Acts: Jesus Builds His Church: Recent Episodes
missio Dei: Falcon
Sermon Outline:
- Rejoice amidst your pain (1 Peter 4:12-13).
- Be faithful in your pain (1 Peter 4:14-16).
- Keep an eternal perspective on your pain (1 Peter 4:17-19).
Discussion Questions:
- Why are we so caught off guard when we suffer? How will this passage prepare you for future trials?
- How has God matured you through difficult situations? Share some examples to encourage those at your table.
- When do you most struggle to genuinely trust God? How does this passage (and 2 Cor. 4:17-18) help?
This is the 12th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some actions we take to avoid suffering in our life? Which of those are legitmate? Which of those may go too far into taking us out of what God wants for us?
- How does having an eternal perspective help us with disappointment and unmet desires?
- How can living in community with other believers help us step into difficult things?
This is the 11th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- A picture of God’s people thriving (1 Peter 3:8-12).
- What God’s people should expect as they thrive (1 Peter 3:13-17).
- The reason God’s people will always thrive (1 Peter 3:18-22).
Discussion Questions:
- How would you describe “the good life?” What first comes to mind with that phrase? How might your mental picture be different from Peter’s?
- When have you grown through pain? How does that build trust for God’s will in your life amidst suffering?
- What types of things are Christians reviled for in our culture? How can we bless those who attack us?
This is the 10th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Honorable wives in exile (1 Peter 3:1-6).
- Honorable husbands in exile (1 Peter 3:7).
Discussion Questions:
- Women, which of the three attributes discussed today is most challenging? Which is most appealing? (1-2: Missional Submission; 3-4: Authentic Beauty; 5-6: Communal Calling);
- Men, which of the four attributes discussed today is the most needed exhortation? (7a, live in an understanding way; 7b, show honor; 7c, remember we are co-heirs; 7d, prayers can be hindered);
- What would a church culture that embodied these attributes feel like? How can you help cultivate that culture?
This is the 8th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Servants and suffering (18-20).
- Christ's Example (21-23).
- Christ's work on our behalf (23-25).
Discussion Questions:
- How Can the truths in verses 23-25 help us in our daily work?
- What are some ways we can practically entrust ourselves to Christ and ground ourselves in Him?
- Pray for anyone at your table who may be experiencing a suffering season at work or in other places God has placed them.
This is the 7th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Honorable exiles (1 Peter 2:11-12).
- Honorable exiles and government (1 Peter 2:13-17).
Discussion Questions:
- What is your flesh passionate about? What does the war feel like? How does God enable you to abstain?
- When people think of you, what comes to mind? When people think of the American church, what comes to mind? How is Jesus different and better? How can we help people think of Jesus instead of us?
- What good deeds (Verse 12) would you like our church to be known for as a way of bringing glory to God? What beautiful behavior would direct attention to our beautiful Savior?
This is the 6th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Our individual responsibility (1 Peter 2:1-3).
- Our corporate identity (1 Peter 2:4-6).
- A universal reality (1 Peter 2:7-8).
- An overwhelming beauty (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Discussion Questions:
- What are the things that narrow your gaze or focus? What desires/hopes cloud your mind from seeing Jesus? How does hope in the Gospel broaden your gaze? Or, how is Jesus better?
- God’s kindness leads to repentance (not the reverse) and our salvation fuels our obedience (not the reverse). Why are we so tempted to switch the order of those statements?
- Finish the sentence: In my life, greater holiness looks like… (Hint: It looks more like Jesus!)
This is the 5th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Command #1— Set your hope (1 Peter 1:13).
- Command #2— Be holy (1 Peter 1:14-21).
- Command #3—Love earnestly (1 Peter 1:22-25).
Discussion Questions:
- What are the things that narrow your gaze or focus? What desires/hopes cloud your mind from seeing Jesus? How does hope in the Gospel broaden your gaze? Or, how is Jesus better?
- God’s kindness leads to repentance (not the reverse) and our salvation fuels our obedience (not the reverse). Why are we so tempted to switch the order of those statements?
- Finish the sentence: In my life, greater holiness looks like… (Hint: It looks more like Jesus!)
This is the 4th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ… (1 Peter 1:1a)
- To those who are elect exiles… (1 Peter 1:1b)
- Know that… (1 Peter 1:2)
Discussion Questions:
- What are some examples of how the American church has struggled to remember we are exiles? How does living as if this is our home negatively impact our ability to live for Jesus?
- What does it feel like to not belong in a culture you are immersed in? How does knowing God chose you change those feelings?
- Are there any areas of your life that you might be living as if you belong in this world, rather than you are an exile?
