€¦ · shows have offered a million dollars to the winner and flopped. Perhaps it’s the strategy and social aspect of Survivor that has captivated America. Or perhaps, it’s

Survivor is the longest running and one of the most profitable reality TV shows ever. Next spring, Survivor will air its 30th season. It would take you nearly three weeks of continual binge watching to make it through every episode! Why is it so popular? Perhaps it’s the million dollar prize, but many other shows have offered a million dollars to the winner and flopped. Perhaps it’s the strategy and social aspect of Survivor that has captivated America. Or perhaps, it’s the thrill of watching regular people struggle to survive (the contestants must provide food, water and shelter for themselves while competing for physical comforts and advantages in the game) in a remote location. Or maybe it’s the drama. It’s tough to be sure. While the show Survivor is a game, for some, survival is a way of life. John the Baptist lived the Survivor life. The Bible says he was a wild man. Matthew 3:4-6 says, “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” John was a bit of an odd ball. He lived away from the rest of humanity and probably smelled a bit like it, too. He dressed strangely and ate weird things that most Israelites wouldn’t have touched. So, when John comes out of the wilderness, whatever he says attracts people like a magnet. What was so great about him? John believed in Jesus and the scriptures, which are really one in the same. The book of John (not John the Baptist, but the disciple John) says that Jesus is the Word that became flesh. John 1:1 records that the Word was with God and the Word was God. John came to point to the light of God’s Word. John 1:8-9 says, “John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” His fearlessness stood out. His commitment. He had the Holy Spirit with him from birth (as seen in Luke 1:15). Mary (Jesus’ mom) meets Elizabeth (John’s mom) while they are both pregnant. Baby John jumped for joy in the belly of his mom in the presence of Jesus. John is hard to pin down. He was a weird guy, sort of...well...quirky. Mark Driscoll calls him Jesus’ homeschooled cousin. He was the first prophet in 400 years. Typically, a prophet brings a message of repentance, and his message was completely anointed by God. Repent and be baptized. That was his simple but powerful message. And he is the character we’ll study all week!

Legends: John the Baptist—

The Original Survivor Week beginning July 21, 2014

www.cedarcreek.tv

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THIS WEEK’S STUDY WILL EXAMINE JOHN THE BAPTIST

AND HIS MESSAGE FROM GOD: REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED!

I baptize with water those who

repent of their sins and turn to

God. But someone is coming

soon who is greater than I

am—so much greater that I’m

not worthy even to be his slave

and carry his sandals. He will

baptize you with the Holy

Spirit and with fire.

–John The Baptist,

Matthew 3:11 (NLT)

MONDAY – John the Baptist was Great Because He Trusted in Jesus and in the Bible Big Point: We are only great when we are great in God’s eyes.

Who does the world consider to be great? Dr. Martin Luther King? Abraham

Lincoln? LeBron James? The Kardashians? (Yikes!) What does it mean to be great? Webster’s American Dictionary defines great as “very important; noted, remarkable,” among other things.

Who does God consider to be great? Before we answer that question it is important to understand that there is a very evident theme throughout the Bible. What God considers important is often quite different from what we consider important. More often than not what God considers valuable, noteworthy, notable and of critical importance is diametrically opposed to our list of crucial elements in life. The first will be last. The meek will inherit the earth. You must be humble to be exalted, but the proud will be humbled. Seemingly, up is down and black is white until we begin to see life from God’s point of view.

So who did God’s own Son consider to be great among human beings? Rich and powerful kings? Mighty warriors? Nope. Jesus said that the greatest person who ever lived was John the Baptist, a wild and woolly woodsman whose clothing was made from the hair of camels and whose diet resembled something from a game of truth or dare. He was loud, confrontational and eccentric.

Why did Jesus regard this bizarre man as great? John recognized his purpose in life, which was to announce the arrival of Jesus the Messiah and preach repentance. He devoted his entire being to that singular purpose, even though it would eventually cost him his life.

