Alamo Ranch Community Church: Recent Episodes
Michael McCracken
ARCC exists to be a church that glorifies God by making disciples whose identity and joy are found and rooted in the gospel of Jesus.
This is the sermon audio from our weekly services.
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions:
Discover
Of all the descriptions of suffering or loss in Psalm 102:3-11, which resonates with you? How? Why?
How do you deal with difficulties (fear, anguish, loss, suffering) which seem impossible to grasp or comprehend?
Does preoccupation with yourself cripple, diminish or strangle your “spiritual” life? If so, how?
Nurture
Is there any difference between “hope” and “faith”? If so, what is it? How does being a follower of Jesus Christ affect your answer?
When you are hopeful, what is the basis of your hope?
When you aren’t hopeful, what has changed?
Act
Is there “one afflicted” that could use your help remembering “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”?
Would remembering the fact that Jesus never changes affect a decision you need to make? How?
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions
Discover
Does your vision of the LORD shape your heart? If so, how?
How do you protect your eyes? Your heart?
As a follower of Christ Jesus, do you consider your covenant relationship with Him? When? How? Why?
Nurture
Where is it most difficult to “walk with integrity of the heart? At home? At church? At work?
What “bad company” am I keeping?
Are the affections of my life conforming me into the likeness of Jesus?
Since our “chief end” is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, where am I increasing fulfilling that purpose and where do I need to repent?
Act
This week how will I draw near to His throne of grace in my time of need?
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions:
Discover
What are your top three thankful’s to the LORD?
How does Psalm 100 increase your love of the LORD? Why?
Nurture
In Psalm 100, what specific attribute of the LORD’s stirs your heart to worship Him more?
How does knowing the LORD as creator and redeemer increase your gratitude and delight in Him?
Act
How will the LORD’s goodness, steadfast love and faithfulness be displayed to those He has placed in your life this week?
How does knowing you are the “sheep of His pasture” affect that display of care for others?
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions:
Discover
How would you explain or describe God’s holiness?
Would the fact that He “sits enthroned upon the cherubim” affect your conversation?
What role does the fact that He “loves justice” and is “a forgiving God” play?
Nurture
What facet of God’s holiness (majesty, justice mercy) challenges your thoughts of Him the most?
How have you experienced his forgiveness and loving correction?
Act
How would you pray for the Holy Spirit to give you “eyes” to see the LORD as “Holy…Holy…Holy”?
Does that change how you draw near to Him? If so, how?
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions:
Discover
Are there songs of worship to the LORD that regularly come to mind?
If so, why are they memorable?
If not, what do you think is the reason?
Nurture
In your life, would you equate His salvation with victory? If so, how?
How is joy expressed in your life?
Do you see your salvation as an end in itself or as His means of making His salvation known?
Act
Where would you, like David, ask the LORD to “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation”?
How could you be of help for someone who is struggling with a lack of joy in the LORD’s salvation?
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions:
Discover
What are your thoughts when Psalm 97 proclaims “The LORD reigns”?
From this Psalm, how would you describe His reign?
Does this truth comfort or convict you? Both? How?
Nurture
Has Psalm 97 enlarged your view of God? If so, how?
Is your hatred of evil stronger when you see it in others or in yourself?
Act
How would an increased sense of the majesty, splendor, and holiness of the LORD lead you to love Him more and make sin (rebellion) less attractive?
How does the fact that the LORD’s light and joy have been “sown” in you increase your appreciation of Galatians 5:22 (The Fruit of the Spirit)?
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-105. While studying
these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the holy, majestic, glorious, eternal, righteous King of Kings as we declare His wondrous deeds throughout history.
DNA Questions:
Discover
What was the most joyful event in your life?
Why was it the most joyful?
How do you describe it to your friends?
Nurture
What word or phrases would you use describe worship?
How would you explain who Jesus is to an unbeliever?
Does your worship lead to witness of Him?
Act
Rank these clauses from easiest to most difficult for you:
To know Him leads me to rejoice in Him,
To rejoice in Him leads me to love Him;
To love Him leads me to worship Him,
To worship Him leads me to witness of Him.
Psalm 95 begins with a call to worship and ends with a warning against hardening our hearts in unbelief. The Psalmist tells us why God alone is worthy of worship, and then draws upon the experience of God’s people in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of a hardened heart. The author of the book of Hebrews points to the warning in Psalm 95 to exhort us to hold fast to our hope in Christ as the one through which we are saved.
DNA Questions
Discover
What are some reasons that God alone is worthy of worship?
How did God’s people put him to the test and to the proof?
Why does the Lord say he loathed the generation that died in the wilderness?
Nurture
What does the name “Rock of Our Salvation” tell us about God’s character?
In what ways is it comforting to know that “we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand?” Are there ways in which that makes you uncomfortable?
Act
How are we shaped by the way we worship?
Are there characteristics to the way you worship that you would want to change? If so, why?
Does believing that God is equally merciful and just influence how you tell unbelievers about Jesus?
Does believing that God is equally merciful and just influence how you encourage and disciple fellow believers?
Last week we read the words of Psalm 93, “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty.” This week, in Psalm 94, we come to a very different kind of Psalm. This is a Psalm that deals with the evil in this world. Sometimes we see it - and other times we experience it. We personally experience it. We have been harmed and hurt deeply. There may be pain that never quite goes away. And in the midst of that, we may not have seen any real justice. As followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, as those who have placed their trust in Him, how do we deal with it? The Word of God teaches us how to rightly think about these very real issues in our lives.
DNA Questions
Discover
In what ways does the Psalmist describe what he sees going on around him? What words and phrases does he use?
How would you describe some of the emotions that are expressed in this Psalm?
Nurture
How does it help us to know that God sees and knows about these things?
Why is it a blessing to live our lives knowing that God will deal perfectly with these things?
Why do we often find it difficult to live our lives believing that God will deal perfectly with these things?
Act
In what ways might the knowledge that God protects His people be reflected in our words and actions?
How might we better embrace the truth that God is our stronghold?
The LORD Reigns
This summer we will preach through Psalm 93-104. While studying these Psalms, you will see several repeated themes. For example, this section (Psalms 93:1 and 104:1) begins and ends with the LORD clothed in splendor and majesty. From these passages, we will rejoice together as we worship the majestic, glorious, eternal, holy, righteous King of Kings.
DNA Questions:
Discover
How would you describe the reign of the Lord Jesus in your daily life?
Does He? If not, who or what does?
What “voice and thunder” of the worlds culture drowns out His voice in your daily life?
Nurture
Which of the LORD’s attributes as King described in Psalm 93 encourages you the most?
Convicts you the most?
Why?
What truths in Psalm 93 increase your love for Jesus?
Act
What habits can you develop which will increase your delight in the majestic, glorious, eternal, holy, righteous King of Kings?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 13
Discover:
What does love have to do with the law?
What does love have to do with the gospel?
How does it impact you to consider that you are fully known by God who loves you perfectly?
Nurture:
Which aspect of love do you have the most difficult time believing about Jesus?
If "love is an excellent "way" then which of the aspects of love given in verses 4-7 do you desire most in your own life? Which would most impact your heart and life to experience from someone else?
How does the love of Christ bring about restoration of hope when we have lost it?
Act:
What does it look like to pursue believing that you are beloved of God?
What is one loving "way" that could pour out of your life through believing God loved you first?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Discover
What is the primary purpose of the Spirit when considering this section?
In what ways is the metaphor of the body helpful in understanding the concept of the "body of Christ"?
How do you see God's wisdom in all of this?
Nurture
Do you ever feel like you aren't a part of the body? Why or why not?
How would you encourage someone who felt like their gifting wasn't important or useful?
How does the truth of the gospel inform how we view and use our gifts in the body of Christ?
Do
Do you know what your gifts are? Do you have people in your life who could help you discern this?
What would it look like for you to begin using your gifts in your Gospel Community?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Discover
What is Paul's agenda for this text?
What is the standard for someone who is "Spiritual"?
How does it impact our theology and practical life experience to believe that the Spirit apportions as He wills?
Nurture
What in your life convinces you that Jesus is Lord?
Do you have a passion for the common good of the Church?
Is the Church profitable because of the gifts you have been given?
Act
What would it look like to use your gifts to build up the church?
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
DNA Questions:
Discover
What is Paul getting at when he says that when they come together it is not for the better but for the worse?
How are they humiliating those who have nothing? (v. 22)
How would one eat the bread and drink the cup in a "worthy manner"?
Nurture
Do you regularly examine your mind and heart for the things for things that would be displeasing to the Lord? If so, what does that look like for you?
How does the gospel of the Lord Jesus help us to examine ourselves?
How does the gospel of the Lord Jesus help us to help others examine themselves?
Act
What would it look like for you to intentionally prepare to come to worship on Sunday mornings?
What would it look like for your DNA group to edify the body of Christ here at ARCC?
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Discover
What is Paul getting at when he says that all things are lawful but not all things helpful?
What connection is there between our liberty and our conscience?
How do you know if you are doing anything for the glory of God?
Nurture
How does the gospel point our eyes towards the glory of God?
How do we pursue a life that seeks the advantage of others over our own?
How do we pursue a life of gratitude?
Act
What would look different for you this week if you were trying to do everything for the glory of God?
Is there a way your DNA group could do with work of ministry in order to build up the entire body at ARCC?
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 10:1-22
Discover:
What is the significance of Christ being the "Spiritual Rock that followed them"?
What does God's faithfulness have to do with dealing with temptation?
What is Paul getting at when he states that you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons?
Nurture:
In reference to the Israelites' idolatry, we can gather a few warning signs:
Impatience
Love of the culture
Ingratitude
Pride
Which of these are the most dangerous for you and how can the gospel help us flee these things?
Some of the fruit of idolatry is:
Jealousy of others
Anger towards others
Discontentment
Can you see these in your life and how can the gospel help you to locate the idols and put them to death?
Act:
What it look like practically for you to flee the idols you know exist in your life?
What would it look like practically for your DNA group to serve and edify the body of Christ here at ARCC?
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
DNA Questions:
Discover
Why is it important that Paul defend his apostleship to those who would question it?
Why does Paul talk so much about "rights" in his defense?
What does it mean that Paul has become all things to all people?
Nurture
Does your view of the gospel drive the decisions and actions of your life?
How can the gospel impact your view of your job in a redemptive way?
How does the gospel help us in the context of self-control?
Act
What is one way being "all things to all men" could play itself out in your life?
What would it look like for you to discipline your body for the sake of the gospel?
Sermon Outline - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Description: There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Discover:
What worldly troubles do you think Paul is speaking of in this text?
What do all the things have in common from verses 29-31?
What would it look like for a married couple to have an undivided devotion to the Lord?...a single person?
Nurture:
How do our spouses prepare us for eternity with Christ?
How does our mourning and grief prepare us for eternity with Christ?
How does our rejoicing prepare us for eternity with Christ?
How does our stuff prepare us for eternity with Christ?
Act:
If you are married, how can you help your spouse be free from anxieties?
If you are unmarried, how can you make the most of your singleness?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Discover
Considering Paul's previous subject in v. 1-16 why would he need to exhort them to "lead the life that the Lord has assigned"?
What in our culture would Paul need to address so that we would know that it counted for nothing?
What does Paul have in mind when he exhorts the reader to "remain with God"?
Nurture
Are you free in your freedom? (Consider and discuss these questions)
-Am I free to tell the truth? (When is this difficult?)
-Am I free NOT to defend myself? (Why is this so difficult?)
-Am I free to lay down my rights for the good of others?
-Am I free to let my yes be yes? (Can I commit and be faithful to things and persons?)
-Am I free to let my no be no? (Can I disappoint people?)
-Am I free to be ok even if others around me are not ok? (Do I know where I end and others begin?)
-Am I free from the tyranny of the urgent? (Can I be about important things?)
Act
Which of those questions were most difficult for you and what would it look like to walk in freedom in those areas?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
Sermon Outline - 1 C...s 7 (1-16)
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DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 7:1-16
Discover:
What are the implications of Paul saying that "it is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman"?
How can the Church do a better job of helping people see their singleness as a gift?
Overall, how are we to think about sex, marriage, and divorce based on this text? How does the church community come into play in all this?
Nurture:
Where do you see the gospel impacting and empowering us towards the glory of God in our marriage/sex life and in our singleness?
How can we help each other incorporate prayer into our marriages? Why can that be so difficult?
How does the gospel speak into a story that includes divorce?
Act:
What could it look like to begin a healthy and edifying dialogue around sex, prayer, and the glory of God with your spouse?
Are there any unique ways that the Church can love singles well?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 5
Discover:
What is sexual immorality and why does it tend to be such a problem in the Church?
How do you feel about Paul calling for the Church to remove someone from the congregation? Why do you feel this way?
Why is the opposite of malice and evil sincerity and truth?
Nurture:
Do you mourn over your sin?
What does repentance look like in your life?
Based on Paul's exhortations in this text do you believe that you care deeply for personal holiness and the purity of the Church?
Act:
What would be different about your week this week if you became very serious about walking in holiness towards God?
How does the gospel fuel our pursuit of holiness?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 4:6-21
Discover:
What does Paul mean by not wanting them to "go beyond what is written"?
What is Paul's purpose in comparing his life to that of the church at Corinth? (v. 8-13)
What does Paul mean that the Kingdom "does not consist in talk but in power"?
Nurture:
Are there any areas of your life that are "puffed up"? How would you know?
When was the last time that you were given helpful perspective regarding your life? What made it so helpful?
Do you have someone in your life who can not only tell you right from wrong but also look at your life and tell you that you are right or wrong?
Act:
What would it look like for you to seek out and/or be a father (mother) figure?
How can we create a culture at ARCC where people are hungry to have and to be an influence like this?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Discover:
Why does Paul need to tell the reader how to "regard" him?
What does Paul mean when he says that it is a small thing to be judged by them?
Why is it important that God is going to disclose the purposes of our hearts?
Nurture:
How do you want people to "regard" you? How close is that to the actual truth about you? How would you know?
How does God's judgment bring freedom?
How can the gospel help us not be so quick to judge?
Act:
What would be different about you if you stopped judging the motives of those around you?
How would this week be different for you if you didn't judge yourself?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 3:5-23
Discover:
What does Paul mean that "God gives the growth"?
What does Paul have in mind when he talks about building with "gold, silver, and precious stones"?
Why does Paul tell his readers that "all things are yours"?
Nurture:
What does the "fire" reveal in your life?
Do you sense that your life is being built with precious stones or straw? How would you know?
What would it mean for you to "become a fool" that you might become wise?
Act:
What could you do this week to begin building with gold, silver, and precious stones?
How would your week look different if you believed that all things were yours and that you were Christ's?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions - 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Discover:
Why would Paul liken infants in Christ with "people of the flesh"?
Why is the declaration of following Paul or Apollos being "merely human"?
Nurture:
What would your response be if someone called you immature or if someone were to point out an area of your life that needed growth?
How does the gospel impact the way we might respond to feedback or critique or "the truth in love"?
Act:
How would your life be impacted if you took your role in the "priesthood of believers" seriously?
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly a practical and theological answer to questions, but at its core, it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, and falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experience grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church is a response to real questions by real people whom Paul knows and loves. 1 Corinthians is certainly practical and theological answers to questions, but at its core it is an example of shepherding a flock of sinners saved by grace. Answers are given, thoughts are expounded, falsehoods are confronted with a heart that these people would experienced grace and peace walking in the privilege that it is to be those called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ by the God of the universe.
DNA Questions: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Discover:
What statement most contradicts your worldview from this passage? Why?
Nurture:
"Who can make straight what he has made crooked?" How does this question impact your view of life?
Act:
How does a text like this change how you approach the new year?
DNA Questions: Galatians 4:1-7
Discover:
What is the connection between heirs and slaves that Paul is trying to make?
What are "elementary principles" of the world?
Why is the idea of "the fulness of time" so important to this text?
Nurture:
What elementary principles do you tend to fall back into? Why?
How is our adoption as sons and daughters the answer to our enslavement to elementary principles of the world?
Could it be said of you that you have not because you ask not? (James 4:2) If so, why do you struggle to pray? How does this text impact your view of prayer?
Act:
Believing the gospel, what could your prayer life look like this week?
Considering the Lord's Prayer, (Matthew 6:9-13) how could your prayers be more in line with those of a son or daughter of God?
DNA Questions: Romans 7:21 - Romans 8:8
Discover:
What does Paul mean in verse 21 that evil lies close at hand?
What is the "body of death" that Paul speaks of in verse 24?
What or who is the Spirit of life?
Nurture:
In what ways do you relate to Paul in verses 21-25. What law of sin seems to hold you captive?
How does the Spirit of life set one free from the law of sin and death?
How does one set their mind on the things of the Spirit?
Act:
What is one area of your life where you continually have your mind set on the flesh? What would it look like for you to pursue setting your mind on the Spirit in that instance?
How can we help each other to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh?
DNA Questions - Philippians 1:1-11
Discover:
Meditate on verse one. How has this played out in your life?
What does it mean to be in full accord and of one mind?
What does Paul mean when he says that Christ Jesus did not count equality with God something to be grasped?
Nurture:
How would you know if you were doing things out of selfish ambition or conceit? Do you think you have ever done anything with zero selfish ambition or conceit?
What is true, gospel formed, Christ exalting humility?
What fuels our ability to consider others more significant than ourselves?
Act:
What is the first area of your life that comes to your mind when you think about this notion of considering others more significant than yourself?
What would it look like practically to make this shift?
n our digital age, especially for our communication and information, we have never had a greater need to lean into the implications of the incarnation of Jesus…that is Jesus, as God, coming to be present in the flesh.
The greatest purpose and meaning for this life begins and ends with our relationship to God and just under that would be our relationship to others. The key to both of those realities lies in the incarnation of Jesus…putting on flesh to come and be physically present with us. If this is true then we have deep and abiding theological grounding for a skepticism towards any other substitute promising deep and meaningful relational connection.
In this series we want to belabor a point that it has, perhaps, never in the history of the church been more important to take seriously the implications of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus.
DNA Questions - Mark 10:17-31
Discover:
What are the assumptions that this young guys is making by asking Jesus such a question?
What do we learn about "eternal life" from this story?
What do we learn about Jesus from this story?
Nurture:
What things in your life do you use to protect the "one thing" that Jesus would point at in your life?
What discouragement and sorrow and grief do you need to honestly bring to Jesus in order to draw near trusting in His comfort?
In what ways have you experienced the promise of Jesus regarding the "hundredfold" blessing that comes with leaving everything for the gospel?
Act:
What hindrance or entanglement could you let go of if you actually believed Jesus in this text?
How does this story impact our gospel conversations with the people in our life?
DNA Questions: Luke 9:23-27
Discover:
Who is Jesus talking to in this text?
Why does He feel the need to address this?
What is the Kingdom that "some" will see?
Nurture:
What do you think Jesus would ask you to deny?
What sacrifices would Jesus ask you to make?
What direction would Jesus take you?
Act:
How would your week look different if you lived unashamed of Jesus and His words?
What direction in life would open up for you if you were truly willing to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Christ?
DNA Questions - Matthew 4:18 - 5:12
Discover:
What is the significance of the fact that Jesus would call guys who were fishermen?
What is the correlation between "the gospel of the kingdom" and Jesus healing every disease?
Who is Jesus calling "blessed" in the famous Beatitudes?
Nurture
Are you following Jesus? How would you know?
How have you experienced the "good news of the kingdom" in your life?
If Jesus is talking to the same people from the end of chapter 4 in His sermon on the mount, how does that impact your understanding of blessedness?
Act:
What would it look like for you this week if your whole life became oriented around being a "fisher of men"?
What small, yet significant way could you bring The Kingdom of God into your home, work, or play this week? (Consider the Beatitudes)
DNA Questions (1 Timothy 3:12-13)
Discover:
What does it truly mean to be the husband of one wife?
What does it look like to manage one's household well?
What does it look like to have a "deacon" culture in the church?
Nurture:
Given Jesus' words in Matthew 5:27-30 what would it look like to fight the good fight of being a committed husband to your wife?
Consider Jesus' parable in Luke 15:11-32. Which son do you most identify with? How do you identify with the father in the parable?
At the end of the parable, how is the "prodigal" son better equipped to love his wife and manage his household than the brother who stayed home?
Sermon Outline - 1 T... 3 (12-13)
Act:
Considering God is like the father in the parable what is one area of your life that can be different this week?
DNA Questions:
1 Timothy 3:10-11
Discover:
What does it mean to "slander"?
What does it mean to be "sober-minded"?
What does it mean to be "faithful in all things"?
Nurture:
Why is it so tempting to slander someone? Why is it difficult to put a stop to it when it's going on around you?
What gospel promise can we hold to in order to fight this temptation for slander? (Help each other find scripture to hold to, memorize, and meditate upon)
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-7. How could it be possible for slander and a lack of self-control to "have the appearance of godliness"? What gospel promises can we cling to in order to be sober-minded in those situations?
Act:
Is there any repentance that needs to take place in your life around the issue of slander? What would that look like?
What is one are of your life where you need to commit simply to be faithful? What would that look like this week?
Discover: (1 Timothy 1:12-20; 3:8-9)
How does Paul, in his letter to Timothy help us to understand what it looks like / sounds like to be "dignified"?
Which prohibition do you struggle with most from verse 8 of chapter 3?
Being double tongued?
Addiction?
Greed for gain?
Nurture:
Why do you run to those things to cover your indignity? What is happening in your life that sets you down that path?
What gospel truth/promise strengthens you from falling into that trap? (Help each other find actual scripture to cling to and believe)
Act: (1 Timothy 6:11-2)
What will it look like for you this week to fight the good fight:
Flee these things
Pursue righteousness
Confess to the Lord and perhaps to others who can hold you accountable
Discussion Questions:
Why is it so hard to consider others as more significant than ourselves?
Sermon Outline - Deacons
What does it look like to "outdo one another in showing honor"?
What would it look like for you to "steward" the grace of God in your life for the good of the body of Christ?
In your experience, why does God seem "silent" or "inactive" in your life? Do you often cry out for Him?
How does the cross and resurrection of Jesus ultimately answer the Psalmist?
Do you believe that you were once an enemy of God? Why or why not? Do you believe that you are His "treasured one"? Why or why not?
Discussion Questions:
If God is sovereign over all of those in positions of power, how does that impact the way we think about the leaders in our day? (John 19:11; Daniel 2:21)
How is justice (or a lack thereof) interconnected with fatherlessness? How is the Church to respond?
If the earth was shaken, what would grieve your heart? How can we intentionally fight against loving the things of this world?
Discussion Questions:
What is the gospel? What is your favorite portrayal of the gospel in scripture?
What is the "obedience of faith"? How does it play out in your life? (Romans 1:5; 14:23; 16:26)
What is real, biblical freedom? Do you have it? How would you know? (Galatians 5:1)
You welcomed me into the roar of the waterfalls and out where the waves could crush me. The One who walks on waves has taken us far fromBethlehem and away from the safety of our sheep into deep waters. In the sea and through the great waters we learn how to cray aloud to God AND how to meet Him there.
Do we know God? His people are supposed to know Him. Perhaps the difficulty we have reading and studying a text with little to know personal application points to the great barrier of a heart that knows God.
This Psalm alludes to the fact that there is a connection between gratitude and the nearness of God. The Psalmist presents 5 eternal realities of God for which we should be ultimately grateful. The barrier can be, however, that we sometimes place ourselves in the position of “god” and see ourselves as fulfilling these things. Therefore, we realize that if one of the keys to nearness with God is gratitude, then one of the keys to gratitude is humility.
Faith sounds like making our ultimate appeal to God. In this Psalm Asaph leads the congregation in a liturgy of returning to the Lord and hoping once again in His faithful promises.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
Obeying God’s instruction (Genesis 31:3), Jacob leaves Paddan-aram and heads home to Canaan and his father, Isaac. Needless to say this trip, like all of life, has some serious bumps in the road; Jacob’s deception, Rachael’s theft and Laban’s angry attempt at manipulation. Through it all the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob proves Himself faithful to fulfill all He promised to Jacob. (Genesis 28:13-17).
This event in Jacob’s life teaches what it means to live the gospel “from faith to faith”. (Romans 1:16-17) through Jacob’s fear and deception.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
The Kingdom of God is the work of God’s sovereign grace. Over and again we see that God works in the lives of fallen people. As we have noted so far, the story of Jacob and his family is anything but neat and tidy. However, we cannot forget that the Living God is going to bring salvation to the world through this family. God overruled all the family dysfunction and personal sin to accomplish His sovereign purposes. This is true for those of us in Christ today. Just as the Kingdom of God is the work of God’s sovereign grace, so too is the life of every person in the Kingdom.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
There is a truth given to us by Jesus that we need to believe. It’s actually to our advantage that Christ would go to the Father SO that the Spirit could be sent to us. The hope in this series would be that we would come to believe this as ardently as Jesus, Himself AND that we would long to know and enjoy all that we have in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit of God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.” Jesus, who is our prince of peace showed us what it looks like to be someone who makes peace. However, Jesus is THE Prince of Peace because He is only One who could ever make peace for us with God!
