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?