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Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 HYPOCRISY What Would Jesus Undo? – Part 2 5/14/2023 “The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him with their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” Brennan Manning • Hypocrisy is not the disparity between what we do and what we wish we did. • Hypocrisy is the gap between what we show and who we are. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him ... Titus 1:16 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. …33 You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” Matthew 23:27-28, 33 NIV HOPE FOR THE HYPOCRITE “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Matthew 23:25-26 NIV Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13 NIV Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV • We don’t close the gaps with perfection. • We close the gaps with Christ. Jesus has zero tolerance for hypocrisy, but He has unlimited grace for a sinner in need of forgiveness. Talk About It 1. Describe what “masks” you wore growing up. How did you show yourself as someone you weren’t? 2. In what area of your life do you struggle to show your honest self? 3. How will you ask your LifeGroup, other friends, or family to pray for you this week?

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 INDIFFERENCE What Would Jesus Undo? — Part 1 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16 NIV TWO CAUSES OF SPIRITUAL INDIFFERENCE 1. SELF-SUFFICIENCY. “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17 NIV 2. DISTRACTIONS OF THIS WORLD. But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19 NIV LIVING WITH LUKEWARM INDIFFERENCE 1. We’re more concerned with impressing people than living for God. 2. We’re obsessed with life on earth rather than eternity. 3. We rationalize sin and live without truly fearing God. 4. We believe in Jesus, but we rarely share our faith. 5. We only turn to God when we need Him. 6. We’re not much different from the world. REIGNITING THE SPIRITUAL FIRE • EVERY DAY, DO SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES FAITH. It’s easy not to care but It is so much better to hurt with a purpose than to exist without one. “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” Revelation 3:19 NLT “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17 NIV “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 NIV Let Him In Talk About It • Which cause of indifference do you most easily identify with? • Which of the six “indifferent” spiritual challenges is the biggest challenge for you? • What is something that you can do tomorrow that will require faith?

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychris... Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/peo... GO Building a Life - Week 5 4/30/2023 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like aa wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”Matthew 7:24-27 Week 1 Review: “Follow me.” Submission Death/Sacrifice Immediacy Believer vs Follower There is an eternity of difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and a follower of Jesus Christ Week 2 Which will you be? “Love the Lord your God” Love is not an option for a Follower Love is more than a feeling it is a choice made into the future Love is made real when tested and lived out Genuine Love for God and will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things, and NEVER STOP There is an eternity of difference between having a feeling and loving God as a follower Week 3 Which will you choose? “Him only shall you serve” Anything can become an IDOL Anything that captures the heart Anything that controls the mind Anything that drives the soul Anything consuming your strength Idols cause Chaos/Pain Idols steal God’s glory and their lies lead to death Idols must be avoided at all costs There is an eternity of difference between where an Idol leads its followers and where God will lead His followers Week 4 Who will you follow? “Love your neighbor as yourself” “Go” God commands us to baptize and teach obedience And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 What are we supposed to DO? How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14–15 Share the truth AT ANY TIME Introduce to Jesus through EXAMPLE LEAD into faith (Hear, Believe, Confess, Repent, Baptism) Teach to FOLLOW and OBEY WHY DON’T WE? Fear? Insecurity? Lack of Knowledge? Lack of Opportunity? ___________________ _____________ ____________________ Ask yourself: Who sits on the throne? Who do I worship? Who do I love? Who do you serve? If the answer is God then FOLLOW and OBEY Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:13–17 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7–8 There is an eternity of difference between those who follow and obey.

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 LOVE ONE ANOTHER Building A Life - Part 4 4/23/2023 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 ESV All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44 NIV Community = Common Unity How Does Real Community Develop? • Real community develops from uncommon love No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 NIV Uncommon Love Requires A Common Perspective So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 NIV Marks Of Uncommon Love: 1. Grows Through Uncommon Acceptance of Each Other Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 NIV Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Romans 14:13 NIV 2. Shows Uncommon Attitudes And Actions Toward Each Other Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV 3. Demonstrates Uncommon Vulnerability With Each Other Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 NIV Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV 4. Produces Uncommon Results In And Through Each Other This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16 NIV By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 NIV And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 NIV Uncommon Love Creates An Irresistible Community

Building a Life - Week 3 Serve Him Only 4/16/2023 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like aa wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 Review: Week 1: “Follow me.” Submission Death/Sacrifice Immediacy Believer vs Follower Believer Acknowledges Jesus is the Son of God Knows that Salvation is through Christ Understands that God alone is Holy Recognizes God authority and power Comprehends God’s Word as Truth Is “me” centric Follower Acts on what he/she believes Submits to one he/she serves Obeys the commands of the Master Lives as the Master lives Conforms to God’s will There is an eternity of difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and a follower of Jesus Christ Which will you be? Week 2: “Love the Lord your God” Love is not an option for a Follower Love is more than a feeling it is a choice made into the future Love is made real when tested and lived out Genuine Love for God and will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things, and NEVER STOP There is an eternity of difference between having a feeling and loving God as a follower Which will you choose? “Him only shall you serve” God commands worship ONLY Him And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Luke 4:5–8 Idolatry is SIN Anything can become an IDOL Anything that captures the heart Anything that controls the mind Anything that drives the soul Anything that consumes your strength Idols cause Chaos/Pain What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:1–3 Idols steal God’s glory and their lies lead to death For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:21–25 Idols must be avoided at all costs “Little children keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21 Identify Your Idols You’ll sacrifice for it. You’ll spend time on it. You’ll spend money on it. You’ll talk about it (“Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” Luke 6:45). You’ll protect it/defend it. You’ll serve it. You’ll perfect it. You’ll think about it. You’ll worry about it. You’ll get angry when someone blocks you from it or messes with it. You’ll build your schedule around it. Confess Your Idols Repent of Your Idols Choose to Let your mind dwell on new things (Phil. 4:8; Romans 12:2) There is an eternity of difference between where an Idol leads its followers and where God will lead His followers

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD Building a Life - Week 2 04/09/2023 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like aa wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.Matt. 7:24-27 ESV REVIEW “Follow me.” - Submission - Death/Sacrifice - Immediacy Believer vs Follower Believer - Acknowledges Jesus is the Son of God - Knows that Salvation is found through Christ - Understands that God alone is Holy - Recognizes God holds ultimate authority and power - Comprehends God’s Word as Truth - Is “me” centric Follower - Acts on what he/she believes - Submits to one he/she serves - Obeys the commands and teachings of the Master - Lives as the Master lives - Conforms to God’s will There is an eternity of difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and a follower of Jesus Christ Which will you be? “Love the Lord your God” Love is not an option for a Follower But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. Matthew 22:34-37 ESV We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 ESV Love is more than a feeling it is a choice made into the future If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 ESV Love is made real when tested and lived out regardless of personal consequence By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 ESV A FOLLOWER: Bears all things Believes all things, Hopes all things, Endures all things and. LOVE NEVER STOPS There is an eternity of difference between having a feeling and loving God as a follower Which will you choose? Are you ready to follow? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16 ESV So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7-10 ESV Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV To become a follower you must: Hear So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Believe Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved Repent Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Confess if you confess with your mouth that Jesus . . .you will be saved. Be baptized Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved Follow I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life no man may come to the Father except through me