Yet, even John questioned Jesus to be sure he really was the Messiah of which ancient prophecies spoke. Jesus was not upset with this double-checking. Jesus quoted scripture that he knew a man of God, like John, would recognize as proof that Jesus was the Son of God. John lived a life of committed obedience and the Son of God made a point to recognize John as an example of a truly great human being. If you want to be great you need to ask yourself, “By whose definition do I want to be great: the world’s or God’s?”

READ, THINK and LIVE. Read and apply the Bible. 1. In the following verses an angel tells John the Baptist’s father what his son will be like before he is even born. In verse 17, the angel quotes scripture from the book of Malachi, which was written nearly 500 years prior to John’s birth. Question: What does this passage tell us about the details of God’s plans for our lives? What had God determined would be the purpose of John’s life on earth? Luke 1:15b-17 (New Living Translation) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the

2—Daily Bible Study

Living It Out: Daily Bible Reading Plan July 21—1 Corinthians 8: 1-13

John the Baptist never performed any miracles. Yet, he was greater

than any of the Old Testament prophets.

-Leonard Ravenhill


coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.

Answer: 2. John sent two of his disciples to question Jesus to see if he indeed was the Messiah. Jesus answers John in verse 22 by quoting scripture written about him by the prophet Isaiah nearly 700 years earlier. Question: Why would Jesus quote centuries old writings to answer a question about his authenticity? And, what does this tell us about Jesus’ grasp of the Old Testament? Luke 7:20-23 (New Living Translation) 20 John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” 21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard – the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 23 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’” Answer:

LIVE … What will you do now? Whom do you consider to be a great person and why? How do you think God would rate the greatness of the people you feel are noteworthy? How important do you consider the writings of the Bible to be when you see the Son of God and the greatest human ever to have lived readily quoting and understanding Scripture? Will this change your view of memorizing Bible verses?

PRAY… God what do you want me to know and do? Thank God for having values that are so different from what this world has to offer. Ask Him to make clear to you the purpose He has for you in this life and then ask Him for His power and strength to fulfill that purpose as He would have you do it.

TUESDAY – John was Fearless and Sacrificial in His Service to Jesus Big Point: WE must decrease that He may increase. John the Baptist’s big point about our relationship with Jesus: We must decrease that he may increase. Although the Bible says John was the greatest man to ever walk the earth, prophesied about at least 400 years earlier, who would have followers that would come to hear him preach miles away from town, his main point was decrease yourself so that Jesus will have room to fill you up. He made this point to the people that walked miles into the wilderness to hear him speak. He then baptized all those who accepted this truth. The people came to see him, but he said “don’t look to me, look to Him.” John was sacrificial in that he knew his role and was honored to have it. He gladly lived meagerly and alone. He knew his ministry would end in his death, but he never wavered. How often can you say that about your faith walk? Is it easy for you to take criticism and derision about being Christian or do you downplay it so as to not create controversy? Do you stand by Biblical principles or do you fold when they get too hard to follow? John never wavered for he knew through and through that Jesus was his Lord. He knew while he waited in prison; even to his death he knew that God was with him. A lot of people would ask where God was when all of this was happening to John, but John knew the Truth.

READ and THINK…What does the Bible say? 1. The people expected the prophet to be full of pomp and circumstance, since he would be heralding in the chosen king. In this passage, Jesus tries to explain to the people that John is the prophet they have been waiting for, but that their expectations are wrong. Instead of a mighty herald, John is a strong and humble servant to Jesus. Question: What is Jesus’ point about John and his behavior? Luke 7:24-26 (New Living Translation) 24 After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.

Answer: 2. In this discourse between Jesus and John, Jesus quotes the prophesy about John made by Malachi 400 years earlier to show the people that John is a great man. John responds by downplaying his role and giving all the glory to God.



No sacrifice should be too

great for Him who gave

Himself for us.

-Harry Ironside


Question: How does John’s response in John 3:27-30 reinforce Jesus’ remarks from Luke 7:27-28? Luke 7:27-28 (New Living Translation) 27 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!” John 3:27-30 (New Living Translation) 27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. Answer:

LIVE…What will you do now? How do you live sacrificially for God? Do you feel that you are moving toward decreasing yourself so that God may increase in you? If not, what can you do to move in that direction?

