Luke 16:19-31  +  Part 8 of the series Wounds That Heal

On this earth, the rich man was busy making a living.

On this earth, Lazarus was busy making a life.

• Who am I? What is my identity?
• What do I live for? 
• What, for me, is the meaning of life?
• What is my purpose?

Poor Lazarus, despite his poverty and pain, was content both in this earthly life and in eternal life. The rich man, despite his prosperity and pride, was not content in this life nor in eternal life.

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19:23) 

“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)

SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS

• Believe— Study the biblical doctrine of life after death.
• Serve—Who can you invite to church?
• Live—Ask yourself in your personal devotions this week, “Am I more like the rich man or Lazarus?” Refer to the diagnostic questions, and answer, in today’s message.
• Grow—Complete the discussion questions below with your group.

Discussion Questions

1. Follow through with one of the next steps above. Involve a friend or your group for prayer, accountability and encouragement. Work on it together. Build a faith habit.
2. Explain and discuss the difference between making a living and making a life. Use verses from Jesus’ story in Luke 16:19-31 and lessons from today’s message.
3. As you ask yourself, “Am I more like the rich man or Lazarus?” refer to the diagnostic questions above. Prepare an answer for each of the questions, then share your answers with your group. Comment on each others’ answers. Vote for the best.
4. Invite Your One—Who can you invite to church? Share their name with your group and pray for all these people by name for a week. See what doors God opens for you to invite them!
5. Study the biblical doctrine of life after death. What happens to a believer’s soul when we die (Luke 23:43)? What happens to all bodies when they die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)? What happens to all dead bodies on Judgment Day (John 5:28,29)? What will happen to a believer’s body when it joins its soul in heaven (Philippians 3:20,21)? 

2 Corinthians 2:7-11  +  Part 7 of the series Wounds That Heal

Paul is not only dealing with a sexual pervert in the church, but a church doing nothing about it. (1 Corinthians 5)

The church family must stand up, show up and speak up as Jesus himself would.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17)

You ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. (2 Corinthians 2:7)

The church never stops loving even someone who insists on living in unforgiven sin.

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. (2 Corinthians 2:10)

We are God’s group. God’s family. God’s church.

SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS

• Believe—We are God’s church. This is God’s church.
• Serve—Because this is God’s church, we serve God as Lord over __________.
• Live—Memorize this verse then quote it at least once this week, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).
• Grow—The ABC’s of healthy conflict.

Discussion Questions

1. Follow through with one of the next steps above. Involve a friend or your group for prayer, accountability and encouragement. Work on it together. Build a faith habit.
2. In 2 Corinthians 2:9, Paul calls the case of a man living in unforgiven sin a “test” for the church. What does this mean?
3. With full respect for the other person involved, tell about a time where you have lovingly confronted a sinner. Was it difficult to focus on the goal of restoration? Why? Was a group involved? How did it go? Would you do anything differently?
4. True or False—We won’t confess any sins publicly with others if we don’t first confess them privately with God.

Luke 16:13  +  Part 6 of the series Wounds That Heal

Your financial healing has absolutely nothing to do with money.

We can’t afford Jesus and can’t buy him, but we don’t need to. Jesus has already bought us.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18,19)

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

God is your Lord, and his wealth is yours. 

Money doesn’t have the power to use you as your master when you are rich in God, so use money as your servant.

You are already financially healed.

SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS

• Believe—What lies about money do you too easily believe? What promises of God realign you to his true riches?
• Serve—Tell your financial story to a friend who needs Jesus. Struggles. Miracles. Provision. Show them their Redeemer and Lord. Give them real riches.
• Live—Apply to a financial distress or dream the truth, “I am already financially healed.” How does that help?
• Grow—Evaluate your financial charity. What’s the difference between being comfortable and being generous?

Discussion Questions

1. Follow through with one of the next steps above. Involve a friend or your group for prayer, accountability and encouragement. Work on it together. Build a faith habit.
2. Search online for the song “Jesus Priceless Treasure YouTube Koine” or click here. This classic hymn was written in 1653, then made popular by J.S. Bach in his motet weaving the verses into Scriptures from Romans 8. Listen to it with your group or family. What is the main theme?
3. For further study, read Ecclesiastes 5:10-20, Isaiah 52:1-3 and Luke 16:1-15. How do these words of God reinforce what you learned from Him in today’s message?

Luke 14:25-33  +  Part 5 of the series Wounds That Heal

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. (Luke 14:25)

Does my faith life follow Jesus more as a spectator or participant?

We can’t have a relationship with Jesus unless he calls us.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

Jesus is not calling us to hate actively but to hate comparatively. 

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

The gospel is not relativism, fanaticism or moderation. It is the gift of the cross. 

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33)

SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS

• Believe—I don’t choose Jesus, but he chooses me, calls me and leads me.
• Serve—Love Jesus more than the person you care about, and you will serve them even better. Who?
• Live—Follow Jesus, who is all-in. How can you keep that thought with you during the day?
• Grow—Where in life can I become less spectator and more participant? All in.

