ES RI SE 1
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
NICKY GUMBEL
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE SERIES 1 NICKY GUMBEL
Published in North America by Alpha North America 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 185, Deerfield, IL 60015 © 2008 by Alpha International The Jesus Lifestyle Series 1 by Nicky Gumbel All rights reserved in North America. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. First printed by Alpha North America in 2008 Printed in the United States of America Scripture in this publication is from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Design by James Vincent ISBN 978-1-934564-32-5 5 6 7 8 9 10 Printing/Year 18 17 16 15
CONTENTS page
.01 .02 .03 .04 .05 .06
how to find the secret of
happiness
05
how to change the
world around you
13
how to understand the
old testament
21
how to handle
anger
29
how to approach
sex in the 21st century
39
how to respond to
divorce
49
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
MATTHEW 5:3-6
p.04
TALK
.01
how to find the secret of
happiness
Blessed: (Greek) makarios “blessed, fortunate, happy—the privileged recipient of God’s favor.” Are we looking for happiness in the wrong places? Happiness is not dependent of our outward condition. Jesus’ teaching is countercultural.
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When you first read the Sermon on the Mount, you think ‘It’s impossible.’ Then, when you read it again, you think ‘Nothing else is possible.’ G. K. Chesterton
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p.05
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED.
BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. True happiness comes from being depressed.
True happiness comes from grieving.
• Not the medical condition of being depressed, but rather being “brought low,” being “weakened”
Jesus is not talking here about crying.
Becoming a Christian can lead to growing spiritual dissatisfaction. We fall short of God’s standards, and become “beggars.” • The kingdom of heaven flings open its doors to beggars • The kingdom starts with a desperate need for God
• Genesis 37:35 – Jacob mourns his son Joseph Two mistaken views of Christian life: • Christians must never be happy – Jesus’ disciples should be absurdly happy • Christians must never be unhappy – There is . . . a time to weep
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• Jesus uses the language of paradox
• “Mourn” is a strong word
ECCLESIASTES 3:1,4
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship We should weep over: • Sins of the world • Our own sins Grief drives us into God’s arms.
p.06
NOTES
how to find the secret of happiness
.01
p.07
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
True happiness comes from being broken.
True happiness comes from being deeply dissatisfied.
Meek does not mean:
A desperate hunger and thirst.
• Weak • Spineless • Feeble But rather: • Gentle • Unassuming Moses is described as “the meekest man on the whole planet.” Submit to God. It is liberating to say to God: “Lord, I’m willing to do whatever You want me to do.”
p.08
Righteousness is: • Right relationship with God • The right relationship with everyone else that follows Jesus says if we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be satisfied.
how to find the secret of happiness
.01
There is a progression: • We see our desperate need • We grieve over our need • We give ourselves to God • We desire a right relationship with Him
NOTES
When we are in a right relationship with God, we are deeply satisfied.
p.09
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
you describe 1. Would yourself as happy?
2.
What is the difference between being “happy” and being “blessed”? What does Jesus mean by His use of the word “blessed”?
3.
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? How does this help us to find true happiness?
do we deal with 4. How being unhappy as Christians? What difference can it make to know God’s love in our hearts? does a right 5. What relationship with God look like? Why would that make you truly happy? difference does 6. What being part of a Christian community make to our happiness?
p.010
NOTES
how to find the secret of happiness
.01
p.011
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
p.012
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
MATTHEW 5:7-16
TALK
.02
how to change the
world around you
Can we make any difference? • Huge need • Individual unhappiness • Spiritual and moral vacuum Jesus said we can change the world around us—not by withdrawal, but by involvement. We should be salt and light in our immediate surroundings: • In our workplace • In our families • In our sports teams • With our neighbors
p.013
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY. Don’t give people what they “deserve,” but give them what they don’t deserve. The virtuous circle: we forgive because we are forgiven. Mercy is also kindness to the: • Hungry • Homeless • Sick
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD. Don’t put on a mask, but be transparent • Integrity • Openness • Sincerity • Authenticity We must be able to talk honestly and openly, and remove our Christian “uniform.” The pure in heart are the same in every situation. The pure in heart see God.
p.014
NOTES
how to change the world around you
.02
p.015
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD.
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It takes a long time to make peace; a short time to make tension. Many, many people make tension; few people make peace. Wherever you find tension, you must make peace. Nelson Mandela
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Peacemaking must start: • In our marriages • In our neighborhoods • In our churches God is a peacemaker. As children of God, we are called to make peace. God loves to see His children getting along with each other.
p.016
Don’t expect anything in return except criticism. Righteousness sums up the previous seven Beatitudes: • A right relationship with God • A right relationship with others Christianity is still a persecuted religion.
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Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
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Don’t stir up conflict, but make peace.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
We are in line with the prophets who went before us.
how to change the world around you
.02
We are not helpless. These are unique Christian values: • to be merciful • to be pure in heart • to be a peacemaker • to rejoice when persecuted They are the values that hold the world together, and they will transform the world around us.
NOTES
If we follow Jesus and live our lives in the way He teaches, our lives have a purpose.
p.017
THE JESUS LIFESTYLE
sphere of influence 1. What do you have in the world? How can you take seriously your responsibility to be salt and light there? have 2. Wyouhathadopportunities recently to show “mercy�?
3.
How transparent are you? Are you consistent and authentic in every area of your life?
you good at 4. Are building peace in your relationships and in the workplace?
p.018
do you react to 5. How criticism? In what way can persecution be a blessing? ow would you like to be 6. Hremembered? is focusing on 7. Why becoming more like Christ the key to transforming the world around you?
NOTES
how to change the world around you
.02
p.019
The Jesus Lifestyle Series One is a resource designed for use in a small group setting, and is accompanied by this guest manual. The DVD contains six talks given by Nicky Gumbel at Holy Trinity Brompton that are based on Jesus’ radical teaching given in the Sermon on the Mount, and suggests ways in which we can apply this teaching to our own lives.
How to find the secret of happiness: Nicky examines our modern day ideas of happiness and shows how true happiness comes from a right relationship with God. (35 mins)
How to handle anger: He suggests ways in which we can successfully deal with anger. What does the Bible say about anger; is it ever justified; and how can we control it? (39 mins)
How to change the world around you: He challenges us to transform the world around us by re-examining our relationships with others. (37 mins)
How to approach sex in the 21st century: He looks at the biblical framework for sex; modern day attitudes towards sex; and why as Christians we are called to be radical in the way we live our lives. (43 mins)
How to understand the Old Testament: He explains why the Old Testament is not only relevant to our lives as Christians, but also essential to our understanding of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (37 mins)
How to respond to divorce: He examines the painful subject of relationship breakdown and draws on the fact that Jesus, when asked about divorce, replied by discussing marriage. (42 mins)
NICKY GUMBEL is the pioneer of Alpha. He studied law at Cambridge and theology at Oxford, practiced as a lawyer, and is now Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton church in London. He is the author of many bestselling books about the Christian faith including Questions of Life, Searching Issues, A Life Worth Living, The Heart of Revival, Why Jesus?, Why Christmas? and 30 Days.
RELIGION / Biblical Studies Jesus, the Gospels & Acts ISBN 978-1-934564-32-5 ISBN: 978-1934564325 25322
Š Alpha International 2008
9 781934 564325