Are you strong and unwavering in your commitment to Jesus or do you find yourself backing down in tough situations? In what practical ways can you become more fearless in your commitment?

PRAY…God, what do you want me to know and do? Thank God for His amazing son, sent to show us what perfect fearlessness and sacrifice look like. Ask Him to help you continue to decrease yourself so that He may increase in you. Thank Him for His forgiveness, also shown through His son, for when you fall short. Praise Him for His grace and unending love.

WEDNESDAY – John Was Great Because He Called People to Repentance and Baptism Big Point: John boldly called people to true repentance and reconciliation to God. What is sin and how do you truly repent? Where does Baptism come into play? Let’s take a look at this as explained by Pastor Mark Driscoll. “Sin is the missing of a target, a wandering from the path. Even when it is familiar, sin is never normal. Above all, sin disrupts and resists the vital human relation to God.” So, we must repent. There is false repentance and true repentance. False repentance sees other people’s sin, not your own. It tries to manipulate God by being good so He will bless you. It just says, “I’m sorry,” because of being caught, and feeling bad, but the heart is not transformed. It also tries to minimize the sin, or blame the sin on someone else and makes excuses. True repentance is a process, which begins with a conviction that comes from God. He speaks to us through His word, or the Spirit, letting us know that what we did was wrong. We then confess, “Ok, Lord. You are right. I am wrong.” As Pastor Mark says: “It is talking to God about your sin.” Simple as that. The next step is where we actually kill the sin that is keeping us away from God. This is also where John the Baptist’s ministry has its roots. Repent! We have to completely turn away from it and turn toward God. He sent Jesus to pay for those very sins. Pastor Mark says “Kill it, because it killed Jesus.” Then, we have to make it right; not with God, like penance, but with your fellow man. Apologize, re-pay and make it right. Humble yourself enough to go make peace with people whom you may have wronged. We must also be reconciled to God. This is possible through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. John understood this. Pastor Mark says, “And Jesus declares that John is great because he calls people to repentance. He cut through all of the cultural clutter, noise and nonsense. He lays an ax at the root of the problem and he goes after sin with a furious courage and he calls people to repent of sin. And God would call us all to repent of sin, because he loves us.” After we believe and we repent, baptism is where we make the bold statement, “I am a sinner, and I am repenting.” To sum it up, Pastor Mark asks: “Will we declare God to be just, by ourselves declaring ourselves to be unjust, and in need of his justice through the cross of Jesus? You know why John had such strong reaction now, don’t you? He was loved and hated, but he could not be ignored. That’s John. That is the greatness of John.”

READ and THINK…What does the Bible say?

1. This passage comes right after the account of Jesus’ birth, where the Bible fast forwards to John as he is preparing people for the coming of the Messiah. Question: What was John’s message to the people? What was he challenging them to do?



Another proof of the conquest of a soul for Christ will be found in a real change of life. If the man

does not live differently from what he did before, both at home

and abroad, his repentance needs to be repented of and his

conversion is a fiction. - Charles Spurgeon


Matthew 3:1-2 (New Living Translation) 1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Answer: 2. Jesus has told the people that John had been mentioned in the scriptures as the one who would prepare the way. He spoke very highly of John and confirmed the prophesy of his coming in the scriptures. Question: There were two different reactions to God’s plan as laid out by John. What were they? What held the Pharisees back? Luke 7:29-30 (New Living Translation) 29 When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. Answer: 3. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he lays out what it requires to be saved in a very clear, black and white manner. He lets us know that salvation is for everyone! Question: How does salvation come? What does it mean to openly declare your faith? Romans 10:9-10 (New Living Translation) 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Answer:

LIVE…What will you do now? Think of those things in your life of which you need to repent. What is holding you back? How can you overcome those barriers and turn back toward God?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do? Take a few minutes and ask for God to uncover the sin in your life so that you can repent and turn toward Him. Thank Him for Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the free gift of salvation and reconciliation!

THURSDAY – John was Great Because He Suffered Critics Big Point: Never let critics stop you from serving God.

