First Baptist Church of Folsom, LA

SERMON NOTES

“RISE ABOVE” Hebrews 11:7

The Flood and the Ark

Truth: Christ will return to judge the world.

Action: I will build a life of faithfulness to Christ.

Advent: Better in Christ

Truth: Christ has brought better promises, a better hope, and a better inheritance to the believing church.

Action: By faith, I will rise above this world to receive "the better" life in Christ.

DEVOTIONAL: personal and small groups

Focus Point: Faith

READ Matthew 2:1-12

The Three Wise Men had been anticipating the arrival of the Christ (v.4), the ruler (v.6), who would shepherd God’s people (v.6), who would be king of the Jews (v.2).

• How were they looking for the Christ even before His arrival?

• Once Jesus arrived, how did they search for Him?

• Who else did they find on their search and what was his response to the arrival of the true King?

• What was the Wise Men’s response to again seeing the star pointing to Christ? (v.10)

• What did the Wise Men plan to do when they found this King of the Jews (v.2) and what did this look like when they actually found Him?

• These men went through a lot of trouble to find and worship Jesus. 

• What has it cost you to get close to Jesus?

• What obstacles have you faced in worshiping Jesus in your day to day life?

• When you get close to Jesus, is your attitude like the Wise Men’s or closer to Herod’s? How?

READ Luke 14:25-33 What have you left behind to follow Christ, what do you need to leave behind, and what will you gain in following Christ?