Jesus On Mission_SG_Low Rez

["makes us unclean; it \u201ccontaminates\u201d us before a They were terrified and must have wondered if this holy God. And our guilt results in eternal separation voyage would be their last. Then Jesus appeared, from God and Heaven: \u201c The wages [payment] of sin showing His power over the storm, walking on the is death\u201d (Romans 6:23). waves of the sea declaring: \u201cBe of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.\u201d This death means eternal separation from God. That is a fearful thought! But the good news Jesus has What a comforting promise Jesus makes to His own, for you, today, is that He can pardon you from this during the sunniest of days or the darkest of nights guilt. Yes, He can declare you righteous and make \u2014 \u201cI will never leave you nor forsake you\u201d (Hebrews you fit to live in God\u2019s presence forever. How could 13:5). Whatever storm you may be experiencing this ever happen? You simply need to receive the right now, Jesus promises His presence to all who gift God is holding out to you \u2014 His own forgiveness. belong to Him. If you receive that gift, you\u2019ll experience this cheer: As to the FUTURE: The cheer of GOD\u2019S PROGRAM \u201cHappy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned\u201d (Psalm 32:1). Jesus said, \u201cIn the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world\u201d As to the PRESENT: The cheer of GOD\u2019S PRESENCE (John 16:33). Yes, even now \u2014 though things seem chaotic and evil seems to be unstoppable \u2014 Jesus \u201cBe of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid\u201d (Matthew Christ is in Heaven, perfectly working all things to- 14:27). gether (the good, the bad, and the ugly) in such a way as to fulfill His fail-proof program in His perfect These words were spoken to Jesus\u2019 disciples when timing. And in the end, God wins! How this should they were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. cheer the heart of God\u2019s child. And it was quite a storm! The sea is only about 13 km (8 miles) at its widest point, yet, after rowing A Holocaust concentration camp survivor named for three-fourths of the night (from evening till Corrie ten Boom put it this way: \u201cWhen a train goes around 3 a.m.), they had only reached \u201c the middle through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw of the sea\u201d ! away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.\u201d We can \u201ctrust the engineer\u201d \u2014 the risen Lord Jesus Christ \u2014 because He has perfect knowledge of what lies ahead. \u201cFor I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, \u2018My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure\u2019\u201d (Isaiah 46:9,10). The Lord Jesus is calling out to you personally: \u201cBe of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you\u201d (Mark 10:49). Let the risen Christ transform your fear into cheer! FROM FEAR TO CHEER","Mk 16:14; TEN PLUS THOMAS Jn 20:24-29 Do you have a nickname? If you do, you\u2019re probably not a fan of it. Over the years, one of Jesus\u2019 disciples named Thomas picked up the nickname \u201cDoubting Thomas\u201d. Let\u2019s find out why... FROM UNCERTAIN\u2026 Answer: How do you know that man at the door is Uncle Hank? You look out a window and see a man He is called \u201cDoubting Thomas\u201d because he didn\u2019t be- that doesn\u2019t quite resemble the pictures you\u2019ve seen. lieve that Jesus had risen from the dead, even after He\u2019s much taller than you always imagined him to be. hearing eyewitness accounts from the other disciples. For a moment, you doubt that it\u2019s Uncle Hank. In that sense, we might say Thomas doubted. Jesus even said to Thomas in John 20:27, \u201cStop doubting Now, is that kind of doubting a bad thing? Not at and believe.\u201d all! In fact, your parents have always taught you not to interact with strangers, and, at this point, the man Let me follow that up with another question: Is all on your doorstep is technically a stranger to you. doubting wrong? Opening the door could potentially mean danger for you. So you wisely (and quickly) call a parent and de- Before you answer that question, let me paint a sce- scribe the man on the doorstep. They confirm that nario for you. Imagine your parents were expecting it\u2019s Uncle Hank, so you let him in. your great Uncle Hank for a weekend visit. You\u2019re looking forward to this visit because you\u2019ve never Thomas\u2019s situation was not all that different from met Uncle Hank. You\u2019ve seen some old pictures and this example. How so? Rewind to just before the heard lots of stories about him, but it will be fun to death of Jesus. Listen to His warning, which Thomas actually spend some time with him. had obviously taken to heart:\u201cWatch out that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, say- He\u2019ll be flying in and getting dropped off before ing, \u2018I am the Christ,\u2019 and they will mislead your parents get home from work, so they tell you many...Then if anyone says to you, \u2018Look, here is to come home right after school to greet him, show the Christ!\u2019 or \u2018There he is!