Emmanuel330: WEEK 1 - New Message: Long for Intimacy but Far from Home (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

Today's Reading: Matthew 3:1-2, 4:17

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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judeaand saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 3:1-2

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4: 17

Bible Study

We start these 40 days of being with Jesus journey by pondering on these two verses. Exactly same words, from two different people, John the Baptist and Jesus.

Why did they say the same thing as their first message ever as recorded in the gospel of Matthew? Because Matthew wants us to know that this is why God sent John and Jesus to this world. God sent them to lead us to repent so that we can enter into God's kingdom. To say it in a modern way, it is to direct people to have a U-turn from our wrong direction back home. Both John and Jesus died for us to deliver this new message.

God's kingdom is our eternal home. It is in the present in our every day living, and not just when we die. In his home we can find everything a home can provide for us. It's beyond what we can think of as a dream home. If you are looking for a dream home, you are looking for material things. I have seen many people living in their dream home but with broken relationships. They are living in a house but it is not a home. We long for intimacy, but so many people spend so much time and money to build their dream home thinking that they can enjoy intimacy. But what they get is just disappointment. Why? Because we long for intimacy but are far from home.

Jeremiah, the prophet says:

"My people have committed two sins:

They have forsaken me, the spring of living water,

and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

Jeremiah 2:13

That is our story. The sad story of every human being.

We long for intimacy and thirst for genuine relationships, but we are far from home. Are you home yet?

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

The topic I received from Jesus today is :

New Message: Long for intimacy but far from home

These 40 days is for us a better chance to listen to what Jesus is going to tell us and be at home with him. Leaving home is a never ending hopeless, dark and discouraging journey. Going home is right away when we repent, like what they did in Star Trek, beam in.

These 40 days is for us to learn a new lifestyle living in God's home. Not only to learn but to live out that lifestyle. And we call that lifestyle "Christlikeness". The fruit of Christlikeness is intimacy, a true intimacy with Jesus and with those you love. The intimacy you long for will soon be satisfied!

Let's start our journey beginning with our repentance. Let's pray to the Holy Spirit right now because this is his job to lead us into true repentance.

Come Holy Spirit, come!

Shine on me that I can see all those hindrance between Jesus and me so that I know what to repent. Lord Jesus, forgive me for I have sinned. Pour down your blood to cleanse me so that I can be at home with you. I long for that true intimacy with you, lead me home. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Questions for group leaders

1. Do you have any dream home that you long for? Can you describe your dream home? What do you think you would feel if you really have that dream home?

2. What kind of intimacy do you long for? How can you acquire that intimacy?

3. How does Jeremiah's saying relate to your personal life?

4. What does the saying of John the Baptist and Jesus has to do with your life?

5. How does today's message helps you to have a new meaning for your "dream home" and "intimacy"? What do you need to enter into that new home to experience true intimacy?