Southside Lexington Podcast

Southside Church of Christ
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Southside Church of Christ, Lexington, KY

  1. 2d ago

    11-1-26 (Jeremy Stewart) Confidence in Catastrophe

    MARK 14:12-26 12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. LESSON NOTES Common responses to catastrophe:  Shut down Seek escape Fight for control Lash out Three predictions in Mark 14   Verses 12-16: The Passover preparations Verses 17-21: The coming betrayal Verses 22-26: His death and new covenant We live in world of catastrophe   History shows that there are always voices pointing to an impending doom or ultimate catastrophe. When the stakes feel overwhelming, we cannot let the catastrophe determine who we will be. Confidence in Catastrophe Mark 14:25; John 16:33 Our faith is not an “ends justify the means” faith. The end is already written, so we can choose the means that reflect Jesus. Reflection: What kind of people will we be when things feel out of control? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker: Share about a time when a simple plan went hilariously wrong, or one problem seemed to lead to another. What happened? The sermon described four common responses to catastrophe: shutting down, seeking escape, fighting for control, and lashing out. Which response is most familiar to you, and why? Look back at Mark 14:12–26. Of the three predictions discussed in the sermon—the preparations, the betrayal, and Jesus’ approaching death—which moment stood out to you most? What is the difference between taking a problem seriously and treating it as though everything depends on the outcome? How can we recognize when we’ve crossed that line? When people are afraid of losing something important, how might that fear affect the way they treat others? What would maintaining integrity look like in a tense disagreement? The sermon emphasized: “The end is already written, so we can choose the means that reflect Jesus.” What is one choice you could make this week that puts that into practice, even if the immediate outcome is uncertain?

  2. Oct 25

    10-25-26 (Barrett Coffman) A Beautiful Thing

    MARK 14:1-11 1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.” 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. NIV 84 LESSON NOTES The Power of the Flashback: In Mark 14, the author utilizes a literary technique known as a "Markan sandwich" (an A-B-A structure). He frames a Saturday night anointing at Bethany (the meat) between the Wednesday plots of the religious leaders and Judas to kill Jesus (the bread). This flashback is intentionally placed to explain why Judas ultimately chose to betray Christ. How the Enemy Gains a Foothold: Scripture notes that "Satan entered Judas," but the enemy cannot simply overtake a life without an entry point. Judas gave the devil a foothold through undetected, habitual greed as he secretly stole from the disciples' money bag. Small, unaddressed sins like greed, pride, lust, or anger can quickly give the enemy a foothold in our life. Morally Good vs. Inherently Lovely: When Jesus defends Mary's actions, the Greek language differentiates between something that is morally right (not bad) and something that is inherently beautiful (lovely). Judas and some of the disciples wanted her to do the morally right thing (sell the perfume for the poor), but Jesus celebrated Mary’s extravagant and lovely expression of pure love. The Aroma of the Gospel: Mary smashed a family heirloom worth a year's wages (approx. $60,000 today) so it could never be reused, pouring it entirely out on Jesus. Jesus declared that this story must always be told alongside the gospel because it mirrors it perfectly: the Father broke and poured out His most valuable treasure—His Son—in an extravagant, reckless act of love to make us beautiful. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker: If your life story up to this point were made into a movie, what is one specific "flashback" scene from your past that helps explain exactly who or where you are today? 1. Judas allowed a spiritual foothold to grow in his life through undetected, habitual greed. Read Ephesians 4:27. What are the seemingly "small" everyday compromises in your life (like anxiety, comparison, pride, dishonesty, frustration) that you could overlook, giving the enemy a foothold? 2. "Love does not only good things, love does lovely things." However, we can settle for the morally right thing instead of the inherently beautiful thing. What is one lovely, extravagant act of love for Jesus you could do this week in your family, workplace, neighborhood, or church?

