Main Text: Matthew 20:29–34 (ESV) 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Preaching Point: Recognizing the compassionate authority of the Son of David should cause us to unashamedly depend on his mercy as we follow him daily.

Teaching Points:

1. Do You: Recognize the Merciful Son of David? (vv. 29-30)
2. Do You: Shamelessly Depend on Jesus? (v. 31)
3. Do You: Faithfully Follow Jesus? (vv. 32-34)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17, Ezekiel 34:23-24, and Luke 1:30-33. How do these passages deepen your understanding of why the blind men’s recognition of Jesus as the “Son of David” in Matthew 20:29-34 was so significant?
3. What could you miss about the identity of Jesus if you don’t recognize him as the Son of David?
4. How does God’s desire for your shameless dependence on him strengthen your resolve to “cry out all the more” (cf. Matt 20:31) in reliance on him?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Why might shameless dependence on Jesus be viewed as weakness in our culture? How can you resist the pressure to project independence when what you truly need is deeper dependence on him?
6. Read Mark 8:34-35 and Galatians 2:20. After encountering Jesus in Matthew 20, the blind men immediately followed him as his disciples. Since encountering the saving work of Christ, how would you characterize your pursuit of following Jesus?
7. In what area of your life have you been slow to follow Jesus, and what necessary change will you make to pursue faithful obedience in that area?

Main Text: Matthew 20:20–28 (ESV) 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Preaching Point: We must pursue greatness not by amassing power and authority, or by seeking greater status, but by serving and sacrificing for others as Christ did for us.

Teaching Points:

1. Stop Seeking Status (vv. 20-21)
2. Trust God’s Placement Plan (vv. 22-24)
3. Imitate Christ’s Costly Service (vv. 25-28)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read James 3:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 10:17-18. Where are you most tempted to selfishly seek power, status, or recognition, and how can that pursuit hinder your relationship with God?
3. How would you distinguish between a selfish pursuit of status and a humble ambition that seeks to honor God through excellence?
4. Read Matthew 20:20-21. How can you make sure that the things you want are not selfish attempts at grabbing power, status, or recognition?
5. Read 1 Peter 5:6-7 and 1 Chronicles 29:12. Why can trusting God’s plan for your life and your eternity be so difficult?
6. How does trusting God’s placement for you free you to serve sacrificially instead of worrying about missed opportunities?
7. Read John 13:12-16 and Matthew 20:25-28. What does imitating Christ’s costly service look like to you?
8. Where can you imitate Christ’s costly service this week, and what might that service or sacrifice look like practically?

Main Text: Matthew 20:17-19 (ESV)17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Preaching Point: We must unequivocally accept that God uses human means, including human evil, to accomplish his sovereign, predetermined will, chiefly displayed in the suffering and death of Jesus, which secured our salvation.

Teaching Points:

1. Recognize That God’s Plan Is Settled Before it Unfolds (vv. 17-19)
2. Accept God’s Use of Human Means to Accomplish His Plan (vv. 17-19)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Matthew 20:17-19, Acts 2:22-24, and Acts 4:27-28. What do these passages teach you about God’s sovereign control over the suffering and death of Jesus?
3. Read Acts 2:23. Peter tells the people of Israel that “you” crucified and killed Jesus, even though this happened according to God’s definite plan. Why is it important to hold together both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility?
4. Where are you most tempted to emphasize one at the expense of the other?
5. Read Isaiah 46:9-11, Genesis 50:15-21, and Psalm 139:16. How do these passages influence your understanding that God is orchestrating both the greatest events of history and the smallest details of life according to his will?
6. How should this perspective change the way you understand hardship, injustice, or disappointment?
7. Read Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 21:1, and Philippians 2:12-13. What do these passages teach you about the relationship between God’s sovereign plans and human decisions?
8. How can a firm belief in God’s sovereignty bring you comfort, confidence, and humility this week?