Digging Deeper

Extreme Makeover #2    ~    September 19, 2004

 

 

Think About it:

 

            God’s SUPREME, not just extreme, makeover is for everyone.  Everyone.  He desires every single person to find him and follow him.  Everyone…to be found and to follow.  This is at the heart of his Kingdom, the Kingdom Jesus mentioned 90 times in the New Testament (while only mentioning the church twice).  Is this significant?  Jesus brought a message that people were not looking nor listening for, but when they heard and found it, they followed with all their hearts.  Are we any different today?  We spend a lot of time in church, talking about church, involved with church activities, but are we missing the Kingdom…the same way God’s people did 2000 years ago with Jesus among them?  Let’s dig deeper into our own hearts, minds, and lives as we examine ourselves in this light.

 

Explore it:

 

  1. Jesus had three types of followers with definite traits attached to each.
    1. Indifferent Spectators—They were the Scribes and Pharisees.   These people watched and witnessed miracles, healings, powerful teachings, yet were not moved or touched by them.  These people wanted to maintain control of their religious efforts and tried to stop anything that conflicted with their own ideals.
    2. Casual Observers (John 6:66-68)—These individuals could be categorized with the phrase, “It’s all about me.”  They wanted fed, their needs met, to be entertained with miracles and signs, and so on.  But there came a point when Jesus wanted them to truly follow him, and many turned away because they could not make the commitment…to give up their own wants, desires, and perceived needs.
    3. Desperate Seekers—We know these characters well…Zacchaeus, the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume, and others.  These people would leave anything to be found by Jesus and to follow him.  They were the ones who did not turn away when Jesus challenged his followers to take the next step and move from “member” to “Kingdom-builder”.

 

  1. Think about these different types of followers in our current reality, in our current churches.  Who are they?  Describe them.
    1. Indifferent Spectator—

 

    1. Casual Observer—

 

    1. Desperate Seeker—

 

  1. Take a minute to look at the list above.  In the safety of your group, which group is the reality of your life and heart?  Have you been all three at different times in your life?  Describe an instance when you were one of these types of people.

 

  1. Jesus calls us to be Desperate Seekers and deep down we want to seek him…even if it is tough.  Can you describe a time when you desperately sought after God?  Describe your experience.

 

  1. What is the difference between being “a good and faithful church member” and a “Kingdom-builder”?

 

  1. Much like holding Play-Doh in our hands, God wants to shape our hearts and lives to be Kingdom people.  In order to find the Kingdom, we must become Desperate Seekers.  Spend some time reading these verses and writing what God is impressing upon your heart.

 

    1. John 10:27, Luke 14:33
    2. Romans 12:1-2
    3. John 6:66-69
    4. Matt. 6:33
    5. Luke 17:20-21
    6. Matthew 13:44-46

 

What has to change in you and how will you pray specifically this week for God to shape you into a Desperate Seeker…a Kingdom-builder?