Who Is This?

Once a year, people across America pack the church. For many, it’s a glorious day of crowds, beautiful outfits, full stomachs, and busy calendars. But for Jesus, seeing His Church filled is a reminder,“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 We are not tasked with filling seats, but with the more difficult privilege of filling our hearts with Truth. That Truth is a person, and He sets us free. Not everyone is willing to have their hearts open, transparent, and vulnerable before God, living in true authenticity. That’s the call in Luke 7: the woman who came to Jesus, pouring out not only an alabaster jar of perfume but her whole life to experience the love of God in His forgiveness. We ALL must answer the question regarding Jesus – Who is this? Our answer determines our eternity.

Scripture References from the Sermon

Luke 7:36-50   |   Luke 7:47   |   Luke 7:48   |   Luke 9:26   |   Luke 7:49   |   Matthew 7:21-23 

Discussion Questions

• At the beginning of the message, Luke 7:36-50 was summarized. Take your time reading it aloud as a group, then take turns verbally summarizing the story in your own words.
• Reimagine the scene in Luke 7, and describe some of what you saw from the image. Who do you most relate to in the story? (host, woman, guest, or stranger?)
• Discuss the difference between confessed sin and hidden sin from Luke 7:47.
• All the guests had suffered, but only one was willing to pour it all out before Jesus. Where do you find yourself in response to life’s suffering?
• Reflect/discuss Luke 7:48, Luke 9:26, and your own personal confidence in salvation from Jesus.
• Spend time with God after some time in prayer and worship, and genuinely ask yourself this – “Who is Jesus to me?” Does He know you?

Fill Your City

Prayer Requests From Our Community

• Pray for those participating in care groups such as Divorce Care and Celebrate Recovery.
• Pray for healing for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Pray for Fairview Baptist Church and Pastor Beau Cooksey.

Serve Opportunities

• 23 May – Join Sleep In Heavenly Peace to build beds for children in our communities. Sign up at: https://volunteer.shpbeds.org/opportunities/Grace Church Carthage.
• 26 May – Blood drive at the Carthage Campus (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) To register go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GraceChurch.

Respond Throughout the Week

Pray – Throughout your week, dedicate time to listening to and speaking with the Lord.	Read – Feed your soul with God’s Word daily. Review the scriptures used in the sermon. There is a link to a Bible reading guide on our website.
Journal – Write a summary of what you’re hearing from God every day. Capture things you’re hearing from Him.	Communion – If Jesus is your savior, consider taking the elements, at home, with your family, or Group. There is a communion guide on our website.
Salvation – Want to give your life to Jesus? Tell someone in your family or your Group.	Worship – Take time to thank God for who He is. Before asking or seeking, just be grateful, and tell your soul that it’s time to bless the Lord.
Intercede – Who is someone in your city who needs prayer this week? Also consider inviting someone to pray for you.	Give – Giving is an expression of the heart, not just your budget, by trusting God with your finances. For ways to give, go to https://gracechurchsp.org/give/.

Event Highlight  |   gracechurchsp.org/events 

• The Restored Health Seminar is April 11. This is a seminar on the importance of health and healing within the Church.
• G-Students: Wholehearted Lock-In Retreat is April 17-18. Students will reflect on what their hearts are carrying and discover how God wants to guide and guard them.
• 25 April is Freedom Weekend – a workshop applying Biblical principles and prayer to facilitate spiritual healing and personal freedom.