\u2019 do not believe him. For him to his room, and get him a snack. false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive\u2026\u201d (Mt True to your word, you rush home after school and 24:4,5, 23,24 NET). await his arrival. Then you hear the doorbell. All of a sudden, you realize you have a bit of a dilemma. Luke records: \u201c[Jesus] said, \u2018Watch out that you are Do you know what it is? not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, \u2018I am he,\u2019 and, \u2018The time is near.\u2019 Do not follow them!\u201d (Lk 21:8 NET).","Notice the two strong warnings about someone claim- Look carefully now. A week earlier, Thomas had said, ing to be Christ: DON\u2019T BE FOOLED BY HIM. DON\u2019T \u201cUnless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and FOLLOW HIM. put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.\u201d If you think about it, a week earlier, the other dis- ciples had seen someone claiming to be the risen Now, a week later, Jesus said, \u201cReach your finger Christ. But Thomas had not yet verified this for him- here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand self. So Thomas stated, \u201cUnless I see in His hands the here, and put it into My side.\u201d The Lord used the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of very words of Thomas, spoken a week before. This the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not be- Man knows all things! He truly is God. lieve\u201d (v.25) HOW ABOUT YOU? Having doubts is not a bad thing I ask you again: Was Thomas\u2019 doubting a good thing as long as they are healthy doubts. Doubting God\u2019s or a bad thing? In this context, it was a very good Word because you\u2019re trying to avoid the truth will thing. It appears that he was trying to be careful in lead you down a dangerous path. But if your doubts what he believed, especially given the Lord\u2019s warn- are causing you to seek truth and avoid lies and ings about others who, through the display of impres- deception, then you\u2019re doing exactly what the Bible sive acts, would claim to be Christ. says to do. Listen to these verses: \u2026TO CONFIDENT \u201cTest all things. Hold fast to what is good\u201d (1 Thes 5:21). And, \u201cBeloved, do not believe every spirit, but Amazingly, a week after Jesus had appeared to the test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for group (when Thomas was not present), Jesus ap- many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 peared again. \u201cAnd after eight days His disciples were Jn 4:1). again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, If you come to God sincerely seeking truth as Thomas \u2018Peace to you!\u2019 Then He said to Thomas, \u2018Reach your did, He is more than willing to show Himself to you. finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your \u201cHe who comes to God must believe that He is, and hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbe- that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek lieving, but believing\u2019\u201d (vv 26,27). Him\u201d (Heb 11:6). Do you see the key word there? \u201cBelieve.\u201d If you come with a heart willing to believe The risen Christ was now standing before Thomas. In that what God says in His Word is true, and if you an instant, any uncertainty Thomas had was gone. It are prepared to submit to His authority (cf John was replaced with total confidence that this Man was, 7:17), you will be even more blessed than Thomas was indeed, the risen Christ! (see v.29)! Thomas declared with joy: \u201cMy Lord and my God!\u201d What is the Lord calling on you to believe today? (v.28). He no longer had those healthy doubts. He was That you need to be saved? \u201cBelieve in the Lord now fully confident. Jesus, and you will be saved\u201d (Acts 16:31). If you\u2019re already one of God\u2019s children, \u201cas you have received What was it that convinced Thomas that this was the Christ Jesus as Lord [salvation through believing same Jesus who had been crucified three days ear- God\u2019s Word], continue to walk in Him [continue to be- lier? It\u2019s not that he merely saw Jesus or that he lieve God\u2019s Word in your day-to-day walk with Him]\u201d touched Him \u2014 the text doesn\u2019t indicate whether or (Colossians 2:6). not Thomas even did that. UNCERTAIN TO CONFIDENT","Jn 21:1-14 7 FISHING DISCIPLES Have you ever studied super hard for a test? Then, when it came time to write it, you totally blanked? Or have you ever finished shovelling a load of snow from your driveway just in time to watch the snow plow push most of it right back to where it was? Perhaps you\u2019ve trained hard for a big sporting event and then got sick or broke a bone and had to miss out. It can be so frustrating when all your hard work seems Just like that, John knew exactly who that Man was: to get you nowhere. Well, that\u2019s exactly how seven of He was the risen Christ! Now the net wasn\u2019t the only Jesus\u2019 disciples felt one night\u2026 thing that was full; so were the hearts of those dis- ciples. Peter was so excited that he jumped into the FROM EMPTY\u2026 water and made his way to shore as fast as He could. These seven disciples had been toiling all night to The net was full. Their hearts were full. And this story catch some fish. They were back in Galilee (waiting for is full \u2014 full of wonderful lessons about our wonderful the risen Christ to come to them, as He had promised Savior! in Matthew 28:7 and Mark 16:7). They weren\u2019t sure when He would show up, so they went fishing, perhaps JESUS IS THERE. They didn\u2019t know the risen Christ to earn some money to provide for their families. was on the shore \u2014 but He was! What a comforting promise Jesus makes to His own. Even when we feel Now, these were experienced fishermen. But, for some alone, He guarantees: \u201cI will never leave you nor for- reason, they couldn\u2019t catch a single fish! Every time sake you\u201d (Hebrews 13:5). The original audience they pulled up their net, it was absolutely empty. reading that verse in Greek would have noticed the double negative: \u201cI will never, never leave you.