May we linger often over the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. May we live truly believing that He draws near to those who call upon Him in truth and with broken and contrite hearts.
Scripture makes it plain that we have terrible taste in seeking counsel for this life. There is no question that we desperately need a wonderful counselor, but how would we know if we had come into contact and enjoyment the child given unto us?
Church Discipline:
5W’s:
•Why: God’s glory, Preparation of the Bride of Christ, Restoration, Freedom, Protection, To point all involved back to a right relationship with our Heavenly Father
•What: The gift of loving confrontation for believers in their unrepentant sin, holding them accountable to a publicly professed commitment.
•Where: Inside the church body
•When: When there is unrepentant sin, While there is still time
•Who: Church members, Church leaders
The 5th century church father Augustine referred to Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as “visible words.”
We know that when children are learning, they often need pictures or tangible objects to help them understand a lesson. This is what God provides for us in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. He comes down to us, His beloved children, with visible and tangible signs. He does this so that we truly grasp, remember, and have confirmation of His covenant promises. This assures us, and strengthens us, in our relationship with God.
As a church we express our thoughts on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in this way. “Baptism and communion are commands given to the Church as symbols and remembrances of the death of Christ. These ordinances are for believers in that they are external pictures of inward realities. In Baptism, believers are buried with Christ into death and raised to walk in newness of life. Through the Lord's Supper, believers proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Jesus’ gifts to His bride, the church. May we be encouraged by all that the Lord has for us as we consider both of these ordinances.
We were built for commitment by a God who reveals Himself in large part through His commitments, promises, and covenants. Our contention is that one would be hard pressed to commit their way unto the Lord unless their “way” could sustain a life fully committed to being a healthy, functioning part of the body of Christ.
What a blessing to be members of the household of God; the assembly of the LORD; the LORD’s treasured possession; the apple of His eye; His little flock; sons of the resurrection; those called and chosen and faithful; His bride; those who share in the first resurrection; and those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The Bible contains so many vivid picturesque descriptions of those beloved by the Lord it is easy for us to lose sight of that truth with the simple expression “Church members”. But that is the splendid reality for those who are in Jesus Christ.
It will be the church’s great privilege and blessing to keep the words of this prophecy because she will have eyes to see the portrait of her Bridegroom and the amazing grace which He has lavished upon her.
Far above a vision for getting to walk on streets of gold, we have a vision of being loved proportionate to the longings and love of our own heart.
Are you going to live out the great commission to make disciples of Jesus to the ends of the earth? If yes, then to some degree the only thing that matters is that all authority in heaven and on earth now belong to Jesus AND Jesus is going to be with us to the end of the age!…until He returns. That being said, it would seem likely that the great commission is being lived out and the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus is advancing in part because Jesus, Himself bound the strong man for a thousand years.
In this chapter we see a tale of two stories…two feasts. One story leads to everlasting life and joy and pleasures forevermore and the other leads to death. Everything that is good, right, and true can be found inside the true story. Everything outside of that story is ultimately a lie and bound for destruction in the end.
We need to pay attention to the things that bring us joy and the things that bring us grief. Let us not simply assume that our hearts will be aligned with God’s heart in the end. In His providence we are given glimpses over and over again to know that which we truly love.
As we have seen previously God’s judgment can look like taking something that should be a blessing and making it a curse for those who have rejected Him. In a similar way, we will see in this chapter how God can take something of a curse and make it a blessing. The wilderness always has a negative connotation except for when we see it has preserving us from going astray with the rest of the world. We praise Him for His wilderness if it is from there that we watch His judgment fall on those who have gone after the beast and all it could offer.
The seven bowls of God’s wrath are a depiction that God is going to pour out his wrath fully on the un-godly with no chance for repentance afterwards. The bowls are repeatedly poured out throughout the Church Age culminating in the return of Christ and the final destruction of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
It is good that we are reminded at this point in Revelation that there is an eternal gospel to be shared and to be believed in light of impending judgment. It is so tempting try to decode everything in order to make a prediction about when the judgment may come. That isn’t the purpose of the revelation. The purpose is that our endurance would be based on a vision of Christ that sustains all the way to the end.
The dragon has been thrown down and he is furious. He has turned his attention to make war on those who hold to the faith in Jesus. His antics are not new, but they are powerful. In a call for the Church to endure by faith we are given a vision to see things from a heavenly perspective.
G.K. Chesterton once said: “The objection to fairy stories is that they tell children there are dragons. But children have always known there are dragons. Fairy stories tell children that dragons can be killed.” The reality is that there is a dragon, he’s furious, and he wants to destroy the Son by destroying the redeemed. Revelation is a playbook of sorts for how the dragon can be conquered. In the end, it is when we lose our life that we gain it and subsequently render the already defeated dragon powerless. Discipleship in this life is to this end…daily taking up our cross in order to die to ourselves.
We were once enemies of God. The profound reality is that for those who crucified Jesus in the first century they would never have considered themselves as enemies of God. It would seem as though the two witnesses represent that which was necessary to prove this truth: While we were yet enemies, Christ died for us! We are a product not of our “goodness”, but of God’s covenant of grace.
Sometimes God reveals Himself in the glory of splendor and other times and seasons He allows creation to reveal itself. All of these seasons come together to reveal the mystery of the faith…Christ uniting all things in Himself!
How would God help His people be faithful to the end? Perhaps He would give them a vision of the truth about the enemy AS WELL AS the truth about Himself. No doubt, the enemy is scary, BUT God is scarier than the enemy. God isn’t JUST scarier…He’s true and trustworthy. He is the “I Am”. God never lied to us. The enemy did and our Good Father is exposing the enemy while strengthening us for the fight that will inevitably come our way.
John sees a vision of a representation for what is happening on behalf of God’s people. Not only are things around them ordained for their sake but they are ultimately sealed belonging forever to their God and King. We rejoice as we realize that the seal is none other than the blood of Christ by which we make our robes white and live a life of praise and joy and thanksgiving because of the past, present, and future Grace our Lord Jesus purchased for us on the cross.
Sometimes the question declares more than the answer itself. Some kind of war is being depicted in this chapter. The “day” of the Lord is coming and the most relevant thing to say when this is considered is, in fact, a question. Who can possibly stand on this day? As the gospel goes forth and judgment unfolds it will be the repentant who persevere to the end and are saved!
As John gets to observe heaven observing earth it becomes very clear who the Main Character is going to be. As John witnesses the astounding worship of the Lamb we can begin to, at least in part, comprehend what was given up by our Savior to come and be with us. We can echo the Psalmist who said, “what is man that You are mindful of him…?”
God gives John a vision of the glory of His throne. Through vivid imagery God may just be giving us clues as to how we can pursue glimpses of it here and now. If people would desire the courage to do great things for God whether in good deeds or in suffering here on earth they must learn see His glory as it truly is in heaven. When we pray that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven may we already have a vision for what that would look like!
What if, in the story of the prodigal son, the older brother had gone out to rescue the younger brother and bring him back to the family? In essence, that is exactly what Jesus has done and now we get a sobering view of what it would be like to sit down with Big Brother, Jesus, Who gave His life to save us and bring us to the Father.
What if, in the story of the prodigal son, the older brother had gone out to rescue the younger brother and bring him back to the family? In essence, that is exactly what Jesus has done and now we get a sobering view of what it would be like to sit down with Big Brother, Jesus, Who gave His life to save us and bring us to the Father.
What if, in the story of the prodigal son, the older brother had gone out to rescue the younger brother and bring him back to the family? In essence, that is exactly what Jesus has done and now we get a sobering view of what it would be like to sit down with Big Brother, Jesus, Who gave His life to save us and bring us to the Father.
What if, in the story of the prodigal son, the older brother had gone out to rescue the younger brother and bring him back to the family? In essence, that is exactly what Jesus has done and now we get a sobering view of what it would be like to sit down with Big Brother, Jesus, Who gave His life to save us and bring us to the Father.
Part of what makes Revelation and the study of end things difficult is that Jesus, Himself spoke about the Kingdom of God as something that was both at hand (here now) as well as something to come in the future. We call this the “already but not yet” way of thinking about the Kingdom of God. In this continued introduction John has a glorious vision of Jesus Who undeniably puts Himself in the position of the One True God. We will focus on what it means for the people of God walking in patient endurance that Jesus has the keys of Death and Hades.
In this intro and doxology the writer magnificently sets the stage for a glorious vision of the Lord Jesus from the Lord Jesus.
The People of God are the greatest proof of His faithfulness. God, throughout redemptive history has made it a point to ensure that the glory of His grace be displayed in the lives of His people. We gather together as those who display the faithfulness of God and in so doing we encourage one another to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. For He who promised is indeed faithful!
Doing life with our Christian brothers and sisters should be more compelling, more hopeful, more exciting, more redemptive, more profitable than with anyone else in the world. It would seem that even the structure of this text gives the impression that if we will live out the true marks of a Christian together, it will inevitably bleed over into our lives with those of the world. Our community in here very much impacts our mentality as we walk out there! May the Lord use our community of faith to add to the number day by day those who are being saved!
Scripture itself attests to both its transcendent value as well as its pragmatic value for everyday life. Paul is working out the action verbs that outline the ways in which scripture equips us to live a life from faith in Jesus Christ. Every time we open scripture, scripture itself is leading us towards repentance and faith. We desire our DNA groups at ARCC to be a context where our people gather around the word and disciple one another towards a life that experiences this on a regular basis.
Grace for our salvation…
And Grace for everything else…
All of that comes from One…
One full of grace and truth…
The Christmas baby Jesus…
God with us…
And God For us…
Best Gift Ever…!
Jesus is God in the flesh. The Son of God. He came as a baby in the fullness of time to redeem those lost in darkness. God wasn’t hoping for the best when He sent His one and only Son. Jesus was going to overcome the darkness as the true light. People would indeed believe because people had indeed been born of God!
As we begin to celebrate the first Advent of Jesus using John 1:1-18 where Jesus’ birth isn’t even mentioned, how do we prepare to celebrate Christmas without the story of baby Jesus? When we grasp the meaning of the Gospel of John’s preamble (John 1:1-18) the meaning of the Christmas story we find in Matthew and Luke is much more profound.
As the creation narrative comes to a close our Good Father has set the stage for a redemption that will display the glory due His name. As the garden is officially closed off with a cherubim guarding with a sword on all sides. Adam and Eve, newly clothed by the Father, will set off on a journey of faith in waiting for the TRUE Light of the World who would show us the Way to Life everlasting.
The world did now know God through wisdom and it pleases God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. Our first parents fell because they believed the lie that more “wisdom” would make them like God. In the process they were puffed up in their own eyes and God was belittled. In the end they worshipped the created thing rather than the creator and their eyes were opened not to see themselves as more like God, but to the shame of their nakedness.
In this section the author describes God’s explanation of the relationship into which Adam will enter into with the woman who has yet to be named. We call this “one flesh” union marriage. This ends with the crescendo of creation: the man and the woman both naked and unashamed. God was showing Adam that in loving union with another there was to be found unparalleled joy and freedom.
There is something profound to consider that in the garden of Eden “very good” and “not good” were realities taking place at the same time. This paints an incredible picture of the fact that “very good” could be used to describe the things around us and yet our deepest longing not be satisfied. It seems that we as sinful humans will do just about anything to avoid addressing this issue. God addresses this for Adam, giving incredible insight along the way, into the greater reality to come that would ultimately fulfill this deep longing in our hearts.
What if Adam could speak to us today? What if he, as the one through whom sin entered the world, could give us some insight that could help us not fall into the same trap that he fell into? In a very real sense, Jesus, the second Adam, does this very thing. If we listen closely, Jesus speaks in His day as One who was there in those days. Jesus, as the One through whom righteousness would enter the world, speaks the heart and wisdom of God to those bound up in Adam’s failure.
This is the beginning of mankind’s existence in the world God created. As the crowning achievement of God’s creation, how would this omnipotent creator relate to man? In our day there are those who do not believe in a creator. They believe all that we see and know is the result of time and chance. Others believe there must be a “higher power” who created it all but is like an absentee landlord—a creator who wound it up and turned it loose to see what would happen. Holy Scripture, however, describes Him not only as the sovereign creator and sustainer but as the One who is actively involved and personally concerned with all the affairs of man.
It should absolutely grab our attention that the day the Lord blesses and sets a part is the day that God rests from His work. It is a wondrous thing that God would want us to know that rest was a part of His created order. May we see the goodness of God for us in His mandate that we join Him in it. This section is written in such a way that we realize that the kind of rest that God has from His work is not simply the absence of work, but that which comes at the completion of it. How then are we to join honor Him in such a rest? Praise Him that the kind of rest that we enter that truly honors and glorifies Him comes through belief that His work is ultimately sufficient. Christ, whose work is finished, is our rest. By grace alone through faith alone we enter His rest!
Oh that we would live considering all that it means for us that we were created in the very image of God. The Imago Dei. How would encouraged and strengthened we would be to live life believing God! And yet, how humbled we would be so as to truly live life considering others as more significant than ourselves! May this truth forever and always dictate the way we view God and man…and ourselves. This week we will consider several of the implications for our life as creatures who share in the very nature of God. We will celebrate the fact that it was, is, and always will be God’s nature to rescue and redeem us, through Christ, from all the ways our sin has marred that image!
The creation account is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is worthy of study that many have put into. God reveals Himself through His Word, through His delight, and through His ordering. In creation we have reason to trust our God as He sets forth His wonderful purposes which beautifully come into the light. In this text, there is so much to celebrate. Within the account of creation we can see God hinting at His plan for redemption. May we delight in every one of His good gifts as His creation and may we never miss an opportunity to gaze up His glory which shines in the face of our Lord Jesus!
The second verse in Genesis seems to be often overlooked in the excitement to get to verse three. After all, who can wait to get to the part where God speaks and brings light out of darkness? But what if verse two was meant to enhance the whole experience? It’s possible that verse two could help us enjoy the rest of the creation narrative all the more! The implications of the reality that God started with formlessness and a wasteland covered in darkness are far reaching. There are none greater than the reality that God would take such amazing pains to paint a vivid life-sized picture to help us gain perspective on the true and better creation story that has taken place in the hearts of God’s people! Oh may we learn to rejoice in the dessert and in the darkness as God sets the stage for the glory of His workmanship!
For the one seeking to live from a biblical world view the beginning is of utmost importance. Therefore it is of utmost importance that we begin with God. Most who will listen to this series will have no problem with this sentiment. However, scripture itself seems to point to a reality that we as humans have a tendency to forget, deviate from, and even willfully suppress this truth. If we are honest with ourselves there are some places in our life where we struggle to perceive and understand and respond out of the truth that it was indeed God in the beginning. At some point down the line God’s sovereign intentions will not line up with our minds and will and heart. Therefore, it will always be crucial that we are reminded that it is only by faith that we will not only please God, but understand as well.
Right now. Could you go “be” with Jesus? Jesus’ mission was to reconcile us to God. Christ put on flesh and came to us that we might be His people and He would be our God. As a part of making disciples at ARCC we desire to equip the saints with a yearning to take advantage of the welcome we have in Christ to come into the presence of God and simply be still and KNOW Him. We believe that Discipleship must come forth out of this regular “being” with the Lord.
Outside of Jesus and His twelve disciples the relationship between Paul and Timothy might be regarded as the most explicit example of mentor discipleship that we have. In essence, young Timothy was invited to join Paul on his missionary journey. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of the primary purpose for getting to be with Paul for all these years. By the power of the grace that is in Christ Jesus Timothy was to join Paul in the lineage of training up faithful men who could then turn and train up more faithful men. We will see that being a part of this mission of making disciples who make disciples is, in itself, one of the great ways that we ourselves are discipled. Understanding comes after faithfulness. Once again, discipleship happens as we walk in spaces that require us to be both the mission and the missionary.
Jesus, the Son of God, has been in community from all eternity. We believe that He has been satisfied completely by and in and through the eternal presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus came to earth He did His ministry alongside others. He knew them and they knew Him. There is an important aspect of Christian discipleship that cannot happen outside of community. Living life in community is a large part of the process of “growing up into Christ” as Paul would put it to the Ephesian church. Jesus told His disciples that the world would know them by their love for one another. In Christ, we have a new identity bought and paid for by His blood. He calls us a priesthood unto the Lord. This being the case, we have the privilege of doing life with people uniquely gifted to present Jesus to us over and over again. The Apostle Paul gives wonderful vision for what this life with “one another” looks like and what it was meant to accomplish for God’s glory and our sanctification as those being conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus.
What would you do if you believe you were going to meet with God? Certainly what you believe about who God is and where you are in relation to Him would make a difference. At ARCC we desire to reclaim the meaning and depth and value of the privilege that it is for the people of God to gather together for worship on Sundays. Not only are we experiencing a foretaste of what it will be like when Jesus returns and we get to actually stand around the throne, but we are also being formed by and in and through this experience for a life that pleases God. Indeed, a life that seeks to see to it that the earth is filled with the glory of God. In meeting with the Lord together our identities are solidified in who God is and what He has done for us that we might be holy and blameless. In meeting with the Lord together our purpose becomes clear as we are sent out as holy ones to declare to the world who the truly Holy, holy, holy One is.
Sometimes the warrior can lose sight of the point of being a warrior. Sometimes in weariness and exhaustion and wounded-ness the warrior can believe that it is safer and easier to find sure footing by simply viewing everyone and everything as the enemy. To be sure, life impacts the way your flesh is conditioned to view, perceive, and respond to every situation you walk into. The Psalmist seems to outline some of the ways we would be tempted to hide ourselves and make ourselves feel “safe” and “secure” as ones who set their minds on the flesh. What would it look like to respond, in those same situations, as ones who set their minds on the Spirit? In this Psalm we really can find life from dread.
Longing is an emotion that most of us are pretty uncomfortable with. We don’t like the feeling that it creates in us. This uneasiness that there is something out there that my heart deeply wants, and I don’t have it. We deal with this in many different ways. Most often, when we do experience a deep longing in our heart, we try to satisfy it as fast as we can or at least distract ourselves from it. But most of the time, in our immediacy to put the longing to rest, we settle for things that only curb it and do not leave us deeply satisfied. Others of us have tried that enough, and now we just seek not to long for anything. We settle into lives that fall well short of our desires and mask our sorrows with the outward appearance of contentment. “I should be grateful for what I have,” we tell ourselves as we put our desire for joy to rest. But what do we do when we can’t curb the craving when we can’t find a distraction that can block out the urgency of our need? What do we do when our sorrow won’t be hidden behind a veil of contentment. This is where we find King David in Psalm 63. With a longing that must be satisfied and a clarity that only the wilderness can provide, calling out to a God that He believes not only has the ability but the desire to give him the joy he so desperately seeks.
Hebrews tells us that God shakes things so that we will know what belongs to His Kingdom and what belongs to the kingdom of this world. We live in a time where it seems like everything is being shaken and it truly seems difficult to know where to find firm footing. The writer of Ecclesiastes looked in many places and in many directions only to come to the conclusion that all was vanity. In Psalm 52 we are given a picture of what it looks like to see God as truly our rock and salvation as well as a picture of what it looks like to react was one who is “shaken”. One of the great dangers of our time is that in our culture it seems perfectly acceptable to be shaken all the time and still believe that you are a Christian. When the Lord calls us to speak the truth, may we we be living the lives to go along with it. It would seem that as believers, if this was ever going to be the case, we must take up the discipline of silence and grow in the ability to pour out our hearts before Him. It will be in those spaces where we can come to know Him, in the midst of all things shaking, as the true and powerful One Who is working out His steadfast love. This becomes our firm foundation as the things and people around us continue to be blown and tossed. May we, the people of God serve as a non-shaken presence pointing others to the Mighty One who saves.
The Psalmist, whose heart is growing faint, seems to be giving us something of a simplified checklist of things to work through in order to give his heart the care it needs. These things are all aspects of the life of one who belongs to the Lord. The profundity of these things is that they are NOT profound at all. In fact, the danger lies in that we would have a tendency to assume or overlook or even discount the validity of these things. As believers, for the sake of our hearts, we must get back to fervently doing the basics of the Christian life. We must reclaim the convictions and the non-negotiables that are directly and exclusively bound to one’s relationship with Christ. May we cling to the Law of Christ established in the grace of Christ which gives life to us and a heritage to generations that will come after us God willing.
For the next several Psalms we are going to read David’s lament over suffering at the hands of evil men. It is a great thing that the people of God would learn to excel (by the power of the Holy Spirit) at glorifying God through their suffering. There is much room for us to grow in the way of “entrusting our souls to a faithful Creator while doing good”…especially in times of suffering. We are living in a time where it would seem that there are plentiful opportunities for the people of God to relate to while considering David’s groanings. That being said, we know that David’s great sufferings did not keep him from committing great sins towards others causing much devastation. While this is something that is typically difficult for us to see in ourselves we can see that not only is it possible for hurting, wounded, and suffering individuals to hurt others, it is very likely (outside of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit) that they will hurt others. Because this is true, we must be willing to receive texts like this one from a posture that believes it is possible that we are as likely to be on one side of the narrative as the other. The fact that all of this centers around the cross of Christ means that there is incredibly good news no matter what the truth may be for you. We can trust that vengeance and justice will be utterly satisfied AND as broken sinners who hurt people we can know that there is ultimate forgiveness by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. May we all learn to live out what is true of us in Christ which is that we are more than conquerors. Christ is our great defender and HE is our great intercessor. May we see this play out that the world might know that God rules in righteousness to the ends of the earth.
In Psalm 57, as David runs and hides from Saul, he acknowledges that his only refuge is in God Most High. Knowing that to be true his repeated refrain is “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” In Psalm 58, David describes one way the LORD God’s glory is displayed on earth. The God who judges the earth, the One who makes all things right, will receive blessing, honor and glory forever and ever. The bad news is that we live in an unjust world with lying, unjust, wicked rulers. The good news is that the LORD Jesus Christ will righteously judge that rebellion. The bad news is all of us have been and can be unjust, wicked liars who deserve righteous judgment. Hallelujah, Jesus is not only just but the justifier of the one who has faith in Him.
The more you read the scriptures, meditate on the Psalms, and become familiar with the story of David the more you realize that his battle with Goliath was hardly the defining reality of his life especially in his own eyes. Over and over again in the Psalms you don’t read about the man who ran into the battle with a sling shot and five stones, but rather a man who was constantly taking refuge in the Lord. Slaying giants doesn’t seem to be the theme of David’s life at all. Being overwhelmed by life and all that comes with it and experiencing God’s grace and mercy and protection in it seems to be a closer representation of David’s experience. What if taking refuge in the Lord was supposed to be the theme of our life rather than slaying the giant? How would we know if this was true of our life?
Psalm 56 picks up where Psalm 55 leaves off - David bringing his frustration and complaint before the Lord. David knows that God is the only one who can deliver him from the trouble he faces everywhere he goes. Oftentimes, we don't know what to do with Psalms like these - Psalms of Imprecation and Lament, and because of our misunderstanding of what God is inviting us into through these particular Psalms, our view of God and our view of ourselves suffers. Since these types of Psalms can be repetitive in the life of David, could it be that God is not as quick to rush past cement in our lives as we are? If we were to slow down and seek God in the midst of a fallen world, we may just find that God uses joy and pain to conform us into the image of Jesus.
There seems to be a need to look more closely at this idea of the heart being deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. Read and quoted by itself it comes across like a warning…a warning that says that our hearts are never to be trusted. If Proverbs is true, in that from our hearts flow the wellspring of life, then a rejection of our hearts actually becomes the source of more destruction and not less. As you get closer to the text here in Jeremiah you begin to realize that this is actually more of a cry for help from someone who has pressed in long enough to know the truth about their own heart. The beauty in this is that as we begin to behold the truth about ourselves we actually get closer and closer to beholding God who is near to the broken hearted.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. It is truly a blessing to trust in the Lord, but it is even greater so if the Lord, Himself is the entire reason for our trust. It is not good news simply that God is good and generous and capable of pouring out blessing upon those who trust Him. It is good news that our God has actually pledged His faithfulness toward us in such a way that we would truly be His people and that He would truly be our God. The life we live by faith we live believing a God who has shown Himself to be ultimately and eternally trustworthy. If God is truly for us then who can be against us? Life has always been meant to flow from our trust in who God is and who He has shown Himself to be.
