ekklesia-ec: Recent Episodes
ekklesia
Sermon Text: Leviticus 24:10–23
Main Idea: Members of God's household come to look like their Father, whose Name returned mercy for reviling, blessing for curse, love for hatred, and life for blasphemy.
Discussion Questions:
1. Jonathan Edwards argues the God's Name is Jesus. What does Edwards mean by this, and where in Scripture do you see this idea borne out?
2. Discuss the difference between a legal code for the community of God's people and laws or expectations that govern our personal relationships.
3. Discuss the context of the Sermon on the Mount which starts in Matthew 5. How is Moses displaying Jesus as the better Moses and the final Lawgiver?
4. What is Jesus doing with the law from Leviticus 24 in Matthew 5:38–42? Is he negating it?
5. How does Matthew 5:38–42 impact your understanding of strength? How should Christians live out Jesus's instruction? Where does their power to do this come from?
Sermon text: Leviticus 23:9–14Main idea: Worship the Christ who died and rose again according to the Scriptures.Discussion questions:1. What did the Day of Firstfruits commemorate? 2. Why is it important that God had Israel celebrate the Day of Firstfruits after the harvest had begun? 3. What did the Day of Firstfruits anticipate? 4. What connections do you see when comparing the events of Passover week in the Old Testament and Passion week in the New Testament? 5. How can the holy days in Leviticus 23 help us have a tighter grip on the gospel (1 Cor 15:1–5)?
Click here to see the timeline featured in the sermon.Click here to see the comparison chart featured in the sermon.
Sermon text: Leviticus 10
Main idea: Unholy people can only dwell with a holy God through sacrificial offerings and the pursuit of holiness.
Discussion questions:
- How would you describe God's holiness?
- What did Nadab and Abihu do that was so wrong?
- What was their punishment? Does it seem too severe a punishment? Why or why not?
- Does Jesus's claim to be the only way to God seem offensive to you? If so, why? If not, how would you explain and defend this truth to someone who was offended by it?
- What does it mean to "sanctify God"?
- What does your manner of life communicate about God? If people were to study your thoughts, attitudes, words, actions, emotions, time, etc. what conclusions would they draw about God?
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1–11
Main Idea: The prayers of the saints drive the kingdom of God forward.
Main Text: Romans 8:18–39
Main Idea: Don't grow discouraged in prayer: the Spirit is helping you in your weakness and interceding for you with deep groanings.
Sermon text: Exodus 32:30–33:17Discussion questions: 1. What does “disastrous” mean in 33:4? 2. Why was this word disastrous? 3. How was the disastrous word both fair and hopeful? 4. Why does the tent of meeting appear at this point in Exodus? What message did it send to Israel? 5. Would you want heaven if it had every earthly good but did not have God? 6. Do you mourn your sin? If so, why? 7. What fruits of repentance should grow from the grace of God’s forgiveness in your life?
Sermon text: John 13:34–35Main idea: Jesus’s disciples must love one another, and this shows we are truly His.
Main idea: Christians should be committed to a local churchDiscussion questions:1. What is the church, who are its members, and what is its purpose? 2. What is the difference between the "universal church" and the "local church"? 3. How can the Bible's instructions and commands concerning the leadership and life of the church be understood and obeyed only when applied to the local church in the narrowest sense? 4. Why should believers be lovingly committed to a local church in the narrowest sense? 5. Are you committed to a local church? How? How might God lead you to be more committed?
Sermon text: Exodus 23:20–33Main idea: God’s alliance with us requires our allegiance to Him.Discussion questions:1. What four details do we discover about the angel God promises to send? Who do you think this angel was? 2. What type of alliance did God make with Israel? 3. What did God promise to do for Israel and what did He require Israel to do in response? 4. What do you believe about angels? Do you ask God for their help? Why or why not? 5. Have you found it difficult to trust God's timing at any point in your walk with Him? What promises have or can help you in those moments?
Sermon texts: Exodus 22:21–27, 23:9–11Main idea: Christians must strive to care for the poor.
Discussion questions:1. How do God's laws reveal His character?
2. How was Israel to care for those without homes, families, or money?
3. Why did God care for those without homes, families, or money?
4. How are we to care for those without homes, families, or money?
5. What are some fears, challenges, and blessings you've encountered when caring for the poor?
6. What passages in the Bible help us know how to wisely care for the poor—helping them without hurting them?
Sermon text: Exodus 21:22–25Main idea: Christians must strive to protect the lives of preborn children.Discussion questions:1. Why should believers not be surprised or anxious when encountering issues the Bible doesn't directly address? 2. How is the Bible a guiding light on the issue of abortion without directly addressing it? 3. How do the birth of Christ and the law of Moses promote the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception? 4. Why is abortion a great evil? 5. The sin of abortion can and must be pardoned by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ but how do we know it is possible? 6. How have you/can you fulfill your responsibility to protect the lives of preborn children and their mothers?
