When God Shows Up But was Jesus God? John 1:1-2:1-12, Genesis 28:12, Daniel 7:13-14 In just one chapter, we have seen Jesus called: Word, God, Creator, Light, One and Only God, Lamb of God, Son of God, Messiah, King of Israel, and then and . The wedding crasher: John 2:1-12, John 10:10 Jesus showed up when the party , and their had left them . He started with what they . He looked for a to the absurd, then added His to their to make the , saving the best . How does God show up to us? Matthew 7:21-29, Matthew 10:17-31, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 5:1-5 #### God seems to always start with our to “Do He you.” After all, He is . Why would He show up under any other or ? Our response to this separates faith from a faith. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Life Group Study Questions For the week of January 29, 2023 QUICK REVIEW Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you? MY STORY Chris listed things Jesus has been called in the book of John so far. Is there a name of Jesus that stands out to you or is impactful for you to understand or remember who He is? This weekend, we looked at Jesus’ first sign in the book of John, in which He used His miraculous power to transform something in a way no one else could have done. Have you ever seen God do something in your life, big or small, that you couldn’t do on your own? DIGGING DEEPER In the story this weekend, Mary instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do, which is a lesson we could all take to heart in our own faiths. Chris pointed out that faith is not just a prayer, but rather faith is a journey involving deepening steps of obedience that, in turn, lead to more faith. This week, we are going to look at the story of someone who could not bring himself to do the thing Jesus told him to do. Read Mark 10:17-31 and write down anything you notice about what Jesus is asking of this man and how the man’s response affected the outcome of his faith journey. Mark 10:17-31 New International Version (NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Wealth was an area that was difficult for the rich man to give up. What are some potential areas of your life that provide a challenge to “do whatever Jesus tells you to do”? Has there been anything you felt God asked you to do that was incredibly hard for you to do but, unlike the rich man, you did it anyway? If so, what was the result? Throughout our time in John so far, we have seen a theme of not just knowing Jesus but putting our faith in Him. The rich man in this story struggles with this very thing. When you find it hard to put your faith in Jesus or do the challenging thing He asks of you, what helps you to do it anyway? Verses 29-30 reiterate something we saw about Jesus’ character in the passage this weekend—that He is a God of abundance, who makes a plentiful amount of the best wine, and who returns a hundred times what His children give up for Him. What comes to mind when you hear that God is “abundant”? Have you seen this in your faith journey? Have you ever struggled to see this in your faith journey? Is there an area of your life where you are hoping God will show up in abundance or make a transformation? Is there anything you could pray for, focus on, or put into practice this week when it comes to this area? TAKING IT HOME Is there anything someone shared in your group discussion this week that you want to remember? PRAYER REQUESTS