missio Dei: Falcon: Recent Episodes
missio Dei: Falcon
Sermon Outline:
1. The Kingdom is here (Lk. 17:20-21).
2. The King is coming (Lk. 17:22-37).
Discussion:
- How is Jesus’ teaching in this passage similar to or different from what you typically think of as ‘the end of the world’? How does His teaching give you hope for the future?
••What ‘false jesuses’ does our society promote? How is the real Jesus better?
Outline :
Luke 17:11-12 : A Journey With A Purpose
Luke 17:13-19: 11 Miraculous Healings
Questions:
- What has Christ done for you that causes you to be grateful and worship Him?
- Is there “spiritual leprosy” in your life that is distracting you from what Christ has done for you? Like what?
- How does this story teach you Christ’s character towards you in your sickness?
•4.Pray that this text will open your eyes and heart to what Christ has done for you! Pray for an increase of faith to believe these things! Pray that Christ would give you strength to worship Him with a grateful heart!
Outline -
Luke 17:1-4: Struggles, Forgiveness, and Repentance
Luke 17:5-6: Increase Our Faith
Luke 17:7-10: Unworthy Servants
Questions :
- Do you know Christ?
- What does this text show you about Christ character and how does that encourage you in faith to live these things out?
•3.When is the last time you prayed for Christ to increase your faith? Pray this for yourself, your family, your friends and pray this with them!
Sermon Outline:
- The role of government and our response.
- Citizenship and our allegiance.
- Patriotism and our longing for home.
Discussion:
- What are you grateful to God for about our country?
- When have you seen Christians in America not handle our citizenship well? Which Scripture passage today speaks to your concerns?
- In your own words, how does living as a citizen of Jesus’ Kingdom help you be a better citizen of our nation?
Matthew 28:16-20
NOTES: All authority belongs to Jesus...
- so we place our confidence in him as we make disciples
- so we obey his command to make disciples
- and he is with us as we make disciples
DISCUSSION:
- What are your reservations to getting into gospel conversations with others?
- How does Jesus' reign and presence with you change how you view your reservations?
- What step will you take this week to obey Jesus and make disciples?
Sermon Outline:
- Looking at the problem from several angles (Lk. 16:14-18).
- A parable illustrating the problem (Lk. 16:19-31).
Discussion:
- What has your heart? How can you tell?
- In your own words, why does money reveal where your heart belongs? How does your approach to money reveal where your heart belongs?
- Practically speaking, how can you give more of your heart to Jesus this week?
Sermon Outline:
- A Quick "God at Work" Story
- Jesus: God's Mystery, Our Treasure (Col. 2:1-5)
- The Call: Remain Rooted (Col. 2:6-7)
Discussion:
- How's your current walk with Christ? Does your life reflect that He is your treasure or most important? Are there things you are tempted to run to in life before Jesus for stability, assurance, or wisdom?
- What is one practical step you can and will take in the next few weeks to grow your roots deeper in Christ?
- How can you invite someone in to help you with that? Or how can you encourage someone else in their walk?
Sermon Outline:
1. The story of a shrewd business manager (Lk. 16:1-8).
2. What Jesus’ disciples should learn regarding shrewdness (Lk. 16:9-13).
3. How is God calling you to grow in this area?
Discussion:
- Evaluate your budget, are you playing by the world’s rules or Jesus’ rules? How can you tell?
- Which lesson do you most need to lean into? 1. Invest in the eternal not the temporary (V. 9); 2. Wealth is a training ground for faithfulness (Vv. 10-11); 3. We are managers not owners (V. 12); 4. You can have only one master (V. 13);
••What changes are you going to make to your finances this week in response to Jesus’ grace?
Outline -
Luke 14:25-27: Hate?
Luke 14:28-33: Counting the Cost
Luke 14:34-35: Salty
Discussion:
- Have you weighed the cost of discipleship to Jesus? Do you know Him?
- What things in your life are causing you to “lose your saltiness?” How can you (and your church around you) submit these things to Christ?
•3.How can you encourage those around you in the willingness to “Lose all things” as Paul says in Philippians? How do you need to be encouraged in this?
Sermon Outline:
1: The Prodigal Rebel (Lk. 15:11-20a).
2. The Prodigal Worker (Lk. 15:25-30).
3.The Prodigal Father (Lk. 15:20b-24).
Discussion:
- Which brother do you most identify with? How does the picture of the Father speak to your heart specifically?
••How can our church be a safer place for younger brothers and older brothers alike?
Sermon Outline:
1: The story of a father and his two sons (Lk. 15:11-32).
2. The story of sin, pride, and grace.
Discussion:
- Do you know what “far country” you are most tempted to run to? Do those who love you know? How is the feast of the Father more satisfying?
- Which brother do you most identify with? How does the picture of the Father speak to your heart specifically?
••How can our church be a safer place for younger brothers and older brothers alike?
Sermon Outline:
1: The invites are sent (Lk. 14:15-17).
2. The guest list fails to come through (Lk. 14:18-20).
3. New guests are invited (Lk. 14:21-24).
Discussion:
- In your own words, why does Jesus so often highlight His invitation to the poor, crippled, blind, and lame? What does that reveal about His character and His Gospel?
- Which of the three excuses (property, vocation, family) are most likely to take priority over Jesus in your own heart? How can we help each other cultivate the correct order of our loves?
••Do you believe that the presence of Jesus is a joyful feast? Or are you tempted to see religion as a heavy burden? How does this passage help you see the real Jesus?
Sermon Outline:
1: Pride puts policies over people (Lk. 14:1-6).
2. Pride fights for position and status (Lk. 14:7-11).
3. Pride uses people for selfish purposes (Lk. 14:12-14).
Discussion:
- Who is the most humble person you know? What about their behavior or character makes them stand out?
- Read Philippians 2:3-11. What about the humility of Jesus stands out to you?
••Jesus was the most humble man who ever lived. Through faith we are united to Him. How does Union with Christ fuel our humility?
Sermon Outline:
1: Jesus brings healing to the hurting (Lk. 13:10-13).
2. Not everyone cares if the hurting are healed (Lk. 13:14-17).
3. The Kingdom grows as the hurting are healed (Lk. 13:18-21).
Discussion:
- How have you experienced Jesus’ healing your hurt?
- Where has the American church most struggled to see and care for hurting people? Where has our church struggled?
- What small, tangible actions can each of us take to see the Kingdom come a little more this week?
Outline:
Luke 13:31-33: No Fear
Luke 13:34: A Lament
Luke 13:35: A Prophecy
Discussion:
- Do you know Christ?
- What are ways that your heart is unwilling to turn to him? How can we see these ways mortified?
- What are the characteristics of Christ you see in this passage?
Sermon Outline:
1: I will be fine with/without Jesus (12:49-53).
2. I have more pressing things to attend to (12:54-56).
3. I still have time to decide (12:57-59).
4. I’m not as bad as some people (13:1-5).
5. I can wait to get serious about faith (13:6-9).
1: Jesus is __________.
Discussion:
- Which of the 5 lies do you find yourself most tempted to believe? Which aspect of Jesus’ teaching did you find most compelling?
- Why do we all seem to find repentance so difficult? How does Jesus’ teaching help make it easier?
- How does this passage encourage you to share the Good News with your neighbor?
