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Victory Shared

What are some marketing campaigns you will always remember? QUESTION

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#BSFLVictory

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THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Ad agencies live for this: creating that one slogan or campaign that is remembered for years. ]]

Just do it.

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got milk?

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Yo quiero Taco Bell!

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Can you hear me now?

Nothing helps a product quite like an ad campaign that explodes and takes off. Ads get people talking—and things get even better for the company when people spread the word about a product. Viral marketing, getting people talking and spreading the word like a virus, is a business owner’s dream. I do my own form of viral marketing because I am a grandfather. Yes, I am one of those grandfathers. I try to steer every conversation toward the subject of grandchildren. I can’t contain myself! This news is just too good to keep to myself. In his Gospel, Luke told one last story about Jesus with His disciples. Jesus reminded His disciples they were witnesses of some incredible events. Like any good news, the story of God’s saving work in Jesus had to be told.

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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Luke 24:44-45 (CSB) He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 44

Jesus’ disciples surely were caught off-guard by Jesus’ words in this passage, but they shouldn’t have been. On more than one occasion, Jesus had predicted His death. He warned the disciples He would be arrested, killed, and resurrected (9:22,44; 17:25; 18:31-33; 22:37). Furthermore, when they were young boys, the disciples had learned the Hebrew Scriptures—the very same Scriptures that pointed to what would happen to Jesus. They couldn’t have had any framework to fully understand what Jesus was saying to them, but you’d think after all that had happened on this one day, they might have begun to get it. So Jesus reminded them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you” (v. 44). Earlier that morning, Jesus came out of the tomb—fully alive. He had already appeared to several people, including two disciples who encountered Jesus during their seven-mile walk to Emmaus. When it became clear to them it was Jesus who had been with them, they hurried back to tell the other disciples (vv. 13-35). And now, at the very moment these two disciples were telling of their encounter with Jesus, He appeared before them! And yet, even with all this evidence, the gathered disciples didn’t know what to do. Jesus didn’t rebuke the disciples for not figuring it out earlier. Now “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (v. 45). Jesus broke the Hebrew Scriptures into three divisions: ]]

The Law of Moses. These are the first five books of the Old Testament, also called the Pentateuch.

What practical tools help you engage and understand the Scriptures?

QUESTION

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THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

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The Prophets. This includes the “former prophets” (Joshua through 2 Kings) and the “latter prophets,” Isaiah through Malachi.

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The Psalms. This section is also called the “Writings,” which is comprised of all the remaining Old Testament books. This section is also referred to by the first and largest book in it: the Psalms.

Jesus opened their minds to see that these Scriptures—the same passages that were well known by every Jew—were ultimately about Him.

Luke 24:46-47 (CSB) He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” 46

Jesus got specific. The Hebrew Scriptures do more than just point to a coming Messiah. The Old Testament points to what He would do. “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day” (v. 46). The Old Testament does not simply point to the events in Jesus’ life in the New Testament, it also points to their deeper significance for us. Some people want to make a distinction between the God of wrath and judgment in the Old Testament and the God of love and forgiveness in the New. But the New Testament also points to the holy God who judges sin, just as the Old Testament gives ample testimony of a God of grace, love, and forgiveness. Both the Old and New Testament tell the gospel. From the beginning, God had been working across the generations so that at just the right moment in history, His Son, Jesus Christ, would be born. Jesus’ arrest and death were not merely unfortunate events. They were all a part of God’s perfect plan. Earlier in verse 44 Jesus made the point that every promise of God had to be fulfilled. And, He fulfills all of these promises.

What are the basics of the gospel?

QUESTION

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"The privilege of proclaiming Jesus Christ was not just for the earl iest disciples, nor was the g ift of the Holy Spirit. " MIKE GLENN

GOOD NEWS We may not be eyewitnesses of Christ like the disciples, but we are eyewitnesses of what He’s done in our lives. Fill in the following blanks to describe how God has changed your life. Christ has freed me from _____________________________.

Christ has restored __________________________ in my life.