By the grace of God something was instilled in us that has made us hyper vigilant towards finding a savior. The curse is that we continue to seek that in the trust of men which usually, eventually results in self isolating self reliance. This truly is a curse. This is also why it was profoundly relevant for Jesus to describe His yoke as easy and His burden as light. Anyone who has trusted in their own strength for any length of time knows deeply how ruthless the yoke is and how heavy the burden is that they place upon themselves. In the end all other “savior” suck the life right out of us and prove over and over again that they cannot produce in us truly abundant life. How long will we be like the shrub in the desert before we take Jesus up on His offer to come to Him and find rest? Our flesh is warring against such a surrender which is why God, Himself must, at times, “make us lie down in green pastures”.
We will see the trustworthiness of the anger of God over sin and its destruction. Somewhere in here there might just be an invitation to join the Lord in a Spirit-filled righteous anger that lends itself toward redemption.
The peace Jesus gives and the power the Holy Spirit is sent with are essential as we are sent out into the world.
The Psalmist was on to something he spoke of blessing for those who sought the Lord with their whole heart. This is less about intensity and more about truth. Sometimes the eyes of our hearts must be enlightened.
In the fulness of time it only makes sense that the Author of this story would include another garden.
When all the world sees is chains and bondage Jesus is putting the wisdom of the world to shame and showing His people the way to true freedom.
The humanity of Jesus is sometimes lost on us. But in it we find a glorious High Priest who sympathizes with us and loves us.
In the dysfunction of what is taking place we realize that there is real life brokenness that could take a completely innocent human and condemn them to death. All the while the One person who should be anxious seems to be walking in a strange peace.
God uses the power of the darkness to destroy the darkness. The darkness can do nothing but shadow the true Redeemer.
After drinking the passover cup with his disciples for the last time until kingdom come, another cup remains in front of Jesus.
To men preoccupied by what seat in the Kingdom they will fill, Jesus invites them to a war-time reality that has come upon them. Jesus is inviting them, as friends, to become men in their faith.
Because all flesh is like grass and faith is more precious than gold Jesus uses satan in His school of discipleship.
Jesus disciples the hearts of these young men towards true greatness fueling their longings with promises that only God, Himself could keep.
The plot to kill Jesus begins to actually gain traction and is looking more inevitable and bleak-however, it is God’s plan from eternity past to save a people for himself and it culminates in the person and work of the final Passover Lamb-Jesus Christ.
To the disciples who, to some degree, are hoping in dates and times and plans and strategies, are given a vision for a Jesus far better than all of that.
Jesus answers the questions of the disciples regarding the destruction of the temple because their incorrect presuppositions might lead to being deceived.
The unconditional love of God is the greatest love ever known. Yet, we have trouble looking to it, resting in it, and operating out of it. The prideful heart will never be able to truly abide in the steadfast love of the Lord.
The unconditional love of God is the greatest love ever known. Yet, we have trouble looking to it, resting in it, and operating out of it. The prideful heart will never be able to truly abide in the steadfast love of the Lord.
As we continue into the season of Advent, let us be reminded that it is only the Consolation of Israel-Jesus, that can bear the weight of our Ultimate expectations. When our lesser expectations are framed around the person and work of Jesus, we can then, begin to truly enjoy this season for what it was meant to be.
The prophets weren't asking whether or not God would fulfill His promises. They were searching and inquiring to know when they would come to pass. And in God's promise of Advent, that the Messiah would come, His faithfulness was proven to us in the greatest way of all.
The Spirit of God is our teacher. One of the marks of the Spirit is that we are driven to one another which is arguably the Spirit’s primary classroom for our sanctification and formation as the sons and daughters of God. It could be said that the work of the Holy Spirit will lead us to a quiet life rather than an extraordinary one.
Essentially we are closing out a segment of interactions with Jesus where He brings to light the true realities of the Kingdom of God.
The questions we ask don’t mean much without a pure hearted curiosity to go along with it. Jesus isn’t fooled or drawn in by our weaponized flattery and loaded questions. In the end we are left with faulty discipleship resulting in liars and pretenders.
Life and life to the full is found in the reminder that we are but tenants and not owners. Will we have eyes to see this and will it be good news to our souls?
We only begin to see the true substance of the Kingdom of God, when we find our ultimate delight in King Jesus and His ways. We cannot give our primary affection and attention to building our own kingdom and the Kingdom of God at the same time. Jesus though, graciously offers us a place at His table in a far superior Kingdom, where He reigns supreme, for His own glory and our joy.
This life matters. What we do now and how we finish by the grace of God is of eternal significance.
The Kingdom, eternal life, heaven, salvation are all terms that allude to the same reality. And yet, each one uniquely helps us understand that we are being brought out of something and transferred to something else entirely. Jesus helps us to see what it means to receive the Kingdom like a child.
Jesus gives us a vision for the kind of work that God is doing in order to make ready a people for His Kingdom.
Faith IN a big God produces a radical obedience that was meant to terminate on Jesus being the center of our worship.
The question is not whether we will be faithful or not. The question is to whom or what we will be faithful. Jesus invites us to a life of faithfulness to the One who is ultimately faithful.
When God asks Adam where he is in the garden we need to understand that it is really an invitation of sorts. Many of the Psalms are an honest answer to that question. It would be redemptive for our heart and soul if we were better at answering this question as well.
It’s easy to announce the foolishness of one who would claim that “there is no God.” It is much harder however, to spot the functional atheism in the heart of the Christian who decides to choose sin over the glory and majesty of God. The answer for both, the atheist in word and functional atheist in deed, is the same-repent and believe the Gospel.
The Psalmist highlights a grounded biblical reality that the tongue truly sets forests ablaze and sets men on paths for destruction. The power to tame the tongue is found in the steadfast love of the Lord.
If the last Psalm was an articulation of the gospel that the people of God were looking towards the salvation of God (in Christ) then this Psalm is an articulation of what it is to apply the gospel to one’s life.
There are few places in all of scripture that articulate the gospel better than this Psalm. God truly had been preparing the way for His Son to save the world.
To live a life that is not based in the fears of men and of this world, we must have a mind that is set on God and the eternity that He promises.
The idea of a mountain and the idea of a city innately help us to understand the grandeur of God and what we have been brought into.
What does it mean for us that we serve a King? What a great testimony we have in King David gladly handing that title over to the King of all the earth!
Jesus is the only one who truly loved righteousness and hated wickedness. He is the only king who established a kingdom of uprightness. And He's the only one who made a worthy sacrifice at the Lord's table.
A Father would curse His Son so that NO curse could ever separate us from the His love ever again.
What would it look like if we actually believed that it was God’s job to judge, defend, and rescue us?
The Psalmist gives language and words to describe the heart of one in pursuit of God and hope in a time of duress.
Perhaps Jesus is not giving an invitation for men to prove their devotion, but rather to admit that they are sick and in need of a physician.
In Chapter 14, Jesus is invited by a ruler of the Pharisees to eat with a group of them. At the risk of embarrassment, they try to trap him again, but they are quickly silenced. He then shows them through a parable, that who they’ve waited for their whole lives, is now eating with them, but they decline the most important invitation they’ll ever receive.
We will look at the connection between rest, a vision for the Kingdom, the gospel, and lament.
Jesus helps us to see that one cannot think about repentance without thinking about grace. There is no repentance without grace and repentance is the fruit that God seeks.
Inherent to the good pleasure of the Father giving His children the Kingdom is His prerogative to see to it that we are ready. As the servants culminate in the return of the mast in the previous teaching of Jesus, this week the accused will meet the judge. Will we be ready for that day?
Like servants left with their master's estate while he is away, we are called to live in readiness for his return.
The Lord Jesus speaks the truth and promises of God that rightly go with a command to not be anxious.
The garden and the gardener motif can be such a helpful presentation of the beauty and the struggle. It is especially glorious when we are given eyes to see Jesus in the garden as THE Gardener.
There is a fear that casts out all fear and there is a pursuit that trumps all pursuits. The people of God need a fresh vision of God to pursue the mission of God.
Most of us have preconceived notions around the term “Pharisaism”. Jesus is going to bring great clarity around the devastating qualities of the men who were meant to lead to the people towards God but instead leading them away.
Good news was meant for an evil generation. The problem with the evil generation is that it things everything else is the problem. However, we must make sure the light IN US is not darkness.
Missional Communities at ARCC are the “everyday” vehicle by which believers are equipped to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
Jesus disciples people through their unbelief that shows up in many ways. Jesus points out the barriers to belief which also happen to be the consequences. It truly is blessed to hear and believe.
In this story prayer goes from a good thing we should learn about to good news of hope as we walk through this broken world.
In this story prayer goes from a good thing we should learn about to good news of hope as we walk through this broken world.
The story of Martha and Mary presents such a clear picture of the difference between doing what we do because Jesus is our treasure and doing what we do to try to earn His approval.
The gospel is hidden in plain sight. If we carefully consider the context of these encounters with Jesus we will see that He is faithfully calling people to Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The gospel is hidden in plain sight. If we carefully consider the context of these encounters with Jesus we will see that He is faithfully calling people to Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
To be a part of the Family of God is not to lose our personal identity. In fact, it is because we will be individually held responsible for all that we say and do we need the Family. In the Spirit-filled Family of God we are compelled towards courageous obedience and mission. For this reason, the Family of God needs us.
That the word of Christ would dwell in us richly is central to our faith. It is important, however, for us to realize that this is something that was meant to happen in the context of family for the purpose of worship.
As we break down Ephesians we see the plan of God not only to make peace with men through the blood of Jesus but to also make peace among men through the blood of Jesus. Through the gospel of Jesus we are family and as the household of God we take the glory of God to the ends of the earth.
The sovereignty of God was not meant to squelch the plans of men. To consider the sovereignty of God frees us to count great costs and hope for big things and ultimately find rest.
As we celebrate the coming of Jesus, we are grateful to serve a God who didn't make us choose between truth and himself. May God set us free by the truth of His Word to celebrate the true wonder of his arrival.
God revealed wisdom to his people to make them ready for the Christ who would be its embodiment. Only through the gospel will the obedience of faith be brought about so that we can enjoy the fruits of a life lived trusting in the Lord.
We will look at the wisdom of God through the lens of the gospel and apply it to our relationships, especially those closest to us.
In short, Jesus is always going to lead us to rejoice in the Lord and what He has done. We recognize that to have one’s name “written in heaven” is the foundation that speaks not of our merit, but of the unconditional love of God and the eternal communion of the Godhead.
Since we are created in the image of God, to image God in various ways, our understanding of the human experience must be able to be defined by the vastness of God's word. We are created in the image of God as thinking, desiring, and doing beings. The scope of sin's devastation affects each of these categories of the human heart, but the scope of Christ's redemption triumphs over sin in the life of the believer.
Jesus gives a vision for the mission of advancing His Kingdom. Through the sending out of the disciples we know that Jesus was looking for laborers to be messengers of peace.
Jesus addresses the hearts of His disciples while giving them a true picture for what it means to follow Him.
We don’t really know what to do with this idea of greatness. In a culture set up to answer the question of who is the greatest Jesus comes along and gives good news to a people longing to reach an arbitrary standard.
The disciples who watched Jesus transfigure in glory on the mountain were also the ones who watched him agonize in sorrow in the garden when he was delivered into the hands of men. What does it mean for us that our Lord calls us to behold glory and suffering?
Jesus is saying and teaching us so much when He tells the disciples that He “must suffer many things.” The cross of Christ was so much more than just a fix to a major problem.
In this story Jesus shows His disciples what it means to be on His mission with Him. In a very real sense we come to realize that to be on mission with Him should be our mission.
There comes a point where knowing is not going to be enough. Jesus, in his sovereign goodness, is making us ready to believe.
If discipleship could be simplified down to one question it could be this one. As disciples of Jesus, this is the question we must learn how to ask in love and answer with honesty.
In all His wisdom, Jesus is telling a parable that simultaneously describes the expansion of the Kingdom while expanding the Kingdom.
The command to love God is not because God needs it, but because we desperately need our love to be centered upon Him.
The Psalmist outlines the fruit of waiting on the Lord. Many times it is a new and fresh perspective on the Glory and the Greatness of our God resulting in a renewed peace and trust rather than a completely new circumstance.
David in his distress cries out to God for mercy asking for blessing in the midst of trouble and betrayal. He shows us the importance of considering the poor among us, and even more, shows us how we as poor have been considered greatly.
God, in His mercy, can take us from great resolve towards good things to a deeper brokenness and reliance upon Him.
There are many wonderful pieces of wisdom handed down to us from the Creator God who loves us. However, all of that combined will never be a sufficient substitute for His willingness to physically come near to us.
God's eternal promises for the righteous and the wicked are clear throughout the Psalms. Though it may not always seem that believers will be saved or that unbelievers will be punished, in the end, all His promises will stand.
The Psalmist, inspired by the Spirit of God, puts forth many commands. The command to delight in the Lord is one of the most helpful in distinguishing the Christian world-view specifically faith from non-faith…true righteousness from self-righteousness…the blessing from the curse.
The Psalmist talks about the steadfast love and mercy of God in the context of the evidence for God Himself. Without the fear of God there is no chance to find our way to love or truth or life.
Sometimes in the midst of trouble and hardship, it seems like God is distant. But the truth is that He never wastes a moment of suffering in conforming us to the image of Jesus.
One of the great things about scripture is that many times as much as the words themselves it is the posture in which they were written that makes them so compelling. It is a powerful reality that we know the very imperfect stories of the writers themselves.
If God wanted you to know that He was for you, what would it look like? The greatest way for God to work for us is to remove us from the center so that He alone will be feared and worshiped.
This text speaks of all that flows from the forgiveness and right relationship accomplished by Christ. Our life begins by believing that we are so blessed by faith in Jesus.
Jesus' last words before he dies on the cross are quoted from this Psalm of David. When he finally yields up his spirit, the Son gives us the ultimate example of what it looks like to take refuge in the Father.
Jesus is going to describe this generation as childish and then proceed to tell us what maturity is truly like. Discipleship is so much more than gaining and passing along knowledge. Can we reconcile the world that God has ordained?
Jesus completely flips the script on greatness while giving a vivid articulation of the Kingdom.
Even the greatest men can be brought to the end of themselves. The faithful men teach us the questions to ask in our struggles with doubt.
Jesus did not come simply to work miracles. He came to end all sorrows by defeating sin and death. In this story we catch a glimpse of what that will be like.
Jesus is addressing the insufficiency of judging one another. While there is a great need for right judgment there is an even greater need for forgiveness.
Jesus is teaching His disciples what it means to be more than just reciprocators. When the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus clashes with the kingdom of the world blessed are the peacemakers.
Jesus begins to disciple His disciples. He starts here by teaching them about saving faith of which He is the author and perfecter.
You can love the law of God and have no love for God or people, but you cannot love God or truly love people without loving the law.
Every encounter with Jesus will include the opportunity for the laying down of something old (according to the flesh) and a taking hold of something new (according to the Spirit).
The idea of authority is a concept that we really must be willing to wrestle with if we are going to take the Jesus of scripture seriously.
Living a Spirit-led life will result in Jesus becoming more known in our spheres of influence-where we live, work, and play. It doesn’t always mean that He will be received well though. We can trust that the Sovereign God of the universe knows what He is doing as he leads us in times of acceptance and times of rejection.
With Jesus as our conquering King, how do we live our lives as faithful sons and daughters believing God rather than the devil?
We have a hard enough time believing God in our flesh. It makes it even harder with an enemy hell bent on our destruction.
Jesus comes to be who we could never be by glorifying God like we could glorify Him. Before we try to make application of this text let us first consider the glory of what Christ has accomplished in our stead.
As the heavens are torn open at Jesus' baptism, we witness the love of the Father for the Son he sent away for us. What a picture of Jesus' humanity, which Luke highlights in his genealogy.
We finally see the core of John’s message in this text revolving around the greatness of the coming Messiah. Repentance ultimate leads to a true and right belief in who He is and what He has come to do.
Repentance will always lead to a changed life. Repentance leads us into a life of further trust and dependance upon God and not less.
Intrinsic to the reality of our redemption is the desire to live a life devoted to the redeemer.
How would our lives look different if we realized that we lived in competing cities? The City of Man and the City of God are both after our hearts and demand ultimate allegiance. We must be aware of the things that grip our hearts, for better or worse, as we seek to take the Gospel wherever the Lord may lead us.
One of the ways the mission of Christ is described is as spreading the “good news”. This also becomes a great assessment for where we are in our life. Is Jesus ACTUALLY good news for us? The writer gives some reasons why this may not be the case in our lives.
We will look at two huge barriers to believing Jesus: traditions and expectations of men (and women). We will come to see that the only real solution to these barriers is, in fact, belief in Jesus. Zechariah speaks a word that we all need to hear!
Mary is called blessed from generation to generation for being the mother of Jesus, as she should. Let us not overlook what Elizabeth saw in her: that she was blessed because she believed God.
We take for granted the reality that belief is a part of our lives. Luke is going to tell two very similar stories to help us see what belief really looks like and how we can pursue it.
From start to finish we have been given all that we could ever need in order to be all that were meant to be to the honor and glory of God our Father through Jesus by the Spirit.
We will consider what our heavenly Father would teach us in this life in order that we might be great in His Kingdom.
We will consider what our heavenly Father would teach us in this life in order that we might be great in His Kingdom.
The writer is going to use “kingdom” terminology to motivate and strengthen the faith of the people of God and provide clarity for those who may not be. To whose Kingdom to you belong?
Faith understands that everything we see was at one point unseen. And it's why the men and women of Hebrews 11 were able to believe God in the midst of the impossible.
We see God’s absolute pleasure in the faith of His people. In section we glory in the fact that this gift of faith sustained men through to the end.
Faith is the God ordained weapon, tool, resource equipping fallen men and women to flourish and glorify Him in a fallen and broken world.
How do we confidently grab hold of what Christ has accomplished in His life, death, and resurrection? God has mapped out for His people what it would look like to live by faith.
It is crucially important that we understand the relationship between grace and works. The work of Christ as the once and for all sacrifice for sins helps us to understand the rightful place of our works as it pertains to salvation. From this text we will see that grace has never been more amazing!
Old King David was given an assignment by God shortly before he died to write a song to be sung by Israel on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, built by David’s son Solomon. And it was sung at that grand opening, calling the people of God to remember who gets the glory...not David...not Solomon, but to the God of their salvation and Him alone!
The wisdom literature can be difficult to understand for many reasons. One of the reasons that we find it difficult is because it unapologetically defies our preconceived notions about life and love and faith and on and on. In this case the reader is forced to consider their preconceptions of what faith looks like and sounds like. What does your faith-filled day look like?
We learn a great deal about ourselves in the way we pray. For the Psalmist it is no different. The battleground of the heart is played out in our cries to the Father.
No one talks to you more than you do. In some sense the wisdom literature…especially the Psalms exemplify what emotionally healthy self talk and inward assessment would look like.
As David cries out to God for vindication, the words that come out his soul can seem to many as self-righteous. But if we share in his pursuit of holiness, we will understand that his cries and convictions actually come out of his need for redemption and grace.
God utilizes waiting to produce a very specific kind of man (woman). The man or woman who fears the Lord above all else is what God desires. It is what we should desire as well.
So many of us lose heart because we don’t understand what it means to wait upon the Lord. In this Psalm we will focus on what “waiting on the Lord” looks like and what it is meant to produce. Take heart. If you have come to the end of yourself you might just be at the beginning!
We all understand the concept of trying to ascend a sacred and holy Hill. We also know what it feels like to feel unworthy and incapable. Psalm 24 essentially explores the two possible ways of handling this reality.
What brings a person to the place where they genuinely believe that goodness and mercy would follow them for all their days? There is no replacement for the time spent being shepherded by Jesus.
Psalm 22 is one of the most explicit descriptions of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is one that Charles Spurgeon would call “The Psalm of the Cross.” Not only did Jesus perfectly fulfill this prophetic text, he also gives us a glimpse into what he was feeling and thinking as he took on the sins of the world in the midst of being forsaken by the Father…ultimately for our good and His glory.
On one level Psalm 21 is the response to God answering the prayer of Psalm 20. If the King is truly and ultimately Jesus then we have a genuine perspective on life given the redemption that He would eventually bring to the world.
The soul care of prayer. When praying for others benefits you and results in the glory of God.
If the Law of Moses only had a shadow of good things, then what has the true form? If sins weren’t removed by the blood of bulls and goats, what were they removed by? If God didn’t take pleasure in sacrifices and offerings, what does he take pleasure in?
Waiting is not as much of a call to action as it is a call to a particular posture of life. This week we will spend time considering the posture of one who is eagerly waiting for His triumphant return.
The blood, and all that surrounds it, forces us to think deeply about what was needed and what was accomplished at the cross. In this sermon we will consider the implications of the reality that forgiveness isn’t the purpose but only the necessary means to the Father’s plan.
The great irony of redemption is played out as those dead in their sins boast of being free and those who are redeemed by Christ boast of being slaves.
The writer begins to make the case for Christ by considering how the tabernacle and all it represented points to Christ. All of this coincides with the holiness of God helping us understand the insufficiency of the earthly priests and their ceremonies.
We celebrate the resurrection for many great reasons. Because He lives we have salvation. In this passage Jesus shows us what it looks like to live out a resurrection theology right here and now. What does it mean for us today that we celebrate a risen Savior?
The new covenant brought on by the blood of Christ is superior to the old because it was enacted on better promises. How does it effect the way we think about Christianity and salvation when we think about it through the lens of God’s resolve to make a certain people “His people”?
In order to have a great appreciation of the New Covenant under which we reside we will look at the covenant that God made with Moses on Mt. Sinai. In the process we will see that God has always been in gracious, merciful pursuit of relationship with His people.
There are things that are true and then there is the truth about things. Jesus gives us a category for the truth that genuinely sets free and a frame of reference for walking through this broken world of half truths and illusions of grandeur.
What does it mean to draw near to God? There is a reason why the good news isn’t good to everyone. In fact, in and of ourselves we don’t know what to do with actual goodness. When confronted with Jesus we will respond fully aware of our wretchedness. The question is: How will we respond?
Hebrews continues to help us understand how Jesus is the substance behind the shadow. He has a better priesthood, an eternal one, that descended not from the sin-stained Levitical Priesthood, but from a fatherless line in the order of Melchizedek.
“The exalted Christ is like a person who stands before the sun and casts a shadow upon earth. Those who look at the shadow can discern in it the contours of the one who made it. Similarly, Hebrews considers Melchizedek to be an earthly shadow that the risen Christ casts back on the page of OT Scripture, and the author will speak about Melchizedek in order to bear witness to the Son of God whom he represents” - Koester
The writer concludes this discourse with incredible gentleness, care, and concern. There is no greater way to follow such sobering warnings than with the beauty and majesty of our God who makes and keeps His promises. We will see what it takes to have “full assurance of hope until the end.”
The writer to the Hebrews continues His wake up call by reminding them of the reality that there are those who try to fake Christianity while continuing to fall back into Judaism. We, too, must beware lest we fall prey to the counterfeit gospels of our time.
The writer to the Hebrews continues His wake up call by reminding them of the reality that there are those who try to fake Christianity while continuing to fall back into Judaism. We, too, must beware lest we fall prey to the counterfeit gospels of our time.
We all know that it is possible to hear something without really hearing it. We know that scripture teaches that it is significant that we would have “ears to hear” the message of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews gives us a sharp rebuke for our dull hearing as well as significant motivation to perk up and pay closer attention.
Jesus is better. Like the very first reader of this letter, we live in a world that simply does not believe that to be true. Although the context may be different the writer knows that in order to dwell in a world like this we must know God and our place in His story. The writer of Hebrews leaves us with a Christianity that is constantly in pursuit of Christ and what it looks like to believe that He is better and that He is enough.
As believers we come to the realization that God has created us for work. Work is not a result of sin. Unsatisfying work is a result. None the less, we as Christians, have the ability to see the glorious work beneath the labors that we walk in every day. Work is a blessing from God that affords us the opportunity to fill the earth with His glory.
Money is one of the main tools that scripture uses to reveal the hearts of men. If the standard is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength then one of the quickest ways for us to know the truth about this is to look at how we view and handle money. In this sermon we will see how grace puts all of this into its rightful place.
If God desires for His glory to fill the earth then written into His vision for marriage and singleness is our joy and flourishing. To trust God for my marriage IS to trust God for my joy. There is joy and rest simply in resolving to believe this.
We are taking a look at one of life’s most foundational aspects reminding ourselves that “Family” belongs to God. If this is true how are we freed to function within our families to His glory and our good?
As we near the end of another year, it’s important to reflect on the all that has transpired these previous 12 months. For most of us, 2018 has held times of sorrow and times of joy, yet none of it has gone wasted before God. Before we jump head first into the year, let us consider that the Lord may not be calling us to a New Year’s resolution, per se, but to a new or renewed affection-namely Jesus. When we follow Jesus, we’ll see that He has already granted to us everything that pertains to life and godliness. May He be our aim in this new year!