This is the 2nd sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- A confusing theme in 1 Peter…
- Evil is real, God is good, and that’s not a contradiction.
- It turns out, we aren’t the first ones to suffer…
- Could something bigger be going on behind our suffering?
Discussion Questions:
- When in your life did you grow the most as a follower of Christ? How did God grow you?
- Have you ever felt that the existence of evil is a barrier to trusting Jesus? How do the verses we read today about Jesus suffering help deal with that barrier?
- What is hard in your life right now? What would it look/feel like to experience Jesus’ presence in that?
This is the 1st sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.
Sermon Outline:
- Longing for home (Psalm 90:1-2).
- Remembering we are dust (Psalm 90:3-6).
- The origin of our problem (Psalm 90:7-11).
- Finding our way home (Psalm 90:12-17).
Notable Quote:
“Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter. Wordsworth’s expedient was to identify it with certain moments in his own past. But all this is a cheat. If Wordsworth had gone back to those moments in the past, he would not have found the thing itself, but only the reminder of it; what he remembered would turn out to be itself a remembering. The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.” —C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Discussion Questions:
- In what ways do you feel “homeless?” What longings do you have? How is God your dwelling place?
- How does your heart respond to the Psalm’s reminder that we are temporary, that death is inevitable? How does Jesus tasting death for us change your heart’s response?
- Which of the 6 prayers in Vv. 12-17 stand out to you the most? Why? How will you pray each of those this coming week?
Sermon Outline:
- In Christ the impossible is possible (John 1:14).
- 4 implications of the impossible becoming possible (John 1:15-18).
Helpful Quotes:
- “The Gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Tim Keller
- “For the solidarity of mankind is such that, by virtue of the Word's indwelling in a single human body, the corruption which goes with death has lost its power over all. You know how it is when some great king enters a large city and dwells in one of its houses; because of his dwelling in that single house, the whole city is honored, and enemies and robbers cease to molest it. Even so is it with the King of all; He has come into our country and dwelt in one body amidst the many, and in consequence the designs of the enemy against mankind have been foiled and the corruption of death, which formerly held them in its power, has simply ceased to be. For the human race would have perished utterly had not the Lord and Savior of all the Son of God, come among us to put an end to death.” St. Athanasius, 318 AD
Discussion Questions:
- Which aspect of John 1:1-18 (what we’ve studied the past four weeks) stands out as the most encouraging thing for you personally?
- Why do we typically view grace and truth as existing in opposition? How does Jesus coming full of grace and truth change how you view their relationship?
- Faithful Christianity embodies many “dichotomies” similar to what John outlines in v. 14. E.g. loving our enemies, finding peace amidst trials, etc. What other dichotomies are we called to embody as Christians? How does God becoming man help us with that?
**This is week four of Advent 2022.
Sermon Outline:
- The nature of Jesus (John 1:9).
- The natural response to Jesus (John 1:10-11).
- The unnatural grace of Jesus (John 1:12-13).
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever wondered if you would have chosen to follow Jesus if you lived in the 1st Century? What does this passage do to your opinion of yourself?
- Read verse 12, what part of this is the most astonishing to you? Why?
- Verse 9 hints at the fact that people are always looking for “light,” or people to look up to/worship. Where do you see this in our day? Why are we prone to fall for this temptation?
**This is week three of Advent 2022.
Sermon Outline:
- The temptation to see God as uninterested and uninvolved (John 1:6).
- The temptation to see ourselves as self-sufficient and capable (John 1:7).
- The temptation to see the world as chiefly about us and our story (John 1:8).
Discussion Questions:
- How often do you honestly feel that God is involved in your life? What does forgetting that fact produce in your heart?
- When are you most tempted to feel self-reliant? When are you most tempted to see yourself as the center of the universe? How does John the Baptist help us find humility?
- How can you bear witness about the Light this season? Be specific!
**This is week two of Advent 2022.
Sermon Outline:
- We are the furthest thing from God… (John 1:1-3)
- …but God is no longer the furthest thing from us (John 1:4-5).
Discussion Questions:
- What aspects of the Christmas season personally distract you from Jesus?
- What plans do you have to keep Jesus first in your heart this Christmas? Do you have an Advent devotional you are going to do? Who will you process it with?
- Where else, besides Jesus, do you look for life? How is that thing time-bound and finite/limited? How is Jesus better?
**This is week one of Advent 2022.
Sermon Outline:
- Why do we sing?
- What do we sing?
- Who is our worship leader?
Discussion Questions:
- What stuck out to you in the passage or in the sermon today? Was there anything new that stretches you in how you think about singing?
- In your own words, what does it mean to follow Paul's instruction to "be filled with the Spirit"?