\u201d Even That is, until, Someone called out to them: \u201cSirs, you better was the triple negative that followed: \u201cI will don\u2019t have any fish, do you?\u201d never, no never, not ever forsake you.\u201d It takes a lot of humility for even a casual fisherman to JESUS SEES. The disciples couldn\u2019t see Jesus (v.4), admit he didn\u2019t catch anything. How much harder for but He saw them. His eye is always on His child. \u201cThe seven trained fishermen! Their simple response: \u201cNo.\u201d eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry\u201d (Ps. 34:15). Consider this ...TO FULL illustration: Early Native Americans would try to de- velop bravery in their young men. So, having learned Then this Man in the distance called out and told them basic survival skills like hunting, scouting, and fishing, to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They a 13-year-old boy was taken on his birthday into the did as He said, and, instantly, their empty net was middle of a forest \u2014 blindfolded, several miles away transformed into a net bulging with fish! from security. In the black of midnight, his blindfold","would be removed. As the boy stood there, gripped with But He demonstrated His care for you in a far greater fear, every noise seemed magnified. The threat of a wild way than what we see in this story. Now, He doesn\u2019t just animal attacking loomed large in his mind. say, \u201cCome and have breakfast with Me.\u201d He says, \u201cCome to Me, and I will give you eternal life.\u201d He does- Then, hours later, at the end of this night of lonely terror, n\u2019t simply provide fish. He provided Himself as the Lamb the sun would rise, and the boy\u2019s spirit would rest and be of God who went to the cross in order to deal with our at peace, for there, just a few feet away, was someone who sin problem. So, now\u2026 had been there the whole time, totally unseen by the boy. It was his father, bow and arrow in hand! Our Heavenly JESUS WAITS. Remember, the purpose for John writing Father watches and protects us. this gospel is that we might \u201cbelieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have JESUS KNOWS. What some versions present as a ques- life in His name\u201d (20:31). Jesus is waiting for you to be- tion in verse 5, \u201cSirs, do you have any fish?\u201d should lieve and obey His gospel. It\u2019s interesting that the first really be a statement: \u201cSirs, you don\u2019t have any fish, do miracle in John\u2019s gospel was when there was no wine you?\u201d Jesus knew they had worked hard all night and (Jn 2). The last miracle of John\u2019s gospel was when there were tired. And Jesus knows everything about you \u2014 was no food (fish). What made the difference in each your joys and your sorrows, your successes and your case? In the words of Jesus\u2019 mother, \u201cWhatever He says failures. to you, do it.\u201d Obeying Christ will transform our empty hearts into full hearts! Receiving Christ as Savior places JESUS IS ABLE. Sometimes Jesus allows us to fail to you in the Royal Family of Heaven and bestows on you help us see what He had taught His disciples earlier: all the blessings that come with knowing Jesus per- \u201cWithout Me, you can do nothing\u201d (Jn 15:5). When those sonally, just a few of which we\u2019ve listed above. men admitted they had \u201cnothing\u201d, Jesus directed them to throw the net back into the water. Then He directed There is one other lesson we can take away from this those fish into that net. How amazing is that? Christ is account, a very special truth for every child of God who is willing to strengthen us when we admit we need Him. sins or fails the Lord: JESUS NEVER GIVES UP ON US. JESUS CARES. We see Jesus\u2019 care in so many ways. For Look at verse 9. As those disciples made their way to example, when the disciples had all made their way to shore, we read that \u201cthey saw a fire of coals there.