Jesus & Father's Day
Pastor Josh & Adam
June 22, 2020

Episode 5 - “Jesus and Father’s Day”

Pastor Josh McPherson & Pastor Adam James, June 21, 2020

Text: Luke 8:40-56

Intro: Crazy days for Jesus…ministry intensifying, word spreading. Emotional roller coaster. Desperate father, desperate woman, serious issues, running from one thing to the next, crowds…ministry/mission.

3 Big Ideas:

1 - Jesus Makes Us Clean

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9
Woman with bleeding issue for 12 years would have been “unclean” and cut off from others. Destitute, desperate, embarrassed, shameful, alone, discouraged, abandoned.
Nothing you go through goes unnoticed…Jesus wasn’t going to let her go unnoticed.
He recognizes her in front of others…invites her to tell her story, restoring her not only physically but emotionally & socially. Our stories, no matter how broken, are powerful and matter to Jesus!
Cleansing = New, Restored, Relief, Washed, Re-introduced to Community
The power of Jesus’ touch…Jesus the Holy One, touches the unclean and doesn’t become unclean, rather, the unclean becomes clean.
Press in to Jesus… takes humility to recognize your need; desire to want help; & faith to run to Jesus.

2 - Jesus Makes Us Alive

Jesus wades right into the deepest, darkest moments… demonstrating his Sovereignty/Authority/Love.
Death is a painful reminder (of sin/brokenness); The gospel is a precious realization (Jesus came to deal a death blow to death); Jesus gives a promised resurrection; & there will be a glorious reunion!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18!
Power in a word from Jesus: “Be still!” (wind/waves obey); “Go!” (demons flee); “Get up!” (dead rise).
These are not only glimpses of what Jesus “can” do…these are glimpses of what Jesus DOES, HAS done, and WILL do.

3 - A Dad’s Sacred Calling is to Connect His Kids to Jesus

A dad is an intercessor/advocate, example, mentor, protector, provider… like Jairus, boldly coming to Jesus for his little girl! Bringing Jesus to his daughter.
It’s not enough to just aim for “good kids”.
Godly dads lead by demonstrating a real love/passion for Jesus in their life.
Godly dads encourage, comfort, and urge their kids to live lives worthy of God! (1 Thess. 2:11-12)
Eternity is the End Game… Together Forever!
God is a Father to the fatherless - Jesus called the unclean woman “Daughter” - you have a loving Father!

Discussion Questions:

Getting to Know Me

  1. As we begin to try and pick up the pieces and get back to “normal,” what is something you’ve experienced that has encouraged you or given you hope for the future?
  2. Whether or not you are a father, what do you think is the most important lesson you’ve learned about fatherhood, either firsthand or from observing?

Into the Bible

  1. What are all the implications of the woman being healed when she touched Jesus’ cloak? Why would it have been significant culturally in that era? In today’s culture?
  2. What can we learn from the example of the woman’s faith in this story? How does it encourage you to step out in your own faith?
  3. Read 1 John 1:9. Why is it so important that the work of Jesus not only justifies us but also purifies us?
  4. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What are ways the hope of being made alive with Jesus forever can buoy your faith in the midst of uncertainty?
  5. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12. What does the tone of these words say about the way Paul dealt with the Thessalonians? What are ways you can put these words into practice in the way you point others to Christ?

Application

What was your main takeaway from Pastor Josh’s and Pastor Adam’s sermon? How were you impacted/ encouraged?
In the stories in Luke about the miracles Jesus performed, he often used few words. “Be still.” “Come out.” “Get up.” If Jesus were to exhort you with two or three words right now, what do you imagine they would be? What do those words mean to you?
Pastor Josh said, “You can’t fake authentic love for Jesus.” What is the current condition of your love for Jesus? What’s your next step to cultivate a greater love?
In the sermon, Pastor Adam described the ministry of Jesus by saying that he (Jesus) went into the deepest, darkest places of human emotions and experiences and radically revived them both by the power of his presence and his words. What are ways you can train your mind to run towards Jesus rather than from him when you encounter difficult emotions and experiences? How can the power of the presence of Jesus encourage you when helping others through difficult emotions and experiences?
To the fathers: What do you need to start doing, stop doing, give up or take on in order to put it all on the line for your kids, so that they will know God as their Father and Jesus as their personal savior?
What is one action step God is inviting you to take as a result of listening to this sermon?