God has given me __________________________ in Jesus that I never would’ve had without Him.

God has changed ________________________ in me.

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THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

Luke 24:48-49 (CSB) “You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” 48

Jesus reminded His disciples, “You are witnesses of these things” (v. 48). We understand the concept of a witness as a legal term. Whenever you’re called to testify in court, you can only talk about what you have actually experienced firsthand. You can’t talk about what you heard someone else say. That’s “hearsay,” and it’s inadmissible in the courtroom. Jesus sent out the disciples to proclaim the gospel, but He would not send them out alone. “I am sending you what my Father promised” (v. 49). On the night He was arrested, Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit would come. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). By calling the Spirit a “Counselor,” He used a word that literally means someone who walks alongside another. The Holy Spirit would comfort the disciples, explain the teachings of Jesus, and lead the disciples in their ministries and preaching. The privilege of proclaiming Jesus Christ was not just for the earliest disciples, nor was the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone—the Holy Spirit indwells all believers—and we are called to be witnesses of what Christ has done in our lives. Once the Spirit fills our lives, we preach and we proclaim Christ. Where has God called you to represent Him?

QUESTION

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Not all of us will stand behind a pulpit on Sunday morning, but neither did the disciples. They proclaimed Jesus in the streets and public squares, in synagogues, and market places. They led Bible studies in homes and in rolling chariots, and in all they did, they shared God’s great salvation story. What we proclaim comes out of the overflow of our own relationship with Jesus Christ. We live in a time when it seems like everyone is hustling something. Pop-up ads, endless commercials, and junk emails fill our lives and waste our time. People are busy and some have become suspicious. If our witness isn’t genuine, then no one will listen. But as Christ-followers, we are authentic witnesses of the power of Christ’s resurrection. We preach and teach what we know and have experienced in our own lives. Remember: the gospel is good news! Over the years, I’ve discovered again and again that most people, even people who seemingly have it all together, are walking around in terrible pain. They have things in their past they can’t forget or forgive. They have failures they can’t get over. People they trusted have let them down—or worse. These are the people who sit on the pews around you in church, live down the street in your neighborhood, go to class with you, and work where you do. That’s where you and I—witnesses—come in. Under the leadership of the Spirit, we’re brought into people’s lives at just the right moment. Just as Jesus was born in the “fullness of time,” God leads you and me into other people’s lives at just the right moments. Then, perhaps beginning with a cup of coffee or a little banter about the latest ball game, we listen to their stories. Right where they are, we begin to tell them the story of Jesus. We tell them everything that happened to Jesus and about the victory that meant for us.

Where has God called this group to represent Him?

QUESTION

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Don’t keep the good news to yourself. Share Jesus—and let others experience victory too.

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THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

LIVE IT OUT How will you live out the truth of this passage? ]]

Pray. Carve out some time this week to spend in prayer. Thank God for sending Jesus to conquer sin and death so that you can experience victory over these things.

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Invite. If you’ve never told someone of the victory you have in Jesus, pray for the opportunity to do so with a friend or two. When God prompts you, follow through by telling them what He has done in your life.

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Share. As a group, plan a party or a cookout and encourage everyone to bring a friend who may not know Jesus. Make a point to tell them when and where your Bible study group meets and invite them to be a part.

Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus calls the lost to come home. And, Jesus said He’s coming again. That news is just too good to keep to yourself.

My thoughts

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Share with others how you will live out this study: #BSFLVictory

IS FEAR HURTING YOUR FAITH? BY PRISCILLA SHIRER

It was a fun road trip to Austin, Texas. Just me, my big sister Chrystal, and one of our closest friends, Shawna. Chrystal was driving, I was in the front passenger seat, and Shawna was in the back talking about something she’d been thinking about doing but why she couldn’t do it and how she felt bad about not doing it but why it didn’t matter because she could never do it anyway. When we tried to press her on what her real hesitations were, she kept talking and rationalizing and deflecting and defending until she finally nearly snapped our heads back with an unexpected, highly exasperated, “Because I’m not READY!” “Because I’m SCARED!”

