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How to Experience the Good Life

Listen for the voice of God

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. MATTHEW 3:1-6 NLT
The question is not “Is God speaking?” but always “Am I listening?”
People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. MATTHEW 4:4 NLT

Don’t ever fake my spiritual life

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” MATTHEW 3:7-10 NLT *
Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. *MATTHEW 23:28 NLT

Get right with God while I still have time

I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire. MATTHEW 3:11-12 NLT

Enjoy the blessings of being obedient to God

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” MATTHEW 3:13-17 NLT
Jesus never asks me to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself.
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ACTS 2:38 NLT

Our Next Baptism is April 21-22

Sign up at sandalschurch.com/baptism

Community Group Discussion Guide

  1. How do you normally hear from God?
  2. When was a time God spoke to you through the Bible? What did he say?
  3. What keeps you from listening to God through the reading the Bible? What steps can you take to grow in this practice?
  4. In what specific ways is the spiritual life you portray at community group different than the one you live elsewhere?
  5. What do you need to share that will help you to live a more consistent life in both settings?
  6. Both Jesus and John the Baptist called for baptism. Read Acts 2:38. Share about your baptism story. If you’ve not been baptized, what’s keeping you from being obedient to God in this?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Read Matthew 3:1-17
and allow your heart to be open to God. Picture yourself standing in the river with Jesus. You have come to him to follow him. As you stand before him, is there anything that you need to confess; a pattern of thought or behavior, a repetitive sin, or a place where your heart struggles to trust him? Confess that to him now and imagine yourself being immersed in the water. Allow the river of God’s grace to cleanse you from those things. As you come up out of the water, imagine God is speaking over you as he spoke over Jesus. Is there anything that you long to hear from God? Share this longing with God. As you move through your week, continue your confession by sharing it with someone you trust.

My Notes