Outline : Luke 12:35-40 - Be Ready
Luke 12:41-48 - Steward Well
Discussion :
What have you been entrusted with that you have become lethargic in caring for? How can you change this to honor Christ more in your managing?
How can we see the beauty and hope of the Gospel in this text?
Do you truly belong to the Household of God?
Sermon Outline:
1: A painting of an anxiety-free life (Luke 12:22-32).
2: How to cultivate an anxiety-free life (Luke 12:33-34).
Discussion:
- When do you tend to be most anxious? What does your anxiety reveal about your theology?
- If God is sovereign and loves you, what do you have to worry about? Why is that easier to affirm with your mind than it is to believe with your heart?
- How can you grow in generosity? How might that impact your anxiety?
Sermon Outline:
1: The problem with wealth (Luke 12:13-15).
2: A parable regarding wealth (Luke 12:16-20).
3: A principle for godly wealth (Luke 12:21).
Discussion:
- When and where are you most tempted to believe the lie, “you are what you have”?
- Meditate on the phrase “Rich toward God.” What does that look like in your own life?
- What practices of generosity can you begin (or grow in) to resist the pull of greed?
Luke 12:1-3: No Room For Hypocrisy
Luke 12:4-7: Whom to Fear and Why
Luke 12:8-10: A True Confession
Luke 12:11-12: Spoken For
Sermon Outline:
1: The sign of Jonah (Luke 11:29-32).
2: A Lamp for seeing (Luke 11:33-36).
Sermon Outline:
1: Doubts and opposition (Luke 11:14-16).
2: Jesus engages His opponents (Luke 11:17-20).
3: Jesus invites His doubters (Luke 11:21-28).
Sermon Outline:
1: Temple courtyards and the purpose of our gathering (Mark 11:15-18).
2: The types of people who benefit from the gathering (Isaiah 56:1-8).
3: How do we make this more tangible?
Sermon Outline:
1: Boldness in prayer (Luke 11:5-8).
2: Persistence in prayer (Luke 11:9-10).
3: God’s heart and prayer (Luke 11:11-13).
Discussion:
- What rhythms of prayer do you currently have?
- What would you like to be true about your prayer life in the new year? How will you take steps to make that happen?
- Spend some time at your table praying together.
Sermon Outline:
1: Learning to pray (Luke 11:1).
2: A model for prayer: Praise, Petition, Provision, Pardon, Protection (Luke 11:2-4).
Discussion:
- Did you spend time at Jesus’ feet last week? If not, what distracted you? If so, how was prayer an aspect of that time?
- How will you set aside time for prayer this week?
- Spend time praying through the 5 aspects of the Lord’s Prayer: Praise, Petition, Provision, Pardon, Protection.
Outline:
- Two Different Postures - Luke 10:38-40a
- A Gentle Correction - Luke 10:40b-41
- “One Thing Is Necessary…” Luke 10:42
Discussion:
What does it look like for you to sit at the feet of Jesus?
Sermon Outline: John 7:25-31
Who is this Jesus? 7:25-31
So What:
a. The biblical Jesus is still going through cases of mistaken identity.
b. God still desires to reach the throng, but now He does it through Christians, the
chosen ones (see Acts 1:8).
c. God’s invisible Hand is still actively at work in the lives and ministries of believers
in Christ.
d. God still has His remnant, so you go find them in your network of relationships?
Where is Jesus going? 7:32-36
So What:
a. The way up still and always goes through Jesus (John 14:6; Jn. 10)
b. The sober message of Jesus is that no unbeliever is able to go where He is,
heaven. But he or she will spend eternity where Jesus is not–Hell:
“Seek the LORD while he may be found” (Isa. 55:6).
“Behold now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Sermon Outline:
1: Recap: Finding joy in obeying Jesus (Luke 10:17-24).
2: How to love your neighbor and obey Jesus (Luke 10:25-37).
Discussion:
- How have you experienced joy in obeying Jesus? Share the story to encourage your table.
- Left to your own instincts, who would you pass by on the other side of the road? What does repentance from that look like?
- How does Jesus’ call to love your neighbor challenge you? How can you live that out this week?
SERMON OUTLINE:
How are missionaries sent? (Luke 10:1-16)
1. We go ______________
2. We go ______________
3. We go ______________
4. We go ______________
5. We go ______________
6. We go ______________
7. We go ______________
8. We go ______________
9. We go ______________
10. We go ______________
What do missionaries receive? (Luke 10:17-24)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is the Gospel? Or, what is the message the 72 were sent with?
2. Do you have any practical tips for how to best share the Gospel?
3. When was the last time you shared Jesus with someone? How did it feel?
4. Spend time praying for more laborers in the field.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The disciples fail to cast out a demon (Lk. 9:37-43a).
2: The disciples fail to understand God’s plan (Lk. 9:43b-45).
3: The disciples fail to put others first (Lk. 9:46-48).
4: The disciples fail to build unity (Lk. 9:349-50).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where are you most likely to sense your own inadequacy? How has Jesus shown Himself sufficient?
2. Which of the disciplines mentioned today would you most like to grow in: Dependent prayer, Scripture meditation, Humble service, Kingdom unity?
3. What does it look like to rely on the Spirit within you to grow in these things?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How is the kingdom Jesus offers a far greater commitment than anything the world has to offer?
2. Which of the three people in this passage who can’t commit to following Jesus do you most resonate with?
3. Where is Jesus calling you to prioritize his kingdom in a specific part of your life?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Jesus’ glory revealed (Lk. 9:28-31).
- The disciples’ response (Lk. 9:32-33).
- The Father’s affirmation and command (Lk. 9:34-36).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Are you in a season where you are enthralled by the fact that Jesus is God, or does it seem to have lost its significance in your heart? How does this passage speak to that?
2. What other “tents” have you set up in your heart for gods besides Jesus? How does this passage help you worship Jesus alone?
3. How is the fact that Jesus is God Good News for your neighbor?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Discerning the true identity of Jesus (Lk. 9:18-22)
- Following in the footsteps of Jesus (Lk. 9:23-27)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Who do you say Jesus is? What key moments in your life have led you to that position?
2. Where do you most see your own tenancy towards self-preservation? Where do you struggle to be selfless?
3. What tangible ways can we all deny ourselves and take up our crosses this week?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- First Mission Luke 9:1-6
- Perplexed Luke 9:7-9
- Provision in a Desolate Place Luke 9:10-17
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How are you seeking Christ today?
2. How can we be tempted to seek Him only for what He can do versus who He is?
3. Is there a time when you have experienced miraculous provision from God? How?
4. This text should encourage us because we know that Christ will not only provide for our needs and mission, but that He Himself is our provision as well. How does this truth affect your evangelistic mission to those around you?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Jesus’ power over disasters (Lk. 8:22-25)
- Jesus’ power over demons (Lk. 8:26-39)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What storms are you experiencing currently? Where is Jesus in the storm?
2. How have you experienced Jesus’ power in your story?
3. What are you afraid of? How does awe of Jesus replace that?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. A Parable & Explanation
2. Hearing Rightly
3. Adoption
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Do you know Jesus?