  3. Oct 19

    10-18-26 (Barrett Coffman) Head On A Swivel

    MARK 13 1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" 5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ !' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24 "But in those days, following that distress, " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' 26 "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" NIV 84 LESSON NOTES Not a sign, but a design. The disciples asked when (the word appears six times in Mark 13) and wanted something to watch for. Jesus redirected them from forecasting to faithfulness. He even says that he does not know the day or hour (v. 32). Only two days on your calendar. The only two days that matter are this day (today) and that day (the Day of the Lord), and we are meant to live today in light of that day. The enemy works to fill our calendars with two other days instead: the hurt/regret of yesterday and the fear/anxiety of tomorrow. Be on your guard: live today as if it were Satan's last. Deception is the devil's main weapon, and he is a defeated enemy who knows his time is short. The Greek word blepo means to look upon something with discernment, so the answer to Satan's deception is the Spirit's discernment. Be alert: live today as if it were your last. Jesus is not forbidding sleep, since God made us to rest. He is challenging the other sixteen waking hours, asking whether we are living them truly awake, with purpose and intention. If I only had one day left, how would I spend those 8,640 seconds? Keep watch: live today as if it were the last. The doorkeeper in Jesus' parable had one job above all others, to watch. The four night watches in verse 35 played out within hours for the disciples: betrayal at the Supper, sleeping in the garden, denial at the rooster's crow, and desertion at dawn. Then Jesus widens the call in verse 37: what I say to you, I say to everyone. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker - similar to the example of driving on UK's campus during the school week, can you share an example of a time when you had to work hard to "keep watch"? 1. The sermon describes how regret/hurt from yesterday and anxiety/fear about tomorrow can overwhelm our today. Which tends to have a stronger hold on you: the past you wish you could change or the future you wish you could control? What is one practical way you can live more faithfully in the present this week? 2. Jesus says, "Be on your guard so that no one deceives you." Where do you see Satan's deception most at work today in the world and in your life? What habits sharpen the Spirit's discernment in your life? 3. Do you ever find yourself tending to live "asleep" (distracted, on autopilot, scrolling)? What is one change you could make this week to live with more purpose and intention? 4. Why is staying faithful to Jesus command to "keep watch" so hard? Consider how quickly the disciples failed at keeping watch (Mark 14:32-42), and what that says about our need for grace and for one another. 5. Imagine knowing that you only had 24 hours remaining. Would your priorities, conversations, relationships, or use of time change? What important thing have you been postponing that you need to do today—express gratitude, seek forgiveness, show love, witness to a friend, or take a step of faith?

  4. Oct 12

    10-11-26 (Barrett Coffman) Riddle Me This

    MARK 12:35-44 35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ” ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”‘ 37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight. 38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.” NIV 84 LESSON NOTES What do you think about the Christ?: "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." AW Tozer "Christ" is a title, not a last name: It literally means "The Anointed One," the same as the Hebrew "Messiah" and the Greek "Christos." It is better to say "Jesus the Christ." Do you delight in the Christ?: When a group of people listen to Jesus with delight without recognizing him as Lord it’s called a crowd. However, when a group of people listen to him with delight because He is their Lord it’s called the church. Do you desire to be with the Christ?: Be before you do. We want to be with Jesus and let our doing for Him flow out of our being with Him. We can only give to others what we possess ourselves. The teachers of the law got their be from their do. They emphasized performance over presence. There is a big difference between being seen as we serve and serving to be seen.  Are we devoted to the Christ?: The widow's gift is not about the size but about the sacrifice. Her gift teaches us that it’s not the portion but the proportion that matters. Her gift was not about the amount given, but the amount left over. Her gift shows that she was not rich in finances, but rich in faith. Literally, she gave "her whole self."  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker: Share a favorite riddle with your group. 1. "What do you think about the Christ?" If a friend asked you this today, how would you honestly answer? Is there a gap between what you would say and how you actually live? 2. Be honest: which parts of following Jesus feel like delight, and which feel like duty (for example, serving, attending church, obeying)? What might help move one of those from duty toward delight? 3. Are you tempted to do for Jesus without being with Jesus? What is one specific rhythm or habit that helps you practice "be before you do"? 4. The widow gave "her whole life." What is one area (time, money, career, relationships, comfort) where you tend to give out of your abundance rather than your whole self? What would a step toward wholehearted devotion look like in that area?