Are you the gift, or are you the recipient of the gift? There is grace when God allows us to get to the end of ourselves such that we would gladly trade any inane glory for real, powerful grace. In this grace we have the ability to reclaim the joy that comes from the hand of God.
Wisdom is a good thing, even a great thing. But when Solomon turns to consider wisdom in his pursuit for ultimate meaning, it fails the test just like indulgence did before. But a thousand years later, we learn through the magi that to truly be wise men, we must begin by fearing God and end our pursuit in Christ.
In an age where Christmas comes with the greatest of expectations, we can find ourselves thrust into a situation where it has to be the best or bust. Solomon, in all of his wisdom, is going to come along and free us from the bonds of an idealized Christmas. God has good for you to experience this season and there is no need for the ultimate Christmas.
Nothing could bring about change in your life more than prayer and obedience to God. In this text we will explore how the life and ministry of Christ should effect our view of these common elements in the Christian life. We need them to be more than mere duty.
Under the Old Covenant, a High Priest mediated between God and Israel for the nation’s sins. In the New Covenant, Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has now provided direct access to God the Father by His Spirit through His death and resurrection. In this text, we will examine the severity of sin, the inadequacy of the Old Covenant, and if God really has a specific role for each of us on His mission.
The writer of Hebrews introduces Jesus as the “great high priest”. He is in fact THE mediator between God and man. Our Christianity needs a healthy robust view of a resurrected, living, reigning Jesus who is interceding for us right now in this very moment. Do you have a “right now” view of Jesus Christ to go along with the past and future?
There can be no real rest here in this life without the promise and assurance of ultimate rest in the next. In order to have rest here we are to “strive” for the rest to come when we will finally be in the presence of God in the fulness of joy.
Belief leads to rest. If this is so, then we can understand why the writer is so adamant about defending the “promises” of God. If God has failed on His promises then we really don’t have anything to cling to in belief. In this text we begin to understand that the promise of God was and is much bigger in scope than just the generation of Moses and much better than a piece of land.
At the root of all sin is belief in a lie. In this text we further dive into the reality that unbelief is the ultimate barrier to our rest. How do we diagnose our unbelief and what truth needs to be exchanged in return?
As the writer of Hebrews begins this discourse on rest we are going to look at two specific things that keep us from entering this rest. When we harden our hearts we always have this tendency to revert back to trying to work in order to obtain rest rather than working because we have rest.
We have been sent out with a heavenly calling that is greater than any internal calling we feel pressured to fulfill. In this heavenly calling, we become part of the house God is building. It is a house Moses was a faithful servant in and a house Christ is faithful over as a son.
In this text we see the inextricable link between our faith and our faith family. There seems to be a level of comfort, thanksgiving, and joy that we simply cannot attain on our own. All of this is bound up in the reality that we need each other to build up our faith in the areas that we are lacking.
Jesus as our Savior is better news than we tend to comprehend. It is truly fitting, as the writer tells us that our Jesus, the author of our salvation, would be made perfect through suffering. The idea of Jesus being “perfected” is certainly a provocative one, but we will see that it is the greatest news ever.
The writer starts Hebrews by answering the most important question anyone could possibly ask: Who is Jesus? In this text the writer seems to answer or begin to answer the question that everyone seems to be asking. If Jesus is God and He is in control then why the suffering and chaos?
God has promised to preserve His own and one of the ways He does this is through severe warnings. From our perspective we find confidence and assurance when such texts in scripture jolt our heart and mind back into focus.
The writer of Hebrews spends a significant amount of space making sure everyone knows that Jesus is superior to angels. In the process we learn that the glorious and the mundane are coming together to produce that which God desires to produce in us.
The writer of Hebrews wastes no time answering the most important question in the world: Who is Jesus? The claims of scripture regarding Jesus are so outrageously beyond anything that people then and now could surmise on their own. If such claims were true then the reality of being associated with this Jesus would change everything.
There has never been a moment in history where man did not need God’s revelation. We learn from the Psalmist that your view of the word has everything to do with your relationship to the Word.
On Sunday we make all the same proclamations that the Psalmist makes. Monday comes to see if we meant what we said. The Psalmist reminds us that the good fight is a war that we were equipped and chosen to fight by the grace of God.
After a prolonged explanation of all God had been to him and had done for him, David speaks of his righteousness. Like Noah and Abraham before him, David's righteousness is not of his own, but it is a righteousness that comes by faith. It did not originate in him, but was given to him. This is what it means that the "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith."
David eloquently reflects upon the transcendent love of God displayed through His faithful deliverance of David from his enemies. The Lord’s wondrous attributes were on showcase for the world to see that He moves heaven and earth to save His people. David’s life is a reminder to us today that we love Him because He first loved us.
Prayer is going to accomplish the purpose for which God intended. We catch a glimpse of how prayer effects the heart of the one praying.
In some sense, the Psalmist shows us how our relationship with God impacts our relationship with other believers. Refreshingly, we are reminded that even the saints need to be reminded of the woes of idolatry. David teaches us that the distance from sorrow to joy is short because Jesus has already crossed the chasm.
When we come to Psalm 15, it seems that David is taking a more relaxed tone than that of Psalm 14. We soon find out, though, that sinful humanity represents the “fool” in Psalm 14, while Jesus is the only man that can sojourn in God’s tent an dwell on His holy hill. While this should crush the unconverted sinner, it gives those of us who are hidden in Christ great hope and joy to know what we’ve been given the righteousness of Christ-the righteousness required to dwell on God’s holy hill with Him forever.
God’s people need to be equipped to handle an ever increasingly secular society. The idea of God is being challenged more with each new day. In this Psalm the writer is actually going to push back against those who would reject the existence of God. It really shouldn’t surprise us that the Word of God gives incredible wisdom for believers to hold onto in times of secular cynicism. It is, indeed, foolish to say that there is no God and the Psalmist (carried along by God) masterfully lays out why.
In this Psalm we see what it looks like to make the most of your suffering. If, in fact, suffering falls under the providence of God then it would seem prudent to draw out all that God intended for us in that particular season. There always seems to be some intentionality in the way that David interacts with the Lord. In relationship with the Lord we are always getting a clearer picture of ourselves as well as a more worship inducing picture of our Heavenly Father.
David’s lament continues to escalate as his circumstances become more dire. Saul’s jealousy compounds as the people’s flattery of David echoes in the streets. But David recognizes the detriment of being the beneficiary of empty praise: not only is it threatening his life, but it is now getting those around him and their families killed. This forces David to press in to the Lord even deeper when it looks like the faithful around him are now gone. Redemptively, his rejection of the people’s empty boasts and his reliance on the pure words of the Lord will be his protection.
What happens when our faith and our expectations don’t match up? In this sermon we take a look at how the Psalmist works through this very common life experience. In the end we find that we need God’s testing and working and conforming far more than God needs our gifting. Through this Psalm we are gifted with a category for waiting…being still.
In this sermon we realize that walking by faith isn’t always slaying giants, but simply believing enough to cry out for help. We see David’s honesty and willingness to speak truth to himself. In the end his heart comes back around to realizing that God is, indeed, near. This sermon ends focusing on three ways God strengthens our hearts that may seem a bit unintuitive.
God is gracious, so I don’t have to prove myself. God is great so He doesn’t need me (to secure things for Him), therefore I can lean on Him.
God is good, so I don’t have to look elsewhere for comfort, peace, and fulfillment. God is sovereign, so I don’t have to be in control.
Chris Brister, lead pastor of Union Church in Auburn, AL, a church plant that ARCC is partnering with and supporting, will be preaching on Union with Christ from Ephesians 2.
It is because Satan so ardently believes the truth that he can be so crafty in his schemes. We fall to temptation precisely because we fail to believe the truth.
The grace of God, which is unconditional, leads to real relationship, freedom, and hope.
Peter's two exhortations near the end of his letter remind dispersed believers that to live in this world but not of it requires us to be sober and watchful.
God is beyond you...doesn't need you...you don't have anything to offer at the table AND YET He loves you beyond measure...based upon no merit of your own...nothing could ever separate you from that love...He is graciously working all things for your good.
As Peter begins to land the plane in his letter you get the sense that he is giving last minute exhortations and warnings that the reader might endure. This week we see the power of oversight and humility.
Are we celebrating the resurrection for the sake of celebration or are we celebrating the resurrection because it changed everything? This sermon gives some framework through which this question can be fleshed out in your life.
If the end is near there has never been a greater need for our sobered presence in this life.
The great exchange happened when righteousness was traded for unrighteousness. Jesus giving us His perfect life in exchange for our sin is the worst and best trade of all time.
In order to glorify God by loving the life that He has given us we must have a category for suffering.
Everything in the Christian life as “elect exiles” comes down to trust in the Lord. Do we believe that Jesus is enough? Marriage is no exception.
Walking in love is the outward expression of the collision of grace and truth within us.
The work of the ministry is to declare the truth in love in order to build up the Church.
There is no doubt that there is plenty of biblical merit for the desire to change. Chances are conforming to the image of Christ isn’t the reason. Why you want to change is equally if not more important than what or how.
Gospel Timing is not always convenient, but it’s always Perfect. Gospel Prophesy is not always understood, but it’s always Perfect. Gospel Picture is not always attractive, but it’s always Perfect. Gospel Casting is not always accepted, but it’s always Perfect.
All Mighty God, having already chosen His King, sovereignly acted throughout history to powerfully announce the His birth.
The unjust suffering of God’s people when endured through a heart of fear and worship of God is divine, not human in origin. Therefore, the church's high calling is to follow her Lord wherever He may take her no matter the cost!
In this sermon we will take a look at what Peter says is actual freedom and what it takes to obtain such freedom.
Subjection or submission is a part of life not because sin exists, but because God exists. This falls right in line with the gospel and also the very nature of God, Himself.
God will give His glory to no other. We close out our series on the 5 solas talking about why it is such good news that God is at the center of everything rather than us.
Jesus REALLY is the answer to the question and He REALLY is the solution to the problem. In this sermon we look at a broad picture of all that Jesus accomplished through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection.
Faith alone has been called the material cause of the Reformation itself. Speaking of justification by faith alone, John Calvin writes, "It is therefore faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is not alone." We are justified before God by faith alone. We are justified before men by works that proceed from that faith.
Real, Biblical grace is more difficult and uncomfortable than we would like for it to be. However, real, Biblical grace is the power to change us and set us free. God’s grace alone is sufficient to save us!
Holiness is played out in community. What’s more is that in Christ we are priests, which could potentially change everything we ever knew about “church”.
The pursuit of holiness will lead to true community.
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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When was the last time someone proclaimed the truth of the gospel to you in order to combat a lie that you were believing and living from? If it has been a while why do you think this is so?
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Do you love people or do you need people to love you?
Peter helps us see the practical context for holiness. As elect exiles we live holy (set apart) lives empowered by the gospel to display the glory of God’s grace to the world around us.
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What does holiness look like in your life right now? Would the world describe you as set a part? Why or why not?
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Do you struggle to view God as Father…to believe the He loves you and is pleased by your presence? Is it possible that you are putting your faith and hope in your holy living rather than in God? How could the gospel change your view of God?
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Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. What would it look like for you to “not receive the grace of God in vain”?
In a world full of false narratives, Peter exhorts believers to be sober-minded and set our hope fully on the grace of God in Christ. This is a necessary prerequisite for us to be sanctified and grow in holiness.
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Why is it crucial that Peter reminds these believers that their salvation is fully a work of God as he transitions to calling them to sanctification?
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What false narratives exist in our world today? How do you see being primarily emotionally-minded a problem in light of that?
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In what ways do we tend to supersede THE truth with OUR truth? What overlaps and what doesn't?
In love, God helps us know whether our faith is real.
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Do you often rejoice in your salvation? Why or why not?
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How does this text change your understanding/view of trials and grief? Can you give testimony of how God has used those in your life to establish and confirm your faith?
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Where does community come into play in all of this? In other words, how does our understanding of salvation effect our outlook on the need for community?
How does God’s promise of an inheritance in the future effect the way we live today? In this text Peter gives us a better understanding of our salvation from an already - not yet perspective. As exiles it matters how we view our salvation.
This is not our home. Peter opens his letter with why we can live this life with hope and peace and confidence.
This text actually forces us to deal with the age old question of why God would ordain that evil exist. Could it really be a gracious gift to those who call Him Father?
The truth is that God IS majestic AND glorious. The question is whether or not we actually believe it. In this text we find out that our primary problem in the flesh is that we can’t help but rob God of the glory due His name.
David appeals to the righteousness of God when he can do no else to stop the persecution of his enemies. When he cries out to God to be his refuge, his protection, he appeals not to self-righteousness, but to the imputed righteousness of God he has been given by faith.
David shows us how communion with God makes us ready to flourish in the day that promises to have sufficient trouble.
Joy isn’t what happens when life goes our way. Joy is what we fight for and cling to in the midst of it. In Psalm 4 we’ll take a look at how we wield the gospel in the fight for our joy and rest.
David's lament as he find himself running from his own son is the lament of the redeemed. Jesus himself echoes the laments of David throughout the Psalms when speaking of his enemies, his betrayer, and ultimately on the cross. As believers, our identification with this does not lead us to believing that David's grievances are resolved as we lament with him, but rather proves that we are looking to the same messiah he was.
This week we look at why it is such good news for us that God is ultimately about the glory of Jesus.
Was the Bible primarily written so that we could be “the man”? What if we are blessed because in our exhaustion we gladly stepped aside to acknowledge someone else as the Man? Who you think of when you read the first four words of the book of Psalms matters in a profound way.
The resolve to forgive is perhaps one of the greatest ties that bind a family together for its ability to flourish. In this text Jesus teaches us how to apply the gospel as our great motivation and power towards forgiveness.
God pursues His people with a tireless love and grace and mercy. This, of course, is made possible because He poured out His wrath on His Son, Jesus. Jesus gives His disciples a beautiful picture of the heart of the Father…THEIR FATHER and how His heart is to be manifested within the context of the family of believers.
The family is strengthened because it brings with it a certain sensibility. This sensibility flows from its ability to acquire and live out of a common belief and understanding. The family that comes together around the gospel knows that it is sensible to believe that where two or three are gathered (even in the name of Jesus) there in the midst of them will be an abundance of sin. Finding a new family won’t solve this problem.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 17:1; Matthew 26:24; Romans 13:12-14; John 3:20-21; Colossians 2:23; Psalm 51:17; 1 Corinthians 13:7
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
If the body of believers is your family what does this mean for you? How does this change things in your life?
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What does it mean to have a broken and contrite heart? Have you ever been broken over you?
When the disciples ask Jesus "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven," his response is the opposite of what they expected. He brings a child in their midst to help them see the true picture of humility. All throughout the New Testament, we see countercultural examples of humility, including servants and even slaves. Humility is ultimately a tie that binds the family by helping us receive others by thinking of ourselves as less than them, and more than that, as last.
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 2:3-7; Matthew 25:23; Matthew 10:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Revelation 22:3-5; Mark 10:42-44; 1 Corinthians 9:19
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
2 Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 4:4
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When was the last time you spontaneously thanked the Lord? What were the circumstances? If it has been a while why do you think that is?
-
Does the gospel drive the way you do life? How would you know?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 119:50, 148; 2 Peter 1:4; Jeremiah 29:11; Ecclesiastes 7:10; James 4:13-14; Ecclesiastes 3:9-13; Psalm 138; Psalm 86:15
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Right now, where you are, do you believe that God is pleased with you?…disappointed?…annoyed? Why do you believe this? Is your belief consistent with the truth of the gospel?
-
Spend time seeking the connection between God’s sovereignty and God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises in your life.
Easter 2017
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:8-10
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How is Jesus the better answer for your lack of rest today?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 21:34; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:13-17; Luke 23:41; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When was the last time you experienced God in the midst of a storm?
-
Can you give testimony of being the calm for someone else within the storm? Why or why not? Is it possible you have a tendency to make things worse? Why might this be?
-
How does community within the body help prepare us to be the hope for someone out in the world?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 8:9-10; 2 Corinthians 8:9-10; Romans 8:31-32; Romans 1:5
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How many people do you know who you would describe as the result of faithfully walking with Jesus for the last 20, 30, 40, or 50 years? What is the most outstanding characteristic of these people?
-
What is the most recent action of repentance in your life? How did it come about?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
John 13:27; Matthew 16:23
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Why do you believe the gospel and others don’t?
-
Do you have a tendency to minimize sin? Do you struggle to believe that you are forgiven such that you tend to beat yourself up in an attempt to punish yourself and pay for your sin? Why is this? How does the gospel address this?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
John 5:39-44; John 5:20-24
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What would you say is your primary reason for going to church most weeks? Do you believe this reflects a belief in the gospel? Why or why not?
-
Consider the things you struggle with. How could those things be rooted in the fear of man?…seeing man as more glorious than God?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 1:12-18; Romans 8:1-4; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:20; Galatians 4:9; Luke 19:1-10
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What qualities make someone free? What kind of freedom is Paul talking about when he says in Galatians that it was for freedom that Christ set us free?
-
In a culture that is quick to quit and move on, how does the gospel shape our understanding and view of enduring?
-
How do we know that the law is powerless to change people? Read Luke 19:1-10 and meditate on what actually changed about Zacchaeus. What actually brought about this change?
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 21:13; Romans 3:10-12, 19-20, 21-22; 2 Peter 1:3-8;
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What are some other frameworks you've seen the gospel expressed through in Scripture?
-
How do you view unfavorable circumstances in your life? Do you tend to avoid them at all costs? How do you deal with seasons of little to no outward spiritual success? (witnessing conversions, victories, etc.)
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Hebrews 10:11-13; Matthew 26:26-29
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What does grace (gospel) driven effort look like for you…vs…religious driven effort?
-
How can you tell if you are driven by an idol in your life or simply to love another?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 23
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Take some time to consider God’s providence in your own life. If God is providentially writing a story how does that change the way we view the events in our life?
-
When was the last time you “feasted” upon Jesus? What were the circumstances surrounding you at the time?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 23:23-28; 1 Corinthians 15:19
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Spend this next week keeping track of each time you explode in anger, speak poorly of someone behind their back, or blame shift. Why is it so easy for us to see the failures of others and not our own? How does the gospel minister and free us from these things?
-
What does it say about our heart that we find it difficult to be as gracious and merciful towards others as we are to ourselves? How does the gospel minister and free us from these things?
-
Where does life in community come into play with all of this?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 4:6; Romans 3:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What or who is the greatest factor in your life that reminds you that you are a sinner in need of a savior?
-
What are you wrestling with most in your life right now? Is it possible you could have an underlying identity issue (looking to something other than Jesus for your justification, comfort, fulfillment, etc.)? Is it possible that you are trying to be the “one” in control?
-
Think about your story. Share with someone as many instances as you can where you see or have seen God at work. What are the characteristics of those times and seasons?
Mission Statement
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Which do you struggle with more: That who you are warranted the death of Jesus or that the death of Jesus was/is enough for God to be pleased with you? Why?
-
When do you most loved by God? When do you feel leas loved by God? How often do you dwell on the promises of God? What does it really mean that God is with us?
Mission Statement
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 1:26-28
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Would you say that you have joy? Why or why not? What are the events or seasons in your life when you have been most grateful for God’s salvation? What are the events or seasons in your life when you cried out to God the most? Is it possible that there is a connection?
-
What is your identity? Who or what defines you? What instigates the greatest amount of joy and or concern in your life? Can you relate to the exhaustion that comes from placing your identity in anything other than God? Have you ever felt the exhaustion that comes from hiding? What does this look like for you?
Mission Statement
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 5:11-14
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When or at what points in your life does it mean the most to you that you are child of God…chosen…adopted…dearly loved…richly blessed? When or at what points in your life is it the most meaningful to you that you are a servant of the King? When or at what points in your life is it most meaningful to you that you are sent out? Why do you think this is? Do you struggle with any of these? Why?
-
What is an area of our life where you struggle to obey Jesus? Answering the following questions might help you with this specific area. It would help to do this with a small group of people around you. -What lie are you believing from the enemy or what truth are you failing to believe? -Who or what are you looking to as your savior, hope, comfort, redeemer above Jesus?
Mission Statement
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How does your tomorrow look different with a heart that believes that your purpose in whatever context you find yourself in is to glorify God?
-
In what ways do you tend to operate under the fear of man (the need for man’s approval). What are some of the tangible signs that this is the state of your heart? How might the gospel of Jesus be applied to this?
Resolutions
Additional Scripture References:
John 16:1; Matthew 24:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; John 17:11-13; Jeremiah 2:21-22; Matthew 3:7-10; John 5:38; 6:67-69; 1 John 2:24; Revelation 2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:10
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When you read about the branches that will be cut off and thrown away and burned what happens inside you? Does that jolt your heart in any way?
-
Does God’s word abide in you? Do you pray consistently? When was the last time you opened the Word of God in an effort to enjoy Him? When was the last time you sat in silence in an effort to hear Him?
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 22:26-27; Matthew 6:20-21; Isaiah 45:23-25
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How do we live when we truly believe that this life isn’t all there is AND that what is to come is unimaginably great?
-
What are some practical ways or pointers that we would see in our life if our hearts mirrored God’s heart for the world to worship Jesus above all?
Additional Scripture References:
Revelation 5:2-14; 2 Timothy 2:26; Romans 8:7-8; Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:47
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Considering the wisdom of God and the mind of Christ displayed in the incarnation of Christ what areas of your own mind and wisdom need to be renewed?
-
What does your life tend to look like when you are erecting your own kingdom? What fruit comes from this? Given the mind of Christ what are some practical ways we can usher in His Kingdom into our lives and the lives of others?
Additional Scripture References:
1 Timothy 1:15
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When was the last time you were heart broken over your own selfishness and vein conceit? When was the last time you were painfully aware that your brokenness was effecting those around you? Ask God to make you aware and then to comfort you in the love of Christ.
-
Take some time and reflect on your heart. In what way or ways could your heart be served? Could you answer that question for your spouse or your best friend or family member? Do you have relationships close enough that you could serve someone’s heart? Why or why not?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
James 2:12-13; James 4:10-12; Romans 9:2-3; Romans 3:27-31; Romans 9:4
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Is your gospel the offensive love of God shown through the murder of His son on your behalf or is your gospel the failings of others whether real or perceived?
-
Paul said in Galatians that the only thing that mattered was faith expressing itself through love. How is your love for others?…those who have offended or heart you?…those who couldn’t benefit you?…who can’t love you back?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 19:21; Acts 20:22-23; 1 John 1:8; Romans 7:19
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Have you ever experienced resistance from others to the mission to which God was calling you?
-
Do you ever feel as if you've ruined your testimony or witness irreparably? What truths and examples in Scripture can you turn to to help you remember that Jesus isn't through with you?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 4:11-14
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Do you struggle with the idea of submitting to authority? Why or why not?
-
When was the last time you were truly admonished? If it has been more than 6 months or a year what do you think says about you?
-
When was the last time that you were comforted or truly relieved by the gospel?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 8:22; Luke 14:26; John 11:25-26; 1 Peter 3:15; Isaiah 50:6-7; Luke 9:51-56; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:8-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 20:15-16
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How often do you consider your “right now” in terms of eternity? Why do we tend to be so near sighted?
-
“Trials without grace end up in hollow mission grounded in bitterness and anger towards something or someone. When you have grace with not trials you end up with a hollow freedom that is contingent upon the avoidance of difficulty or pain or inconvenience.” Which side of that coin do you tend to be on? How can the gospel fill in where we are lacking?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 4:4-9
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
In our difficult moments the gospel trains us to question and doubt our heart first. Take some time and think about the times and circumstances when you experience anger, fear, worry, or depression. Consider the variables in those moments and ask yourself if there is something you are idolizing that is being thwarted or if there is a lie that you are believing in that moment. This is a great activity to do with your spouse or missional community.
-
What are the issues that seem to be recycled over and over in your life? How could the truth of the gospel and the truth about your heart help you to see the part you are playing in this recurrence?
-
How would the gospel help you to practice a “quiet” (James 1:19-20) life? How could this be put into practice in your daily relationships?…the relationships in your life that may be strained?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 3:7-8; Galatians 6:14
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What “loss” is a part of your story so that Jesus could win your heart?
-
What are some areas in your life where you are held captive with fear or guilt or worry or the need for control? How does a deeper view of the cross of Christ bring freedom?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:12-13; 2:12-14
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Who is Jesus to you today? What about the last month would make you think He is near and dear to your heart and soul?
-
When was the last time you had to boast in His grace?
-
When was the last time you really felt the weight of your unrighteousness? Did you worship Jesus for giving you His righteousness? Why or why not?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 16:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 11:9; Romans 11:13-14
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What are the unique “marks of Christ” that you have acquired and carry with you? How are you employing them for the Kingdom?
-
When is the last time you thought of God and His faithfulness in the same context? What was the context?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 20:3-5; Psalm 8:3-4; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:3
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Based on the definition given in the notes would you say that you worship Jesus? Why or why not? Is worship something we can create within ourselves?