2. What does this text teach you about the sovereignty of God and your response?
3. How does this text stir your affections for Christ? How does it stir your affections for others to hear the Word?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. A Brief Recap
2. Habakkuk 3:1-4 A Plea and Remembrance
3. Habakkuk 3:5-15 Looking Back
4. Habakkuk 3:16-19 Trusting Forward
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Do you struggle with the Lord’s plan vs how you would do things? How so?
2. During these times of struggle and doubt do you find it easier or harder to look back and remember His faithfulness?
3. Is there a specific example of something the Lord has done for you that us helping you through a current difficulty?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. What we typically chase after (Jeremiah 9:23).
- What we must chase after (Jeremiah 9:24).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Do you know Jesus?
2. What types of wisdom, might, or riches are you most often tempted to boast in?
3. How will you daily understand and know Jesus more?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Have you thought that expressing lament is something that is normal and helpful for a Christian? Why or why not?
2. Are there ways you have remembered or memorialized God's past faithfulness to you? What is an example of a time when you, at first, didn't recognize God's faithfulness to you in a situation but can see it now?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How does remembering your status apart from Christ help you appreciate your belonging as a citizen in God’s kingdom?
- What are some ways you can deepen your participation in the rooted, committed family of God?
- Where is God calling you to participate in his mission to build up the church and extend his presence to more people and places?
Michael Goldstein is an Acts 29 church planter from Denver, CO. Please check out their Instagram and Facebook pages for updates and to learn more about Fellow Citizens Church.
NOTES:
- Confession 1-2
- Confession/Assurance/Hope 3-4
- Chorus of expectant waiting 5-6
- Exhortation 7-8
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does your confessional prayer life look like?
2. How does Christ’s answer to those confessions urge you to tell others what you’ve experienced?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What is comforting and faith-building about God's Omniscience and Omnipresence? Are those truths hard for you to affirm in some ways?
- How should it affect the decisions we make in our lives if God "knit us together" and "knows us" to such a degree? What does rebellion to those truths bring into our lives?
- Let's pray and thank God for his vast thoughts toward you and exhaustive knowledge of all things!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- In our current culture what does it mean to "Be Still (or cease striving) and know that He is God,” as the nations rage and so much seems unstable?
- What are ways we can cultivate a sense of God's presence; that He is "with us" in our day-to-day lives?
- Pray for any needs at your table
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Finish this sentence: "When I am afraid........"
- How can we develop a trust in the Lord as our first instinct in those times? How does God's knowledge and care for us (He holds our tears in a bottle) help in the middle of fear?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some ways we can pursue Unity in our relationships at missio? What are things that get in the way of that pursuit?
- How does Christ's work in saving us by Grace Alone help us in pursuing unity?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Establishing Authority 1-2
- Who can ascend? 3-6
- Triumphal Entry 7-10
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What does this text teach you about Christ?
- What does this text teach you about your relationship with to Christ?
- What does this text teach you about God’s character and promises?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Name and majesty 1-3, 9
- The promise and fulfillment 4-8
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Do you believe that this God of Majesty cares for you so much that you are seen by Him in the vastness of creation? Why or why not?
- Knowing that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this text, how does this passage stir your affections towards Him?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. Historical Context
-
Prophetic Context
-
Personal Context
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What does this text and its contexts teach us about God? How does this text affect your view of Christ’s love for you?
What does this text teach us about our relationship to God? Does this change any of the things you have believed about His view of you?
What does this passage teach us about the promises God has made in this text? How does this play into how you approach your daily relationship with Christ?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. An awkward scenario unfolds (Luke 7:36-39).
2. Jesus reframes the scene in light of His character (Luke 7:40-50).
3. A picture of how those who love Jesus respond (Luke 8:1-3).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Look at verse 44, who does the American church tend to not see? Who do you personally struggle to see?
- When do you most struggle to serve others? How does this passage help?
- How can we grow in our love for Jesus? Answer in tangible and practical ways.
SERMON OUTLINE:
-
Messengers from John 7:18-23
-
The least in the Kingdom of Heaven 7:24-30
-
Hard-hearted children 7:31-35
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Do you believe that Jesus is who He says He is? How has He met you when you have doubted this?
- “When you feel yourself becoming hard-hearted, what are the factors? How can you actively repent of those factors and live with a soft heart?”
SERMON OUTLINE:
God is ________________
God is ________________
God Holds the _____________ ___________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Do you Believe that Jesus, who we are reading about in Luke; is the Son of God, co-equal member of the Triune God with the Father and the Holy Spirit? How might this belief affect your Christian life?
- Are there events in your life that might be "re-narrated" with the knowledge that God knows what you need before you ask Him?
- Pray for anyone at your table who could use encouragement as they wait on the Lord.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. How do you view yourself in relation to others? (Lk. 6:37-42)
-
How should we actually evaluate ourselves? (Lk. 6:43-45)
-
How can we cultivate obedience to Jesus? (Lk. 6:46-49)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are you like when storms come? When life bumps into you, what spills out?
2. When did you first come to Jesus? How do you hear His words (what are your Scripture intake habits)? Where are you convicted that you need to obey more?
3. As you review the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), what would you like to become more a part of your life?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. The call to love (Lk. 6:27-31).
2. The power to love (Lk. 6:32-36).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What examples can you think of (in Scripture, your own life, or throughout history) where loving one’s enemies made a radical difference?
- Which aspect of Jesus’ teaching strikes you as most difficult? Which part brings you the most comfort?
- What do you personally feel the need to implement in your life this coming week?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. The way of discipleship: Called and sent (Lk. 6:12-16)
2. The way of discipleship: Healing and hearing (Lk. 6:17-19)
3. The way of discipleship: Blessings and woes (Lk. 6:20-26)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How is your prayer life? What about Jesus praying convicts you or encourages you?
- If we should minister in word and deed, which one can you be tempted to neglect?
- Which blessing and woe did you most need to hear today? Which discipline (generosity, fasting, lament, evangelism) do you most need to grow in? How will you engage that growth?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Jesus teaches that stewardship of earthly wealth shows our trustworthiness for eternal riches. How does this shape your understanding of money and generosity?
- If the people of Missio Dei embraced Jesus’ teaching of shrewd stewardship, how might that impact how we live individually and as a church together?
This is the tenth sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
SERMON OUTLINE?
- What is the new commandment?
- How has Christ loved us, and how should we love each other?
- How do we apply this to the body and beyond?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some examples of how Christ has shown His love to me? How can I show that same love to others?
- How can I guard my heart against resentment or record-keeping from something that has been done wrong to me? Are there things in my life that have caused me to form the belief that Christ keeps an account of my wrongs?
- Why does my decision to love as Christ loved me matter? How does this begin to impact my heart? My community?
This is the ninth sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
SERMON OUTLINE:
-
Money is [Not] neutral.
-
A goal better than being rich.
-
Two tools for maintaining the proper goal.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why does our culture struggle with both generosity and contentment? What has God used to grow you in these areas previously?
- What scares you about being more generous? How can Scripture and other Christians alleviate these fears?
- Are we a generous church? What can we do to become more generous?
This is the eighth sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some good ways to honor and encourage one another? Differentiate that from flattery. How can we make this a more consistent practice in our life?
- Why do you think the default setting in our relationships is so often the opposite of honoring one another?
- For personal reflection: who in your life needs an encouragement and needs to be honored this week? How can you plan to have that interaction?