Sermon text & main idea: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
Discussion questions:1. How do you define murder?
2. What are some biblical examples of killing that are not murder?
3. What are some biblical examples of killing that is not called murder but is treated the same?
4. How does Jesus magnify the sixth commandment? How can you better obey that magnified sixth commandment in your life?
Sermon text: Exodus 20:1–3Main idea: “You shall have no other gods before YHWH.”Discussion questions:
1. What two important truths does God reveal by reminding Israel of His redeeming grace before giving them His righteous Law?
2. What does it mean to not have gods “before” YHWH?
3. What does it mean to "look at the context" to determine the meaning of a word, verse, or story in the Bible that you don't understand?
4. What did Dan suggest is the "essential vice"—the one that "leads to every other vice"? Do you agree?
5. How has Jesus "magnified" the first commandment? How can we keep it in light of that?
6. What “gods” do you bring before YHWH that you need to repent of and forsake? What "heart idols" do you need Jesus to demolish?
Guest preacher Joshua Greever explains that, even though Christians are not under the law of Moses, we would do well to pay heed to it since it illustrates the wisdom and righteousness of God for His people.
Sermon text: Exodus 18:13–27
Main idea: Shared leadership makes healthier leaders and churches.
Discussion questions: 1. What 2 mistakes did Moses make? Do you see any similarities in your own life? 2. What four reasons might people have for not sharing leadership? 3. How did Jesus apply Jethro's principle? 4. How did the apostles apply Jethro's principle? 5. If you are in a leadership position of any kind, how and how well are you applying Jethro’s principle? If you’re not sharing leadership well or at all, why? How could doing so help you and those you lead? 6. How does Jethro's principle point to the gospel?
Sermon text: Exodus 18:13–27Main idea: Shared leadership makes healthier leaders and churches.Discussion questions:1. What 2 mistakes did Moses make? Do you see any similarities in your own life? 2. What four reasons might people have for not sharing leadership? 3. How did Jesus apply Jethro's principle? 4. How did the apostles apply Jethro's principle? 5. If you are in a leadership position of any kind, how and how well are you applying Jethro’s principle? If you’re not sharing leadership well or at all, why? How could doing so help you and those you lead? 6. How does Jethro's principle point to the gospel?
Sermon Text: Exodus 17:8–16
Main Idea: The battle belongs to the Lord.
Discussion Questions:
- Do some digging to find for yourself who Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua, and Amalek were. How does Exodus 17:8–16 fit into the larger story of the Bible?
- Looking back at Exodus 4:20, why do think Moses used his staff to strike the rock at Meribah and then to defeat the Amalekites?
- How does Christ's victory over Satan impact how you view the political, social, and moral brokenness of our culture?
- In what ways are you tempted to despair spiritually?
- If there are two family lines, and if believers in Jesus belong to the family of God (not the serpent), then what is your relationship to sin or to "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places"?
- How might you encourage another believer who is struggling with assurance, or who feels defeated by their sin?
Sermon Text: Exodus 17:8–16
Main Idea: The battle belongs to the Lord.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do some digging to find for yourself who Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua, and Amalek were. How does Exodus 17:8–16 fit into the larger story of the Bible?
2. Looking back at Exodus 4:20, why do think Moses used his staff to strike the rock at Meribah and then to defeat the Amalekites?
3. How does Christ's victory over Satan impact how you view the political, social, and moral brokenness of our culture?
4. In what ways are you tempted to despair spiritually?
5. If there are two family lines, and if believers in Jesus belong to the family of God (not the serpent), then what is your relationship to sin or to "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places"?
6. How might you encourage another believer who is struggling with assurance, or who feels defeated by their sin?
Sermon text: Exodus 15:22–27 Main idea: Cry out to the only God who can put bitter water to good use. Discussion questions: 1. What is grumbling? How did Israel commit that sin by asking, "What shall we drink?" 2. Why does Israel not get a "pass" on their grumbling because of the dire circumstances they were facing? 3. What were the three graces God gave Israel in response to their grumbling? How do those graces point to the gospel? 4. Why did God let Israel go 3 days without water only to lead them directly to water too bitter to drink? 5. What dry and weary paths has God taken you on? What "bitter waters" has He led you to? 6. What 5 things does this passage teach us to do when we are at our own "bitter waters"? How can you apply these steps where you are at?
