Legalism: When Tradition Trumps the Bible

Legalism is:


Legalism is NOT:


4 Reasons I Don't Want to be Trapped in Legalism:

1. I don't want to be a CRITICAL person. (Mk 7:1-5)


2. I don't want a MEANINGLESS religion. (Mk 7:6-7a)


3. I don't want to dishonor God's WORD . (Mk 7:7b-8)


4. I don't want to MISREPRESENT God. (Mk 7:9-13)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Personal Reflection Questions:
Read Mark 7:1-13

A simple prayer for you to pray this week. Personalize this, and bring this before God:

Father, I want to hunger for you more, I want to thirst for You and the things that You are about. Show me any areas of hypocrisy in my life, and let me have a genuine walk, a living and powerful relationship with You that comes from the heart. I know that there is nothing I can do to earn Your love and forgiveness, because You have already provided it in Jesus Christ. Please give me the faith to embrace all that He says He is.

Storms: When Jesus Becomes Personal

Jesus cares for ME.

• He PRAYS for Me. (Mk 6:46)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

• He WATCHES over me. (Mk 6:48a)

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4

• He STAYS with me. (Mk 6:48b)

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

• He COMFORTS me. (Mk 6:50)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:45­-56

1. Jesus walking on water was the event that made the “lights come on” for the disciples that Jesus was not only God, but He loved them and cared for them. (Mark 6:35-41) What was it that made the “lights come on” for you? What made you realize that Jesus has a personal love for you? Take turns sharing!

Breakout Questions:

Pray for the love of Christ to control you, your Small Group, and your church! (2 Cor 5:14)

Unbelief: Jesus is Amazed

Unbelief is Amazing Because...

1. It chooses to ignore the EVIDENCE (Mk 6:1-2)



2. It chooses to object with IRRELEVANCE (Mk 6:3a)



3. It chooses to think with EMOTION (Mk 6:3b-4)



4. It chooses to forfeit BLESSING (Mk 6:5-6)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:1-6

1. What is the hardest objection to the Christian faith / the Bible, in your opinion? (Evolution, what about the dinosaurs, where did Cain get his wife? etc etc).
    
2. Why do people “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”? (Mark 6:12, Romans 1:18) Why is sin such a motivator to deny the truth of God?
    
3. Why did Jesus “do no mighty work there” in Nazareth? (Mark 6:5) How did unbelief play a part in that? Why did He still do a few?
    
4. How could Jesus “marvel” at their reaction if He already knows what is in the heart of a man? (John 2:24-25)

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another: that we be people of faith moving towards God instead of unbelief moving away from God.

Belief: Jesus Amazes

1 Corinthians 4:20 - For the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in POWER .

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness."

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the POWER at work within us.

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great POWER as it is working.

I Want to See Jesus Move...

... so I need to HUMBLE myself. (Mk 5:21-22)

... so I need to believe that He CAN and WILL help me. (Mk 5:23-34)

... so I need to trust Him if He seems LATE . (Mk 5:35-42)

... so I need to accept things I don't UNDERSTAND. (Mk 5:43)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 5:21-43

1. Can you come to Jesus without humbling yourself? Why or why not? How exactly do you humble yourself?
    
2. Why did Jesus tell the woman her faith made her well (lit. saved her, verse 34)? What was the substance of her faith?
    
3. How would you define “answered prayer”? What does “an answer to prayer” mean? How do you know when a prayer has been answered?

Breakout Questions:

1. What is something you have prayed for that “the Lord has seemed late in answering”? (Mk 4:35) Why do you think He hasn’t answered your prayer in the way that you wanted? What is your response going to be?
    
2. Pray for the upcoming Franklin Graham Crusade and our church’s involvement in it. If we are to be involved, we need the Lord to raise up a leader who will help get us plugged in. This is a tremendous evangelism opportunity!

Demons: Agents of the Enemy

Three Displays of Power:

1. Evil has the power to DESTROY. (Mk 5:1-7)

The Abyss (read): Luke 8:31, 1 Peter 3:19-20, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6-7, Revelation 9:1, 11:7, 17:8, 20:1, 3

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.


2. Jesus has the power to DELIVER. (Mk 5:8-15)


3. Jesus has the power to DIVIDE. (Mk 5:16-20)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 5:1-20

1. Do you believe demonic possession happens today? Why or why not? How could you tell if someone does have a demon?
    
2. Why do you think the demons wanted permission to enter the pigs? What do you think happened to the demons after the pigs died?
    
3. Why did the locals beg Jesus to leave? What does that tell you about them?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another: How do you need Jesus to show up powerfully in your life?