This is the sixth sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
SERMON OUTLINE:
-
Holiness: Who has it and who doesn’t.
-
Holiness: A framework for understanding.
-
Holiness: Why it matters and how to grow in it.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How do you typically feel when you hear Christians talking about holiness? How does our culture respond to the topic of holiness? Why?
- Which aspect of the New Testament’s teaching on holiness or “living worthy” are you most challenged by? Encouraged by?
- Are we a holy church? How can we cultivate a deeper culture of this kind of holiness?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Authority (Revelation 3:14)
2: Diagnosis (Revelation 3:15-17)
3: Remedy (Revelation 3:18, Isaiah 55:1-3)
4: Affectionate call of a loving Christ (Revelation 3:19-22)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some of the ways the American church has become like Laodicea?
- Are there things that you personally have begun to trust in over Christ?
- How can we be refreshing and healing to our culture? Answer specifically in terms of your spheres of influence.
This is the fifth sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. The appeal of honesty
2. The problem of honesty
3. The power of honesty
4. The practice of honesty
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When do you find it hardest to be yourself or to be vulnerable? When are you most able to be real?
- In your own words, how is our culture’s obsession with “authenticity” different from biblical “honesty”?
- Are we an honest church? How can we cultivate a deeper culture of this kind of honesty?
This is the fourth sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
This is the third sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Let your table know a time you learned something from a friend, spouse, or peer that was very helpful to you.
- What are some ways that we can be others-centered and care for one another well? What makes this hard in our culture?
- Pray for each other at your table that you will grow in humility and others-centeredness.
This is the second sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.SERMON OUTLINE:
1: What is prayer?
2: What does prayer accomplish?
3: How do we pray?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How often do you pray?
- What prompts or causes you to pray?
- What questions do you have about prayer?
- Are we a praying church?
This is the first sermon in our "Gospel Culture: Living Out our Church Values" series.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: What characterizes Jesus’ ministry? (Mt. 9:35)
2: What motivates Jesus’ ministry? (Mt. 9:36)
3: Who implements Jesus’ ministry? (Mt. 9:37-38)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Which of the aspects of Jesus’ ministry (Head, Heart, Hands) are you most excited about? Which do you most struggle with?
- What does brokenness look like in your neighborhood? How can our church help bring healing?
- Have a volunteer at your table pray for us to have compassionate hearts and for laborers to be sent into the fields.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What difficulty or loss are you grieving from this last year? How can you see Jesus working in the midst of that?
- What from this last year do you need to leave behind? What needs to die in your life for God to do something new and better?
- Who is God putting on your heart that needs to know the love of Jesus? How will you be intentional to share Good News this upcoming year?
- What does radical obedience to Jesus look like this upcoming year? Where is He calling you to step into more intentional ministry?
Discussion Questions:
- How are you being intentional about focusing on Jesus this Advent season?
- When do you most feel your desire to be king? When you act upon those desires, what are the consequences for those around you?
- What about the verses discussed today help you remember only Jesus is King? How does that change your relationships with others?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Share a time when your life suddenly seemed bigger than all of the explainable things we operate in from day to day. How did you see God at work there?
- Share a time when difficulty and hardship helped you to see God's work in the world.
- Pray for each other that we would all find joy in God's work this Advent Season.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How are you being intentional about hearing from Jesus this Advent season? What are the practical rhythms you are engaging?
- Reflecting on Calvin’s quote, where do we see Christ “in name only” in our culture?
- How does Jesus as the true Prophet impact the way you talk about Christmas with your neighbors and friends?
A special morning of prayer, fellowship, and hearing from women in our congregation on the topic of gratitude amidst difficult seasons.
Sermon Outline
Three Truths that Should Lead Us to Gratitude
-
You are not the source of all the good things in your life
-
There is a purpose for the hard things in your life
-
Gratitude lifts our gaze to God
Discussion Questions:
-
Write down 3 things you are currently grateful for in your life.
-
Share them with your family and friends!
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The controversy over fellowship (Lk. 5:27-32).
2: The controversy over fasting (Lk. 5:33-35).
3: The controversy over sabbath (Lk. 6:1-5).
4: The controversy over synagogue (Lk. 6:6-11).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some things you are legalistic about in your own life (things you esteem in yourself)? How can that lead to you condemning others?
- What makes you anxious or angry? How might that be a sign of legalism in your heart?
- What amazes you about Jesus’ grace? How does this passage increase your joy?
SERMON OUTLINE:
Scene 1: A leper and the need for healing (Luke 5:12-16).
Scene 2: A paralytic and the need for forgiveness (Luke 5:17-26).
Scene 3: A tax collector and the need for transformation (Luke 5:27-32).DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What do you need Jesus to do for you? Which of these three scenes speaks most to your situation currently?
- Who does the American church (or our church specifically) view as “untouchable?” Who are we ashamed to eat a meal with?
- What application are you most in need of: finding time alone with God in prayer, cultivating deep relationships with some “mat buddies,” or becoming a friend of sinners?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some ways we can open up our lives to others? Does anyone at your table have an example from their own life?
- What are ways we can make sure our families and communities would see us as loving, open people?
- Pray for someone who has not yet Believed in Christ, connected with a person at your table. Ask that God would draw them to Himself.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Jesus demonstrates His authority over demons (Luke 4:31-37)
2: Jesus demonstrates His authority over disease (Luke 4:38-41)
3: Jesus demonstrates His authority over our desires (Luke 4:42-44)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How differently would you live if you truly believed Jesus had authority over all things?
- Who comes to mind when you read about others “appealing to Jesus on their behalf?” What does it look like for you to engage that prompting this week?
- What darkness would Jesus rebuke in Falcon/COS? What does it look like for you to preach the good news of the kingdom of God amidst that darkness?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Jesus begins His public ministry (Luke 4:14-15).
2: The hometown boy makes good (Luke 4:16-22).
3: The hometown boy makes enemies (Luke 4:23-30).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What is your first response when something is difficult in your life? What is your standard approach to dealing with a problem you are facing?
- What type of person do you think of as a “church person”? What type of person do you tend to think isn’t interested in attending church?
- When are you least likely to talk about Jesus and His Gospel with others?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Rocks into Bread
2: The Kingdoms of the World
3: The Angels will save You
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How does it help us in our own struggles to know that Jesus was tempted like we are? How can we lean in to the "help" of that truth in our lives?
- What are some scriptures that have been helpful to you when you are tempted to sin?
- As you talk about #2 at your table write down any verses or passages that could help you right now in your life.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The baptism of the Son of God (Luke 3:21-22).
2: The genealogy of the Son of God (Luke 3:23-38).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What stood out in the passage today you haven’t seen before? How might that show the importance of theology?
- Why do we tend to think that some people have a “head start” with Jesus? Why is it important to reject that false idea?
- How is this passage Good News for my neighbor?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The call to repentance prepares the way (Luke 3:1-6).
2: The content of repentance prepares the individual (Luke 3:7-14).
3: The Christ of repentance deserves the glory (Luke 3:15-20).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When you personally find it hard to repent, what are the factors? How does John’s message speak to those?
- Why do you think John’s applications of repentance had to do with money? How is that message applicable to our American culture?
- John’s humility is a wonderful example of the posture we all should have. What is humility? How can we grow in it?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The story of Jesus’ childhood (Luke 2:39-52).
