3 Ways God Works Outside of the Box
1. God’s mercy is for
Matthew 8:7
Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
Mark 2:16-17
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
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Monterey Church is not a group of people who have it all together, but is instead a community who recognizes their brokenness and need for a Savior (Jesus).
2. Faith doesn’t have to be big to be
Matthew 8:8-9
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Matthew 17:20
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
3. Jesus moves in ways we don’t expect, but always for our
Matthew 8:10-13
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
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Discussion Questions:
- The story of the Centurion highlights how even a small amount of faith in Jesus from an unlikely person is more than enough for God to work with. In what areas of your life could you benefit from bringing even a small amount of faith to God?
- How do you understand Jesus’ words that “many will come from the east and west to be part of God’s kingdom?” (verse 11). How does this statement inform the way Christians think about “Outsiders vs. Insiders?” How does this compare to the way you thought about God earlier in life?
- One of our values at Monterey Church is that we are “More Hospital than Country Club,” meaning we always want to be a community that recognizes its brokenness and need for a Savior. What are some ways we can cultivate this kind of environment of authenticity and humility? (As a church, small group, or in our daily lives?)
- Are there any take-aways from this week’s message or group discussion that you want to remember?
- Are there any ways we can challenge, support, or pray for you related to what we’ve talked about today?