Message Title: Follow
Date: February 14, 2021

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PCC Mission: To empower the generations to passionately follow Jesus, one person at a time.

How do we follow well and distinctively?

--NOT religious adherence or mental resonance

Matthew: tax collector
--Jewish
--considered unforgivable by the Jewish culture

Jesus' invitation -- "Matthew got up and followed him."

BLESS list:
Begin with Prayer
Listen with Care
Eat Together
Serve in Love
Share your Story

Then the Pharisees showed up
--weren't interested in answers
--associated acceptance with endorsement

Jesus' answer: vs 12-13
--analogy
--riddle
--purpose

Riddle's answer: Religious devotion void of character transformation is useless to God and harmful in this world.

Heart and guts

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

BEYOND SUNDAY
This two-week mini series is designed to help you reflect on where you are on your journey with Jesus. We will focus on what it means to passionately follow Christ in light of PCC’s mission, G4 Pathway, and values.

1. When we share the gospel, people will often ask tough questions about our faith. Whether they be a smoke screen or genuine questions, they can be hard to field. What are some hard questions about the Gospel that have either come up, or that you dread will come up? (We are not answering the questions now, just asking them.)

2. According to this week’s speaker, Lead Pastor Gary Gaddini, follow means to journey with and assist the master. Furthermore, when Jesus called people to follow Him, He wasn’t just talking to “good people only” about agreeing with His teaching or engaging in religious behavior. He was inviting the broken to come close to be made new, embrace His heart for all people and to BLESS people--to that end we are joining Jesus in restoring culture and creation. Because we have been restored, we must be the radiant church restoring others back to God. Is that responsibility for all followers, or perhaps only for those with the gift of evangelism? See Acts 13:47 and Matthew 28:18-20. How does the end of verse 20 give you confidence?

3. See Luke 6:46. If we identify with Jesus as a follower there should be a distinction in the way we live. What does a follower of Jesus look like to you? You can draw on your insights from past series (Radiant, The Essentials) and or the G4 Pathway (Gather, Grow, Give and Go)?

4. Matthew 9:9 gives an account of Jesus’ call to Matthew the tax collector and how he followed. What did Jesus say and how did Matthew respond? Think back to your call to follow Jesus. How did you respond? Did you wrestle with God? Did you respond immediately like Matthew? The book of Luke adds that Matthew left everything to follow Jesus. Was there something that was hard for you to leave behind as you followed Jesus? Are you still holding onto something?

5. In Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus attends a dinner party at Matthew’s house. What do you notice about the attendees? According to Pastor Gary the attendees were a part of Matthew’s BLESS list. View BLESS video. Because we have been blessed, now we are called to reach out and allow God to bless others through us. The 5 principles of BLESS are:
Begin with Prayer
Listen with Care
Eat Together
Serve in Love
Share your Story

Which of these is hardest for you? Which is easiest for you? If you were going to have a party with Jesus there, who are the top five people you’d invite so they could meet Jesus? Put their names on your virtual BLESS Card.

6. In these same verses we see the reaction from the Pharisees at the party. Sadly, not everyone reacts to Jesus in a positive way. Opening ourselves up spiritually to others can be scary. Our views can often be regarded as narrow-minded or exclusive. Sharing our story takes both heart and guts. A heart for all people and guts to take risks for Jesus. What prevents you from taking a risk for Jesus? See Acts 1:8 How does this verse give you confidence? As encouraged by Pastor Gary, our job is to be available to BLESS, God will do the heavy lifting. How have you seen God do the heavy lifting or not?

Other Resources (see links below)
1. Fill out your BLESS card and view resources
2. Watch Video: PCC G4 Pathway
3. Engage in a Growth Group

For PCC's budgeted giving:
Fiscal year (June 1 - to Date)

Giving Update
Budgeted Giving: $4,072,377
Giving to Date: $2,473,184
Still Need: $1,599,193