Immerse

2.1.26

Luke 18:18-34 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.

24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, 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 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” NIV.

The Limitations of Self-Effort

1. Performing for God will not produce eternal life.

Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. NIV

2. Success & prestige will not make us happy.

Luke 9:25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ESV

3. Wealth and possessions will not bring true satisfaction.

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” NIV.

When You Reached Your Limit

Reorient yourself to the life-giving love Jesus offers.

Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. NIV.

Remove everything that’s getting between you and God.

Be willing to follow Jesus no matter the cost.

Blessings always follow obedience.

Luke 18:29-30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” NIV

Immerse: Reading God’s Word Together

1.25.26

Luke 8:4-15 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Why We Are Reading Through The Bible

1. It immerses us in the teachings and heart of Jesus.

2. It roots us in the history of our faith.

3. It grounds us in the theology and convictions of the early church.

4. It strengthens our personal faith.

5. It creates a shared spiritual rhythm.

How To Read The Bible

1. Choose a bible translation that speaks to you.

2. Scripture: Read slowly one chapter a day.

3. Observation: Ask questions about the text.

What does this reveal about God?

What does this reveal about mankind?

Is there sin to be avoided?

Is there a promise to be claimed?

Is there an example to follow?

Is there a command to obey?

What stands out to me and why?

4. Application: How can you apply this to your life?

5: Pray: Start & end your time with prayer.