Sermon text: Exodus 15:22–27Main idea: Cry out to the only God who can put bitter water to good use.Discussion questions:1. What is grumbling? How did Israel commit that sin by asking, "What shall we drink?" 2. Why does Israel not get a "pass" on their grumbling because of the dire circumstances they were facing? 3. What were the three graces God gave Israel in response to their grumbling? How do those graces point to the gospel? 4. Why did God let Israel go 3 days without water only to lead them directly to water too bitter to drink? 5. What dry and weary paths has God taken you on? What "bitter waters" has He led you to? 6. What 5 things does this passage teach us to do when we are at our own "bitter waters"? How can you apply these steps where you are at?
Sermon text: Exodus 12:29–42
Main idea: Every promise of God proves true. Discussion questions: 1. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of salvation for Israel? 2. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of liberation for Israel? 3. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of provision for Israel? 4. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of multiplication for Israel? 5. Are there situations in which God seems to have "out-promised" Himself in your life? How can this passage help you trust God's faithfulness in those situations?
Sermon text: Exodus 12:29–42
Main idea: Every promise of God proves true.Discussion questions:1. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of salvation for Israel?
2. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of liberation for Israel?
3. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of provision for Israel?
4. What gospel promises are anticipated in God's fulfilled promise of multiplication for Israel?
5. Are there situations in which God seems to have "out-promised" Himself in your life? How can this passage help you trust God's faithfulness in those situations?
2 Corinthians 13:11 | Understanding and obeying the call to "comfort one another."Discussion Questions:1. Over the last 18-months of distress, have you been a comforter or contributor to other people’s distress? 2. Over the last 18-months of conflict, have you been a peacemaker or an agitator in the midst of that conflict? 3. Over the last 18-months of distress and conflict, how has your manner of life reflected upon the Christ whose name you bear? 4. Why is it so important to receive comfort from God before trying to comfort others? 5. What are some ways you can improve in comforting others by God's grace?
2 Corinthians 13:11 | Understanding and obeying the call to "comfort one another."
Discussion Questions:
- Over the last 18-months of distress, have you been a comforter or contributor to other people’s distress?
- Over the last 18-months of conflict, have you been a peacemaker or an agitator in the midst of that conflict?
- Over the last 18-months of distress and conflict, how has your manner of life reflected upon the Christ whose name you bear?
- Why is it so important to receive comfort from God before trying to comfort others?
- What are some ways you can improve in comforting others by God's grace?
The sin on display through Pharaoh and the Egyptians reminds us of our need for the forgiving, healing, sanctifying grace of God through Christ.
The sin on display through Pharaoh and the Egyptians reminds us of our need for the forgiving, healing, sanctifying grace of God through Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 | Hold fast to the gospel as you remind yourself and others of it regularly.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 | Hold fast to the gospel as you remind yourself and others of it regularly.
1 Peter 5:5-10 | In times of trial and suffering, God's mighty hand both humbles us and accomplishes good for us.
1 Peter 5:5-10 | In times of trial and suffering, God's mighty hand both humbles us and accomplishes good for us.
Genesis 15:1-15:6 | Righteousness by faith in Christ is our only and all-sufficient hope.
Genesis 15:1-15:6 | Righteousness by faith in Christ is our only and all-sufficient hope.
Colossians 3:12-17 | The people of God, are to "put on" the garments of grace in order to glorify God, encourage one another, and to shine the light of the gospel into the lives of others.
Colossians 3:12-17 | The people of God, are to "put on" the garments of grace in order to glorify God, encourage one another, and to shine the light of the gospel into the lives of others.
Genesis 14 | Look, and Imitate the lives of Melchizedek and Abram as they represent Christ in what they do.
Genesis 14 | Look, and Imitate the lives of Melchizedek and Abram as they represent Christ in what they do.
Genesis 12:1-13:18 | You can see God's faithfulness in Abram's life. Through that we are able to trust in Him, surrender to His will, and pray for His wisdom.
Genesis 12:1-13:18 | You can see God's faithfulness in Abram's life. Through that we are able to trust in Him, surrender to His will, and pray for His wisdom.
Psalms 91:1-16 | Go through the layers of Psalms 91 to learn how God proclaims, is a protector, and a deliverer. Through that we can seek refuge and strength from Him.
Psalms 91:1-16 | Go through the layers of Psalms 91 to learn how God proclaims, is a protector, and a deliverer. Through that we can seek refuge and strength from Him.
Genesis 11:1-9 | We are by nature spiritual citizens of Babel; the Good News is that through Chirst we can become citizens of the New Jerusalem.
Genesis 11:1-9 | We are by nature spiritual citizens of Babel; the Good News is that through Chirst we can become citizens of the New Jerusalem.
Genesis 9:18-10:32 | By nature we are children of wrath, set apart from God's family. But becuase of His great mercy we may be adopted in and be children of God.