- Why is singing so important to our spiritual growth?
- How does recognizing Jesus as our worship leader shape how you worship?
*This sermon was preached by Andy Beams of The Oaks Church in Denver, Colorado.
Sermon Outline
- From Hypocrisy to Humility
- From Works to Faith
- From Death to Life
Table Discussion
- Have you ever had a conversation about not walking in line with the truth of the gospel? How did it go?
- What do you think is your "plus" to the gospel?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus not only took away your sins, but gave you his righteousness?
**This sermon was preached by Lucas Turner, a former partner of missio Dei: Falcon, currently on mission in Central Texas as a College and Young Adult Minister at a Baptist church.
This is the 40th and final sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- Paul (finally) arrives in Rome (Acts 28:11-14).
- God continually provides means of encouragement (28:15-16).
- Paul faithfully continues his mission (Acts 28:17-31).
Helpful Quote:
“Acts provides the foundations of the newborn church through which we hope that the church in ruins will be reborn.” —Erasmus
Discussion Questions:
- If you have been with us throughout our study of Acts, what have you learned? What themes stand out? How has this book encouraged you?
- Do you ever feel hindered in sharing the Gospel? Read Acts 28:31. How does Paul’s bold proclamation and teaching “without hindrance” (while in prison!) encourage/challenge you?
This is the 39th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: The storms of life: Our best plans and most strenuous efforts (27:1-20). The sovereignty of God: His provision and salvation (27:21-44). The mission of God: Using the storms to bring salvation (28:1-10). Helpful Quote: “Pain insists upon being attended to.... Read more »
This is the 38th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Discussion Questions: Does it feel to you like God is ruling and reigning over the circumstances of your life? When have you been tempted towards discouragement with the circumstances of your life? How did God make himself known to you? How has... Read more »
This is the 37th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: An unfair trial with an unjust judge (24:1-9). The right confession in the midst of unfairness (24:10-21). Faithfulness amidst the unfair is an opportunity for mission (24:22-27). Discussion Questions: How do you typically respond when something feels unfair? How does... Read more »
This is the 36th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Take courage from the presence of Jesus (22:30-23:11). Take courage from the sovereignty of Jesus (23:12-24). Take courage from our citizenship with Jesus (23:25-35). Discussion Questions: Are you most tempted to doubt that Jesus is with you, that He is... Read more »
This is the 35th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Our identity in three words: People, Law, Place (21:27-40a). Your testimony is the Gospel’s opportunity (21:40b-22:21). Not every opportunity will be handled well (22:22-29). Discussion Questions: Who are the American church’s “gentiles” (Outsiders that we often fail to love)? How... Read more »
This is the 34th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Ministry often brings with it difficulty (21:1-16). That difficulty can be big or seemingly small (21:17-26). Jesus already endured difficulty on our behalf (Heb. 12:2-3). Discussion Questions: As we have asked throughout our study of Acts, what ministry(s) has Jesus... Read more »
This is the 33rd sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: God’s plan for leadership: A plurality of godly elders (20:17). Paul’s example of godly leadership (20:18-27). Paul’s encouragement to be godly leaders (20:28-35). Godly leaders and Gospel-goodbyes (20:36-38). Discussion Questions: As you think about the leaders you have respected most,... Read more »
This is the 32nd sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Our future resurrection should be a source of current comfort for us. We will have an imperishable body. The resurrection will restore all that has been broken. Discussion Questions: What are you looking most forward to in the New Creation? What... Read more »
This is the 31st sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Individual calling and vocational faithfulness (19:21-22). Idols and Gospel-disruption (19:23-27). Confusion and defending our gods (19:28-34). Competing idols and a temporary truce (19:35-41). Discussion Questions: What is your vocation? How does viewing it as a calling from God for ministry... Read more »
This is the 30th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Apollos’ discipleship journey (18:24-28). “Disciples” in Ephesus and their journey (19:1-10). Spiritual warfare, total surrender, and the discipleship journey (19:11-20). Discussion Questions: As you reflect on the past few months, how has Jesus worked in you? How has Jesus worked... Read more »
This is the 29th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- Presence in friendship (18:1-3).
- Presence in conversions (18:4-11).
- Presence in reminders of sovereignty (18:12-17).
- Presence in spiritual disciplines (18:18-23).
Notable Quote:
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled…let not one go unwarned and un-prayed for.” —C.H. Spurgeon
Discussion Questions:
- Does evangelism/mission scare you? If so, why?
- Have you ever felt depleted in ministry or your walk with Jesus? How would experiencing the presence of Jesus impact that?