-
How do we apply the gospel to our idolatry?
-
What attribute of God is most meaningful and compelling to you right now in your life?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 3:3-6; Matthew 4:4
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When was the last time you had to humbly submit to God’s word upon your life? What does this mean for you and your heart?
-
Is the gospel good news to you? Is it truly good news? Why or why not? Do you need to be persuaded that Christ had to die for you or that it was enough for you?
-
Which example given in the sermon (included in the notes) do you most relate to with regards to pushing the cross out of the center so that you can be the center?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 5:1; Galatians 5:11; Psalm 27:1; Genesis 50:20
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How do you naturally respond when you feel pressured?
-
Can you recall a time when you responded out of worship, forgiveness, and sacrifice rather than from self preservation?
-
How do your responses to these situations expose your view of the grace of God upon your life? Do you honestly believe that God has had to be EXTREMELY gracious to you? Why or why not? What do your responses to hurt or offense or loss share about your heart’s true belief?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
John 7:37-39; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 13:15-16
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Do you live with a sense of the Holy Spirit leading you? Do you believe that you have a need for the Holy Spirit? Why or why not? (It might be helpful to read Galatians 5)
-
What is the truth about God that you are being tested in these days? If you aren’t being tested what does mean?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
2 Timothy 3:10-11; Matthew 4:19; 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 6:17; Galatians 4:8-16; John 6:28-29
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What you say about others or your situation says more about you than the subject of your words. What do your words say about you? Why do you tend to talk this way?
-
What are the “marks of Christ” on your life? What is that God’s grace upon you?
-
Which of these sins do you tend to struggle with: Fear, Guilt, Shame, Worry/Anxiety, or Anger? What are the doubts residing in you that bring forth this kind of fruit? -God’s love? -God’s forgiveness? -God’s sovereignty? -God’s goodness? -God’s pleasure? -God’s glory?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Additional Scripture References:
John 1:3-5; 5:39-40
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Over the next week tell someone about Jesus and what He means to you. For starters - tell yourself and see if your heart agrees.
-
Do you view corporate worship as primarily for you and your edification? Why or why not?
-
What does it look like to take your family with you on mission (in the sense that Barnabas wanted to take Mark)?
For The Sake Of The Mission
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What are the things in our culture that trouble and unsettle our minds?
-
What was the last thing you read or heard from the Word of God that caused you to rejoice? Why?
For The Sake Of The Church
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 6:12; Philippians 2:12-13; Deuteronomy 7:6-8
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
When was the last time you truly learned something about yourself? How did you learn it?
-
How would you know if you have a large or small view of God? How does this effect your faith?
In Review
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 110:1
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Would anyone be convinced by your life that Jesus was your king? What kind of fruit is displayed in our life when you forget that Jesus is King of Kings? What are the things in your life that tend to functionally exist as your leader and savior?
-
How do we live out the tension between the Gospel of God’s grace and our heart’s desire to obey Him and walk in Holiness?
A Call To Forsake All
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 16:25; Romans 6:6
Study Questions:
-
What challenged you from this text in Philippians?
-
What areas in your life do you place the most confidence in?
-
Do you count everything loss for the sake of knowing Christ? If not, why not?
-
Is God your treasure in whom you are satisfied most? If not, why?
He Wants Your Hope To Be In You Today
Sermon Text:
1 Peter 5:10-11
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 8:28-30; Hebrews 11:34-38; Mark 10:29; Matthew 19:29; Luke 22:32; 1 Corinthians 15:15; 1 Corinthians 13:12
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How does the reality of eternity (specifically eternal glory in Christ) shape your view of the difficulties and shortcomings of this life?
-
Share a struggle and an angst that exists in your life today that is or could be alleviated by the future reality of eternal glory in Christ? In what ways does/would this allow you to serve, follow, and obey Christ more faithfully?
He Wants Anything But The Cross
Sermon Text:
Matthew 4:1-11
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 6:13; Luke 23:35-37, 39; Matthew 27:39-40; Hebrews 11:1, 6
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Do you struggle with understanding how Jesus could truly experience temptation?
-
Do you tend to neglect either the adoration of Christ or the imitation of Christ in your life? If so, why do you think that is?
-
Have you ever truly worshipped Jesus in Spirit and in truth? Have you been changed by his words and what he did?
He Wants Us To Be Full
Sermon Text:
Matthew 4:1-11
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15-16; Deuteronomy 8:2-4; Exodus 16:2-3; Psalm 91:11-12; Matthew 6:2-4; Matthew 16:26; Hosea 6:1
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What good things in our culture do we tend to make ultimate? What tangible effects has this had on our society?
-
How does the gospel help us enjoy the gifts of God without them becoming idols?
-
How has God revealed forms of idolatry in your life? What does it look like when someone is looking to something else as their identity?
-
Does the love of God for you astound you? Why or why not?
He Wants Anything But Resistance
Sermon Text:
1 Peter 5:6-9
Additional Scripture References:
1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 5:9-10
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Are you truly humble? How would you know?
-
Do you have anxiety? In what ways are you trying to your own savior? Is it possible that you are doing so by trying to be someone else’s savior? Do you struggle to believe that God cares? Why or why not? How does the gospel speak into this?
-
In what ways have you seen God “protecting” you from the roaring lion? Do you long for heaven? Why or why not?
He Wants Us To Believe Our Significance Comes From Within
Sermon Text:
Genesis 3:8-13
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What can we learn from God’s encounter with Adam and Eve as we consider our own relationships?
-
Have you ever had anyone lovingly point out sin in your life? If not, why do you think this is the case?
-
How would you know if your identity was in Christ or in something else? Is there something from your past that you can’t seem to let go of...or won’t let go of you? What is preventing you from hearing God’s declaration over you of your righteousness? Have you truly trusted in Christ and His work on the cross?
He Wants Us To Define Good And Evil
Sermon Text:
Genesis 3:1-8
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
Are there times when you wish God was just a creator god far away? Why? Is there something that you believe about you that makes you want this or is it something you believe about God?
-
What in this life do you struggle with seeing as something that God is “keeping” from you? How does considering the gospel of Jesus empower us to see this for our good? What part of the gospel empowers you to see Jesus as more valuable than whatever it is that you don’t have?
He Wants Us To Justify Ourselves
Sermon Text:
Revelation 12:7-12
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 10:17-20; Revelation 20:12, 15; Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:3-10; Mark 9:24; Romans 5:5
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
In what ways do you find yourself trying to justify yourself?
-
Do you know and understand the love of the Father? Why or why not? You may want to spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to pour the love of the Father into your heart.
-
Do you worship Jesus when you sin? Why or why not? Do you feel like wallowing in your sin and shame somehow achieves more forgiveness for you? Spend time confessing sin and then worshipping Jesus for covering those sins with His blood.
He Wants Us To Fight Each Other
Sermon Text:
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
What are the designs of Satan?
-
What lie is Satan telling us that creates such a barrier to forgiveness?
-
How does the gospel shatter the lie of Satan?
Study Questions:
-
What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
-
How have you seen God working in your life in the last 12 months?
-
What are the practical things in life that “strengthen your soul”?
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What would it look like to “strengthen the soul” of your spouse?…your kids?
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Describe the importance of truth. Is it ever worth dismissing?
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What are some of the things that give us confidence in evangelism?
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 11:19; Acts 1:8; John 8:45; John 8:47; John 8:43-44; Luke 19:40; John 3:16
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Do you find it difficult to pray on a regular basis? Why or why not?
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Why didn’t God save James? What do we learn from this? How does this impact the way we view life in and around us?
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What is one way the Word of God has increased in your life over the past 12 months?
Additional Scripture References:
John 11:24-26; Matthew 17
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What do you think of when you consider the term “faithful”?
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Does our culture hold the characteristic of faithfulness in a high place? Why or why not?
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What are the implications for us that “church” is a group of people and not a place?
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How do we become a “relief” to Alamo Ranch?…San Antonio…the world?
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 8:15
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What are the implications for us, our culture, and our world that one must be born of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God?
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What does repentance look like for you? What keeps you from repentance? Have you ever had anyone point to sin in your life? How did that go? How would a gospel centered community foster this?
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Cor. 2:14; Galatians 5:18-26; Romans 7:4-6; Romans 8:5-9; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Philippians 1:3; Romans 8:9-11, 14; John 3:5-8; Luke 11:13; John 14:16; Ephesians 1:13-14
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Do you expect to hear from the Lord? Why or why not?
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Is there anything in particular that discourages you from sharing your faith and evangelizing? What has God said in order to raise confidence in sharing the gospel?
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Why were the Apostles commanded to teach that Jesus was going to judge the living and the dead?
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Cor. 2:14; Galatians 5:18-26; Romans 7:4-6; Romans 8:5-9; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Philippians 1:3
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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We have a tendency to believe in the gospel of Jesus (trusting in his work on the cross) for initial salvation, but quickly begin to live as though salvation depended on our works. Why is this? What moral trait are you the most proud of in your life? How does the gospel effect the way you view this? How do we maintain a gospel centered way of life?
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What are the prejudices in our society…in your life personally? How does the gospel of Jesus effect such a view?
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What has God “shown” you in the last 6 months? (regarding anything) What sin and idolatry has He revealed to you? In what ways have you seen sanctification take place in your life? How has the gospel shaped your way of thinking (on anything) in these recent days?
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 12:3; Exodus 6:7; 19:4-6; 1 Timothy 4:4; Mark 7:14-23; Galatians 1:23-24
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Why do we have a tendency to assume that everyone around us has it all together?
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What is the difference between a life in pursuit of justification and a life in pursuit of a relationship? (with God)
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Is following Jesus easy or hard? The answer may seem obvious, but how would you describe it?
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If Jesus says things like “whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life,” how could he still call us to “rejoice” or “take heart” or “have peace”? Are those things mutually exclusive?
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How did the Apostles ultimately do what they did?
Additional Scripture References:
John 12:25; Ephesians 1:3-10
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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In what areas of your life do you believe the enemy still has power? What about the finished work of Christ would disarm that power?
Additional Scripture References:
Colossians 2:13-15; Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:31-34; Romans 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 1:18-20; Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 7:25-28; 9:11-12
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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The cross proves that you are more sinful than you could imagine. What does that specifically mean for you?
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The cross proves that you, if you are in Christ, are more loved and accepted and forgiven than you could possibly imagine? What does this specifically mean for you?
Additional Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:15; Acts 5:38-39
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What does it mean for us that the Kingdom of God is not of this world?
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How does it change our perspective when we realize that we are to be in the world but not of it? How does that play itself out?
Additional Scripture References:
John 10:26; 8:46-47; 6:63-65; 1 Corinthians 15:58
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What can we take from the fact that Jesus took Peter, James, and John a little further than the other disciples? What does that mean for us in our own relationships?
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Why is it good for us that we know Jesus was asking for the cup to pass? Why is it important that we consider the wrath of God in all of this?
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What does it mean for us to “sleep and take our rest later on”?
Additional Scripture References:
Jeremiah 25:15; Isaiah 51:17; Revelation 14:9-12; Psalm 23:5-6; John 15:7-11
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What has God done recently in your life to preserve your faith and belief? How does doing life in community help foster this?
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What is the biggest roadblock to confessing your struggles? Can you relate to David in Psalm 32:3? How does the gospel free us to take the “off ramp” of confession?
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; John 14:1-3; Luke 4:13; John 13:27; Psalm 32:1-7
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Individually or as a group make a list of 25 things that God has done for you showing His mercy.
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How would you know if your relationship with Jesus was centered around you or around Him?
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-5; Luke 16:27-31; Psalm 78:1-4; Revelation 4:10
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Describe a time when Jesus showed up in your life through completely wrecking your plans. Why are “desert” seasons for us the people of God?
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Why is it difficult for us to allow others to help us? How can we help one another with this in community.
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How do you know, personally, that God’s grace is sufficient? What does that look like in our lives? How does community help us with the fear that it might not be?
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 1:17-18; Proverbs 9:8-10; 1 Timothy 3:14-15
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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When did you first begin to follow Jesus? Share that experience with your group.
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Have you ever shared the gospel with anyone? Have you ever been present as someone else began to follow and treasure Christ? What was that experience like?
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What do we learn about God from this story? How is the gospel clarified for us in this story.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Timothy 1:15-16; Galatians 1:11-24; 1 Corinthians 11:1; John 16:2; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:15
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Why do you think there have been so many different meanings of baptism across denominations throughout church history?
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If you have been baptized as a believer and remember it, how would you describe your experience?
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If not, what has prevented you and would you desire to be baptized?
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 6:3-10; Matthew 28:19; John 6:44; John 6:37; Acts 2:41; Acts 10:47; Acts 18:8; John 3:5; John 3:3-6; Romans 9:6; Psalm 119:104-105; Acts 8:29
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Share of times when you felt the Holy Spirit calling you to do something. What can you point to that makes you know it was the Spirit in you?
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What does it look like to love America from a biblical worldview?
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What does it look like to be in relationship with Jesus? (Recommendation: Read any 10 chapters of the Psalms in succession and discuss what it looked like for David.)
Additional Scripture References:
1 Peter 2:1-3; Romans 8:29
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Knowing yourself, what are some practical glimpses of you walking and being filled with the Spirit? What are glimpses of you not walking and being filled with the Spirit?
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How can “community” and “discipleship” foster life lived in step with the Holy Spirit?
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What does John the Baptist mean by “bear fruit in keeping with repentance”? (Matthew 3:8)
Additional Scripture References:
1 John 2:18; Matthew 3:8; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 5:18; Luke 11:11-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:16; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:25
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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“God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” What does this quote by John Piper make you think of with respect to your own life?
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Can you think of a time in your life where your suffering or loss meant the possibility of joy for another?
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What does Simon’s experience teach us about the theology of baptism?
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Read and meditate on Matthew 13:1-9. What does the parable of the sower teach us about salvation?
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 1:26; Matthew 13:1-9; Hebrews 6:4-8; Revelation 2:7,11,17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:4-6; Luke 11:11-13
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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If the Holy Spirit is the distinguishing mark of a true Christian then what are the implications for us individually? Does that change the way we view the “Church”?
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In what ways is God calling you to “witness” to your family, your neighbor, your city, your nation, your world? With this in mind, what fruits of the Siprit (Galatians 5:22-24) seem glaringly missing from your life? This is probably a great place to start with regards to New Year’s resolutions.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 24:14
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Who, in your life, are you looking at that you see as godly? What makes them that way?
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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What false truths do you tend to fall for in daily life? Why do you think that is?
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How does/would community help fight the lies of satan in our lives? How do we accomplish this kind of community?
Study Questions
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Why is John 3:16 so popular?
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How do we understand John 3:16 in light of verses 17 through 21?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 90:1-2; Nehemiah 9:6; Revelation 7:11-12; 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 115:3; Psalm 90:8; 139:1-4; 15-16; 33:13-15; Hebrews 4:13; Ephesians 1:3-4; 2:4-5; 5:25; Matthew 5:43-45; Deut. 10:14-15; Romans 5:7-8
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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Why is busyness exalted so highly in our culture? What are the affects (good or bad) of this kind of paradigm?
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In what area(s) of your life do you have the most difficulty allowing Jesus to be your Savior?
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What are some practical ways that our Missional Communities can foster a culture of “rest” in us individually?
Additional Scripture References:
John 11:19-23; John 11:2; Matthew 8:24
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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How would you describe the opposite of forgiveness? What does your un-forgiveness tend to look like?
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What are some cultural norms that make it difficult to live a life characterized by forgiveness?
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How does doing life in community help with the process of forgiveness?
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 6:14; Philippians 3:7-8; Mark 10:29-31; Ephesians 6:12
Study Questions:
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In what way(s) did the Church begin in the Matthew 16 text? In what way(s) did it begin in Acts 2?
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What is the most important requirement for being part of the Church? What are some of the other instructions on what it looks like to be part of the Church?
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Why is Church Membership a practice that is carried out in so many churches? What is its Biblical basis?
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In what ways did the Apostle Paul give of himself for the good of others and for the body of Christ as a whole?
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Hebrews 10:19-25
Study Questions:
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What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?
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How does this text push us towards the gospel?
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What parallels do you see between the nation of Israel in this text and the American nation?
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What practical application should we as individuals take from this text? …as the church collective?
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 3:8
Study Questions:
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Would Jesus consider you a disciple of His?
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What stands out to you the most from this text?
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Why were those four qualities given in verse 3 as the standard for those who would serve? How would you describe someone who is a true servant?
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Why is the “ministry of the word” so important for the Church?
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 22:26; John 12:26
Study Questions:
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What is your initial reaction when you read stories in scripture like the story of Uzzah in 2 Samuel and the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? How does it stretch you in regards to what you believe about God and about you?
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Do your experiences in life bring about a positive or negative view of “the fear of the Lord”?
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How does the gospel help to create a positive or healthy view of this fear?
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How does community foster a healthy fear of the Lord?
Additional Scripture References:
2 Samuel 6:5-15; Hebrews 1:12; 13:8; 12:29; 10:31; Romans 9:15; Deuteronomy 4:10; 5:29; 6:2; 6:24; 10:12; Jeremiah 32:40; James 4:17; John 10:10
Study Questions:
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How is the Covenant that God made with Adam different from the rest of the Covenants?
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What are some of the other foreshadowings in the Covenants that point toward the New Covenant?
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Define the New Covenant in Jesus.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 5:16; Genesis 15:13-14; Romans 7:10
Study Questions:
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What is your view of community now and how is it expanded or further developed from this text?
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What is your view of giving now and how is it expanded or further developed from this text?
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How is community connected to worship? How is giving connected to worship?
Additional Scripture References:
John 13:35
Study Questions:
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What is your normal response when things go wrong in your life? Why?
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What is a gospel-centered, Spirit-filled response to difficult and stressful situations?
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What tends to keep you from praying? How do you judge the success of prayer?
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How does the theology of the cross instruct or impact our prayer life?
Additional Scripture References: 1 Peter 1:7; Psalm 115:3; Psalm 135:6; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:4-6; Psalm 2:4; Isaiah 46:8-11; John 12:32; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 1:3; Titus 3:3-4
Study Questions:
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What about your life over the last month gives you confidence that you actually “believe” in Jesus, hope in Jesus, trust in Jesus, worship Jesus,…etc.?
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Consider the truths of the Gospel of Jesus. (Ephesians 1 is a great place to do this.) What is it that your heart has the hardest time believing? How does this manifest itself?
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For what specific reasons in your life right now do you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What truths in the gospel, about God, about your relationship with God in Christ do you need to focus on?
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How can our Missional Communities see to it that our doctrine is accompanied by fruit? What does this look like for our local body here in Alamo Ranch…San Antonio?
Additional Scripture References: John 3:16; Romans 10:9-11; Luke 12:11-12; Luke 22:54-62; John 13:19; 14:28-29; 16:4; Romans 15:8-9, 13; Ephesians 1:17-19; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Ephesians 3:14-21
Study Questions:
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What are we supposed to take away from this particular story of healing? What does it tell us about Peter, the lame man, and God?
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What are the common themes between Peter's sermon at Pentecost and his sermon in Solomon's Portico?
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As believers, how does living by faith, wisdom, self control, and good stewardship come together?
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What is the wickedness that Peter is referring to in verse 26? How can he use such a strong word?
Additional Scripture References:
2 Timothy 4:2-4; John 5:42-43; John 14:6; Colossians 1:16; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Proverbs 16:9
Study Questions:
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To what (or whom) are you devoted? What proof is there?
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What do you think of when you think about fellowship? What would change in our life if our "fellowship" paradigm was more in sync with the early church?
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Why does Luke speak so much about the breaking of bread? Why is it significant that the people were receiving food with glad and generous hearts? Why is it so hard to embrace the day to day?
Additional Scripture References:
Mark 16:20
Study Questions:
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What do you love about Pentecost here in Acts 2?
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What challenges you or makes you feel a little uncomfortable? Why do you think this is so?
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What about your life points to Joel's prophecy being true or fulfilled?
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:28; Galatians 2:20; 2 Kings 5:9-11; John 3:5-8; Acts 11:16-17; Ephesians 4:5; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Corinthians 3:6
Study Questions:
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How can you relate to the disciples in the moment that Jesus was taken into heaven?
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Are we taking Jesus' command seriously to be His witnesses? If not, what would change in and about our life if we did?
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What do we learn from Judas?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 103:19; Philippians 3:8-9; Isaiah 53:10
Study Questions:
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What is the difference between knowing something and believing something?
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What would your answer be if Jesus asked you why you were troubled? (with regards to anything)...and why do doubts arise in your heart? Is there a connection between our troubles and our doubts? If so why? How do we fight against this? What part could our community play in this?
