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To download the sermon guide, click here. Romans 12:9-21 Observations from the Text Paul commands a shared mindset: live in harmony (v.16) Pride is a barrier: do not be haughty… never be wise in your own sight (v.16) Harmony includes action: associate with the lowly (v.16) Relationships will be hard: repay no one evil for evil… live peaceably… never avenge (vv.17–19) The goal: overcome evil with good (v.21) Core Teaching Connection Harmony is not primarily about agreement—it is about humility. Paul ties harmony directly to: Lowering ourselves Moving toward those unlike us Refusing superiority This mindset reflects Jesus, who: Lowered Himself Moved toward the overlooked Chose love over status Harmony flows from a humble, Jesus-abiding heart.

John 13:31-38 1. Context 2. Clarity 3. Commandment 4. Copy 5. Character GOSPEL CONNECTION “We know love by this, that He (Jesus) laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 APPLICATION Identify a believer in Jesus you struggle to love. Why is he/she hard to love? What will you do this week to take a step toward loving him/her? MEMORY VERSE “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34–35

Matthew 18:18–35 Purpose: Jesus teaches that forgiveness is not about keeping score, but about being transformed by the grace we’ve received—so we extend it to others, together with Him. Core Teaching Connection: Because we’ve been forgiven an immeasurable debt, we are called to extend that same grace. And Jesus reminds us (vv.18–20): We do not do this alone—we act with Him and under His authority. • When we bind, we resist and stop the spread of sin • When we loose, we release forgiveness and freedom This is not individual spirituality—it is shared, communal authority with Jesus. Where even two or three pursue reconciliation in His name, His presence and power are at work. So Jesus is not calling us to: • keep count • manage a minimum • or separate faith from relationships He calls us to a transformed life marked by: • Humility – My debt before God is immeasurable • Integrity – Receiving grace and extending it • Community (“We over Me”) – We walk in Jesus’ authority together We don’t just believe the gospel— we live it out together through forgiveness and restored relationships.

Matthew 18:15–20 In Matthew 18:15–20, Jesus gives four stages: 1. Honest, private, personal conversation 2. Purposeful, minimal broadening of the circle 3. Involving church leadership 4. Discipline aimed at restoration The goal is not winning, but reconciliation. Not control, but restoration. Not avoidance, but love in action.

The Beginning Mark 15:33 – 16:7 GOSPEL CONNECTION “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,” Isaiah 1:18-20 APPLICATION Who needs to hear the Good News that Jesus is alive? When will you tell him/her that news? MEMORY VERSE And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.” Mark 16:6

The Sword Mark 14:43–52 GOSPEL CONNECTION “He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.” Isaiah 53:3-6 APPLICATION What will you do now to prepare for times when your dedication to Jesus is tested at home, at work, or with friends and neighbors? MEMORY VERSE Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’” Matthew 26:31

Follow God's Will Mark 14:32–42 1. God’s story 2. My story 3. Our story GOSPEL CONNECTION “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5 APPLICATION How will you follow God’s will in your life today? This week? MEMORY VERSE “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

The Temple Mark 11:1–18 APPLICATION What specific steps will you take this coming week to concentrate on a weak area of your spiritual life, seeking to bear fruit for the Lord? MEMORY VERSE And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. 9Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” Mark 11:8-10

The Ransom Mark 10:28–45 GOSPEL CONNECTION “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4 APPLICATION What specific act of service will you do this week for someone else? MEMORY VERSE “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45
The Trap Mark 10:17-27 GOSPEL CONNECTION For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” 11Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”… 22But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:4-6 [see Galatians 3:10-4:11] APPLICATION What is one distraction you will set aside from your life this week to help you concentrate more on your relationship to Jesus Christ? MEMORY VERSE Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Mark 10:21