2: The purpose of the story of Jesus’ childhood.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Where are you in your understanding of who Jesus is?
- Would you be more likely to forget Jesus was truly human or truly God? How would that lessen your joy?
- How is the message that “it’s ok for us to be only human because Jesus is not merely human” good news for your neighbors?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How have you seen "steadfastness have it's full effect" in your life? How has waiting on the Lord affected you and helped you?
- How have you seen God's faithfulness in preserving You throughout your life, and in keeping his promises to You?
- Pray for anyone at your table who finds themselves waiting on the Lord, or finds themselves, like Mary, looking ahead to hard things.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The foundation and tradition of Luke’s writing (Luke 1:1-2).
2: The approach and purpose of Luke’s writing (Luke 1:3-4).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How certain are you that the Word of God tells the true story of the Son of God? This is a safe place to answer honestly.
- What are the factors that have led you to your current level of certainty? What other steps of study or investigation do you need to take still?
- What would a higher degree of certainty in the story Luke tells produce in your emotions and actions?
- What do you hope to get out of our church’s extended study of Luke? What are you asking God to show you or work in and through you?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Encouraging Advice
2: A few warnings
3: A Cloud of Witnesses
4: Run with endurance
5: Fixing our eyes on Jesus
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some of the more common weights than slow Christians down?
- What weights or hinderances slow you down?
- What are your thoughts about the respectable sins among Christians? Are there sins that Christians seem to be more involved in?
- What practices can I be involved in to help in my race?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Why we need refuge (Psalm 16:1).
2: What refuge is (Psalm 16:2-5).
3: What refuge produces (Ps. 16:6-11).
4: Where refuge is found.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- If refuge is running somewhere for peace or safety when life is hard, where do you typically run?
- Which aspect of biblical refuge in verses 2-5 do you most struggle with?
- Which attribute of God’s refuge in verses 6-11 do you most long for?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Why repentance matters (Isa. 30:15-18).
2: What repentance looks like (Ps. 51).
3: How to practice repentance.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How would you define repentance? How is repenting to God or repenting to another person similar and different?
- When do you most struggle to truly repent?
- What do you think are some characteristics of genuine repentance?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The challenge of forgiveness (Mt. 18:21-22).
2: A parable about forgiveness (Mt. 18:23-34).
3: The implications of forgiveness (Mt. 18:35).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- In your own words, why is forgiveness so difficult?
- Can you think of a time you experienced true forgiveness from another person? What did that feel like?
- What is Jesus calling you to do with this topic of forgiveness? What feels scary or difficult about it? Encourage one another at your table.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why do you think we have a picture of God that is harsh or demanding? How does this affect the way we approach Him?
- Why do you think our narrative of the hard situations in our life see God as being absent? What do the scriptures say about God's presence in those times?
- Pray for anyone at your table that could use encouragement and comfort this week.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Be Angry and Do not Sin
2: Leave Room for God's Justice
3: God is the Strength of My Heart
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What difference would it make if we had more confidence in God as judge and did not take matters into our own hands?
- Pray for one another at your table that God would give them strength in the situations they are facing.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Turn to God in prayer…
2: Complain to God about the effects of sin and brokenness (Ps. 13:1-2).
3: Ask for God to bring healing and wholeness (Ps. 13:3-4).
4: Trust that God will fulfill His promises and stay true to His character (Ps. 13:5-6).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Which of the 4 stages of lament is hardest for you (Turn, Complain, Ask, Trust)? Why?
- Where do you typically turn when you are in pain?
- How do you typically respond when someone expresses complaint? How will Psalm 13 impact your response in the future?
- When you’ve had to help a loved one through the pain of suffering, what are some things you’ve found helpful and unhelpful?
SERMON OUTLINE:
What happened?
What was it all about?
What difference does it make?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- The sermon mentioned that a “me-centered” theology leads to spiritual poverty. In what ways can a deeper understanding of Christ’s nature, as revealed in the Transfiguration, move us away from a self-centered spirituality towards a more Christ-centered discipleship? Share personal experiences where focusing on Christ's glory has reshaped your spiritual journey and daily life.
- As God’s people, we’re called to help one another see and savor Jesus. How might we encourage one another to behold the glory of Christ throughout the ordinariness of life, the ups and the downs, the struggles, fears, triumphs, temptations, and the failures we all face?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Who are some "kings and queens" that occupy our attention and our hearts? How is Christ a better King than those?
- How can we cultivate a healthier view of our leaders in the upcoming election and avoid placing our hope in them?
- Pray for anyone at your table that has a need or concern this week.
- **We welcome all who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation to receive Communion with us. All options are gluten free. Children are welcome to partake at their parents’ discretion.
SERMON OUTLINE:
The genealogy is an introduction.
The genealogy makes sense of Old Testament stories.
The genealogy reminds us of the lingering effects of sin.
The genealogy points us to a path that leads to hope.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Can you think of a time where you messed up, but you now see how God redeemed it for His purposes? Have you bought into the enemy's idea that you are now in God’s plan B, or can you see it as part of God’s redemptive love?
- Can you think of a time where someone sinned against you, but you now see how God redeemed it for His purposes?
- Is there a mess in your life – either from your sin or from someone else’s sin – where you don’t see any good or redemptive result? Can you trust God? Can you call out to Him in your distress?
SERMON OUTLINE:
The heaviness of sin (Haggai 2:10-14).
The hope of blessing (Haggai 2:15-19).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why do humans try to ignore or run from the heaviness of sin? What does embracing the reality of brokenness in our world feel like?
- What is harder for you to believe in this season, that sin is heavy or that we can trust the promise of God’s blessing? Why?
SERMON OUTLINE:
Discouragement from present circumstances (Haggai 2:1-3).
Encouragement from the presence of God (Haggai 2:4-5).
Hope from the promised future (Haggai 2:6-9).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some things that discourage you? How do you typically respond to that? How would a future-oriented hope (i.e. verses 6-9) help you?
- When have you most felt Jesus’ nearness? How can we cultivate a greater awareness of His presence?
- Which of the three commands (Be strong, work, fear not) do you most need admonished in?
SERMON OUTLINE:
God’s word comes through Haggai (Haggai 1:1).
The people’s misplaced priorities (Haggai 1:2-11).
The people respond (Haggai 1:12-15).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Consider your ways. Where do you see areas that you might be mis-prioritizing things? What distractions have you allowed to enter your heart?
- How can you tell if God is first in your heart or not?
- If you put God first, how will that change what you are working for? How might our church be impacted by that work?
SERMON OUTLINE:
The Work of Christ. (Phil. 3:12)
The Goal of Christ. (Phil. 3:13-14)
The Gift of Christ. (Phil 3:15-16)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some things the world is motivated by? What are some things you are, or can be tempted to be motivated by?
- Who is your savior, and what has he saved you from?
- What does obedience look like this week in light of Christ as your motivation?
SERMON OUTLINE:
Themes in Ezra and Nehemiah:
- What we are experiencing is exile (Neh. 1:1-4).
- God is sovereign and faithful in leading history (Ez. 1:1-3).
- YOU have a role to play in God’s sovereign plan (Ez. 2, 8, Neh. 3, 7, 10, 11, 12).
- The people of God exist for the worship of God (Ez. 3:1-3).