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What is repentance? When was the last time you experienced true repentance in your heart? Should repentance be a one time thing? If not, should it be often or seldom in the life of a believer? What part does community play in the role of repentance?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 39:3; Deuteronomy 10:14-16; Luke 3:7-9; Luke 17:20-21; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7-9; Revelation 5:9-10; Matthew 4:17; Luke 5:32; Revelation 5:5; 19:11-16
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 3:1-6; 3:15, 20-21; 6:5, 7, 8, 18; 8:21; 11:4, 7-8; 12:1-3; 17:7-8; 15:7-21; 22:15-18; Numbers 21:4-9; 1 Samuel 8:7; 2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 7:13-14; 9:6-7; 50:6; 52:13-53; 61:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9; Colossians 2:13-15; Galatians 3:13-14; John 8:56-58
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21; Matthew 28:17; Ephesians 4:14; 2 Peter 1:10
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 1:32; Romans 1:22-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Matthew 22:30; Mark 8:34
Additional Scripture References:
Ecclesiastes 5:10; Psalms 37:4; Psalms 81:12; 1 Peter 1:3
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 11:13-16; Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 40:15; Psalm 33:10-11; Titus 3:1-3; Ecclesiastes 10:20; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8; Romans 13:1-2; Matthew 28-18-19; Matthew 20:28; 1 Corinthians 9:1-12; 19-23
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 4:14-16; Psalm 116:15; Matthew 26:24; Luke 22:22; 1 Peter 4:19; Philippians 1:29; Genesis 45:8; Genesis 50:20; Job 2:10; Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:7
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 12:15; Matthew 17:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Deuteronomy 8:11-12; Matthew 13:44; 26:6-11; Psalm 106:8; Isaiah 48:11; Ezekiel 20:9; Matthew 6:21; Luke 16:13-15; Ecclesiastes 4:4; 2 Corinthians 8:2-5; 7-11
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:8-9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 7:31-35; Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 5:32
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 1:6; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:4-5; Jeremiah 32:38-40; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 29:25; Luke 12:4-7; John 12:42-43; 1 Peter 1:17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Romans 14:11-12; Deuteronomy 6:15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Jeremiah 32:40
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 1:1-8; Luke 12:33; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Peter 2:3; Psalm 3:3; 4:1; 51:14; 140:7; 4:7; 5:7; 8:1,2,3,4; 9:1-2; 27:4; 96:9; 50:2; 90:17; 105:1; 32:1; 73:26; 97:1-7
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 119:67, 68, 71; 25:10; Romans 8:28; Psalm 138:5-8; Acts 20:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Luke 21:1-4
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Genesis 3:9-11; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Genesis 2:15
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:20-21; Proverbs 21:1; 2 Peter 2:10; Romans 1; John 6:38
Additional Scripture References:
John 9:1-3; Romans 8:18; 1 Samuel 2:2-7; Hebrews 11:35-39; Exodus 9:27; 1 Samuel 24:17; Malachi 3:18; Romans 12:3; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 21:23-27; 26:63-64; Proverbs 14:13; Proverbs 1:23; 3:11; 6:23
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 1:3-26; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 8:28; Matthew 10:28
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 9:6-7; Philippians 4:10-13; Deuteronomy 14:22-23; Psalm 49:16-17; 1 Timothy 6:7; Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:17; Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 9:7
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 18:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:16; Matthew 6:8; Psalm 15:4; Matthew 16:24; Psalm 15:1; 19:14; 51:17-18; Nehemiah 8:10
Additional Scripture References:
Mark 1:40-45; Luke 14:26; Colossians 3:23-24; John 1:11; Ecclesiastes 12:7
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Proverbs 6:16; Ephesians 3:16-19; 2 Peter 1:5-7; Isaiah 66:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Proverbs 17:1; Ephesians 2:10; Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8
Additional Scripture References:
Job 2:10; Acts 5:41; Isaiah 48:8-11; Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 139:16; Romans 9:19-20
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 139:16; Acts 17:24-26; John 19:10-11; Matthew 5:39-41; Romans 12:15; James 4:6; Colossians 1:16; Romans 11:36
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 3:6; Psalm 127:1; Isaiah 46:10; John 15:16; Matthew 19:23-30; Luke 14:26-27; John 1:1-3; John 8:58; Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Corinthians 4:14-17; 2 Timothy 1:4-10; 2:2
Approaching Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 13:11; Matthew 18:3; 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 6:1-2; Proverbs 24:16; Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Corinthians 3:2; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 3:8; Titus 2:1-6
Additional Scripture References:
Revelation 17:14; Colossians 1:11-14; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 6:14; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; Psalm 77:19; Proverbs 3:5; Luke 9:57-62; Galatians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:15; 2 Timothy 4:6
Additional Scripture References:
Hosea 6:1-3; Isaiah 40:13-14; Colossians 2:3; Colossians 1:15-20
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 4:16-21; Micah 5:2; Judges 6:1-2; Judges 7:22; Isaiah 6:8-13; Matthew 13:1-14; Matthew 10:34-35; Matthew 12:48-49
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 2:34-35; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23; Genesis 12:2-3; Proverbs 21:1; Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Romans 9:30-32; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 8:28-30; Colossians 1:11-14; Psalm 125:1
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 8:17,18,22; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Psalm 115:11-13
Additional Scripture References:
Judges 6-8; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Judges 3:4; 12-13; Romans 3:19-26; Romans 6:6; Hebrews 2:14-15; John 11:25-26
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 16:5; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Isaiah 40:31; James 1:2-4; Philippians 3:7-11
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 1:5-25; Luke 1:57-80; John 1:1-9; Malachi 3:6; 2 Peter 3:8; John 8:12; Isaiah 6:9; 1 John 5:10
Additional Scripture References:
Hosea 6:1-2; Ephesians 1:5-6; Romans 11:32; Genesis 1:1-2; Lamentations 3:22-23; Deuteronomy 32:39; Proverbs 20:24; Isaiah 45:7; Daniel 4:35; Psalm 115:3; Exodus 33:19; Psalm 33:10; Isaiah 14:24, 26-27; Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 99:1-5; Jude 1:25; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Psalm 136:1; Deuteronomy 4:31; Genesis 18:25; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28; Romans 5:3-6; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Job 7:17; Job 37:10-12; Isaiah 46:8-11
Additional Scripture References:
Colossians 3:5-6; Colossians 3:2-3; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 13:44-46; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 1:6; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 2:20; 3:14, 17; Luke 6:23, 35; Colossians 3:24; 2 John 1:8
Additional Scripture References:
1 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ecclesiastes 9:6; 1 John 2:15-17; John 6:29; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6; Matthew 16:26; Isaiah 15:14-17; Isaiah 40:6-8
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 11:17-19; Job 23:10; Hebrews 12:11; Romans 8:32; Luke 18:18-30
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 4:5-7; Psalm 51:12; Philippians 2:5-7; Acts 17:26-27; Matthew 28:18-20; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Galatians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 2:14
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:22; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Additional Scripture References:
Colossians 1:5-6; 2 Peter 1:5-9; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 3:3-4; Ephesians 2:4-6; Romans 8:38-39; Romans 8:15
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 46:10; Psalm 139:23-24; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Galatians 6:14; Psalm 45:13-15; Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Matthew 26:29; Ezekiel 16:13-14; Hebrews 13:20-21; Colossians 1:29; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:10
Additional Scripture References:
John 16:30-33; Matthew 26:35; Isaiah 28:16; Job 5:12; Proverbs 19:21; Psalm 33:10; Proverbs 1:5; 18:15; Proverbs 27:6,9; Proverbs 12:15; Galatians 6:7; Matthew 15:1-6
Additional Scripture References:
Jeremiah 8:11; Galatians 5:11; John 3:16; Romans 5:9; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 2:29; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:4-5; Matthew 24:13; 1 Corinthians 12:3; James 2:19; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:20; Luke 16:15; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 2:12; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Luke 10:20; John 10:14; 26-27; Amos 3:2; Genesis 4:1; Genesis 18:19; 1 Corinthians 8:3
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 7:7-14; Psalm 37:4,; Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:1-3; Hebrews 2:10; John 8:39-47; Ephesians 2:3; Matthew 7:11; James 4:1-3; 1 John 5:14-15; James 1:5; 2 Chronicles 1:6-12; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 3:5-7; Ecclesiastes 2:9-11; Proverbs 3:13-14; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19; John 13:34-35; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 16:24-26
Additional Scripture References:
Revelation 20:11-15; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Proverbs 3:12; Revelation 3:19; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15; Galatians 5:12; I Corinthians 5:11
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 10:19; matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 10:29; Matthew 10:18-19; Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16; Matthew 5:7-8; james 4:13-15
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 13:22; Mathew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 14:26; 1 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Revelation 21:4; 2 Timothy 1:11-12; Romans 1:21-32
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 35:35-40; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 5:44; Ephesians 3:19
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 19:21; Leviticus 24:19-20; Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 24:17; proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:14-19
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Leviticus 20:10; Luke 16:15; Galatians 5:22-23; Jeremiah 17:9; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Philippians 2:12; Romans 8:13; 13:14; Romans 6:4-7; Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 11:1-3
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17; Leviticus 24:17; Exodus 21:12; Exodus 20:9-10; Ephesians 4:26; Romans 12:19; Mark 10:20; Matthew 15:24-28
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 15:18-19; Jeremiah 17:9; Acts 14:8-18; James 2:10; Luke 18:9-14
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 7:24-25; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Luke 14:11; 2 Timothy 2:12; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13; 12:7; Isaiah 1:12; 58:5; Matthew 15:18-19; Exodus 33:12-23; John 1:18-20
Additional Scripture References:
2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 8
Study Questions:
-
What does it look like to bring your children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?
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How can we know if we are people pleasers? How do we combat this?
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Take some time and ask God to help you better understand and know how He sees you as well as others.
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 7:17-27
Study Questions:
-
What are some ways in which not understanding the will of the Lord can be foolish?
-
Why is it so important to preserve the Biblical exhortations of submission and love to wives and husbands when we live in “evil days?”
-
What is the mystery of marriage according to Scripture? How much of a reality has this been in your marriage?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Job 1:8-12, 2:3-6; Ex 12:12-13; 1 Tim 2:3-4; Luke 13:23-27; Gen 22:2; Ex 4:21-23; Ps 145:4; Luke 22:42; Jam 4:7; Eph 6:1-2; Rom 13:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13; Prov 21:1; Gen 2:18
Study Questions:
-
What difference does it make that we are “beloved children” God in this context?
-
How should the church “expose” sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness? How do we apply the gospel to this task?
-
In general, how can we as the church make better use of the time we have?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 12:36-37; Isaiah 42:8; 48:11
Study Questions:
-
What is Paul getting at when he tells the Ephesians “but that is not the way you learned Christ”?
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What does it look like to put off your old self? When was the last time your mind was renewed by something you read or were taught in scripture?
-
Would you say that people experience “grace” when they talk to you? How would you know? How can you ensure this?
-
How can we practically “put away” all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
John 6:44; Colossians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:1; Psalm 119:37; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 15:11
Study Questions:
-
In verse 7 what does Paul mean when he says that grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift?
-
What does it look like for the saints to be building up the body of Christ?
-
According to Paul, what would “mature manhood” look like?
-
In reference to verse 16, how would we know if a “part” was working properly?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Revelation 13:8; Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:33; John 10:11; Hebrews 5:12
Study Questions:
-
Read and meditate upon Acts 13:15-43. What keeps us from being as excited about the gospel as those in Antioch? What can we do about it?
-
What does it mean to continue in the grace of God? What does that look like?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 13:34; Matt 11:28; Mark 2:17; Hebrews 3:4; 2 Cor 6:14; Ephesians 6:2; Proverbs 23:13; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Cor 9:6-7; Malachi 3:10; Colossians 3:23; 1 Cor 2:16; Ephesians 4:26; John 3:14; 12:32; 17:1; Revelation 5:9
Study Questions:
-
Read and meditate upon Isaiah 53. What part of this text resinates the most with you? Why?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 5:20-6:2; Matthew 13:1-9; Acts 8:13-25; 2 Peter 1:10; Luke 14:25-33; Isaiah 53:5; Philippians 2:3; John 17:1; Revelation 13:8
Study Questions:
-
How would you know if your inner being was being strengthened by the Spirit? How do you know if Christ is “dwelling’ in your heart? Would those closest to you confirm this?
-
What does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love?
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When do you best comprehend God’s love? What would help you better comprehend this?
-
Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Titus 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 4:16; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 13
Study Questions:
-
What does Paul mean in verse 6 that they are partakers of the promise in Christ? How does the gospel come into play?
-
How is the church displaying the manifold wisdom of God?
-
The first word in verse 13 “So…” implies that Paul has just given the reason why he is asking them not to lose heart. Finish this sentence: You should not lose heart while walking in darkness, uncertainty, suffering, mystery, etc. because….
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Timothy 4:6; Galatians 6:16; Isaiah 11:6-9
Study Questions:
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Who are those who are “far off”? Why are they considered far off? Who are those who are “near”? Why are they considered near? What was the message of peace? How does this situation in verse 17 relate to us in our generation, culture, and nation?
-
In what ways do we see the Holy Spirit working to ensure that we are built together?
-
Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 10:34; 15:21-28; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ezekiel 36:27; 2 Timothy 1:14; Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:1-3; Habakkuk 2:13-14
Study Questions:
-
Why does Paul have to spend so much time in his epistles reminding these churches that their salvation wasn’t their doing? Ex: In Eph. 2:8-13, Paul reminds them that they don’t get to take credit for their faith, works, or being “brought near.”
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Take a few minutes to read Galatians 3. What are some things can we gather about God’s purpose for the law? (v19-24)
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What are some of the “ordinances” Paul is referring to in verse 15? (Hint: Colossians 2:8-23) In what ways were they “abolished” or “nailed to the cross” in Christ?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 1:24; 1:28; 6:6; 7:18; 9:16; 3:11-2; 8:4; Hosea 1:9-2:1; 2:23; Matthew 5:17; Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 3
Study Questions:
-
What are the implications of being “dead in our trespasses and sins”?
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Paul has given us the picture of what our fallen state (being outside of Christ) really looks like. Certainly we were all once in this state of deadness. How are we as the church supposed to respond to such a truth with regards to our relationship to the world around us? How might this truth, regarding our own children who don’t know Christ, effect the way we parent?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 6:16-18, 20; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Romans 8:7-9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; John 3:36; Romans 3:9-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 3:3-7
Study Questions:
-
What is Paul’s aim when he speaks of “knowledge” of God?
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Read and meditate on Romans 8:28-39. What hope is linked to the “calling” of God?
-
If we have the power that raised Jesus working in us, what implications does that have on us moving forward? As the church, how do we picture Christ’s rule and reign to the rest of the world?
-
Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
John 17:3; Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 33:12-21; Job 23:10; Psalm 42:1-2; Hebrews 8:11; Acts 3:17-19; 4:12; 10:43; 17:30; 3:39, 47; 13:48; John 3:16; Romans 8:28-30; Romans 8:16
Study Questions:
-
Read and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10. What does Paul mean that they “became imitators” of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy? What would that look like for ARCC?
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What were the idols that these people turned from in order to serve God? How do we know what the idols are in our own life? What does it look like to turn from them?
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What does it mean that their “faith in God” had gone forth everywhere? How did/does God accomplish this?
-
Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 11:7; Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:38-39; Galatians 1:6-10; 5:11; John 6:35-40; Matthew 13; 1 John 2:19; Galatians 5:19-24; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13; Jonah 2:9; John 6:35-40; Galatians 5:19-24; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13
Study Questions:
-
Where were you when you first hoped/believed in Christ? What was your conversion like? Looking back, can you see what God was up to in bringing you to Himself?
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To what would you point to, in your life, as the source of your confidence in your salvation?
-
Read and meditate on Galatians 5:18-25. What sticks out the most to you in this text? What are your thoughts as you read over the fruits of the Spirit? In what areas, with regard to this fruit, do you see the Spirit working in your life?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Genesis 45:7-8; Job 1:21; 2:10; 13:15; Romans 11:7; Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:38-39; Galatians 1:6-10; 5:11; John 6:35-40; Matthew 13; 1 John 2:19; Galatians 5:19-24; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13
Study Questions:
-
What is this “mystery” that God is now seemingly revealing?
-
What does it mean that in Christ all things will be united?
-
Read and meditate on Romans 8:18-25. What is the over-arching theme of this text? What does it mean when it says that all creation is groaning?…that we groan inwardly? What does it look like for us to wait patiently?
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Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21; Philippians 2:7; Acts 3:15; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 9:22; Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:18-19; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33; Romans 4:8; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Revelation 5; Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 46:8-11
Study Questions:
-
What does scripture say we were actually redeemed from? For what did Christ have to pay a ransom?
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Read and meditate on Revelation 5. Focus specifically on verses 9-10. What is scripture saying about the purpose and effectiveness of the blood of Christ? What implications might this text have for us in terms of global missions?
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In light of what Christ had to go through in order to secure the forgiveness of our trespasses against Him, what must we say in regards to our ability to forgive those who have trespassed against us?
-
What does it mean that in Christ all things will be united?
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21; Philippians 2:7; Acts 3:15; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 9:22; Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:18-19; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33; Romans 4:8; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Revelation 5; Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 46:8-11
Study Questions:
-
What does the concept of adoption tell us about God’s view of us?
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What does the picture of adoption tell us about God’s view of our salvation and redemption?
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Read and meditate on John 5:1-17. Clearly Jesus healed one man when “multitudes” were there in need. Is God’s grace more or less glorious in this instance? Why or why not?
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Now what? What do we do about all these kids who need homes? How does the Church’s spiritual adoption play itself out practically?
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 2:1-5; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:1-3; 1 John 4:19; Galatians 4:8-11; Exodus 4:22; Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 11:1; Romans 9:4; Colossians 1:21; Romans 5:8-10; Romans 11:6; John 8:47; 10:26-30; John 5:1-9
Study Questions:
-
Why is theology important?
-
Why would Paul bring this concept of election (being chosen) to the attention of His churches? How is this profitable for the believer? (You may want to meditate on Romans 8:28-39 and focus in on verse 33)
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If the saints have been chosen since before the foundation of the world then what does that mean for evangelism?…prayer?
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 6:60-65; John 1:13; Romans 9:16; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Hebrews 11:1-2; Amos 3:1-2; Psalm 1:6; Genesis 18:17-19; Hosea 13:4-5; 1 Corinthians 8:3; Galatians 4:9
Additional Scripture References:
Jonah 1:17, Habakkuk 1:5-7, 9-11, Jonah 2:5-6, Matthew 12:39-40, Matthew 12:41
Additional Scripture References:
Phil. 1:21: Mic. 5:2; Job 14:1, 2, 5; Matt. 5:5; Luke 1:38; Mark 10:45; Gen. 41:32; Luke 22:22; Acts 17:24-27
Study Questions:
-
Is it possible for secular (non-biblical) traditions to stir our affections for Christ? Why or why not?
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Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Would Christmas look different in America / in the Church if we were able to buy in to verse 18? How do we know if we have bought in?
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 15:10; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:11
Study Questions:
-
What do we learn about God from this text?
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What do we learn about man from this text?
-
What are some specific areas of our life here and now that make “the fall” feel like a reality?
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How do we, as followers of Christ, redeem the relationship that God speaks of in verses 16b and 17a?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 108
Study Questions:
-
Why did satan go to the woman and not the man?
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What is one practical thing you can look out for in the way of satan’s temptation in your own life?
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What tools has God given us to combat satan? How, as a small group, can you implement them?
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Why is there a correlation between their eyes having been opened and their realization of their nakedness?
Additional Scripture References:
John 8:44; Job 2:10; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Psalm 1:2; Proverbs 14:12
Study Questions:
-
What defines rest? What can we learn from God’s creation example with regards to rest?
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Read and meditate on Matthew 12:1-14 and Mark 2:27. How does Jesus’ view of “Sabbath” help us in our pursuit of rest?
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What kind of rest is the writer of Hebrews speaking of in Hebrews 4:9-10? Is it different than the rest we strive for in Hebrews 4:11?
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From a practical standpoint, what should “sabbath” look like for us on a weekly basis?
Additional Scripture References:
Ecclesiastes 3:14; Revelation 1:8; Hebrews 12:2; Exodus 31:17; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Chronicles 36:21; Exodus 31:14; Numbers 15:32-36; Exodus 31:15,17; Acts 17:26; Leviticus 23:3; Exodus 23:12; 31:17; Matthew 12; Mark 2; Leviticus 26:34-35; Leviticus 16:31; 23:32; Hebrews 4:9-10
Study Questions:
-
What does it mean that God made man in His image? Are we still in His image?
-
What attributes of God do we learn from chapter 2?
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Why would God put something in the garden of “pleasure” (Eden) that man could not freely have? (The tree of the knowledge of good and evil)
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Does your small group have someone (family or individual) either inside or outside the church to bless/minister to this holiday season?
Study Questions:
-
What attributes of God do we get from verses 1-25?
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What does it mean when God sees His creation as good / very good?
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What has God done in your life to show that He is a creator? In other words, what has God done in your life that makes the Bible’s version of creation believable for you?
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What implications and/or applications come to mind with the fact that God created light before He created the sun and the moon and starts?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 90:1-2; Acts 17:25; Matthew 10:29-30; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 46:8-11; Lamentations 3:37: Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6; Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 16:1, 4, 9, 33; 19:21; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 50:20; 1 Corinthians 1:20; Habakkuk 2:14
Study Questions:
-
What is the connection between the worshippers of the beast and the “book of life”?
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How does the “book of life” give understanding to God’s purpose for creating the universe?…for creating man?
Additional Scripture References:
Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 5:5-6; Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:11-12; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:6; John 3:16; John 11:50-52; John 6:37-39; John 17:9; Ephesians 5:25; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 11:26
Study Questions:
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To be an “apsotle” means to be “sent out” or to be a messenger. In what ways do you believe you have been “sent out?”
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In what ways did some of the New Testament apostles come up against resistance? In what ways did they handle it?
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Do you believe in general local churches are as missional as they were called to be? And to expound on this rhetorical question, what are some of the greatest obstacles to missions?
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Discuss some of the ways your Small Group can be “sent out” to the surrounding neighborhood. How and when can you “go!”?
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 10:1, Acts 1:26, Acts 2:47, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42, 1 Timothy 2:7, Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:19, James 1:27
Study Questions:
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What does it mean to be a “learner” of Jesus? How do you know if you are one?
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Is it possible to be a Christian but not a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not?
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Read and meditate 2 Timothy 2:2. How would that play itself out today in our church?…in your life?
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How are going to decorate your trunk for trunk or treat??
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 2 Timothy 2:7; Matthew 11; Luke 9:23-27; Hebrews 5:7-14; 2 Timothy 2:2; 4:6
Study Questions:
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How does “community” lend itself to worship?
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Is “worship” primarily a corporate issue or an individual issue? Thoughts on this?
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Read and meditate on Romans 12:1. Why is it necessary that Paul would insert the phrase “by the mercies of God”? How is it possible to be a “living sacrifice”?…or to live sacrificially?
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How will the small groups in our church exemplify the concept of “living sacrifice” both to the church body as well as to the world outside?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:19-25; Isaiah 30:15-17; John 4:23-24; Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:5; Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:25-29
Study Questions:
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What does the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit teach us about community?
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Read and meditate on Acts 2:42-47. Is this what the “Church” looks like today? Why or why not? What concept(s) within this text is/are most difficult for the church to carry out today?
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In 1 Peter 2:5 what does he mean when he says we are being built up us a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices?
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As a small group, how will you proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light? In other words, how will the neighbors of your host home ever know the true reason why you bombard their street with so many cars on a weekly basis?
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 8:27-30; John 1:1-3; John 10:30; Matthew 3:16-17; Genesis 2:18; Genesis 17:1-8; Hebrews 8:6-13; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24; Revelation 12:10-12; Genesis 3:8-13; John 3:19-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; 1 Peter 2:1-10; Galatians 5:1
The only conviction of the reliability of scripture that will lead to an actual taking up of one’s cross and denying one’s self is a conviction that miraculously comes from the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!
Study Questions:
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What does it practically mean that scripture is the final authority in the testing of all claims about what is true and right?
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What kind of “reward” is David speaking of in verse 11?
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What keeps people from viewing scripture as “more to be desired than gold…”?
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What would the expected fruit be from a small group that was dedicated to the study of and the meditation upon the Word of God?
Additional Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 4:3-6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 1 John 5:7-11; John 7:16-18; John 9:25; Psalm 1:3; John 6:67-68; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Luke 16:30-31; James 1:21; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Isaiah 6:5; Psalm 119:37; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So when we say that it is our desire that Christ be ultimate in the affections of the church, we mean that it is our desire that Christ would be seen as the most valuable possession, gift, relationship, reward possible for His people.
Study Questions:
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How is the concept of “faith” and the concept of “laying aside every weight and sin” connected? What is meant by the fact that it “clings so closely?
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How is faith related to running the “race with endurance”? What does it mean that the race has been “set before us”?
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In the context of Hebrews 12 what does it look like to “look to Jesus”?
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How does all of this translate to ARCC and specifically small groups at ARCC?
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 11
God’s divine plan of redemption didn't end with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In some sense it had just begun. Because all authority in heaven and on earth belong to Christ He has determined that His Church should glorify Him through making disciples of Him in all nations.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 24:25; Matthew 28:17; James 5:19-20; Psalm 51:13; Daniel 12:3; Malachi 2:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:9-11; 1 Cor. 1:21, 24, 29, 31; 1 Cor. 2:10,12; James 2:19; 1 Cor. 12, 14; James 1:21; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17
Christ destroyed death when He was raised to life on the third day. ALL OF LIFE can have purpose and meaning knowing how this story ends. The resurrection of Christ is THE REALITY that underlies the human longing for a happy ending and for good to triumph over evil. It ensures that this present age will give way to a perfect and glorious one. We WILL wait patiently for it!
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Philippians 1:6; Deuteronomy 5:29; Zephaniah 3:7; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalm 97:1-5; Deuteronomy 30:15-16; Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; Romans 4:7-8; 5:9; Psalm 30:5; Malachi 4:2; 2 Samuel 23:3-4; Psalm 22:31; 1 Corinthians 15:54, 57
In this hour of utter darkness, Christ, from the cross, points us to a Psalm of David that speaks of suffering and despair that ultimately ends in triumph. The beauty of it all is that in the darkness God finds us.
Additional Scripture References:
John 17:11, 22; John 17:1; Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 2:10-11; Ephesians 2:18-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Hebrews 10:14-23; Psalm 22; Romans 10:20
In this most significant moment in history, as Jesus is being tortured and humiliated, mocked and reviled, it is Mark’s desire to help the reader to understand that God is in complete control, all sovereign, and THE all powerful King. It is only through His sovereign, merciful, grace that we would be able to look upon the cross and believe.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 16:13; James 1:12; Hebrews 2:9; Mark 14:25; Matthew 5:37; Psalm 15:4b; Psalm 22; John 6:60-65
Despised and Rejected
Additional Scripture References:
John 18:28-19:16; Mark 8:31-38; Mark 7:1-7; Mark 10:33-34; John 14:6; Romans 3:10-11; John 13:34-35; Col. 1:15-17; Psalm 22:1,6-8, 14-18; 1 Peter 2:23; Isaiah 53
As we approach the cross we can begin to see why it would end up being a stumbling block and offensive to so many. We see why it would never seem like a practical solution to any problem much less the problem of evil. Why would God choose the death of His Son on a cross to be the climax of His grand story?
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 10:19; Matthew 7:6; Luke 21:15; James 1:19; John 8:58; Leviticus 24:16
As we approach the cross we can begin to see why it would end up being a stumbling block and offensive to so many. We see why it would never seem like a practical solution to any problem much less the problem of evil. Why would God choose the death of His Son on a cross to be the climax of His grand story?
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 37:4; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25; Luke 6:20-26
What we learn from Jesus’ human frailty.
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 5:7; 4:15-16; Matthew 6; Luke 6:20-26
Jesus had an incredible message for His disciples when He was telling them of their future failure. Because they were all trapped on the vicious cycle of trying to morally outdo one another they were blinded. God graciously ordains failure in our life in order to show us this incredibly freeing truth of His grace.
Additional Scripture References:
Zechariah 13:7-9; Isaiah 53:5
Observing the Lord’s Supper or Communion is remembering the high price that was paid in order to offer a free gift of infinite worth. Let us feel the humility, the gratitude, and the hope that comes with the observance of WHAT was purchased through Christ’s blood on the cross: A BETTER COVENANT WITH BETTER PROMISES.
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 8:6-12; Exodus 19:5-8; Titus 3:4-7; Jeremiah 31:31-33; 32:38-40; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26-27; Hebrews 13:20-21; Revelation 19:6-9; 1 Corinthians 11
God is making His appeal in and through those whom He has claimed for Himself! If you are in Christ then you have been raised up for a purpose.
