WALKING WITH JESUS
Sermon Date: February 15, 2026
📌 LEADER’S BULLETIN
Leader Heart Check Walking with Jesus is not about the speed of your progress, but the posture of your heart. This week, as you lead, remember that your intimacy with God is the wellspring of your authority. Don’t just lead from a place of "industry" or work; lead from a place of "abiding". When you are filled with His presence, your leadership becomes a natural overflow of His grace rather than a heavy burden of performance.
Upcoming Leader Huddle: Join us February 19 at 6:00 PM. RSVP here.
Attendance Reminder: Please ensure you log your attendance in the Church App by Sunday
📢 CHURCHWIDE PROMOTIONS
Leaders, please share these upcoming opportunities with your group. For more details and registration, visit: www.heartrevchurch.com/events
Worship Night: Wednesday, February 18 (North Park)
Young Adults Night: Friday, February 20 (National City)
🔑 CONNECTION KEY (Leader Briefing)
Core Theme: Developing a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus by choosing posture over performance, drawing near in disappointment, and surrendering control.
Key Discussion Goals:
To shift the focus from "doing" for God to "being" with God.
To encourage transparency and vulnerability when facing life's disappointments.
To understand that true spiritual authority and fruitfulness come only through intimacy.
Leader Tip: This week’s topic may touch on deep disappointments or "stinky" situations (like Lazarus in the tomb). Create a safe, non-judgmental space where people feel they can be as honest as Mary and Martha were with Jesus.
Key Phrase: "You cannot walk in authority where you do not dwell in intimacy".
1. Choose Posture Over Performance.
Luke 10:38-39 , James 4:8 , Psalm 42:2-4 , Matthew 4:4 , John 10:27
We often confuse our "service" for God with our "relationship" with Him. While Martha was distracted by preparations, Mary chose the posture of a disciple—sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening. Our intimacy with God is determined by our "appetite" or hunger for Him. We must realize that "few things are needed—or indeed only one," which is choosing the presence of Christ over the performance of religious duties. Works without intimacy lead to burnout, but abiding in Him produces lasting fruit.
Reflection Questions:
In your daily routine, do you find yourself more like Martha (distracted by "many things") or Mary (focused on "the one thing")?
James 4:8 says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. What does "drawing near" look like for you practically this week?
How does knowing that your identity is established before your assignment change the way you approach your work or ministry?
2. Choose To Draw Close In Disappointment.
John 11:1-5 , John 11:20-28 , Psalm 126:5-6 , 1 Samuel 1:10-20 , John 11:39-44
Jesus is not intimidated by our tears or our "stinky" situations. Both Martha and Mary approached Jesus with their disappointment, saying, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died". God invites our transparency, honesty, and vulnerability. Whether it is Hannah weeping for a child or Mary weeping for her brother, God meets us in our anguish. He doesn't just want us to "get over it"; He wants us to bring our disappointments to Him so He can reveal His glory through them.
Reflection Questions:
Martha and Mary were honest about their disappointment with Jesus' timing. Are there areas in your life where you feel like Jesus is "late"?
Jesus wept even though He knew He was about to raise Lazarus. What does this tell you about His heart toward your current struggles?
What "stone" is Jesus asking you to take away so that you can see His glory in a difficult situation?
3. Choose To Pay The Price To Let Go Of Control.
John 12:1-3 , John 12:4 , 2 Corinthians 2:15 , Psalm 8:4-6
True worship requires a "breaking" of our alabaster box—the things we use to preserve our own value and control. Mary broke a pound of costly oil to anoint Jesus' feet, holding nothing back. When we let go of control and surrender our most valuable "possessions" to Him, the fragrance of that sacrifice fills the room and changes the atmosphere. We move from being anxious workers to being worshippers and witnesses of His resurrection power.
Reflection Questions:
What is the "alabaster box" in your life that you find hardest to break or surrender to Jesus?
How does the environment of your home or workplace change when you choose the posture of a worshipper?
Looking at the examples of Martha (serving without anxiety), Mary (worshipping without holding back), and Lazarus (living proof), which one do you feel called to grow in today?
Practical Application
The Challenge: Identify one "Martha distraction" this week—a task or worry that pulls you away from peace—and intentionally set it aside for 15 minutes a day to sit at the feet of Jesus in silence.
The Audit: Reflect on your "spiritual appetite". Are you filling yourself with "bread alone" (work, media, social approval) or with "every word that comes from the mouth of God"?
The Prayer Focus: Pray for the "stones" in your Life Group to be moved. Ask God to turn your group's disappointments into testimonies of His resurrection power.
Weekly Declaration
“This week, I choose posture over performance. I am not a worker struggling for approval; I am a disciple sitting at the feet of my Master. I choose to draw near to God in my disappointments, knowing He is not intimidated by my tears but moved by my heart. I break my box of control and surrender my best to Him, trust that my life will be the sweet aroma of Christ to everyone I meet. I walk in authority because I dwell in intimacy. Amen!”