John suffered many critics during his lifetime. He faced them bravely and

continued serving God in spite of them. Living as a Christ follower comes with built-in scrutiny. If you are not being criticized, you’re probably doing it wrong!

People criticized both John and Jesus. In Luke 7:33-35 Jesus states, “For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” People will criticize regardless of what we do. Critics don’t make sense. They accused John of being possessed, yet in Luke 7:28, Jesus said that John is the greatest man who has ever lived. Though not perfect like Jesus, John was a great, godly man.

We need to be strong in our faith despite our critics. Imagine Jesus calling you “great” one day! On the other hand, part of being great means not becoming a critic ourselves. John called people to repentance, and was very demanding in doing so, but he did not falsely accuse or gossip. John preached the message God gave him, and he let the people think, do and say whatever they would.

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say? 1. The Sadducees were aristocrats who were concerned more with politics than religion. The Pharisees acknowledged God, but had oral traditions that didn’t line up with the teachings of the Bible. John confronts both of these groups.

Question: Why was John so harsh with the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Matthew 3:7-8 (New Living Translation) 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Answer: 2. At this point, John has already upset the Pharisees and Sadducees. But before giving them an opportunity to argue, he knows what they will say and refutes it. Question: What does it mean to produce good fruit? What might a life like a barren tree look like?



Since God intends to make you like Jesus, he will take

you through the same experiences Jesus went through. That includes

loneliness, temptations, stress, criticism, rejection, and many other problems.

– Rick Warren


Matthew 3:9-10 (New Living Translation) 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Answer: 3. Ultimately, Herod had John the Baptist killed. As the verse below states, he had initially decided not to kill him; however, he later changed his mind when pressured in front of his party guests. Question: Herod thought only of what he could gain. What can we do to keep our selfishness in check and give glory to God instead of ourselves? Matthew 14:3-5 (New Living Translation) 3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now? God looks beyond our words and religious activities and into our hearts. What can you do to show that you have repented for your sins and turned to God? John suspected the Pharisees and Sadducees would argue their heritage as an excuse for not living the way God wants. Are there any excuses you are using right now for not doing what God is calling you to do? If so, how can you change things? If not, would you say you are producing good fruit? John’s faith eventually got him killed. Do you think your faith is strong enough that you would be willing to face death? Discuss the conflicts that may have been going through John’s mind once he was imprisoned.

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do? Ask God to help you stay strong in your faith, like John the Baptist. Ask Him to deafen your ears to your critics and help you stay focused on Him. Thank Him for giving you John’s story as an example for how to be great.


FRIDAY—Ask Jesus to Forgive You, Repent and Be Baptized Big Point: Baptism is an outward expression of inward regeneration.

Baptism is a crucial step of faith. Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist. So, why do so many people put off baptism? In the New Testament, you came to faith in Christ, repented of your sin (both occurred at the same time) and then you were immediately baptized. It was an outward symbol of an inward regeneration. Honestly, the question you must ask yourself, if you feel convicted about being baptized, is are you seeking to please God or please people? It may sound harsh, but it is that simple. At CedarCreek, infant baptism isn’t something we practice. We simply don’t believe babies can make that commitment to Jesus for themselves. Many people refer to Acts 16:30-33 to support infant baptism (read below), but the passage points out, in verse 32, that the Word of the Lord was shared with the entire household. There was a knowledge/faith component that preceded these baptisms. Last weekend, MOAB saw numerous people baptized! The celebration, at the Perrysburg campus and in heaven (Luke 15:7), was incredible! If you missed that chance to be baptized, or are more recently feeling the nudge, no need to worry because opportunities to get baptized at the Creek occur just about every single month, all year long!

READ, THINK and LIVE... Read and apply the Bible. "What must I do to be saved?" was the most pressing religious question of Luke's day. People believed they were in the grip of fate. All were looking for a savior. Luke shows God's answer in three lives that were transformed by his power at Philippi, a Roman colony. Questions: Today life's basic question is "How can I gain control of my life and cope with seemingly uncontrollable forces around and within me?" The questions may be different, but the ultimate need is the same. How do the following verses demonstrate the answer to life’s big question? How did the jailer’s actions show the transformation occurring within? Acts 16:30-33 (New Living Translation) 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

Answer:

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do? Praise God for the gift of His son, Jesus! Thank Him for making you one with Christ, an heir in the inheritance. Ask Him to help guide you and keep you on His path.



