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WEEK 2 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

February 11, 2024

The Last Seven Words of Christ: Assurance

Introduction:

God does not want you to constantly doubt your true spiritual position. He does not want you to wait until the end of your life to have the peace and joy of knowing that you belong to Him. God desires you to have this full assurance now and for you to continue enjoying it until the end. So how can you get this assurance, this confidence, and peace throughout your Christian journey? How can you pursue the peace and joy from knowing that Christ is yours and you are His forever?

Something To Talk About:

  1. I must know God after I die: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Today, not in the future, but as soon as you breathe your last breath, you will be with Me in paradise. Jesus’ words to the dying thief conveyed an unqualified promise of full forgiveness, covering every evil deed he had ever done.  He wasn’t expected to atone for his sins, do penance, or perform any ritual. But instead, his forgiveness was full and free, and immediate. That was all Christ said to him. But it was all the thief needed to hear. For the first time in his life, he was free from the burden of his sin. The Savior, at his side, was bearing that sin for him. And the thief was now clothed in Christ’s perfect righteousness. 
  2. I must know I have sinned against God: The first sin recorded in the Bible happens at the very beginning, in Genesis when the woman created by God takes and eats an apple from the one tree she and the man were instructed not to eat from. This starts the fall of mankind, creating separation between God and us. We are all sinful by nature, from the time of our birth to the time of our death. Sin will be part of our world until Jesus’ 2nd coming. This may seem discouraging, but the truth is that God loves us anyway. He knows who we are because He created us. He’s not expecting our perfection, just our faith in His unending grace and forgiveness. Romans 3:23-24 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”
  3. I must know Jesus was more than a man: Some say Jesus Christ was just a man or maybe a great teacher. But He was and is much more than that. He is not a mere man or a high-ranking angel in human form. He is truly man and truly God. The Bible says Jesus is unique in both His person and His purpose. He wasn’t just some spiritual individual during His time on earth; He was both God’s Son (John 3:16) and God Himself—God in human flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). Yes, He was fully man. Still, He was also fully God (Colossians 2:9). Titus 2:13-14 says, “while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to 
  4. I must know only God’s grace can save me: In Ephesians 2:5, the Bible tells us that it is by God’s grace — and only by God’s grace — that we are saved. No efforts of our own could ever pave our road to heaven. There is only one Way. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). God’s saving grace is the unmerited favor of God that reconciles sinners through Jesus Christ. Throughout the Scriptures, the message of this grace is proclaimed. ““Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin….(Exodus 34:6–7). God doesn’t give me grace because I’ve earned it.  He gives me grace because He is gracious. God’s grace has absolutely nothing to do with me earning it.  “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me”  (2 Corinthians 12:9).
  5. You have to believe Jesus will save you if you ask: Jesus made it clear that He, and He alone, will decide who is saved, and it is Jesus Himself who will save them. “For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him”  (John 5:21-23). “…Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him” (John 17:1-2) “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved…” (John. 10:9).

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is meant by assurance? 
  2. Why do I need assurance of salvation?
  3. What brings assurance of salvation into my life?
  4. How does satan get you to doubt your salvation? Cause you to wonder if you are really a Christian?
  5. How does God knowing everything there is to know about you and loving you anyway make you feel?
  6. Jesus is God and man. How do we get our arms around those statements?
  7. God goes to great effort to seek lost sinners, and He greatly rejoices when they come to repentance. What does that mean for each one of us?
  8. God pursues sinners until He finds them. What does that mean for us? 
  9. How can grace be summarized?
  10. Why is it easy to believe we can earn God’s grace? 
  11. What was your main takeaway from this week’s message?

Take One Thing Home with You:

Jesus’s story didn’t conclude with His ascension. He lives, reigns, and continues to impact lives around the world. This section reaffirms the enduring truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Discover how His presence and power continue to move, offering hope, guidance, and a personal relationship with all who seek Him. People who encounter the risen Christ are transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Staying true to their faith, they do not hesitate to face hardship, persecution, and even death. Many consecrate their lives to serving others, minimizing their needs and desires.