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:20; 23-25; Colossians 213-15; Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Last week you have this “beautiful thing…” done by a woman and we celebrate it as being a part of the preparations of the death of Christ. This week we see a horrific thing and yet we are to celebrate it as being a part of the preparations of the death of Christ. If you are boasting in the cross of Christ then you are celebrating God and His sovereign hand that brought ALL of it to pass.
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; Exodus 21; Isaiah 14:24-27; 46:9-11; Job 23:13; Luke 22:22, 37; Isaiah 53:12; John 13:17-19; John 17:12; Acts 1:16; 4:27-28; John 3:16; Romans 9:19
The turning point of all of history was days away. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, would have his body, the unleavened bread, broken for our sins. While in Bethany, Mary (Martha’s sister) prepares Jesus for burial in advance by pouring an outrageous amount of expensive perfume over his head. Judas, along with other onlookers, condemn her for the waste. But how could preparing the God of the universe for the most important event in all of history be a waste, even if it cost a year of wages?
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 4:21, 11:4, 11:9-10, 12:12-13, 12:17-18, 12:29-31, 12:37-39; Matthew 26:1-13; John 11:45-12:8
Oh how bad the curse we feel. Oh the glories His coming will reveal. He’s coming back and He has commanded us to stay awake and be ready for His return. Are you ready?
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 14:12-13; 24:18-22; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Isaiah 25:6-9; John 6:63; Deuteronomy 32:47; John 4:34; 6:38; John 17:1; Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 9:27
When Christianity is literally life and death there is no room for gray areas. It is in these times when it is clearest who the “sheep” are that Jesus speaks of in John 10.
Additional Scripture References:
John 10:25-30; Romans 8:6-10; Galatians 6:17
Jesus is wanting to encourage His disciples to equate "the end" with running harder than ever, striving after His word and His promises, and pursuing righteousness like never before. Ultimately, Christ is calling on us to rest in the bitter-sweetness of our insufficiency that brings to light God's gracious, sovereignty.
Additional Scripture References:
Mark 9:35; 12;36; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-15: 2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:5-6; Ephesians 1:4; 13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Corinthians 1:22
After Jesus silences the crowd with His answers He goes on the offensive by proving that the Messiah was much more than David’s son. He then gives a warning in regards to the hearts of men, and then finishes with an exhortation to sacrifice.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Samuel 7:16; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Isaiah 11; Philippians 2:9-10; James 3:1; Hebrews 13; James 2:18-19; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 2 Corinthians 8:8-11
It was the Scribe’s commendable effort to manage and sort and prioritize the commandments of God that kept him from truly understanding their purpose.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 5:19; 23:23; Deuteronomy 6; 1 John 5:19-21; Isaiah 45:5; Leviticus 19:18; Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 1:12-17; Romans 3:2; 9; 19-20; Galatians 6:18
The Sadducees make their attempt to trap Jesus up in asking a hypothetical question about marriage and the resurrection. What we find is that "knowing" the word and "knowing" the power of God means EVERYTHING.
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 25:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:26; John 8:44; 2 Timothy 3:15; James 1:21; Ephesians 1:16-20; Genesis 1,2,6,19; Exodus 6-12, 14; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Hebrews 12:1
It is quite possible that God’s answers to our questions are meant to lead us to the correct questions that truly need to be answered.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 11:3-5; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 5:21; Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 26:12; Psalm 51:16-17
It is clear that the Elders and the Chief Priests felt like Christ was speaking about them in this parable as those who destroyed the servants which would certainly serve a purpose. I wonder, however, if Jesus was really speaking to those who would receive the vineyard because of the actions of the tenants.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 7:8; Mark 4:11; Luke 11:47; Matthew 23:31; Acts 7:52; Matthew 23:37; Romans 11:3; Romans 11:1-2; Genesis 20:6; Psalm 119:37; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 6; Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 16:9; Ezekiel 36:22-27
Jesus tells his disciples of things that will “come to pass” for those who believe. He even goes so far as to tell them that whatever they ask for in prayer will be theirs if they believe they have received it. Because there are several ways this can be interpreted for us living in a different culture and with a different mindset, it can be important for us to look at context and other texts to understand what Jesus meant. And like so many other parts in Scripture, having the things of God revealed to us often comes down to a matter of authority.
Additional Scripture References:
Gen. 3:9, Heb. 11:1, John 6:25-71, Rom. 9:1-24, Rom. 8:19-33, Eph. 2:8-10, Matt. 6:10, Luke 22:42, Matt. 7:13, Mark 10:21-22
A look at the most famous verse in the Bible.
Attributes of God:
Independence – (Acts 17:24-25; Job 41:11; Ps. 50:10-12) Unchangeableness – (Ps. 102:25-27) Eternality – (Ps 90:2; Job 36:26; Rev. 1:8; Ps. 90:4; Gal. 4:4-5) Omnipresent – (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 10:14; Ps. 139:7-10) Wisdom – (Romans 16:27; Ps. 104:24; Romans 8:28) Truth – (Jer. 10:10-11; John 17:3; Num. 23:19) Goodness – (Luke 18:19; Ps. 106:1; Ps. 34:8) Love – (1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:10) Holiness – (Ps. 24:3; Is. 6:3; Ps. 99:9; Lev. 19:2) Righteousness/ Justice – (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 19:8; Is. 45:19) Omnipotence – (Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:17; Luke 1:37; Ps. 115:3) Perfect – (Matt. 5:48; Ps. 18:30)
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 10:31; Psalm 8; Isaiah 53:10-11; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:21; 2 Peter 2:14; Romans 3:23-25; Romans 8:6; 1 Cor. 2:14; Matthew 25:41, 46; Luke 16:23-26; 1 John 5:11; Psalm 16:11; 37:4; 73:25-26; John 6:68; Philippians 3:8-9; Isaiah 43:7
God selected His people not so that they could be a private club, but so that they would turn and bless the rest of the world. Christ's church has been given the Gospel for the same purpose. When we forget about the Gospel, the church loses her mission and becomes a burden to the rest of the world as well as those inside.
Additional Scripture References:
James 1:19-22; Romans 9:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:20-21: Genesis 12:1-3
Jesus was God when men were willingly handing over their donkey, when men were laying down their cloaks and branches, as well as when men were nailing him to a cross. Do we worship Christ as though He were only God on Sundays?
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 49:8-12; Zechariah 9:9; Hebrews 2:8-9
Jesus shows His disciples what success, influence, and power really look like. How will the church impact culture and society?
Additional Scripture References:
Jeremiah 29:7; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 17:32-34; 18:5-8; Mark 4:11
It will always be difficult for our sinful flesh to truly understand grace. In terms of salvation, Jesus plainly tells us that it is something ONLY POSSIBLE WITH GOD. We can’t earn it, purchase it, or trade for it. Grace is hard to swallow because it forces you and me to give full credit and glory to God. If there is ANY room for us to boast then we are not speaking of biblical salvation.
Additional Scripture References:
John 8:19; John 15:16; Mark 3:13
It will always be difficult for our sinful flesh to truly understand grace. In terms of salvation, Jesus plainly tells us that it is something received on our part. We can’t earn it, purchase it, or trade for it. Grace is hard to swallow because it forces you and me to give full credit and glory to God. If there is ANY room for us to boast then we are not speaking of Biblical salvation.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 2:22; Proverbs 22:6; 1 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 4:9; 11:18-25; Romans 9:1-3; John 6:44; Romans 8:30; Titus 3:3-7; Ephesians 2:4-9; Romans 10:1; Acts 16:14-15; Ephesians 1:18; John 3:5-8; Acts 2:37; 1 John 2:3-6; 3:4-9; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Galatians 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:10; Mark 2:17; 9:35
The beauty of the Word of God is that it is God’s revelation to us. The Word is God revealing Himself TO US. More than just great principles to live by, we have the opportunity seek and know the very heart of God. This is what we are called to pursue…not just an understanding of His rules, but to know and understand Him! Jesus, in the flesh, leads us to this with regards to our own marriages.
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Leviticus 20:10; Malachi 2:16; Genesis 1:26-28; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; 8-9, 39; 1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; Hebrews 13:4
To be a member of the Body of Christ is to be invited into a marvelous dance…a divine romance, an epic adventure with triumph and failure, good and evil, peace and war, with a glorious, splendid, holy, without blemish ending. Are we, as men, bringing on our wives as bone of our bones and flesh of our flesh into such an adventure?
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1; 1 Peter 4:8; Romans 7:17; Genesis 2:23,24; Colossians 3:4; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; Colossians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 20:6; 2 Timothy 2:12; John 15;18; Matthew 10:22; Romans 8:16-17; 2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13; Colossians 3:4; Romans 8:21; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 1:17-23; Philippians 1:27-30
The mystery of Christ's relationship with His church is revealed in scripture, from the doctrines therein. So we set out to study the record of the Bible and the Holy Spirit begins to reveal to us who God Is...what He has already done...what He is doing right now...and what He plans to do in the future...all of which Is related to His love for us and the work He invites us into for His glory...including the work of partnering with Him in making an exemplary marriage...or said another way...in painting a beautiful picture of the glorious love relationship that God wants with His church.
Additional Scripture References:
John 4:23; Hebrews 13:15-17; Zech. 14:1, 3-4, 6-9, 16, 20-21
The mystery of Christ's relationship with His church is revealed in scripture, from the doctrines therein. So we set out to study the record of the Bible and the Holy Spirit begins to reveal to us who God Is...what He has already done...what He is doing right now...and what He plans to do in the future...all of which Is related to His love for us and the work He invites us into for His glory...including the work of partnering with Him in making an exemplary marriage...or said another way...in painting a beautiful picture of the glorious love relationship that God wants with His church.
Additional Scripture References:
John 4:23; Hebrews 13:15-17; Zech. 14:1, 3-4, 6-9, 16, 20-21
Through the covenant of marriage, God has ordained that His two image bearers, husband and wife, paint a portrait to the world of the everlasting covenant that Christ has made with His church. Marriage was meant to be a beautiful picture of the relationship between Christ and His redeemed people. In these verses, Paul exhorts the wife to be and play the part that she was designed to play. Scripture is clear that the wife's greatest inspiration is her desire to please Christ and walk faithfully with Him. What a gift this is to the husband!
Additional Scripture References:
Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11 :11; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 11 :3; Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Corinthians 12:18-21; 1 TImothy 4:10; 1 TImothy 1:19;6:11; 1 Peter 3:1-4
The whole of Ephesians 5 and the first part of 6 is that our existence is to be defined in our imitating God. Paul shows us how this plays itself out in our relationships with one another. The key to imitating God comes through being filled with the Holy Spirit. Only then can our relationships (brothers and sisters in Christ as well as husband and wife) be what God designed them to be.
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 6:1-10; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:11; Romans 12:1-2;Amos 5:13; John 7:17; Psalm 143:10; Galatians 5:16-24; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Psalm 143:11; John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7; Philippians 2:9-11
Matthew recounts the horrific story of the slaughtering of the young males in Bethlehem by King Herod. In the midst of this seemingly hopeless text Matthew points us to two Old Testament passages that give an honest response to our pain and suffering. Whether we like what we hear is another story.
Additional Scripture References:
Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 14:26; Mark 8:35-37; Hosea 11:1-7; 13:4-6; 12:8; 14:3-6; Jer. 31:14-20
Each year around December, people everywhere are telling others to remember the "reason for the season." However, these efforts are often still exhorting something less than the Advent of Christ. Perhaps in foresight of this, the Apostle John begins his gospel telling us that the Word, who was in the beginning, became flesh and dwelt among us. To us today, this is a reminder that when Jesus was born, God had come to us. This is the reason, the rest are implications.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 2:6-12, Colossians 1:15-16, John 8:12-19, John 8:58
The heart of advent is that there truly would be a weightiness and a gravity placed on us as we reflect on the moment Christ made His first appearance in this world. It Is our desire here at ARCC that "advent" season would be a reminder of how truth of Christ's Incarnation and the truth of His expected return is to play Itself outIn our lives every day of our lives.
It is a very worthy question to ask. Jesus is implying that to be saved or to be a follower of Him is to be in relationship with God, the rest of the redeemed, and with those who are not redeemed. Jesus gives both our motivation for asking the question in His picture of heaven and hell as well as the benchmarks to come to a satisfactory answer.
Additional Scripture References:
Rev. 7:9; 1 Co. 12:13, 25-26; Rom. 12:15, 1:8-15; Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; Ps. 42:1-2; Ps. 139:23-24; Gal. 6:14-17; Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:29
Once again we find Jesus sharing with His disciples about His impending death and resurrection. The disciples fail to engage Jesus in this discussion because of their lack of understanding, their fear based on past rebuke, and because there is simply just something else on their mind. Jesus, the great teacher, uses this as an opportunity to teach them the significance of what is going to happen to Him. Jesus is hitting the same nail from a different perspective. What happens to Jesus will have immediate and lasting effects on the lives of each one of the disciples. The "good news" of Jesus isn't to be spoken only, but lived out as well.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Samuel 24:14; 1 Chronicles 21:13; Romans 12:10; Matthew 25:40-45; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; James 1:27; Matthew 10:22
Praise God for seasons. Praise God for new days. We have two constants. The first is that God never changes and the second is that the world is constantly changing. If you are a follower of Christ you should come to expect change. A work has begun in you. God will be faithful to complete it. The reality of this is that difficult times will pass, but the flip side of the coin is that good things pass as well. To embrace this is to embrace the life with Christ! Change in our lives is God’s grace that allows us to be reminded that we are a part of something greater than ourselves.
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 24:16; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 2:9; John 1:45; Deuteronomy 18:15; Malachi 4:5-6; Exodus 33:20; 1 Corinthians 15:35-36; 2 Kings; Isaiah 53; Mark 6:14-29; 2 Cor. 4:9-12; Philippians 3:10-11
The concept of the sovereignty of God is in no way God forcing unwilling people kicking and screaming to do something they don't want to do. Likewise, God shuts the door on no man who is desiring Him. So, therefore, Jesus isn't dragging anyone into this deal. In fact, Jesus is doing the opposite of a sales pitch. This is just an invitation by One who is sold out to being a part of God's sovereign plan and purpose. The only way a man ever chooses, however, to sell out to following Christ is by God's sovereign power and glory and mercy and grace that draws him irresistibly into glad submission. THAT is the Kingdom coming in power!
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 5:24-25; Ephesians 6:1-4; Ephesians 4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 6:12-13; 19-20
To have our hearts and minds set on the things of God means that we are going to experience the pain and pricking of truth upon our lives. It also means we will possibly experience the consequences of living life previously set on the things of this world. To walk through such humiliating a path is also to end in the open, loving, gracious arms of Christ. It is to be reminded of His everlasting love and acceptance of us. In the end, this is an experience often needed to bring us back to being what we were called to be…”mathetes” or disciples of Christ.
Additional Scripture References:
Revelation 3:16-19
On the heels of a great miracle of giving a man his sight back Jesus asks two revealing questions to His disciples. The first question of “who do people say that I am?” leading to the infinitely more important question of “who do you say that I am?”. This section is a very gentle way for the Messiah to introduce that gap between popular belief and reality. What you think of when you think about Jesus Christ is the absolute most important thing about you. It is the difference between life and death. This is huge for the disciples considering the thought of Jesus was going to become less and less popular in the days to come. To view Jesus as the Christ is more than just an opinion about a man. It’s an un-popular, life altering truth beginning now not to waiting for eternity.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 16:16-17
We often hear the phrase "seeing is believing". Unfortunately that breaks down in the fact that what you "see" is not always what you get. No matter what your system of thought is or what your worldview is, because we live in finite, fragile bodies we will not be able to "see" and "know" everything there is to know. There will always be inconceivable mysteries about life both inside of us and outside of us. The Biblical worldview, which doesn't always give answers to the mysteries, by putting Christ in the absolute center, being both the means and the end goal, brings glorious meaning to the mysteries we were never intended to know or understand this side of heaven. Therefore, the Biblical worldview would make the claim that "believing is seeing"... clearly.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 12:13, 1 John 2:8, Hebrews 11:13, Exodus 14:10-11, Ezekiel 1:26-28
As Jesus' ministry continues to attract many, he performs another feeding miracle. Jesus is then tested by Pharisees for a sign from heaven even though he continues to give one after another. He therefore teaches his disciples to watch out for this type of staunch unbelief.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 15:38, Exodus 1:8-22, 4:21-23, 5:1-9, 12:37-41
It would be difficult for anyone to look around this world and fully accept the claim that God does all things well. The difficulty lies in the fact that we are stuck in the here and now unable to see how everything will play out. At the end of the day scripture doesn’t ask us to be able to see into the future in order to justify that statement. It calls us over and over again to look to what has happened in the past. The cross of Christ brings everything into perspective. The way we feel about the cross, death, and resurrection of Christ will have a great impact on the way we view our past present and future from this moment on. This passage allows us to see not only the amazing things Christ does, but the amazing way He goes about them. All of it comes into play in order to paint a much larger picture than what is going on in the moment.
Additional Scripture References:
James 2:16; Matthew 6:1-4; Isaiah 33-35; Isaiah 53:1-12; 2 Cor. 5:21; Romans 3:25; 8:1; John 3:16; Heb. 6:19; John 10:10; Psalm 147:3; Isaiah 35:5-6
For the simple fact that we are in such need of God’s grace it shouldn’t surprise us that we would miss it even if it were right in front of us. Mark states that “HE (Jesus) could not be hidden”. That statement is incredibly far reaching, but what we learn here is that if it weren’t for the grace of God Jesus and His salvation would be hidden from all of us. We must never forget that salvation came because of grace and not because of us. Sadly, over time spent in God’s grace and mercy we can be tempted to believe that grace and favour and blessing exist because of something we’ve done or accomplished which ironically was done and accomplished through God’s grace. Oh the lessons we can learn from this unclean, Gentile woman!
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9, 10, 18; Romans 4:4-8; Philippians 2:13
Not only does Jesus tell us what the problem is (our hearts being far from Him), but He goes ahead and shows us as well. As the great shepherd Jesus exposes the hearts of those around Him. Jesus asks us to identify with two very practical and relevant issues: authority and money. How we deal with and approach these two issues gives us great insight into where our treasure is. Christ, as the great Shepherd opens our chest and allows us to see for ourselves just how close or how far our hearts are from Him.
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 1:1-3; 119:1-2; 9-11; James 1:25; 1 John 3:23-24; 2 John 1:6 John 14:15; Deuteronomy 5:33; Leviticus 1:2; Exodus 20:12; Malachi 3:10; 2 Cor. 12:14-15; Prov. 4:23; 1 Tim. 5:8; Prov. 13:22; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:3; 2 Cor. 9:7-8; Luke 3:11; 19:8; Matthew 19:21: Luke 14:33: Acts 2:44
The Pharisees came a long way to get into an argument with Jesus about the importance of washing your hands before you eat. What we see is a group of people who simply missed the point. It is a great irony that Jesus points out to us the life and freedom wasted when we believe life revolves around us. It is that heart attitude that leads men to create more and more laws and traditions out of arrogance and self justification. Although the church today may not struggle with external washing, we have our own traditions and practices that take us away from the true worship instead of pushing us closer.
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:11-18; Mark 7:14-16; Isaiah 29:13-14
Scripture alludes to the fact that the disciples missed the point of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Scripture says they missed the point because their hearts were hardened. Even in the midst of being a part of the most admirable tasks and ministry we are in danger of having hard hearts. We fall into this when we forget that the entire purpose of our life is to worship God. There is great temptation that comes along that causes us to believe that life is about accomplishing something (even something great) rather than basking in what has been accomplished!
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 8:34; 1 Peter 5:9; Exodus 33:12-23; 1 Kings 19 Exodus 3:14; John 18:6; 1 John 4:18; 1 John 4:4; Jude 1:24
The story returns to Jesus and his disciples. As they return from their mission Jesus invites them to rest, if only for a short while, before a ministry opportunity presents itself once again. Jesus has another opportunity to teach people the realities of the "true" Kingdom leading to freedom and peace and joy and direction for a lost sheep. We are also given a picture, through this amazing miracle, of the kind of power one can walk in as they walk in faith and obedience towards God.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15; Psalm 23; Psalm 42:1; Ephesians 1:19; John 14:12-14
An opportunity will always come to take sin to the next level. It's why we have to be about bringing the darkness into the light. We must be a people of repentance. Oh how our sin and flesh will betray us at every turn! Not only does our sin bring about bondage, but it leads us into more and more sin leading to disaster in our lives and the lives around us. It is crazy how our "small" sin can turn huge before we know it. How does scripture teach us to battle this?
Additional Scripture References:
1 Cor. 10:6-13; 1 Cor. 9:19; Romans 7:18-20; Psalm 51:5; Job 31:1; Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13
In the story of John the Baptist's death, we get a very unique view on the nature and the effects of sin. So often we see people living in sin and from the outside perspective all seems well as though they were "getting away with it". However, what we are able to learn from this story is that no matter what things look like on the outside, there are always consequences to sin. We can also see that there is no such thing as "sin management". You are either seeking to destroy it or it is destroying you.
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 25:4; Proverbs 21:9; 1 Corinthians 9:18-22; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
There is no middle ground with Jesus. You are either following Him or you are rejecting Him. If you are a follower of Christ then scripture gives great pictures as to what that looks like both for our instruction and for our confidence. The fact is, WE WILL BE CALLED by God for His purposes to bring glory to Him and joy to all men. What we see is that the size or the significance of "the call" is not ultimate. It is the heart that lays itself down for the call no matter what "it" is that authenticates to the world the One who called.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 11:25-30; 1 Cor. 3:18; Deut. 19:15
After performing many miracles in the region of Galilee, Jesus returned to Nazareth with his disciples to continue his ministry. As he taught in the synagogue, the crowd turned from being amazed to being offended in a matter of minutes. What was it that Jesus said that offended them? Would we have been offended had we been there that day? As followers of Christ, our acceptance of Him and the things He taught often times means laying to rest things we have always believed. We must always be asking ourselves, "What does Scripture teach and example," rather than, "What do I want to believe?" Often times, this can only be done through faith.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 19:25; Matthew 2:33; Matthew 7:28; Acts 13:12; Mark 3:21; Matthew 13:53-58; Luke 4:16-30; 1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 5:1-14
Are your relationships, your opportunities, your fulfillments, your ministries, your job, your physical location, etc...(and the list could go on and on) due to your pursuit of Christ? OR, is your pursuit of Christ dependent upon your relationships, your opportunities, your fulfillments, your ministries, your job, your physical location, etc...? This makes all the difference in the world as to the way you view your approach to ALL OF LIFE. Do you view “it” as a means to an end or do you view “it” as a mission?
Additional Scripture References:
John 17; James 4:17; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6 2 Cor. 9:8; 1 Peter 5:10
So what could possibly cause Jesus to stop on the way to heal a dying little girl? The answer: A woman who had a sad misunderstanding of the point of Jesus. This woman who had suffered for so many years was understandably content with sneaking up on Jesus, touching Him, and slipping off into the crowd. The greatness of the reality of Jesus is that He would do far more than just heal her body, but He would require much more from her than she originally intended.
Additional Scripture References:
John 17; James 4:17; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6
So what happens when a man who is confined by time, consumed by time, or the lack of it, who is very aware that it is NOT his ally comes in contact with a man who has existed outside of time for eternity? Jesus transcends time. For Jesus, time is only relevant in that it gives a marker for when He decides to sovereignly carry out His purpose, desire, and will. Jesus is about to give Jairus a taste of eternity, a perspective that gives great hope in the face of death and a great new vision for the life we have on this earth.
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 5:15-17; Hebrews 11:6; Philippians 1:23-24; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Corinthians 15:53-57; Isaiah 25:8
James tells us that even the demons believe in God...and shudder! So what is the difference between them and us? For a lot of professing followers of Christ in America there isn't much difference at all. In this story in Mark 5 we have a huge wake up call to those more concerned with posing as a disciple of Christ and actually being a disciple or follower of Christ. There IS a difference.
Additional Scripture References:
James 2:14-19; Matthew 8:29; Revelation 20:10; James 1:12-15; John 4:21-24
What do you do when faced with a God more terrifying than anything we could possibly be confronted by on this earth? What do we do when we realize we are in the presence of the God who owns it all and needs absolutely nothing from us? We worship and adore him because the God who does whatever He pleases is please to love us with an everlasting love that brings salvation and joy and hope and peace.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 10:31; John 10:18; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:37
What we learn from these last two parables of Jesus about the Kingdom of God brings a great sense of reality to what is going on in most of our lives right here and now. We get the sense that the kingdom is going to grow from something very small and insignificant to something huge and very influential. The part that we don't want to miss is the part where Jesus says that he will accomplish it through NORMAL people living NORMAL lives of faithful obedience to Him.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 3:6; Habakkus 2:14; Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 42:8; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, 26-29, 31; jeremiah 9:23-24; Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6; Daniel 4:12,21
"What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight, what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs." We were created to proclaim. We are a people dying to say something and we just want someone, anyone to listen. We were wired this way and now Jesus is telling us that hearing and proclaiming is of eternal importance in the Kingdom of God. To have a relationship with Christ is to have something to proclaim to the nations!
