Introduction

• You speak differently when you speak one on one versus to a crowd.
• God cares and loves each of us individually.

Peter – you are a rock

• John 1:35-39 – Many of John the Baptist’s followers start to follow Jesus.
• John 1:40-42 – Andrew believes and goes to get his brother.
• Here’s the first interaction between Jesus and Peter. Jesus gives him a new name, “Rock.”
• What brings Peter to Jesus is an expectation to see the Messiah.
• This name Jesus gives him speak to how Jesus knows him and knows what he’ll become.

Nathanael – you are a true Israelite

• John 1:43-51
• Israelite “indeed” – the most genuine kind of this qualifier.
• “in whom is no deceit” – Nathanael responded with, “How do you know me?” Jesus read his heart.
• Jesus reveals His omnipresence and Nathanael is convinced he’s found the Son of God.

Nicodemus – you must be born again

• John 3:1-2
• Nathanael is a major ruler among the Pharisees and sneaks to visit with this carpenter turned rabbi.
• Nicodemus has a hard time understanding the born again metaphor. “How can these things be?”
• Ezekiel 36:25-28 – This has been used before the idea of becoming new.
• Ezekiel 37:13-14 – Ideas of coming alive again.
• Nicodemus found out that something needs to change.

Woman at the well – you need living water

• John 4:6-26
• She’s brave to point out that it’s strange that a Jew is speaking to her.
• He knows what she’s truly seeking.
• When He reveals His knowledge of her past she changes the topic and then asks of Him to clarify a question on worship.
• Jesus didn’t talk to her like others. He gets to the heart of what she needs. We need to learn to love and have compassion so we can offer others what they need.

Similarities in these interviews

• Jesus exposes our hearts.
  • He speaks right to what their hearts need to hear.
  • He shows his identity by revealing their identity.
  • If our live, let’s not let distractions and arguments that don’t matter distract from fixing our own hearts!
• Jesus points us forward.
  • Each of these people could have been criticized by Jesus but He points out the positive – gives them a path forward.
• Jesus redeems us and uses us.
  • He takes us and smooths our rough edges to use us for good.
  • There’s no one that doesn’t fit or belong.

Introduction

• Galatians 2:20
• When we lack confidence, there’s something missing.

I know that Christ lives in me when I don’t need people’s validation.

• Galatians 1:10 – “approval of God or man?”
• Galatians 2:6, 9 - … even if the people “seem influential”
• Galatians 2:11
  • You don’t need validation from man now because you’ve been validated by Christ.
• Galatians 3:26
• Galatians 6:14 – “the world is crucified to me”
  • If becomes okay if the world doesn’t like me.

I know Christ lives in me when I become a different person.

• Galatians 6:14; 5:24
  • You are under new management.
• Galatians 5:16-24
• I Corinthians 6:9-11 – washed, sanctified
• Ephesians 4:22-23 – putting off, putting on
  • Not just a change, but to change to be more like Jesus.

I know Christ lives in me when I do things just because Jesus wants me to.

• Galatians 2:20
• Galatians 6:1
• There is nothing in it for you to go restore your brother in those awkward situations. It’s just because it’s important to Christ.
• We genuinely believe that if we sow to the Spirit we will eventually reap.

Conclusion

• We need to see and celebrate just how Jesus is alive in us.

Introduction

• Matthew 12:33-34
• Matthew 15:10, 16
• Proverbs 4:23
• John 4:10 – Jesus with the woman at the well.
• John 7:37 – Jesus on the last day of the feast.
• Colossians 3:12
• There will always be convergence between what’s in your heart and your life.
• When you fill yourself with God’s word, you develop an overflow that then goes out to bless others.

We serve others out of our overflow

• Jesus is our example – fill yourself with the deeds and words of His.
• Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit.

We speak out of our own overflow

We teach out of our own overflow

• I Timothy 4:13-16
• When you’re truly excited and passionate about something, you can’t help but tell others.

We obey out of our own overflow

• You will do what you love.

Four questions for practical application

1. What are we filling our minds with?
2. What are we dwelling on?
   1. Philippians 4:8
3. What are we talking about?
4. What are we acting on?
   1. Motivations?

Conclusion

• There’s a challenge here for us!

Introduction

• Acts 9:31

We grow deeper

• Acts 9:31
• Acts 9:1-4, 25 – They went everywhere preaching the word!
• Ephesians 1:15-21
• Ephesians 3:14-21 – The strength here is for comprehending God’s word.
• Ephesians 4:11-13
• Philippians 1:9-11
• What kind of depth is there in your faith?
• This will take:
  • Thought
    • How do I apply what I read?
  • Willingness to serve
• Acts 9:31
• Romans 12:18; 14:14-19
  • We must pursue peace wherever we can.
  • Ephesians 4:2-3

We grow wider

• People are drawn to real spiritual growth.
• Acts 2:42-47 – People notice when others treat each other well.
• Acts 5:11-16 – The people held them in high esteem!
• Acts 6:1-7

Introduction

• Hebrews 13:20-21

The pattern:

• God expresses an expectation
• Person expresses insufficiency for task
• God equips person to fulfill His will
• Examples:
  • Genesis 18:9-14; Hebrews 11:11 – Sarah
  • Exodus 3:10-12; 4:10-12 – Moses
  • Judges 6:11-16 – Gideon
  • I Kings 3:7-9 – Solomon
  • Jeremiah 1:4-10 – Jeremiah
  • II Corinthians 2:15-16; 3:5-6 – Paul
  • Peter walking on the water.
    • Peter asked Jesus to command him because Peter know that he would then be given power to walk on the water.

How does God equip us?

• Personal transformation – Mark 1:17
• Other people – Ephesians 4:11-12
• Scripture – II Timothy 3:16-17
• Strength – Ephesians 3:16-19; I Samuel 30:6
• Opportunities – Colossians 4:3-4

God equips us for:

• Daunting tasks
• Temptation – I Corinthians 10:13
• Tough decisions