Yes In Christ

In Sunday School and in the sermon this week, we continued our series on the importance of  Sunday School. As a family, review the Sunday School Scripture (Philippians 1:9-11) and sermon notes and Scripture (Hebrews 12:26-29).  

DISCUSS: What did you learn this week about the importance of worshiping in a small group setting like Sunday School? How can worship and meeting together with a Sunday School class equip us to live kingdom-centered lives?

In part of his sermon this week, Pastor Jamey taught us that when people gather together to worship, they hear God speak and tell them how to live in His unshakable kingdom. One of the ways we learn to live kingdom-centered lives is to know and claim the promises of God. A kingdom-centered life is built on the knowledge of God’s promises and the full assurance of their fulfillment in Jesus.

DISCUSS: Is my life kingdom-centered, firmly established on the unshakable foundation of God’s promises? Or is my life me-centered, built on the temporary foundation of my own pride, resources, abilities, and desire for happiness?

Read 2 Corinthians 1:18-22

Consider these wise words from Pastor John Piper:

“So here, Paul is saying: My heart is not divided toward you because God's heart is not divided toward you. If you belong to Christ by faith, then everything God could possibly give you for your good he has signed over to your account in Christ. You hear the same answer at every point: Is this promise in my account? Yes. Is this promise in my account? Yes. Is this blessing in my account? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. All the promises of God are YES in Christ.

In Galatians 3:29 Paul wrote, "If you are Christ's then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." (See Ephesians 3:6; Galatians 3:14, 22; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 15:8.) All the promises of God for the good of his people focus in Christ. He confirms them and secures them and, as it were, purchases them for all who belong to him—for all who believe (Galatians 3:22). Every sinner who comes to God in Christ, with all his needs, finds God coming to him in Christ, with all his promises. When a sinful person meets the holy God IN CHRIST, what he hears is YES. Do you love me? YES. Will you forgive me? YES. Will you accept me? YES. YES. Will you help me change? YES. Will you give me power to serve you? YES. Will you keep me? YES. Will you show me your glory? YES.

All the promises of God—all the blessings of God in the heavenly places—are YES in Christ Jesus. Jesus is God's decisive YES to all who believe.” (John Piper, sermon “All God’s Promises are YES in Christ” on December 31, 1989).

DISCUSS:  How well do you know the promises God gives us in His Word? Are there any promises that you desire to claim, but lack faith for?

THIS WEEK:

Thank God for the promises He gives in His Word and fulfills through Christ. Take time to make a list of a few promises God has made that apply to your life now. Throughout the week, meditate on ways that God has faithfully provided for you and fulfilled these promises through His Son.