- God has chosen to use leaders, therefore our leaders must choose to be godly (Neh. 2).
- God’s work is always done by God’s people (Neh. 3).
- As we engage God’s work we will experience opposition (Ez. 4:4-5).
- God’s Word does God’s work in God’s people (Neh. 8:1-3).
- God’s kindness leads us to repentance and obedience (Ez. 9-10, Neh. 9).
- God’s beauty leads us to give of ourselves for His glory (Neh. 11-13).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Which of the themes summarized today stands out as most helpful for you personally?
- Which of the themes summarized today do you think our church most needs to learn from? What does that American church as a whole most need to hear?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Israel’s joyful desire to obey God (Nehemiah 12:44-13:3).
2: Israel’s ongoing struggle to obey God (Nehemiah 13:4-29).
3: Nehemiah’s closing prayer (Nehemiah 13:30-31).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Where have you seen the need for greater purity in your heart? In our church? In the American church? Where have we allowed the enemy of God to set up his office among us?
What is your experience with the gift of the Sabbath? How can you practice that kind of dependence on God’s goodness this week?
Where might your love for the things of the world deafen the next generation to God’s Word?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Living as the people of God: Domestically (Neh. 11:1-36).
2: Living as the people of God: Historically (Neh. 12:1-26).
3: Living as the people of God: Joyfully (Neh. 12:27-43).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some ways the American church has struggled to live as the people of God? How do those struggles diminish the Church’s light to the people who don’t yet know Jesus?
- What needs to change in your mindset and behavior in order to view your dwelling place as a ministry assignment from God?
- How can biblical celebrations, and the joy they produce, help strengthen your faith? What practices could you adopt to become a person who celebrates God’s faithfulness well?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The reason for the covenant (Nehemiah 9:38).
2: The people of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:1-29).
3: The content of the covenant (Nehemiah 10:30-39).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Where does the American church need to be intentional about cultivating obedience? Where does our church need to be intentional? How about you personally?
- What tangible reminders do you have in your life that help you follow Jesus? Is there anything you are feeling prompted to add in response to this passage?
- Who are you leading/caring for? How will you know if your leadership is helping them thrive?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Rejoice and Worship (Phil. 3:1-3)
2: Worldly Confidence (Phil. 3:4-6)
3: Lose All to Gain More (Phil. 3:7-11)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some things that the world says we should have confidence in? What are some things that you are tempted to place your confidence in?
- In light of those things, why do you need the continual reminder to rejoice in the Lord?
- What do you need to count as loss for the sake of Christ?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The people gather to confess and pray (Neh. 9:1-5).
2: The people remember God’s faithfulness, their sinfulness (Neh. 9:6-31).
3: The people trust God to help (Neh. 9:32-37).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Reflect for a moment honestly, what is your default view of who God is? What do you tend to think His character must be like? How does this chapter totally upend that understanding?!
- Why do we struggle with the idea of corporate repentance? How could corporate repentance be a help to our church?
- If you were to turn your own history into a prayer what would it sound like?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Inner Renewal
2: Light Affliction
3: Looking to the Unseen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How is my heart these days?
- What afflictions am I experiencing in this season?
- What do I know about the unseen? What do I believe about the unseen?
Welcome
Scripture: Luke 24:1-12
Greeting
Sermon: 1 Cor. 15:3-8
missio: Kids: Gospel Science Experiment
Benediction: 1 Cor. 15:54b-57
Intro/Welcome: Isa. 53:3-7
First Candle: Mark 14:32-52
Silence
Second Candle: Mark 14:53-72
Silence
Third Candle: Mark 15:1-15
Silence
Fourth Candle: Mark 15:16-32
Silence
Fifth Candle: Mark 15:33-39
Communion
Christ Candle/Burial: Mark 15:40-47
End: Leave in silence.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
• Has there been a time when God has acted in an unexpected way,
different than your agenda? Why are those times difficult for us?
• Is it difficult for us to be satisfied with the “downward pull” of the
kingdom of God? Why?
• Pray for anyone at your table, for circumstances that they are facing
currently.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The work of God (Nehemiah 7:1-5).
2: The people of God (Nehemiah 7:6-73).
3: The Word of God (Nehemiah 8:1-8, 13-18).
4: The Lamb of God (Nehemiah 8:9-12).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are your Scripture intake habits?
- Have you ever shown the awe and reverence for the Bible that this passage shows (weeping over sin, standing in awe, etc.)? If not, why might that be?
- How can we cultivate greater reverence for God’s Word?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The temptation of distraction (Nehemiah 6:1-4).
2: The temptation of fear (Nehemiah 6:5-9).
3: The temptation of sin (Nehemiah 6:10-14).
4: The temptation of discouragement (Nehemiah 6:15-19).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS PART 1:
- Where has God called you to work for His glory?
- What are your ministries?
- Where do you see brokenness that God is leading you to bring healing?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS PART 2:
- What distractions keep you from doing the work God has called you to?
- What means of grace has God used to strengthen your hands for the work?
- What fears keep you from continuing the work God has called you to?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The outcry of injustice (Nehemiah 5:1-5).
2: A godly response to injustice (Nehemiah 5:6-13).
3: A godly heart for justice (Nehemiah 5:14-19).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What outcries of injustice exist in our society? What outcries might you struggle to hear because of your background or biases?
- Where has injustice within the church led to damaging our public witness?
- What tangible things is the Spirit calling you to do to work for justice in our world?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: A life spent serving others.
2: A life spent rejoicing with others.
3: A life spent dying for Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why is it difficult to serve sacrificially and joyfully?
- What holds you back from serving others?
- Where do you feel Jesus calling you to serve more?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Amidst opposition—We pray (Nehemiah 4:1-9).
2: Amidst discouragement—We remember (Nehemiah 4:10-14).
3: Amidst difficulty—We trust (Nehemiah 4:15-23).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What feels heavy in your life right now? How might that heaviness be understood as opposition against God’s mission for your life?
- Are you more tempted to rely on self and forget to pray or are you tempted to quit and forget to work? How does Nehemiah’s example of praying and working encourage you specifically?
- As you read verse 14, what do you feel most convicted of needing to fight for: Brothers/Sisters in Christ, your children and the next generation, your marriage, or your church? How does remembering God’s greatness and awesomeness fuel that fight?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The priority of God’s work.
2: The people of God’s work.
3: The principle of God’s work.
4: The posture of God’s work.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What section of the wall in our church has God called you to rebuild (where are you called to serve)? What section of the wall in society has God call you to rebuild (where are you showing God’s glory outside of church)?
- Which aspect of this passage stood out to you the most regarding your own service? What was encouraging, what was convicting?
- What next steps is God calling you to take personally in response to this passage?
SERMON OUTLINE:
A godly leader…
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What does brokenness look like in our city? What burdens for healing has God put on your heart? How are you called to lead in those spheres?
- What is the world’s picture of a leader? How does this passage today contradict that picture?
- Which characteristic discussed today are you most convicted to grow in?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Nehemiah inquires as to the health of God’s people (Neh. 1:1-4).
2: Nehemiah prays for God’s people (Neh. 1:5-11a).
3: Nehemiah is positioned to help God’s people (Neh. 1:11b).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When are you most aware of the fact that you are living in exile? How does this passage draw you closer to God?
