Sermon-based Devotions - Discovery Church - Nondenominational Church in Hickory North Carolina

Friday: Why be obedient?

8/26/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 3:13–17 HCSB
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him to be baptized. 16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. 17 And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!

Consider This:

We are called to be obedient. What are some of the specific things God has asked of the church?
What are some of the specific things God has called you to be obedient to?
How can we encourage those around us to be obedient to God?

Thursday: Why be obedient?

8/25/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 3:16–17 HCSB
16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. 17 And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!

Consider This:

In these versus there is something unique about the trinity in action. What is it?
The audible voice of God says He is “well pleased”. What are some things in your life that would qualify as areas that would please God?

Wednesday: Why be obedient?

8/24/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 3:15 HCSB
15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him to be baptized.

Consider This:

What was the baptism of Jesus fulfilling?
Are there things in your life that need fulfilling that you are not doing?

Tuesday: Why be obedient?

8/23/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 3:13–14 HCSB
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?”

Consider This:

Why do you believe Jesus came to be baptized?
Did He need to?
If you were John, would you have acted any different?

Monday: Why be obedient?

8/22/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 3:13–17 HCSB
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him to be baptized. 16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. 17 And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!

Consider This:

If you were to rank your best qualities, where does “obedience” rank?
Has obedience ever been a high priority for you?
What are the actions that God specifically asks you to be obedient to?

Friday: How do I become alive?

4/15/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 14:22-29 (HCSB)
22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29 “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.

Consider This:

We are all living and breathing people. But there is a difference between living and being alive. What can you do this week that will ensure you are answering the call from Jesus and getting out of the boat?

Treasure Application:

Is there something that you can do that not only gets you out of your boat but also shows your love for others?
How might you and people you loved discover joy through your actions?

Thursday: How do I become alive?

4/14/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 14:28-29 (HCSB)
28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29 “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.

Consider This:

Jesus commanded Peter to get out of the boat and he did. Why is it so hard for us to get out of the boat?
Do you blame the other disciples for staying in the boat?
Have you ever felt that Jesus is calling you to something greater?
How did that experience work out?

Treasure Application:

When Peter stepped out of the boat, how was he serving the other disciples?
After abandoning Jesus, how did experiences like this help Peter and the disciples experience healing in their relationships?
How did healthy relationships help the disciples start the early church?

Wednesday: How do I become alive?

4/13/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 14:25 (HCSB)
25 Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea.

Consider This:

Jesus came walking to them on the water around three in the morning. Why did he wait so long?
Have you ever felt like you have been waiting too long?
What are the benefits of waiting?

Treasure Application:

In what ways do you think this experience changed the prayer lives of the disciples?
If you asked the disciples how they saw God in action in this event, what do you think they would say?

Tuesday: How do I become alive?

4/12/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 14:22-29 (HCSB)
23 After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.

Consider This:

Jesus went up on the mountain to pray. Why was this important to Jesus?
Is it important to you?
Have you ever “gone away” to pray?
What was the experience like?
Why do you not go away more often?

Treasure Application:

The people in the boat were in bondage to a limited view of who Jesus was. Before this event, would they have believed Jesus (or anyone) could walk on water?
When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, what false beliefs about himself did he find freedom from? (hint: Philippians 4:13)

Monday: How do I become alive?

4/11/2021

Today's Reading:
Matthew 14:22-29 (HCSB)
22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29 “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.

Consider This:

When in your life do you feel most alive?
Is it a place or an activity?
Who benefits most from it?
Could it be said that God is directing you in this portion of your life?

Treasure Application:

Because Peter loved and trusted Jesus, he asked Jesus for an invitation. Have you ever told Jesus you loved Him enough you were ready for an invitation to do something that would get you out of your boat?
Typically, we think of invitation to something as a way of expressing or realizing our love for God. Why is it that it can also happen in the other direction, our love leads to invitations?
Have you ever loved Jesus enough to invite a friend or family member to church?