WHY JESUS?
Week 2: The Suffering Servant
Calling ourselves Christians doesn’t mean we know the Christ we claim to follow. Its easy to invent our own version of Christianity when getting to know the real Jesus risks confusion, controversy, and life call. Join us as we ask the most important question you will ever address: Why Jesus? Who is this man?
Listen to Sunday’s Message:
Sunday’s Message: “WHY JESUS? Part 2: The Suffering Servant”
Audio of Baptisms performed on March 11, 2018 & the Closing of Worship
Key Points from Sunday’s Message:
We naturally seek to avoid pain.
We want a God who eliminates pain.
Jesus reveals a God who enters into our pain.
Jesus proves glory lies on the other side of pain.
Jesus calls us to follow him through the pain.
Scripture:
Philippians 2:5-11
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NLT)
Mark 8:34-35
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. (NLT)
Philippians 3:10-11
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (NLT)
Questions for Further Discussion:
- How would you explain the statement “No Pain. No Gain.” When and/or where have you applied this idea? Why?
- Read Philippians 2:6-8. What did Jesus do? Why?
- Read Philippians 2:9-11. What did God do? Why?
- Read Philippians 2:5 & Mark 8:34-35. What should we do?
- Would you say the majority your prayers ask God to remove pain & suffering? Why? Why do people want to avoid pain so much?
- Read John 20:24-28. Notice that resurrection did not remove Jesus’ scars. What do Jesus’ scars do? What do your scars say?
- Where have you recently experienced pain or struggle? How did you respond to the pain? How was God with you? Where was God growing you? What did you learn about yourself?
- Where are you currently experiencing pain or struggle? What is your NEXT STEP with Jesus? How can Christ Church help you?