Genesis 9:18-10:32 | By nature we are children of wrath, set apart from God's family. But becuase of His great mercy we may be adopted in and be children of God.
Genesis 8:20-9:17 | Come rest and rejoice in our Lord who has given us great peace in Him.
Genesis 8:20-9:17 | Come rest and rejoice in our Lord who has given us great peace in Him.
Genesis 4:1-26 | Genesis 4 is historical proof that God is faithful to His promises, forming an unbroken chain, thousands of years long, that connects God’s promise of an offspring in Eden to His fulfillment of that promise in a baby born in Bethlehem.
Genesis 4:1-26 | Genesis 4 is historical proof that God is faithful to His promises, forming an unbroken chain, thousands of years long, that connects God’s promise of an offspring in Eden to His fulfillment of that promise in a baby born in Bethlehem.
Genesis 2:15–17, 3:1–24 | From the very beginning God shows us His grace towards our sin by promising the true and better Adam.NOTE: Due to technical difficulties some of the content is missing towards the beginning.
Genesis 2:15–17, 3:1–24 | From the very beginning God shows us His grace towards our sin by promising the true and better Adam. NOTE: Due to technical difficulties some of the content is missing towards the beginning.
Psalm 4:3 | The Lord, out of love, listens to us when we pray and out of a desire to imitate Christ our response should be to eagerly pray and listen to those around us.
Psalm 4:3 | The Lord, out of love, listens to us when we pray and out of a desire to imitate Christ our response should be to eagerly pray and listen to those around us.
Genesis 1:26-31 | God created us in His image. Out of response we are to worship Him, care for His creation, and seek the New Creation.
Genesis 1:1 | Witness the majesty and power of God within the first verse of the bible.
An introductory sermon on the Torah addressing four questions:
- What Does “Torah” Mean?
- How Should We Understand the Torah?
- Is the Torah Binding upon the Church?
- Is the Torah Valuable for the Church?
Titus 2:25-3:37 | In order to be ready for every good work, believers must recognize and practice the evidences of our new lives in Christ.
Titus 2:9-14 | God's grace in the past trains us in the present for glory in the future.
Titus 2:1–10 | Young and old, male and female, we must live according to sound doctrine.
Titus 1:10-16 | Elders must sharply rebuke unsound teachers so that they may become sound believers.
Titus 1:5-9 | Elders must have healthy doctrine that is both theologically accurate and theologically alive.
Acts 2:41-47 | When it comes to church growth, our goal is to have as many people as possible as mature in Christ as possible.
Summary:
Jesus's authority as King culminates in Him rising from the dead and commissioning witnesses to proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Sermon Text: Mark 16:9–20 (ESV)
9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Discussion Questions
- What are the three main solutions to the problem of the authenticity of Mark 16:9–20?
- What three appearances does Jesus make in Mark 16:9–20?
- Interpreted as metaphors, what does it mean that believers “will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them” (Mark 16:18)?
- In what ways does it comfort, challenge, and motivate you to know Jesus works with us in the proclamation of the gospel?
Summary:
Jesus didn’t conquer the odds of survival; He conquered the impossibility of resurrection.
Sermon Text: Mark 15:40–16:8
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 15:40–16:8)
Discussion Questions
- Why did Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council responsible for crucifying Jesus, choose to honor Him with a proper burial?
- What proofs do we find in Mark 15:42–47 that Jesus was truly and fully dead?
- Why does Mark supply relatively few details about Jesus’s resurrection?
- In what ways is it a challenge for you to believe what you’ve been told in the Bible? How do you overcome that challenge?
- In what ways is it a challenge for you to tell what you’ve been told in the Bible? How do you overcome that challenge?
Summary:
For our sake Jesus was forsaken, come as you are and consider Him.
Sermon Text: Mark 15:33–39 (ESV)
33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Discussion Questions:
- The darkness from noon–3pm signified what two things?
- Why did God forsake Jesus on the cross?
- Jesus didn’t ask a question in v. 34, He quoted a Bible verse. Which verse did He quote and why?
- What is significant about the temple curtain being torn in two from top to bottom?
- What were your initial motivations for considering Christ? How did God meet you where you were at?
- In what ways have you felt forsaken by God? What helped or might help you through it?
Summary:
The cross is the coat of arms for the family of God because it was the cost of our adoption.
Sermon Text: Mark 15:16–32 (ESV)
16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
Discussion Questions
- What kind of mockery did the soldiers exhibit? What was their aim?
- What three groups harassed Jesus while He was on the cross?
- If Jesus had come down from the cross, what would have been the fallout for the human race?
- In what ways do you deny Jesus as your Savior and King? How does the cross lead you to repentance and faith in those circumstances?