Let’s explore the interruptions and unexpected moments in Christ’s ministry. Jesus’s reaction to the people and disruptions that occur around him help us recognize that God is sovereign. He can use these “accidents” and “interruptions” for his glory, and we can find grace in the divine interruptions that occur in our own lives.
First week of the series looking into....
Text: Luke 5:1–11, 27–32
Topics: Jesus, Disciple, Fear, Faith
Big Idea of the Message: Jesus interrupts people’s ordinary lives and changes their whole trajectory.
Application Point: Jesus interrupts our lives with his purposes, and we walk in them, even when they disrupt our norms. Notes: Have you ever noticed how distance changes our perspective of something? Has there ever been anything in your life that has changed the closer that you got to it?
Many have a __________ __________ of God because they only observe or see Jesus from a distance. Luke 19:1-10 (NIV) 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This, among many of Jesus’ parables and interactions with people displays the __________ of __________.
1. Observation __________ any interaction and connection. God Loves you and wants to be close to you! Luke 23:40-43 (NIV) 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Matthew 27:50-51(NIV) 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Ephesians 2:13 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ, Too many settle for __________ when Jesus paid everything to bring us close. Why do we often stay at a distance from God?
2. How we see ourselves often keeps us at a distance. Sin __________ us but doesn’t change God's heart towards us. How we See Jesus also keeps us at a distance. Luke 15:11-24 (NIV) 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
How you __________ Jesus will effect what you __________ from Jesus. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
