StoneBridge Community Church
Jesus and Moses: Out of Egypt
Senior Pastor Jon Saur
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Community Church
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 5:01 PM
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http://bit.ly/2glYW8EJesus and Moses
In this January series, StoneBridge will be exploring the similarities between Jesus and Moses in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew goes out of his way to show how Jesus is similar to Moses and how Moses was similar to Jesus. These similarities help inform our understanding of God and God's character.
In this January series, StoneBridge will be exploring the similarities between Jesus and Moses in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew goes out of his way to show how Jesus is similar to Moses and how Moses was similar to Jesus. These similarities help inform our understanding of God and God's character.
The Text in Context
"Matthew presents the student of Scripture with several interpretive problems in the second chapter of his Gospel.... Matthew refers to the Old Testament Scriptures four times in chapter 2. Only one of these references can be viewed as a direct prophecy which is fulfilled by..." Read more by clicking this link.
https://bit.ly/3HIVbnUSermon Outline
I. Intro to Sermon Series
A. Jesus is the new Moses.
B. Moses is the precursor to Jesus.
C. "Out of Egypt" - Matthew makes this clear from the get-go.
II. Moses' story
A. Born a Hebrew
B. Pharaoh persecutes the Hebrews
III. Jesus' story
A. the Magi tip Herod off
B. Herod persecutes all kids 2 and under.
IV. Vulnerability
A. Jesus and Moses began their lives in very vulnerable circumstances.
B. Why is God identified with people whose stories begin in such vulnerable circumstances?
V. God's vulnerability
A. What is "vulnerability?" (the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.)
B. Can God suffer? - long debate.
C. Yes, God can suffer. But...
D. Moltmann quote
VI. We know this
A. Jesus on the cross
B. It wasn't just Jesus, the Father suffered also.
C. God has chosen to be vulnerable.
VII. Are we vulnerable?
A. Vulnerability as a weakness?
B. What is strength?
VIII. God's example
A. God chose to become vulnerable, to be in relationship with us.
B. How can we go and do likewise?
I. Intro to Sermon Series
A. Jesus is the new Moses.
B. Moses is the precursor to Jesus.
C. "Out of Egypt" - Matthew makes this clear from the get-go.
II. Moses' story
A. Born a Hebrew
B. Pharaoh persecutes the Hebrews
III. Jesus' story
A. the Magi tip Herod off
B. Herod persecutes all kids 2 and under.
IV. Vulnerability
A. Jesus and Moses began their lives in very vulnerable circumstances.
B. Why is God identified with people whose stories begin in such vulnerable circumstances?
V. God's vulnerability
A. What is "vulnerability?" (the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.)
B. Can God suffer? - long debate.
C. Yes, God can suffer. But...
D. Moltmann quote
VI. We know this
A. Jesus on the cross
B. It wasn't just Jesus, the Father suffered also.
C. God has chosen to be vulnerable.
VII. Are we vulnerable?
A. Vulnerability as a weakness?
B. What is strength?
VIII. God's example
A. God chose to become vulnerable, to be in relationship with us.
B. How can we go and do likewise?
Massacre of the Innocents
Matthew 2:16-18 has been termed "The Massacre of the Innocents" and recounts an event the church has remembered solemnly for centuries. Here is the wikipedia article for this event that explains some traditional history.
https://bit.ly/3JNw6KjArtwork
Matthew 2:16-18 has inspired a good deal of artwork throughout the history of the church also. The depictions of this tragic and horrible scene can remind us of just how vulnerable Jesus was when he entered into the world, as well as how vulnerable Moses was when he entered into the world.
https://bit.ly/3t3nN7fMoltmann Quote
Theologian Jurgen Moltmann, talking about God's suffering, writes:
“God does not suffer out of deficiency of being, like created beings. But he does suffer from his love, which is the overflowing superabundance of his being. And in this sense he can suffer.”
Vulnerability implies the capacity to suffer. It's important to recognize that God doesn't suffer in the same way humans do. We suffer out of our inability to avoid the chaos and sadness in this world. God suffers out of a desire to be in loving relationship with creation, a choice God freely makes out of abundance, not out of a lack.
Theologian Jurgen Moltmann, talking about God's suffering, writes:
“God does not suffer out of deficiency of being, like created beings. But he does suffer from his love, which is the overflowing superabundance of his being. And in this sense he can suffer.”
Vulnerability implies the capacity to suffer. It's important to recognize that God doesn't suffer in the same way humans do. We suffer out of our inability to avoid the chaos and sadness in this world. God suffers out of a desire to be in loving relationship with creation, a choice God freely makes out of abundance, not out of a lack.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. When you hear the word "vulnerable," what adjectives come to mind for you? Make a list.
2. Looking at what came to mind, do you see vulnerability as a positive or a negative? Why so?
3. How would you define "vulnerable?"
4. Do you typically think of God as "vulnerable?" Why or why not?
5. How would you reconcile God's sovereignty with God's vulnerability?
1. When you hear the word "vulnerable," what adjectives come to mind for you? Make a list.
2. Looking at what came to mind, do you see vulnerability as a positive or a negative? Why so?
3. How would you define "vulnerable?"
4. Do you typically think of God as "vulnerable?" Why or why not?
5. How would you reconcile God's sovereignty with God's vulnerability?
NEXT STEPS
1. Reflect on your role models or heroes. Make a list of people or characters you have admired.
2. Place an "X" by each one that you would consider "vulnerable" as a primary character trait of them.
3. Reflect on how many have X's. If a lot, pray that God would help you to follow their example. If few, pray that God would broaden your understanding of what it means to be "vulnerable."
1. Reflect on your role models or heroes. Make a list of people or characters you have admired.
2. Place an "X" by each one that you would consider "vulnerable" as a primary character trait of them.
3. Reflect on how many have X's. If a lot, pray that God would help you to follow their example. If few, pray that God would broaden your understanding of what it means to be "vulnerable."
Starting the first weekend in February, StoneBridge will be launching a new series – called Fulfilled. Fulfilled will insightfully journey through the Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew. Whether in-person or by Zoom, experience your own spiritual blessing by facilitating a fall growth group or beginning a new one. No prior experience is necessary. Sign up on your connection card in worship or click the link below. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
Sign-up to host or facilitate a Growth Group!
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