\u201d shore, He had breakfast prepared for them. He didn\u2019t use Think for a moment: When is the only other time we read their fish. He used His own. How did He get them? We\u2019re about a \u201cfire of coals\u201d in the Bible? It was after Jesus not sure. But it teaches us that God never runs out of was arrested and brought to trial. \u201cAnd the servants and supplies. Also, it\u2019s no coincidence that the text states officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it that they caught 153 fish. Jesus could have rounded the was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood number down to 150, or He could have just said that with THEM, and warmed himself\u201d (Jn 18:18). there were \u201ca lot of fish\u201d. Instead \u2014 153. Jesus cares about even the smallest details of your life. Did you know Did that fire remind Peter of how he had failed Jesus? that He has \u201cnumbered\u201d the hairs on your head? He It may have. But it certainly was not in the mind of doesn\u2019t just have them \u201ccounted\u201d, but \u201cnumbered\u201d \u2014 Jesus, for Peter and Jesus had already met privately each hair is assigned a number! He cares about all the and had cleared up that matter. If you read the rest of issues in your life, big or small. the chapter, you\u2019ll discover that Jesus is about to assign an important job to this once-failing Peter \u2014 to help feed (teach) God\u2019s people. And the Lord has a special job for you too! \u201cHe who has begun a good work in you will com- plete it until the day of Jesus Christ\u201d (Phil 1:6). FROM EMPTY TO FULL","\u201cYOUR WORD HAVE I HID IN MY Place a check here after 106 HEART\u201d (PSALM 119:11). reciting a memory verse. UNIT 1 1 Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said,\u201cI will confess my transgressions to the Lord,\u201dand You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 2 Luke 2:10,11 ...Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. UNIT 2 3 Matthew 2:1,2 ...Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,\u201cWhere is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.\u201d 4 Matthew 2:13 ...An angel of the Lord appeared...saying,\u201cArise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.\u201d UNIT 3 5 Luke 2:49 And [Jesus] said to them,\u201cWhy did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father\u2019s business?\u201d 1 Mark 1:10,11 And immediately, coming up from the water...a voice came from heaven,\u201cYou are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.\u201d UNIT 4 2 Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said,\u201cIt is written,\u2018Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.\u2019\u201d 3 Mark 3:14 Then He appointed twelve [disciples], that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach. UNIT 5 4 John 2:5 His mother said to the servants,\u201cWhatever He says to you, do it.\u201d 5 John 2:16 And He said to those who sold doves,\u201cTake these things away! Do not make My Father\u2019s house a house of merchandise!\u201d UNIT 6 1 John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him,\u201cMost assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.\u201d 2 John 4:28,29 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,\u201cCome, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?\u201d 3 John 5:8,9 Jesus said to him,\u201cRise, take up your bed and walk.\u201dAnd immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked... 4 John 6:35 And Jesus said to them,\u201cI am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.\u201d 5 Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,\u201cBe of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.\u201d 6 John 11:25,26 Jesus said to her,\u201cI am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?\u201d 1 Matthew 13:23 He who received seed [God\u2019s Word] on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.\u201d 2 Luke 10:36,37 Which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?\u201dAnd he said,\u201cHe who showed mercy on him.\u201dThen Jesus said to him,\u201cGo and do likewise.\u201d 3 Luke 15:20 And he [the prodigal son] arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 4 Luke 11:1 (ESV) Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him,\u201cLord, teach us to pray...\u201d 5 John 8:10,11 (ESV) Jesus stood up and said to her,\u201cWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u201dShe said,\u201cNo one, Lord.\u201dAnd Jesus said,\u201cNeither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.\u201d 1 Luke 19:38 \u201cBlessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!\u201d 2 Luke 22:14,15 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them,\u201cWith fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.\u201d 3 Mark 14:32,33 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples,\u201cSit here while I pray\u201d...and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 4 Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. 5 John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,\u201cIt is finished!\u201dAnd bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 1 Matthew 28:5,6 But the angel...said to the women,\u201cDo not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.\u201d 2 Mark 16:15 And [Jesus] said to them,\u201cGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.\u201d 3 John 14:16,17a And I [Jesus] will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever\u2014 the Spirit of truth...\u201d 4 Revelation 22:12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. NUMBER OF SECTIONS MEMORIZED IN NUMBER OF SECTIONS MEMORIZED IN NUMBER OF SECTIONS MEMORIZED IN NUMBER OF SECTIONS MEMORIZED IN NUMBER OF SECTIONS MEMORIZED IN NUMBER OF SECTIONS MEMORIZED IN \u2022 UNIT 1 \u2022 \u2022 UNIT 2 \u2022 \u2022 UNIT 3 \u2022 \u2022 UNIT 4 \u2022 \u2022 UNIT 5 \u2022 \u2022 UNIT 6 \u2022 \/5 \/5 \/6 \/5 \/5 \/4"]