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 5:14-16; Luke 8:16; Luke 11 :33-36; Luke 11 :27-28; Matthew 10:27; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Cor. 9:8-12; John 3:19-21; John 14:12-14
"The sower sows." In the parable of the soils we certainly get a bleak picture of those who are not a part of the Kingdom of God, but at the end we see Jesus speaking of what is in store for those who are a part of the Kingdom. If you are a child of God, then there is much to look forward to, much to strive for, much to glory in!
Additional Scripture References:
Colossians 1:5-6; Colossians 1:13; Jeremiah 2:11
In Jesus' life we would often see him in the midst of bread or wine, sometimes even using them to convey a message. But what Jesus tells his disciples to remember when they take bread and wine is one thing: his sacrifice on the cross.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 22:17-19
There have been and always will be consequences to our sin. These are never pleasant experiences to say the least. What if these consequences weren't God's wrath, but rather, His grace and mercy in bringing us back to Himself? What if His wrath was allowing our consequences to be the inability to recognize the sin in our own lives? We would be ever hearing, but never understanding; ever seeing, but never perceiving. What a dark place to be!
Additional Scripture References:
1 John 2:12; Isaiah 5 and 6; Romans 11:13-15; Romans 11:25-26; 2 Chronicles 7:14 2 Timothy 3
One more time Jesus is inviting us to delve into His heart (the heart of His will) which usually means much conviction and change on our part...typically nothing to be proud of comes from this. However, great joy and communion with God typically does result. Do you trust Him? His "family" would.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 3:10-18; John 8:42-44; Ephesians 1;6; Hebrews 12:1 Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:16; Ephesians 5:2
The ironic thing about this passage is that the greater message here is about the FORGIVENESS of God. What we see in Christ's discourse on the "eternal sin" is a severe warning (gracious in nature) about the consequences of "un-forgiveness". The scary part of this is that Jesus (the evangelist) was preaching this message to those who would confidently assert their right-standing with God.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 12:27-30, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, Ezekiel 18:23, Psalm 103:12, Mark 1:4, Mark 1:15, John 16:8, Hosea 4:17, Psalm 81:12, 2 Peter 1:8-10, Romans 8:13, Col. 3:5, Matt. 12:33-37
We begin to see Jesus draw the line between admirers and actual followers/disciples. What we see in this passage is a look to the "languages of salvation" that scripture uses. What we find when we take an honest look at what scripture defines as "salvation" is far more than just fire insurance. We must be willing to see if our assurances line up with what scripture says.
Additional Scripture References:
John 17:6, Romans 8:29, Eph. 1:4-5, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 139:16, Job 14:5, Isaiah 40:13, Acts 7:49-50, Romans 8:30, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Cor. 1:9, 2 Thess. 2:14, John 6:44, Gal 1:15-16, Eph 2:4-5, Titus 3:4-5, 1 Cor 12:3, Acts 20:21, Heb 6:1, Rom. 6:11, Rom 3:26-28, Rom 8:1, John 6:37, John 10:28-29, Rom 8:38-39, 2 Cor 5:17, Phil 1:6, Phil 2:13, John 14:3, John 15:4-7, Isaiah 66:1
The struggle for the human flesh is to accept the fact that our righteousness before God is based solely on His grace and nothing else. We see that there is a connection among true grace, servanthood, and true rest. Sabbath was meant for man. God's design was to give us a "rest" leading to a life pleasing to Him.
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 31:12-18, 1 Samuel 21:1-9, Matthew 11:28
Today we celebrate the life and hope that we have because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have a loving, intimate relationship with the God of the universe because Christ made peace for us by the blood of His cross. Why would a king do such a thing?
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 1:3; Romans 8:7; Ephesians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 15:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:33; Philippians 2:13; Philippians 1:11; John 3:16; Romans 6:8
The struggle for the human flesh is to accept the fact that our righteousness before God is based solely on His grace and nothing else. What Jesus was teaching the people was that because of such grace we now have the freedom to obey His commands that were meant for our joy and enjoyment of Him.
Additional Scripture References:
Exodus 31:12-18
The "reality of true compassion" is that we see the depth of our need...of our destitute...that it goes so much deeper than our physical issues. Praise God that Jesus loved us enough and had enough compassion to see much deeper than our physical need. Now we have an eternity, not just a lifetime!
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 1:3, Romans 10:14-15, Romans 8:18-25, Matthew 24:13
Jesus taught about life with original rather than derived authority. He didn't just clarify something that they already knew, or simply interpret the scriptures in the way the teachers of the law did. His listeners sensed somehow that he was explaining the story of their lives as the "author".
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 2:37, 1 Corinthians 2:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:13-14, 1 Timothy 6:12
Follow me. Those words sum up the true life of a Christian. To be "saved" is to follow Christ whole-heartedly, to obey Him, and to desire to become just like Him. The good news of the gospel of God is that forgiveness of sins, redemption, and eternal life are a gracious gift from God with a call to turn and follow Him.
Additional Scripture References:
Isaiah 53:6, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 10:25, John 14:12, Romans 8:17, 1 Timothy 6:12, Matthew 11:12
Even the Son of God was fair game to the prince of this world. We have our righteousness from Jesus because He proved to be the perfect righteous lamb. He couldn’t just die. He had to “be” the spotless lamb. Because Jesus conquered we can conquer also!!
Additional Scripture References:
1 John 2:16; Matthew 4:1-11; John 4:32; Titus 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Matthew 12:38-39; James 4:7; 1 Cor. 10:13; Hebrews 1:6; Hebrews 12:1-2
Jesus comes onto the scene in a less than impressive fashion. Mark introduces us to Jesus, the servant king. We begin to see that Jesus was not concerned about His reputation with man as much as He was concerned about inviting us into and showing us the reality of what life was supposed to be like.
Additional Scripture References:
John 1:46; Matthew 3:14-15; 2 Kings 5:10-12; John 6:38; Isaiah 52:13-53:3; John 17:1, 4-5, 24; John 16:13-14; 1 John 3:1; Matthew 3:15; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isaiah 53:11; 1 Peter 3:18
One of the great dividers in the church today is the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit. John was clearly trying to make a point in distinguishing his baptism from the baptism of Christ with the Holy Spirit. To know what that means is to know that we should greatly desire it!
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 8:6-14; 1 Cor. 12:13; Titus 3:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:3; Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 1 Cor. 12:8-10; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:6-8; Rom. 5:5; Rom. 8:26; Rom. 15:13; Rom. 15:16; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Cor. 3:16; Ezekiel 36:27; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:16; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 1:19; Eph. 6:18; 1 Cor. 14:1; 1 Cor. 14:4; John 7:37-39; Acts 19:1-7
John the Baptist confronts the Jewish people about their dependence upon their outward ethnic “calling” for forgiveness of sins and right standing before God. What a radical notion that an individual inward repentance was necessary for forgiveness of sins!
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Jeremiah 13:23, 2 Corinthians 7:11, 1 John 1:7-9, 2 Kings 1:8, Luke 1:15, John 3:28-30
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus is John the Baptist. His sole purpose was to make the world ready for the king. What was he crying from the wilderness?
Additional Scripture References:
Mark 2:17, Mark 10:45, Psalm 5:4-5, Psalm 11:5, Psalm 45:7, Habakkuk 1:13, Luke 3:7-8, Malachi 2:17-3:4
The Good Shepherd has given us His under-shepherds and we are blessed...
Additional Scripture References:
Ezekiel 34:23-24, Psalm 78:70-72, Psalm 23:4
Right before Christ would call His disciples to go into all the world making disciples, He would let them know that He now had all authority in heaven and on earth. What was the purpose for Christ telling His disciples this? As a disciple, what should run through our minds as we think of the "authority" that Christ has over everything as we take on the greatest calling in the world? Christ is calling His disciples to have the correct view of their resurrected Messiah. What did He accomplish by His death and resurrection? What is He going to continue to accomplish? Christ's redemptive work for our salvation on the cross is finished, but the story isn't over.
Additional Scripture References:
Matt 9:6, Phil 2:8-11, Rom 8:18-25, Rom 8:1-4, Psalm 51:5, Eph 1:3-10, Rom 8:28-30, Heb 2:17-18, Rom 8:31-35
God's will is what brings value to our accomplishments. If we should have any part in accomplishing the perfect will and pleasure of God (which is His glory) this would bring the greatest value to the time we spend here on earth. I believe what we will find from scripture is that God's will was not meant for the "criss-road" in our lives, but rather, it is God's will that leads us to the "cross-road". In other words, the concept of "His will" was not something to be decided upon (like some multiple choice test), but that which we confidently rely upon when we walk in obedience to Him! God's will in the life of the believer is just another picture of His grace and mercy.
Additional Scripture References:
Psalm 119:11, Psalm 40:8, Colossians 2:2-3, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:3, Psalm 37:3-5,Psalm 37:23-25, Romans 8:28, Psalm 119:45
As a new year rolls in, we seem to be confronted by two equal states of awareness. The first being the grace that comes with a new day and new mercies that invoke new inspiration, new passion, and new vitality to life. On the other hand, we can't help but feel the weight of the time we will never have back and the time that is quickly coming to an end. James gives us great insight as to how we are to approach this dichotomous situation. In the end, our greatest joy and fulfillment in these days will come from living out God's will for His pleasure resulting in His glory.
Additional Scripture References:
Lamentations 3:22-23, Job 7:6-7, Job 9:25, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Ecclesiastes 10:19, Ecclesiastes 7:12, Isaiah 46:9-10, Isaiah 14:27, Job 42:1-2
After Jesus was born and was being cared for in a house in Bethlehem, several "wise men" came to worship him bringing gifts with them. These astrologers from the east, most likely Mesopotamia, recognized God's sign that Christ had been born and responded. What do we learn about them in Scripture and what do they teach us doctrinally? Here we begin to see the significances and relationship between God coming to us and us going to Him.
The first half of Paul's final chapter to the Philippians leads the believer down the rod to an honest look at his or her prayer life and time spent in the Word. This week Paul asks us to take an honest look at our giving. Like the first part of the chapter we have two great motivations to make givig a part of our lives as followers of Christ. The first is the disobedience that we walk in when we neglect this discipline and the second being the promise that comes with our obedience. What is this missionary trying to tell us as a local body of Christ both collectively and individually?
Additional Scripture References:
2 Cor. 9:8, Heb 13:16, 1 Pet 2:5, 1 Cor 6:19-20
According to scripture, God's promises were meant to be a firm foundation on which we are to stand. Paul implies, however, that in order to stand firm on the promises of God our Savior we must toil and srive and passionately take hold of them. It is the very struggle that God allows us to go through that makes the promise so comforting and worthy. Holding firm to God's promises is holding firm to his faithfulness and not to our own strength. Let us struggle and strive together, as "the Church", for the gospel, enjoying and resting in the promises that God has made.
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 57:2, Psalm 34:17, Psalm 145:18-19, Proverbs 15:29, Deuteronomy 4:7, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-23, Matthew 22:37, 2 Corinthians 10:5
Contemporary Authors:
John Piper, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, Tim Keller, David Platt, Beth Moore
Something or someone will have our affections. If we aren't straining towards Godliness with the mind of Christ then something else will steal our affections away. Paul warns the believers of the consequences of being an "enemy of the cross of Christ". It would be of utmost importance for us to figure out what it looks like to be an enemy of the cross considering Paul said that those people would end up in hell. Who is your savior?... You and all your stuff or the creator of it all?
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 2:4, Galatians 5:11, Galatians 6:12-14, Romans 14:17, Romans 16:18, Romans 8:16-19, 1 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Cor. 4:17-18, Rev. 21:1-5, John 14:2-3, Ephesians 3:20-21
Something or someone WILL have our affections. If we aren't straining towards Godliness with the mind of Christ then something else will steal our affections away. Paul warns the believers of the consequences of being an "enemy of the cross of Christ." It would be of utmost importance for us to figure out what it looks like to be an enemy of the cross considering Paul said that those people would end up in hell. Who is your savior? ... You and all your stuff or the Creator of it all?
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 2:4, Galatians 5:11, Galatians 6:12-14, Romans 14:17, Romans 16:18, Romans 8:16-19, 1 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Revelation 21:1-5, John 14:2-3, Ephesians 3:20-21
Paul continues to paint a picture for the believers at Philippi of a journey that we are on towards Christ-likeness. It is clear that Christ's purpose was not only to save us from hell, but also bring us back to reflecting the glory of God the way we were originally intended. Paul uses terms like "press on" and "strain forward" to describe the appropriate response for someone who has been claimed by Christ and now walks as a new creation with a regenerated heart.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 7:10, Romans 7:14-25, Hebrews 12:6, Romans 16:18, Romans 6:21
The predicament of the prophet Jonah continues to get worse as he finds himself in the belly of a fish in the Mediterranean. What we begin to hear is the prayer of a prophet who did not obey God. Then we see how even still the gospel is illustrated and carried out in a powerful way.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 12:38-40, 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 16:10
Paul has spoken many times thus far about joy and how it is to be a part of the believer's life. This time Paul commands us to rejoice "in the Lord." This little phrase, "in the Lord" changes everything for the believer. Paul speaks about the kind of joy, freedom, and power that we can walk in when we "glory in Christ and put no confidence in our own flesh."
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 12:15, Deuteronomy 30:6, Ezekial 36:26, Psalm 51:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 2:25-29, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 18:11-14, Jeremiah 9:23-24, 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
We really begin to see the inner workings of a relationship between a missionary and his church. What we need to begin to realize is that there is unity in the sending out and the bringing back in. The church at Philippi has been so inspired by the gospel in their own lives that they have a great interest in what impact the gospel is having on the lives of others around the world. This church is a great example of a culture within a church that is truly seeking first the kingdom.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 6:33, Matthew 10:37-38, Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:29-30, Luke 14:26, Luke 9:57-62, John 4:34-35, Numbers 11:12-15, 1 Kings 19:4, 2 Corinthians 1:8, Ecclesiastes 7:1-2
It might be that a better question than "was there ever a time...?" is "what is your assurance?"
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 1:11-14, Hebrews 3:14, Isaiah 66:12, Jeremiah 32:40, 2 Peter 1:3-7, 2 Peter 1:9, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6, Job 23:10, Zecheriah 13:9-10, Malachi 3:3, Daniel 12:10, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-8, John 3:20
Paul's call to likemindedness stems from true humility and obedience over gifting.
Additional Scripture References:
Colossians 1:15-17, Deuteronomy 30:2-3
God wants to use us, like He did Shamgar, rather than lose us.
Additional Scripture References:
Judges 3:31
The gospel brings meaning, purpose, unity, and strength to us in any situation, including times of suffering.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 11:36, Hosea 6:1-3, Psalm 30:5, Romans 10:1, Romans 10:14-15, Romans 1:16
If it is our lives that are to be envied, we must search out the love that keeps us steadfast.
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:8-11, Hosea 6:4-6, Luke 9:23, 1 Corinthians 7:8, Revelation 12:10, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Proverbs 24:16, Philippians 2:17
Jesus called the little ones to come and commanded not to hinder them.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 2:25-38; Luke 1:57-80
We must give grace if we want biblical koinonia (fellowship).
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 4:1-4, Romans 4:23-25
What is our prayer? Our church will commuit ourselves to community, worship, discipleship, and missions as we look and move forward.
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 2:42-47, Romans 12:1, Philippians 2:3, John 6:66-69, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 24:14
How should we pray? Through the illustration in Matthew 6, we learn the essential elements, yet that it is not a mantra.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 6:7, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 1:3, Exodus 34:5-7, Matthew 13:45-46, Revelation 22:20, Matthew 6:34, Romans 8:1, Psalm 139:23, James 1:13, James 1:1, 1 Corinthians 10:13
Why pray? Scripture tells us among other things, it accomplishes much.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 6:5-8, Psalm 15:1-2, Ephesians 1:7-8, Hosea 6:6, Proverbs 15:8, Isaiah 65:24, Isaiah 62:6-7, Colossians 4:2-6, James 1:6-7, James 5:13-15, Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:4, 1 John 5:14, James 5:17-18
Fighting the good fight means our lives will never come to a place of total completion if we are still alive.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 8:29
Paul reminds Timothy to teach his people to desire to be content with whatever God has given them.
Additional Scripture References:
Philippians 4:11, Proverbs 30:8-9, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Exodus 21:16, 1 Timothy 1:10, Luke 7:1-10, Romans 1:30, Colossians 3:22-23, James 1:27, Proverbs 3:5
Patience in the process of selecting leadership in the church allows sin and good works to come to light, which, in a sense, is a large part of the selection process itself.
Additional Scripture References:
John 5:19-20, Psalm 127:1, Hebrews 1:5, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, 1 Chronicles 16:24, Ephesians 4:11, Mark 10:43-45, Philippians 2:3
The grace of God in our lives often comes from the fear of the Lord. This fear frees us instead of paralyzing us.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Samuel 23:3-4, Psalm 111:1-10, Deuteronomy 6:1-3, Deuteronomy 10:12, Psalm 112:1, Luke 1:50, Acts 9:31, Luke 12:4-7, Romans 1:18-27
Scripture tells us clearly that elders, especially those who preach and teach, are deserving of double honor, which includes getting paid.
Additional Scripture References:
Hebrews 13:17, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, John 10:10, Ephesians 4:11-12
By design, family is supposed to take care of family, so when, for instance, true widows are found in the church, we are to take care of them like family.
Additional Scripture References:
Ephesians 4:2, 1 timothy 1:5, Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 15:11-32, Proverbs 14:12
Here we see where Paul asked Timothy to command and teach several particular things to the believers.
Additional Scripture References:
Leviticus 20:26, Matthew 12:34-37, James 1:19, James 3:1-12, Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 7:3-5, James 3:13, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 2:12, Philippians 2:15-17, COlossians 1:24, 2 Corinthians 2:4, 2 Corinthians 12:15, Romans 9:1-4, Job 31:1, Nehemiah 8:8
We have set our hope in a God whose ways are higher than ours, so separating truth from "myths" is crucial.
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 14:12, Numbers 15:17-21, Romans 9:20, Romans 11:33-36, Isaiah 66:1, 2 Timothy 3:10, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 19:29-30, Matthew 6:19-21, Philippians 1:21, Acts 17:22-31
Because the "doctrine of demons" is ubiquitous in our societies, we may not even recognize its teaching.
Additional Scripture References:
2 Timothy 3:3-4, 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
Throughout the Old Testament, we find "types" (representations) of Christ. Such is the case in the life of Jonah.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 13:12, Romans 1:24, Pslam 139:7-8, Mark 4:35-41, Acts 1:26
Can you lose your salvation? Here we examine dozens of texts that make this issue overwhelmingly apparent.
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 2:39-40, Ephesians 1:4-6, Romans 8:28-30, Acts 13:29, John 17:6, Romans 9:14-15, John 17:20, Ephesians 1:4-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 11:5-6, Ephesians 1:5, Philippians 2:13, Isaiah 14:27, Romans 8:7-8, Isaiah 43:7, Isaiah 48:11, Ephesians 1:13-14, John 17:10, John 17:13, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 51:12, John 15:11, Romans 15:13, Romans 1:25, Ephesians 1:4, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 7:5, Ephesians 2:1-4, Romans 8:37-39, John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 2:19, John 10:26-27, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 3:14, Philippians 2:12, 2 Peter 1:5-10, Hebrews 6:4-9
Deacons are men and women of good repute who serve with an attitude of "whatever," knowing that God will come through when they are stretched.
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 6:1-3, John 1:1, Colossians 1:26-27, Colossians 4:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, Galatians 6:9, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Matthew 20:28, Luke 22:26-27, Hebrews 1:3, Philippians 2:8-11
As we continue to examine the qualifications of elders in Scripture, we begin to understand the importance of experience and reputation.
Additional Scripture References:
Ezekial 28:11-17, Isaiah 14:12-14, Genesis 3:1-5, Romans 12:3, Proverbs 26:12, Romans 2:21-24, Philippians 2:14-15, James 1:2, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, Colossians 4:5-6, Romans 10:14-15, Romans 10:17, Psalm 116:15
Our elders and their wives (Jim and Beverly McCracken, Mike and Joanie Sedgwick) give testimony of raising children.
Not all men will be overseers, or elders, but all men should aspire to be qualified.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Timothy 5:17, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1-2, Acts 15:22, 1 Timothy 4:14, Matthew 5, 1 Chronicles 12:1-3, 1 Chronicles 12:16-17, 1 Chronicles 12:31-32, Philippians 4:8, Luke 14:12-14, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 9:27, 1 Corinthians 10:23, Philippians 3:8
Christ died, was buried, raised, and appeared resurrected. The gospel is this good news that we are freely offered.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Luke 18:19, Isaiah 64:6, John 3:16, Philippians 3:3-11
Paul instructs women in several areas and also frees them up in some, such as commanding the Church to "let the women learn."
Additional Scripture References:
John 17:16-17, Proverbs 31:25, 1 Corinthians 1:5, Titus 4:11-12, Acts 2:42, Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 13:7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Galatians 3:27, Romans 5:14, 1 Corinthans 15:22, 1 Corinthians 15:19
God has clearly given men and women different roles to bring glory to himself in yet another way. In our culture, this can be a very unpopular reality.
Additional Scripture References:
Galatians 3:26-29, 1 Corinthians 11:1-3, 1 Corinthians 11:7, Galatians 1:26, John 1:1-3, John 4:34, John 6:34, John 17:4, Hebrews 12:2, Genesis 2:18, Deuteronomy 33:26, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 70:5, Psalm 115:9-11, John 16:13, Romans 8:26, Proverbs 31:10-31, Genesis 2:24-25, Galatians 3:28, Genesis 3:16-17, James 1:6-8
Why don't we ask God for the things we need? Or even more than that, like David, why don't we just want to be with God?
Additional Scripture References:
James 4:2, Psalm 84:1-10, Job 23:8-17, Isaiah 6:4-5, Ezekial 33:11, 1 Peter 3:9, John 3:16-17, Acts 17:30, Titus 2:11, Acts 4:11-12
Scripture teaches that we can't come to the Lord's table heartlessly or carelessly. Our aim is for our motives and actions to be "good to God."
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 11:17-26, Luke 19:10, Matthew 26:26-28
Through the apostle Paul, God gives us the proper view of church discipline in a way that can lead to a ministry of reconciliation.
Additional Scripture References:
John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 2:18-25, Matthew 24:13, Romans 7:14-25, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Luke 22:31-32, 1 Corinthians 7:4-5, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, Matthew 18:15-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:6, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 5:12
We are forgiven much to love much. We received mercy so that in the worst of us Christ could display his perfection.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 5:32, Romans 3:19-20, Galatians 3:24, Luke 7:36-50, Romans 5:20, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 2:8-9
Paul instructs Timothy to press through these tough times, watching out for those who don't live from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.
Because we view membership as a covenant (between God, our Church, and you), it is a serious commitment.
As we are driven by God to mission, we begin to learn to go where He sends us, rather than simply be.
Additional Scripture References:
Ezekial 16:49-50, Isaiah 1:10-17, Isaiah 58:1-9, Matthew 28:19-20, Philippians 2:6-11, Matthew 24:14, 1 Peter 3:21
Discipleship calls us past conversion into a deepening relationship with God through Christ, realizing there's more to know and there's more to grow.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 14:26-27, John 6:66-69, Matthew 10:25, John 16:12-15, John 1:49-51, 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:2
Worship begins with the understanding of our position in comparison to God and is defined by how we respond to that realization.
Additional Scripture References:
Acts 17:22-23, Acts 17:24-31, Luke 12:4-7, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Psalm 139:7-14, Joel 2:12-13, Romans 11:33-36, Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 13:15-16, Isaiah 53:10, Hebrews 12:2
Community drives us deeper than developing friendships, creating in us what Paul describes in Ephesians 4:25-32.
Additional Scripture References:
Proverbs 8:27-30, John 10:10, Matthew 3:16-17, Genesis 2:18, Genesis 17:1-8, Hebrews 8:6-13, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24, Revelation 12:10-12, Genesis 3:8-13, John 3:19-21, Ephesians 4:25-32
We believe the Bible to be the infallible, inerrant Word of God. Our lives are to be matched up against and conformed to it, rather than vice versa.
Additional Scripture References:
Romans 1:19-20, 1 Corinthians 1:18, John 17:8-9, John 17:14, John 17:20-21, 2 Peter 1:19-20, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Psalm 119:128, Isaiah 6:5, Psalm 139:23-24, Luke 10:12, John 4:34, James 1:22-25
Alamo Ranch Community Church desires to put ourselves in a position where, if God does not come through, we fail. If He comes through, we succeed. Either way, He is glorified.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Colossians 1:15-23, Hebrews 1:3, Philippians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19