- Which aspects of Nehemiah’s prayer (Vv. 5-11) did you resonate with the most? Why?
- What burdens (like Nehemiah’s concern for Jerusalem) has God put on your heart? How has He positioned you to be part of the answer to that prayer?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The How (Phil. 2:14).
2: The Why (Phil. 2:15).
3: The Strength (Phil. 2:16a).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What do you grumble and complain about the most?
- How does that grumbling affect your care for others?
- What are the things you tend to hold fast to? How in this new year can you hold fast to the Word of Life?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Longing for home (Psalm 90:1-2).
2: Remembering we are dust (Psalm 90:3-6).
3: The origin of our problem (Psalm 90:7-11).
4: Finding our way home (Psalm 90:12-17).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- In what ways do you feel “homeless?” What longings do you have? How are those desires only satisfied in Jesus?
- Which of the 6 prayers in v. 12-17 stand out to you the most? Why? How will you pray each of those this coming week?
- Do you have thoughts on why it is important for us to pray for God to “establish” our church more fully? How could a more established missio Dei: Falcon be a blessing to our community?
Table Discussion 1:
What is your prayer life currently like? How will you become more prayerful in 2024?
What does it look like to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday life?
How can you tell, personally, if you are living out the fruit of the Spirit?
In what ways do you need to be more dependent on the Lord through prayer?
Table Discussion 2:
What does it mean for you to live a “holy” life (walking in a manner worthy of Christ)?
How can you step into that life more fully this next year? What things do you need to stop doing? What do you need to start doing?
Why is it important for Christians to walk in humility? Why is it difficult to walk in humility?
How can you pursue growth in humility this upcoming year?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: God is working (Luke 2:1-7).
2: Angels are proclaiming (Luke 2:8-14).
3: Shepherds are responding (Luke 2:15-20).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Which of the following reflection questions stirs your heart the most: 1. Have you been more interested in Caesar’s Rome than Jesus’ manger? 2. Have you encountered God’s glory? 3. Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior, the Christ, the Lord? 4. Will you give your life to his glory?
- How does the story of Christmas impact how you approach this upcoming week?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The birth of John leads to a celebration (Luke 1:57-66).
2: Zechariah sings a song of celebration (Luke 1:67-79).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- As you reflect on celebrating God’s mercy, what does that look like for you? Answer both how has God been merciful to you, and how can you celebrate that?
- If God’s mercy is His loyal, faithful, gracious love as He acts on behalf of His people, what does it look like to extend mercy to others?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Mary celebrates Gabriel’s message with a road trip (Luke 1:39-40).
2: Elizabeth celebrates Jesus with a poem (Luke 1:41-45).
3: Mary celebrates what God has done and who He is (Luke 1:46-56).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How can your soul magnify the Lord? What would it actually look like for you to have a posture like Mary? Answer with practical examples!
What tangible things do you do that help you focus on Jesus? Think of disciplines, rhythms, or habits.
How can you fight for your joy? How can we come alongside each other in this fight?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Gabriel announces John’s birth, Zechariah responds (Luke 1:5-25).
2: Gabriel announces Jesus’ birth, Mary responds (Luke 1:26-38).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Do you ever feel that God owes you? When are you most tempted to doubt His Word? How does Zechariah’s example warn or encourage you?
- What about Mary’s response is most interesting to you? How are you impacted by her example?
- How can we cultivate humility in our hearts (similar to Mary)? How can we avoid having a callous heart (as opposed to Zechariah)?
SERMON OUTLINE:
Call to Continued Obedience.
The Things We Do.
The Heart We Have.
The One Who Gives.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are the things that keep you from being obedient in Christ, and how can you step into further obedience?
- How can you submit to the work of God in you to sustain the works He has for you?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Ezra is confronted with the problem (Ezra 9:1-2).
2: Ezra laments and leads in prayer and confession (Ezra 9:3-15).
3: The people respond and a tragic plan is set in motion (Ezra 10:1-44).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- It is extremely rare to experience lament over sin and repentance as intense as Ezra’s. Why is that? What does that say about Ezra’s view of sin compared with ours? How can we cultivate a heart like Ezra’s (answer practically/realistically)?
- Why is genuine repentance so difficult? How can you tell if your repentance is genuine or contrived/surface level?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Ezra is positioned as God’s Reformer (Ezra 7:1-10).
2: Behind the actions of the king is the hand of God (Ezra 7:11-28).
3: Rebuilding God’s people is always a group project (Ezra 8:1-36).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Why is Ezra’s order of first study of the Bible, then personal action, and lastly teaching others important? What happens if we mix up that order? How are you doing with those 3 steps?
Where have you seen God’s good hand on you (Red Sea Moments)? How do those moments produce courage to act and a posture of worship?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The work we are called to will bring opposition (Ezra 5:1-4).
2: Our work should continue because God is sovereign (Ezra 5:5-17).
3: God’s sovereignty means we will sometimes see surprising results (Ezra 6:1-12).
4: Those surprising results should fuel our joy (Ezra 6:13-22).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Has there ever been a time you felt you were working for God but didn’t see the results (the glory/fire) you hoped for? What did that feel like? How did you respond? How does this passage speak to that moment?
- How would you answer the question, “What are you working for?” (i.e. What is your life’s purpose?) Where do you need to repent? Where are you feeling encouraged?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1. The Unity of God.
2-5. Our Call to Unity and Humility.
6-8. Christ's Strength in Unity and Humility.
9-11. Christ’s Exaltation.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How do you need to repent of a lack of unity and humility?
- In what ways have you seen and in what ways do you want to see Christ exalted more in your life?
SERMON OUTLINE:
The Question: If God calls someone to something, shouldn't that thing go smoothly?
1. The Presence of Trouble is not the Absence of God.
2. God is doing a Work In Us as well as Through Us.
3. Things that don't go away when God calls us to something.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Is there a time in your life where God has called you to a new ministry, family decision, job, etc... and you faced hardship in following Him?
- Which one of these things is the most common challenge you face in following Jesus: 1) Discouragement from other people 2) Physical limitations 3) Sin in your life or from others? How do you stay close to Jesus in the midst of those challenges?
- Pray for anyone at your table facing trouble or obstacles in following Jesus today.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Worship is always the first step (Ezra 3:1-5).
2: Worship is sometimes work (Ezra 3:6-9).
3: Worship always needs the right foundation (Ezra 3:10-13).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Which part of the definition of worship we used today (The regular, corporate gathering where we run towards God remembering our salvation) are you most in need of hearing? Why?
- Why does worship sometimes feel like work to you? How does Jesus meet you in those places?
- If fear drove Israel to the altar, where does fear drive you?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: Your story matters (Ezra 2:1).
2: Your name matters (Ezra 2:2a).
3: Your household matters (Ezra 2:2b-20).
4: Your place matters (Ezra 2:21-35).
5: Your role matters (Ezra 2:36-58).
6: Your purity matters (Ezra 2:59-63).
7: Your belonging matters (Ezra 2:64-67).
8: Your sacrifice matters (Ezra 2:68-70).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What does our world say it takes to have a life that matters? How does Ezra 2 contradict that?
- Which of these 8 reasons discussed today stands out the most to you? Why?
- What would it feel like to belong to a church that valued these 8 things? How is that different from the rest of society?