  5. Oct 5

    10-4-26 (Jeremy Stewart) Bucket List

    MARK 12:28-34 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. LESSON NOTES Mark 12:28–34 — “Bucket List” What Matters Most? — Mark 12:28 Our “bucket lists” reveal what we value. Jesus is asked: Which commandment is the most important?  The Two Greatest Commands — Mark 12:29–31 Jesus goes beyond the question and provides a list of the top 2 commands. Love God. Love people. Love God — Mark 12:29–30 Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This command emphasizes an exclusive love for God that isn't shared with anyone or anything else. “Brands are the little gods of modern life…” — Marty Neumeier The dangers of little gods are being devoted to something other than the true God, or treating God like a brand that can be swapped out when convenient. Love Your Neighbor — Mark 12:31 “Don’t Be a Reindeer.” In the same way the first commandment emphasizes an exclusive love for God, the second commandment emphasizes an inclusive love for people. The way we love people can help them catch a glimpse of how God loves them. Remember the Why — Mark 12:32–34 The teacher recognizes that these commands matter more than religious ritual. Don’t lose sight of why we do what we do. Do our practices all align with helping us to love God and love people? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker: What’s one thing—serious or ridiculous—that would probably make it onto your bucket list? The sermon described the “little gods” of modern life—things that can become sources of identity, purpose, belonging, or meaning. What are some examples you see in our culture? What makes something good or ordinary begin to demand too much of our devotion? “Don’t be a reindeer.” Where do you think people are most tempted to exclude, label, or decide who belongs and who doesn’t? What might it look like for our church community to resist that instinct? Jesus' response points to why we do what we do. Are there Christian habits, traditions, or activities that can become easy to do automatically without thinking about their purpose? What helps keep the “why” in view?

  6. Sep 28

    9-27-26 (Barrett Coffman) Forever Stamped

    MARK 12:13-27 13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?" 16 But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. 18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?" 24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!" LESSON NOTES The Roman Denarius: This specific coin bore Caesar's image and the inscription calling him "son of the divine" and "high priest." It was the common understanding during this time because his image was stamped onto the denarius that the coins actually belonged to Caesar. "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God." Jesus wasn't primarily teaching civic duty or tax policy. He was making a far deeper point: paying a tax stamped with Caesar's image doesn't mean you belong to Caesar. You are stamped with God's image — so you belong to Him. The Greatest Compliment: Being an "image bearer" is not just the only good thing you can say when someone is difficult to love; it is actually the greatest, most profound reality that can ever be spoken about another human being. Longing to Belong: Human relationships like marriage, friendships, and community are beautiful reflections of connection, but they are only temporary signals pointing to something greater. Our deep, built-in human longing to belong can only be completely fulfilled by resting in God for eternity. Forever Stamped: Every human being is stamped with the image of God. And all those who believe in the resurrection power of God through His Son Jesus Christ will be forever stamped. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Icebreaker: If you could design a "forever stamp" to represent your life, what would be on the stamp and why? 2. Every person — even the hardest one to love — is "an image bearer." Is there someone in your life right now who is difficult to love? How might reminding yourself that they're stamped with God's image change how you treat them this week? 3. What are some places you've personally looked for belonging (friendships, family, career, social media, marriage, etc.)? Which of these have felt most satisfying, and which have left you wanting more? 4. Augustine wrote, "Our heart is restless until it rests in you." Do you resonate with that restlessness? What does it look like practically to let your primary sense of belonging come from God rather than from people or achievements? 5. If you truly believe that you belong to God, how should that change the way you view your identity, your time, your possessions, and your decisions?

  7. Sep 21

    9-20-26 (Jeremy Stewart) Whose Authority?