Weekend Updates!

Saturday’s Daily Bible Reading Plan: July 26th, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Next Weekend: Next week we will complete the series, “Legends”. Lee Powell will be speaking about Jesus Christ. Services are Saturday, July 26th—5:15 pm, 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 27th—9:00 am, 10:45 am, 12:30 pm. We hope that you can join us at any of our four locations or on the iCampus at CedarCreek.tv

Celebrate Recovery: Find freedom from your hurts, habits and hang ups. Celebrate Recovery happens on Friday evenings at all campuses. For more information, set your web browser to: CedarCreek.tv/celebraterecovery

Global Leadership Summit: This year’s Leadership Summit will be simulcast at all four CedarCreek campuses on August 14-15 (Thursday and Friday). Sign up today for the special discounted rate of $109 by visiting Cedarcreek.tv/Summit and entering the code LEAD14HS

Questions for Discussion— Try these in a group, with friends or at the dinner table.

1. Read Matthew 11:7-11. What was it that made John the Baptist the “Greatest of all who have ever lived”? Do you think it is wrong to aspire to greatness? Why or why not? 2. John the Baptist asked questions but ultimately he trusted in Jesus and in the Bible. Why is it so vital to trust in God’s Word and to trust in Jesus when times are difficult? 3. John’s message was to repent of sin and be baptized. What is your definition of the word “repentance”? What does baptism represent? 4. Have you been baptized since professing faith in Jesus? If so, what were the circumstances? If not, what is holding you back? 5. Read John 3:27-20. What was John the Baptist’s attitude toward Jesus? How can you incorporate this same attitude into your everyday life?

July 2014 Memory Verse:

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us.

And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait

patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Romans 15:4 (New Living Translation)


Weekend Recap:

We don’t always know what’s going to happen in the future, but God knows! He knows everything that’s going to happen, and he will help us every step of the way! Even when it’s hard, we can always trust that GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ME! Scripture: John the Baptist (John 1). Read the chapter together as a family. Questions: Who was coming after John that was far greater than himself? Who is John speaking to? Family Activity: Make a positive prediction for one of your family members about their future. Maybe they will get an A on their report card next school year, maybe they will finish all of their chores before the end of the week, etc. How accurate are your predictions? How accurate are God’s plans for our future? Discuss how God knows our future before we do and how He has a plan laid out for us. Memory Verse: As a family, memorize this month’s Memory Verse (the motions used in CedarVille are printed in the parentheses): Romans 15:4 - (hold hand flat and pretend to write on it with other hand) Such things were written (close flat hands together and open them like a book) in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. (close flat hands together and open them like a book) And the Scriptures (one thumb up for hope, and other thumb for encouragement) give us hope and encouragement (sign promise - start with pointer finger to lips and push out to a flat hand) as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Have some feedback? Email questions or comments to [email protected]

RESOURCES:

www.sermon notebook.com

www.sermon central.com

biblegateway.com

CedarCreek Church

29129 Lime City Road

Perrysburg, Oh 43551

Phone: 419.661.8661

Fax: 419.661.8665

www.cedarcreek.tv

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This week’s

Living It Out:

Daily Bible Study

written by:

Ashlee Grosjean

Becky Miller

Luke Shortridge

Kelda Strasbourg

David Vernier

Jackie Williams

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John 1:15-17

15 John testified about him when

he shouted to the crowds, “This is

the one I was talking about when I

said, ‘Someone is coming after me

who is far greater than I am, for he

existed long before me.’” 16 From

his abundance we have all

received one gracious blessing

after another. 17 For the law was

given through Moses, but God’s

unfailing love and faithfulness

came through Jesus Christ.

Documents

€¦ · shows have offered a million dollars to the winner and flopped. Perhaps it’s the strategy and social aspect of Survivor that has captivated America. Or perhaps, it’s