- What means of grace, or spiritual disciplines, has Jesus used to show you that He is with you?
This is the 28th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline: 1: Paul’s motivation for and method of evangelism in Athens (17:16-21). 2: Paul’s presentation of the Gospel in Athens (17:22-31). 3: The Athenians’ response to the Gospel (17:32-34).
Discussion Questions: - What brokenness do you see in your community? What sometimes keeps you from seeing it? - Answering honestly, how do you typically feel when you see brokenness? How can we grow in compassion? - In what ways is it easy to speak the Gospel to our particular culture? In what ways is it difficult?
This is the 27th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- The foundation of Gospel-ministry (17:1-4).
- The fruit of Gospel-ministry (17:5-9).
- The furthering of Gospel-ministry (17:10-15).
Discussion Questions:
- Where might Jesus be leading your personal world to turn upside down? What tangible steps can you take this week?
- How could the Gospel turn Falcon upside-down? What tangible steps can our church take?
- What are your scripture study habits? Is it a daily practice? What tools have you found helpful?
This is the 26th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- A missionary seeks out Gospel-expansion (16:11-15).
- A missionary enters boldly into warfare and difficulty (16:16-24).
- A missionary joyfully proclaims the need for belief in Jesus (16:25-34).
- A missionary lays down his or her comfort for further Gospel-expansion (16:35-40).
Discussion Questions:
- What are the ministries God has called you to?
- How is suffering and spiritual warfare a part of those ministries??
- What does joy look like in the midst of those ministries?
This is the 24th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- The threat against the Gospel (15:1-5).
- Peter’s response (15:6-12).
- James’ recommendation (15:13-21).
- The Council’s ruling (15:22-29).
- The Church’s rejoicing (15:30-35).
Discussion Questions:
- What do you need? If Jesus stood before you and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would you answer?
- If you are honest, what are you tempted to think you need to do in order for Jesus to truly be for you? How is grace better?
- Family question: What is grace? What is faith? How does Jesus save us?
This is the 23rd sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- If Jesus is with you, you are able to do ministry amidst difficulty (14:1-7).
- If Jesus is with you, you don’t need from people what God alone deserves (14:8-20).
- If Jesus is with you, you can encourage others because Jesus is with them too. (14:21-28).
Discussion Questions:
- What are the ministries (Areas God has given you opportunities to exert influence for the good of the Kingdom) you currently have? How does this passage encourage you in those works?
- In Acts 14:27 the church gathers to celebrate all that God has done through Paul and Barnabas during their 2 year journey. What can your table celebrate regarding all that God has done in the last 2 years?
This is the 22nd sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- How Paul and Barnabas ended up preaching in Galatia (13:13-15).
- What Paul chose to preach in Galatia (13:16-41).
- How the Galatians responded to Paul’s sermon (13:42-52).
Discussion Questions:
- If it wasn’t for Jesus and His Gospel, what would you look to in order to assure yourself that you and God were cool? Or, what aspect of your life are you tempted to put trust in apart from Jesus?
- Who are the people religious Americans would consider outsiders? How does the Gospel Paul preached challenge that categorization? How do you need to apply that to your own life?
- As you evaluate your personal history, what are some of the waypoints that you can identify that led you to Jesus (or, led you here this morning)?
This is the 21st sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- A picture of a healthy church (13:1-3).
- A picture of a healthy mission (13:4-12).
Discussion Questions:
- Spend time at your table praying for the Holy Spirit to lead each of us as individuals, and all of us as a church, into the ministry He is calling us to.
- Pray that the barriers we are encountering (as individuals and as a church) that prevent us from engaging mission would be overcome by the power of the Spirit and the beauty of the Gospel.
This is the 20th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- King Herod flexes, the church prays (12:1-5).
- King Jesus rescues, the church is amazed (12:6-18).
- King Herod retaliates, King Jesus remains (12:19-25).
Discussion Questions:
- Who/what are some earthly kings that seem to be able to do what they want against the Church? How does Acts 12 re-orient you to King Jesus’ power?
- Can you think of a moment when King Jesus showed His power in your life? How does that story help you endure the moments when the kings of this world seem more powerful?
This is the 19th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church.
Sermon Outline:
- The Church flees north, and evangelizes as it goes (11:19-21).
- The Church in Jerusalem investigates…and gets reinforcements (11:22-26).
- The church in Antioch cares for the church in Jerusalem (11:27-30).
Discussion Questions:
- If the world were to give our church (or the American church in general) a nickname based off of our behavior, what would it be?
- If you look at the traits of the church in Antioch (Bold in evangelism, gracious with encouragement, humble in leadership, generous with resources), which would you most like to grow in?