    Mark 11:27 - 12:12 27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” 29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” 1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. 6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected     has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this,     and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. LESSON NOTES 1. “By what authority are you doing these things?” - Mark 11:27–33 Where does Jesus’ authority come from? What authority are the religious leaders actually listening to?  2. “They will respect my son.” - Mark 12:1–9  The tenants reject the authority of the owner.   Rejecting his authority doesn’t remove his authority.  3. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” - Mark 12:10–12 The religious leaders reject Jesus.  How do you respond to Jesus’ authority? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker: Who is someone whose voice you can recognize almost instantly, even if you can’t see them? What makes their voice so recognizable to you? The religious leaders ask Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?” What does their response to Jesus’ question about John reveal about what they actually value or fear?   The sermon used Michael Young’s sovereign-citizen argument to illustrate the difference between disagreeing with an authority and actually being outside that authority. Where are we tempted to treat Jesus’ authority as something we can “opt into” only when we agree with him?  The sermon described our lives as “a world full of authorities” competing for our loyalty and allegiance—including our own desires. What voices or influences most commonly compete for your allegiance? How can you recognize when one of them is becoming more authoritative in your life than it should be?  The sermon asked, “Where do you submit to him? And where are you still holding out?” What is one area where following Jesus’ authority can be particularly difficult? Why?  Hiroo Onoda’s story illustrates that “the authority we listen to matters” because our allegiance affects both ourselves and other people. Where have you seen the authority someone follows—good or bad—produce consequences beyond that individual? What might faithful allegiance to Jesus produce in the lives of the people around us?

  8. Sep 14

    9-13-26 (Barrett Coffman) Mini-Temples

    Mark 11:20-25 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourselves into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." NIV 84 LESSON NOTES Have Faith In God: When the disciples are confused by the withered fig tree and everything happening around Jesus, He simply tells them, “Have faith in God.” The sermon emphasizes that faith isn't merely intellectual agreement with Christian beliefs. Faith is allegiance to the King—a continual choice to trust God and live in dependence upon Him. Prayer and Forgiveness: Jesus identifies two specific fruits that should grow out of faith: prayer and forgiveness. These weren't random teachings. They directly connect to the purpose of the temple itself. The temple was intended to be a house of prayer and a place where people could find forgiveness, but Jesus found neither. The Living Temple: At the cross, Jesus accomplishes what the temple could never ultimately accomplish. He becomes the once-for-all sacrifice, prays for forgiveness for His executioners, and the temple curtain is torn. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus becomes the true and living Temple—the place where we meet God and receive forgiveness. Mini-temples: Paul says, “You yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you.” Through faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, believers become what the sermon calls “mini-temples.” That changes our understanding of mission. We don't simply invite people to come to a building where they can encounter God. God sends His people into the world. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. The disciples were perplexed. Things were happening quickly, Jesus had confronted the temple, and opposition was growing. Into their confusion Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” Where in your life right now are you struggling to understand what God is doing? What would it look like for you to practice allegiance to God even without knowing how the situation will turn out? 2. Jesus identifies two specific fruits that should grow out of faith: prayer and forgiveness. These weren't random teachings. They directly connect to the purpose of the temple itself. The temple was intended to be a house of prayer and a place where people could find forgiveness, but Jesus found neither. This gives us a practical way to examine our spiritual lives. Is my faith making me more dependent upon God in prayer and more willing to release people through forgiveness? 3. The sermon says, "unforgiveness happens when someone else's sin becomes bigger than the cross." Is there someone or something you're currently holding onto — bitterness, resentment, a grudge — that you've been unwilling to let go of? What would it look like to actually give that to Jesus this week? 4. If every Christian is a "mini-temple" sent out into the world instead of people having to travel to find God, how does that change the way you think about your workplace, campus, neighborhood, or daily routine? What's one concrete way you can be a "house of prayer and place of forgiveness" this week?

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Southside Church of Christ, Lexington, KY

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  • Creator
    Southside Church of Christ
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
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    Southside Lexington Podcast