Discussion Questions

1. Follow through with one of the next steps above. Involve a friend for prayer, accountability and encouragement. Work on it together. Build a faith habit.
2. Make a list of 2-3 “loves” in your life that consistently desire or demand a love from you that is greater than your love for Jesus. Honestly confess the struggle. What does Jesus promise in the gospel?
3. Make a list of 2-3 faith activities in your life that are too much “moderation” or “spectator.” What is the next small thing you can do in each of them to be all-in?
4. True or False—The theology of the cross is scary.

Luke 14:8-14  +  Part 4 of the series Wounds That Heal

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.” (Luke 14:8)

How we can tell if we’re too focused on being extraordinary

“If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.” (Luke 14:9)

Hard warning. Hopeful promise.

Believe in your benevolent, gracious, welcoming host, more than you believe in yourself.

“But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:10-11)

Practicing humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. 

Jesus made himself nothing … and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place. (Philippians 2:7-9)  

We can take the lowest place because Jesus has already moved us up to the highest place

“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14)

It’s good to be friends with other CrossLifers. It’s great to host a guest who is coming here for the first time.

SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS

• Believe—I am both an invited guest and assigned host.
• Serve as one who is already extraordinary. Identity statement.
• Live—Develop personal repentance (awareness, confession, faith in forgiveness, fruits of humility) for trying to be too extraordinary. Charlie Brown?
• Grow—Focus improvement on 1 or 2 of The Top Ten Acts of Sunday Kindness

Discussion Questions

1. Do something with the summary and next steps from today’s message. Scribble some ideas. Pray through them each day. Keep track of new steps each week. Discuss with your group or family.
2. The book of Isaiah is quoted over 60 times in the New Testament! Search in the New Testament for Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 40:3 and anything from Isaiah 53. Where do these appear in the New Testament, and what prophesy of Isaiah is fulfilled?
3. Make a short list of just two people you’d like to invite to church. Pray for them, for the caring words to invite them, and for God to open their heart to your invitation. 

Isaiah 66:18-24  +  Part 3 of the series Wounds That Heal

Study the Word like your life depends on it—because it actually does.

Jesus is both very clear that hell is a real place, that the devil is a real individual, that some people will go to hell, but he is also very caring and committed to your personal salvation and the salvation of the entire world.

Does Jesus want you to be afraid of hell and the devil? 

God says that he will “come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.” (Isaiah 66:18)

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure.” (Isaiah 66:22)

God promises hell for “those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” (Isaiah 66:24)

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15,16)

SUMMARY AND STEPS

• Believe—Heaven and hell are real.
• Serve—Let’s fill up heaven. Invite a friend to church next Sunday.
• Live—Study God’s Word like your life depends on it—because it actually does.
• Grow—Be more afraid and less afraid of sin, hell and the devil.

Discussion Questions

1. Do something with the summary and steps from today’s message. Scribble some ideas. Pray through them each day. Keep track of new steps each week. Discuss with your group or family.
2. The book of Isaiah is quoted over 60 times in the New Testament! Search in the New Testament for Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 40:3 and anything from Isaiah 53. Where do these appear in the New Testament, and what prophesy of Isaiah is fulfilled?
3. Make a short list of just two people you’d like to invite to church. Pray for them, for the caring words to invite them, and for God to open their heart to your invitation. 

Luke 12:49-53  +  Part 2 of the series Wounds That Heal

Is Jesus a divisive figure?

“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:50-53)

The two choices in this world are either pretend peace without Jesus or divine division with Jesus.

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!” (Luke 12:49,50)

Pretend peace without Jesus is difficult because it is without Jesus. 

Divine division with Jesus is difficult but it is with Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. Explain to an unchurched friend what you learned today about the difference between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker. Refer to Matthew 5:9-11.
2. When you experience difficulty following Jesus because of his divisive teachings and truths, what good comes out of it?
3. Agree or Disagree — Our goal as followers of Jesus is division.
4. Last Sunday we studied the power of words in Proverbs 9:7-10. Read those verses. How do they connect with today’s teaching from Jesus? Pray through this.

Proverbs 9:7-10  +  Part 1 of the series Wounds That Heal

Words have the power to hurt. Words have the power to heal. Some words do both.

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you. (Proverbs 9:7,8)

How do I receive criticism? Am I teachable?

The single most important character trait for healing is humility. In us, from Jesus.(Proverbs 11:2, 26:3; Hebrews 5:7-9; James 3:13-18) 

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Proverbs 9:9)

There is no such thing as a full-grown tree. The same is true of Christians. This is called sanctification. (Hebrews 12:4-13)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

My Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father, if ever my thoughts go astray 

Capture my mind, with these humble words

My morning prayer

Jesus Christ, your mind is the author of my joy and peace

Jesus Christ, your heart makes my contentment increase

I depend on you, let this day honor your name

Discussion Questions

1. Listen to My Morning Prayer  (https://open.spotify.com/track/01ZDUVmMf2QWEa0XpNVVCM?si=2a7964de15c745a7) every morning this week. Ask in prayer, “God, where can I show humility today and learn even more?”
2. List — in your personal notes, and/or share with a trusted friend — examples of words you have said that:
   1. Have hurt and wounded another person
   2. Have healed a hurt of another person
   3. Have actually both hurt and then healed that hurt for another person
3. Read Proverbs 11:2, 26:3; Hebrews 5:7-9, 12:4-13; and James 3:13-18. What words in these Bible verses teach you how to better receive criticism?