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The historical context of Ezra-Nehemiah.
2: God stirs the heart of King Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4).
3: God stirs the hearts of His people (Ezra 1:5-11).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When your loves become dis-ordered, what is it that typically takes the place of God as your primary love?
- If God really is sovereign and faithful, as Ezra says He is, how does that impact your day to day living?
- In light of these themes, what do you hope the Spirit stirs in your heart as we study Ezra-Nehemiah over the next few months?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Philippians 1:12-18a (Living for the Gospel Advanced).
- Philippians 1:18b-26 (Living for Christ in Life or Death).
- Philippians 1:27-30 (Living Worthy of Christ Through Suffering).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What in your life makes you say, "Now this is living?" How has God's word changed your thinking?
- What does it look like to suffer for Christ? And why do we try and avoid suffering?
- How have you seen God work in and through you in the midst of suffering?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Bible Passages on Peacemaking:
- 3 Difficulties in Peacemaking:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What does being Irenic mean to you? How have you been able to practice this at home/work/school?
- Have you noticed yourself score-keeping with others or operating out of past wounds or pain? What does the Gospel say to that?
- Is there a scenario this week where you need to make peace? Pray for anyone at your table who is headed into that kind of situation.
SERMON OUTLINE:
1: The invitation of Christian Fellowship (Acts 2:42-47).
2: The need for endurance within Christian Fellowship (Ephesians 4:1-16).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- In light of all the Scripture we read this morning, how would you summarize the promise of fellowship/community? How would you describe the pain of fellowship/community?
- Where do you sense God calling you to endure in love? How is God convicting you of areas you need to mature?
- What do you need from your church community?
SERMON OUTLINE:
- 1: Love: Why it’s important and appealing.
- 2: Love: Why it’s difficult and elusive.
- 3: Love: Where it can be found and shared.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:• What are some signs that you are around a person (or in a place) where you are loved?
• What specific ways will focusing on Jesus help you become more loving this upcoming week?
• What specific areas does our church need to grow in to become more loving?
SERMON OUTLINE:
• 1: Why is leadership in the church important? (1 Peter 5:1)
• 2: What are the main functions of leadership in the church? (1 Peter 5:2a)
• 3: What should motivate leaders in the church? (1 Peter 5:2b-4)
• 4: How should the whole church respond to this? (1 Peter 5:5)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
• Who has been a godly leader in your life? What made them inBluential to you personally? What traits of theirs do you most want to imitate?
• Where have you seen Christians struggle because of bad leadership? How does this passage speak to where those leaders got off target?
• Why is grace the essential ingredient for churches and their leadership culture? How are we doing as a church with our culture?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” —C.S. Lewis
Discussion Questions:
- Can you think of a “storm” in your life where you could see after the fact how God used it for your good? How does that change your perception of other storms?
- Are you more likely to doubt that God has determined your destination, or that He is trustworthy with how you get there? How does this passage speak to you?
- Do you have an example in your life of how God has used your experience with pain (like Paul’s snakebite) to minister to others?
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 God used those things in your life?
- Have you ever made a decision (like Paul appealing to Caesar) that you only realized later was part of God's plan in your life?
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 the Gospel compel you to respond differently?
- What are some things Christians in America feel are unfair? In light of this passage, how do you think Paul would respond?
- The Gospel is unfair. How does your heart respond to that sentence? How does 1 Pet. 2:19-24 impact your response?
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 the Gospel compel you to respond differently?
- What are some things Christians in America feel are unfair? In light of this passage, how do you think Paul would respond?
- The Gospel is unfair. How does your heart respond to that sentence? How does 1 Pet. 2:19-24 impact your response?
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 for you, or that you belong to Him? When do those doubts typically come? How does this passage help?
- What would a person who is confident Jesus is with, for, and over them look like? If you were to fully believe this, what would tangibly change about your upcoming week?
- What about this passage most helps you believe that, “It’s all going to be ok”?
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 for you, or that you belong to Him? When do those doubts typically come? How does this passage help?
- What would a person who is confident Jesus is with, for, and over them look like? If you were to fully believe this, what would tangibly change about your upcoming week?
- What about this passage most helps you believe that, “It’s all going to be ok”?
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 does this passage challenge us to love better?
- Think about some times you have heard Christians share their testimony. What was the experience like? How did it impact your own faith? Why are stories like those so powerful?
- In your DC: Tell us your story. What is your testimony? Think in terms of the 4 steps discussed today (1. Brokenness, 2. Personal conversion, 3. New family identity in the Church/baptism, 4. A redeemed vocation/calling/ministry).
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 does this passage challenge us to love better?
- Think about some times you have heard Christians share their testimony. What was the experience like? How did it impact your own faith? Why are stories like those so powerful?
- In your DC: Tell us your story. What is your testimony? Think in terms of the 4 steps discussed today (1. Brokenness, 2. Personal conversion, 3. New family identity in the Church/baptism, 4. A redeemed vocation/calling/ministry).
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 called you to?
- What does an “off ramp” from that ministry look like? How have you been tempted to take the off ramp?
- What tools has Jesus used to enable you to endure in your ministry these past two years?
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 called you to?
- What does an “off ramp” from that ministry look like? How have you been tempted to take the off ramp?
- What tools has Jesus used to enable you to endure in your ministry these past two years?
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, what attributes have they had that were impactful? How do those attributes reflect the character of Jesus?
- Where have you seen the American church pursue worldly leadership instead of godly leadership? What have been the consequences?
- Where has God given you leadership influence? Which of the traits discussed today do you most need to grow in?
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, what attributes have they had that were impactful? How do those attributes reflect the character of Jesus?
- Where have you seen the American church pursue worldly leadership instead of godly leadership? What have been the consequences?
- Where has God given you leadership influence? Which of the traits discussed today do you most need to grow in?
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 are some practical ways to remind ourselves of the reality of our Resurrection?
- Pray for encouragement and perseverance for others at your table, in whatever they are facing.
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 tangibly change your actions?
- When are you most likely to become angry, anxious, or give in to despair? What might that show you about what your heart worships? How is Jesus better?
- What would Gospel-disruption in our city look like? What cultural idols would be challenged? How would we know the Gospel is what is causing the disruption?
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 through you?
- Which of the discipleship journeys that we studied today most connects with you? Why?
- Why is the combination of gifting and humility (i.e. Apollos) so rare? How can we cultivate humility in our own lives?
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?
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing... Read more »
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have... Read more »
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:1–2,... Read more »
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It... Read more »
Our mission: To create the space for all people to ENCOUNTER the person of Jesus through the transforming study of His Word, EXPERIENCE the love of Jesus through the love of His people, and ENGAGE the work of Jesus through missional discipleship. 1. The evidence that we have encountered Jesus is seen when we become […]
December 12th, 2021. “Finding Rest This Christmas.” Advent 2021 (Week 2). Matthew 11:28b.
November 28th, 2021. “The Invitation of Christmas.” Advent 2021 (Week 1). Matthew 11:28-30.
June 13th, 2021. “Who We Are and What We Care About: The Vision and Values of missio Dei.”
June 6th, 2021. “Who We Are and What We Care About: The Vision and Values of missio Dei.”
February 14th, 2021. “Spiritual Gifts and Life in the Church.” 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31.