +0000

Sunday morning we continued our current sermon series with Mark 6:1-6. There we observed the tragic account of how the sin of unbelief caused the people of Jesus hometown of Nazareth, to reject their Messianic King and Savior. We saw four characteristics of unbelief and the main truth we discovered is: Unbelief has the power to rob us of the greatest blessings of God. You can listen to or download the sermon here. I pray that these questions serve you as you seek to diligently guard your heart from the sin of unbelief.

1) Prior to hearing the message, would you have considered unbelief one of the most ruinous sins in our culture? Why or why not?

2) When the people of Nazareth heard Jesus preach they were “astonished” by the wisdom he possessed. Yet, their unbelief blinded them to the plain truth of his identity and rather than seeing Jesus as their long awaited Messianic King and Savior, they simply saw Him as the village carpenter. What part of Jesus true identity do you find it most difficult to embrace? What passages of Scripture do you need to believe in order for that to change?

3) We’ve all heard the saying “familiarity breeds contempt”. This was indeed true of the people in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. Where are you most vulnerable to allowing your soul to become dull or cold, due to your familiarization with things that pertain to Christ? How might you seek to guard your soul in this area?

4) The prevalence of unbelief in the town of Nazareth caused Jesus to limit the display of divine power. While Jesus had the power to do mighty works, He chose not to use that power. In what area of your life might the presence of unbelief be limiting the display of divine power? What are you doing to deal with this unbelief?

May the Lord grant you the grace to identify the presence of unbelief in your life and the power to put it to death. Grace to you!

Kirk

Apply: Do Not Fear, Only Believe

Eric Hughes — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:32:40 +0000

Last Sunday we looked at the final story in Mark 5, which highlighted again the power of Jesus Christ, this time over sickness and even death. This story also highlighted the power of the word of Christ. And this story also brought us all into two more completely desperate situations. For both Jairus and the woman with the discharge of blood, desperation drove them to Jesus as their only hope for help. And in both we saw an example of faith, especially in the woman who would serve as an example to Jairus and by extension, to us all. We ultimately learned that in the midst of our desperation or hopeless situations: go to Jesus, do not fear but only believe. You can listen to our download the sermon here. I hope these questions will help you apply God’s word to your life.

1. Are you in the midst of a hopeless or desperate situation right now (no remedy, no earthly answer, solution out of your control)?

2. Where are you tempted to “go first” during times like this (internal strength to get you through, a friend to talk to, worldly wisdom or answers, substances to numb or make things easier)? Why are we to go to Jesus first? What does going to Jesus first look like for you?

3. Jesus tells us all when that moment of bad news or tragedy comes, “do not fear, only believe.” Why is this so hard to do? Why are circumstances so much more magnetic to our eyes than Jesus? How do you think the Lord wants to build your faith to prepare for those “moments” of life?

4. Why would you go to Jesus first in the midst of distress, despair or hopelessness? We talked about three reasons: A. Because He knows (had a prayer go unanswered); B. Because He is willing (willing to die for us, not willing to help us?; C. Because He still has power to heal. Which of these three things about Jesus that are meant to build our faith do you struggle to believe?

5. How has the Lord built your faith in Christ over the last few weeks reading about Jesus in the midst of desperate situations? What difference has Christ made through His word in how you view your current circumstances?

These stories have all been about different kinds of desperate situations. There are storms of life that we walk through, there is evil and darkness and sin that exists outside of us and in us, there are chronic diseases in our bodies and we are surrounded by the daily tragedy of death. And yet, in the middle of all of these situations stands Jesus Chrsit, the Son of God, who has power over them all – power to save, power to heal, and power to rescue! With a word storms, evil and sin, chronic sickness and even death itself all recoil! And this Jesus invites us to trust in Him, to look to Him, to not fear, but believe in Him, in His power, in His ability to see us through and His deep love for us that fuels His commitment to be with us, help us and keep us till the end.

To Him be praise! And in Him we must trust!

Have a grace filled week,

Eric

Corporate Prayer Meeting Tonight

Eric Hughes — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:13:41 +0000

Tonight we will gather as a church to pray and to close out this time of prayer and fasting. Please join us at 7:30 as we pray for our church. We continue to be grateful for all who have fasted with us (in some form) over the last three days. With the many things that we’ve been praying for, I was encouraged this morning by this:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

How wonderful to know!

See you toinght,

Eric