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She chronicled her internal struggle: “What if I can’t do it? What if nothing I write makes sense? Worse yet, what if I do get some stuff done, start to feel pretty good about it, but nobody likes it? Or what if they’re too nice to say they don’t like it, but I can tell from what they do say (and don’t say) that I’ve failed miserably? Even if I can, what if people don’t find it helpful or useful? What if the financial adjustment we’ll need to make in order for me to do it means my kids will have to give up some of the activities they love? What if it all ends up being a total waste of time and energy? What if it’s all just some sort of ego trip or head game, something I’m projecting onto myself?” Does this sound like you? Is fear keeping you from doing what you are meant to be doing? The first words that blurted out of my mouth were, “Do it anyway!” It was so obvious the enemy was trying to paralyze her. “He’s the one behind this,” I said. “Don’t sit there and let him do that. Don’t let him stop you from moving forward. I don’t care how afraid or not ready you may feel. Obey God anyway!” The fact is, I was mad. Still am. Mad at the enemy for messing with my friend like that. And I’m mad at him for messing with you too . . . and with me. With all of us. Fear is one of Satan’s primary schemes for crippling God’s people. I’m not talking about legitimate concern. I’m not talking about the protective

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warnings of wisdom and godly counsel. I’m talking about fear. Incessant worry. Up-all-night anxiety. Worst-case scenarios becoming the only probabilities you can think about. Fears like these, instead of simply raising our blood pressure, ought to set off some fire alarms. Why am I feeling so paralyzed like this?

Fear is the an t ithes is of faith . An d faith is what allows you to step foot on the soil of your destiny. What are we to do with fear? I’m pretty sure you’re familiar with the story of Moses and the children of Israel, pinned up against the waters of the Red Sea while the Egyptian pharaoh and his armies were bearing down hard from behind. No escape. And the only direction that wasn’t swarming with enemy hordes, the one path God was directing His people to go, lay straight ahead through the sea. These two million Hebrews had every reason to be terrified. Mortified really. There was no swimming out of this one. And yet, with the odds so heavily stacked against them, and with no indicator of the miracle that God had planned, Moses said to the people, “Do not fear!” (Exod. 14:13). His very first instruction to them was not to be afraid. © 2016 LifeWay

Notice that Moses wasn’t telling them not to feel fear. Fear is a natural human response to a lot of things, a Red Sea moment being one of them. So he knew they would feel fear, but he was telling them not to wallow in it. Not to choose it. Not make friends with it. Not entertain it, engage it. Because if they did, they risked not sticking around long enough to experience the stunning miracle their God was about to perform. And even more, they risked not getting to the other side. To the Promised Land. To the milk and to the honey. To destiny. Oh, so that’s what the enemy wanted fear to keep them from obtaining. That’s what they’d all be singing about in the next chapter, while Pharaoh’s army was being swallowed whole by the waters and Israel was now just a hop and a skip from Sinai. And that’s what he hopes fear will keep you from obtaining too. Your destiny. What the Bible Says About Fear

In fervent prayer, we discover something: Our God is fearless. And because He is fearless, we can be fearless too. When His presence is with us and going before us, no Red Sea should faze us or give us pause. So despite your hesitation, say yes. Walk on. Have faith. Fear not. How to Overcome Fear The way to fight fear is with a deliberate prayer strategy of your own. Pray these verses for yourself: When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.

Do. Not. Be. Afraid. This issue of fear is so well-known and important to God that more than 300 times in Scripture He tells His people—in one form or another—not to be afraid. “Fear not.” “Be ye not afraid.” “Do not fear.” Look it up. It’s everywhere. And they’re all saying the same thing: “Don’t be afraid.” Because fear is the antithesis of faith. And faith is what allows you to step foot on the soil of your destiny.

© 2016 LifeWay

What can mere man do to me? (Ps. 56:3–4) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27) Excerpted from Fervent. © 2015 B&H Publishing Group. Used by permission.

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