May 22nd Sermon Follow-Up Study

Read Matthew 23:1-12 and answer these questions:

As Jesus sees it, what is evil about the Pharisees?  How are disciples to avoid falling into this evil?
What distinction was Jesus trying to make between the Pharisees and His disciples?
Compare the path to greatness followed by the Pharisees with that taught by Jesus.
What do these two views of greatness teach us about the kingdom of God?

Read 1 Timothy 4 and answer the following questions:

How important is it that a Christ follower’s actions reflect his or her faith?
What does it mean to” train yourself to be godly”?  In what ways is this like physical training?
How does this relate to the connection between actions and faith?
Why do you think Paul encourages Timothy to set an example for all believers?
How is this related to actions and faith?   Why would this be especially important for Timothy?
What is your plan for godly fitness in your life?  Using a physical analogy, in what kind of shape are you in?
What will you do this week to same in shape or get in shape?

Read Philippians 2:1-11 and answer the following questions:

How are humility and unity related?  How can a person look after his interest and the interest of others?
Paraphrase verses 6-8.  How is Jesus’ life an example of humility?  How did He practice His humility in His relationships with people?
How does Christ’s humility relate to Christian unity?
What does it mean to consider others better than yourselves?  What does it not mean?
How does respecting the God given dignity of others make it hard to be self-centered?
How would your life be different if you consistently lived by verses 5-11?  How would your relationships change?

May 15 Sermon Follow-Up Study

Read Acts 4:32-37 and answer the following questions.

1.      What characterizes the believers in verses 32-34?  How well would you have fit into the early church?  What would have been the most difficult for you to do?  Why?
2.      How easy is it for you to share with those who have needs that you know about compared to those that you do not know about?
What are the greatest barriers you face in being generous or open to the needs of others?
3.      To which needy person in our family of faith could you reach out?  What is it that you will do?

Read John 13:31-38 and answer the following questions.

1.      What identifying marks do Christ followers display today?  How are these different from the love Jesus commanded in verses 34-35?
2.      If Christ followers did love each other in a radical way, how do you think the world would react?  Why?
3.      What one action could you do this week that would show more clearly that you love others as Christ loves you?
4.      In light of verses 31-32, how do you think you can best glorify God this week?

Read Revelation 7:9-17 and answer the following question.

1.      What does Jesus see next?  How does He characterize the size of the crowd?  Who are a part of this crowd?
2.      What is the significance of the white robes and palm branches?  What does all of this say about the kingdom of God?
3.      When the multitude cries out, how do the angels, elders, and the four living creatures respond?
4.      How would this picture of the future encourage the Christ followers of John’s day?

May 8th Sermon Follow-Up Study

HOW TO HONOR YOUR MOTHER

Read Luke 2:41- 52 and answer the following questions.

1.  How do you think Jesus’ parents felt while they were searching for three to five days for Jesus?

2.  If Jesus was your son, how would have you reacted when you found Him?

3.  When they found Him in the temple, what did they say?

4.  Do you think Jesus’ parents really understood Him?  And give your reasoning for your answer.

5.  Do you think Jesus had any understanding of how his parents felt?

6.  Do you think Jesus’ parents were spared the struggles of most parents or did they have more struggles?

Read Ephesians 6:1-3 and answer the following question.

1.    How do you honor your parents as an adult, teen or child?

2.    How important is it that we honor our parents?  Why?

3.    What is the difference between disciplining and exasperating your children?

4.    How do you or will you bring up your children in the training and instruction of the Lord?

Read John 2:1-11 and answer the following questions.

1.    Why do you think Jesus went to the wedding?

2.    When they ran out wine, why did the mother of Jesus try to get Him involved?

3.    How do you think Jesus felt about the situation?

4.    Why do you think Jesus intervened and helped out?

5.    How do you think the bridegroom felt when he heard about the vine?

6.    Why do you think Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding feast?

May 1st Sermon Follow-Up Study

“REMEMBER ME”

Jesus chose to institute the Lord’s Supper during the Passover Feast of the Jews.  This feast was held on the 14th of the first month of Nisan (April) to commemorate the exodus from Egypt.

The Passover was followed by and closely connected with the feast of unleavened bread, to which the name Passover was applied.  For background and the Passover feast and the feast of unleavened bread read Exodus 12:1-20.

Here is a list of accounts from different writers in the New Testament about the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
Read Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25 Luke 22:14-20,

There are different names given for this feast.

Breaking of the Bread – Read Acts 20:7, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 10:16

The Lord’s Supper – It is called the Lord’s Supper because He is the one who gave it, it is Him who invites us to take part in the meal: Jesus said “do this to remember me.”  When we participate in this meal, Jesus Christ is the source of the spiritual food.

Communion  – The term communion is applied today, this is more of a description of what takes place rather than a name for it.  Read 1 Corinthians 10:16.

Eucharist  – is another term for this meal.  Although this term is not used very much if at all in our church, it is used in many denominational churches.

Even though John’s gospel does not mention communion he does give us a lot of important information about that evening.
Read the following passages to get the big picture of what Jesus is communicating to us.

John 13:3-17, John 13:34 and 35, John 14:1-6, John 14:15-21, John 15:1-8, John 15:12-17, John 17:20 – 23

All of them shed some light on the command that we are to remember Him, His sacrifice and His teachings.

Take the time to read 1 Corinthians 11:23-34.   When you take communion are you following these guidelines?

April 24th Sermon Follow-Up Study

WHO IS LIKE OUR GOD?

Sunday we used the passages from the prophet Isaiah to set the stage for the trial, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  There are many more prophecies from the Old Testament that deal with these situations in the life of Christ.  Let’s take a look at a few of them, read the prophecy and the fulfillment of that prophecy.

1.       Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of Silver.

• Prophecy ─ Zechariah 11:12
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 26:14-15

2.       Jesus was betrayed by a friend.

• Prophecy ─ Psalm 41:9, 55:12-14
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 26:49-50

3.       People made false accusations against him.

• Prophecy ─ Psalm 35:11
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 26:59-61

4.       Before his accusers he did not speak.

• Prophecy ─ Isaiah 53:7
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 27:12

5.       Jesus was beaten and bruised.

• Prophecy ─ Zechariah 13:6, Isaiah 53:5
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 27:26

6.       He was hit and spit upon.

•  Prophecy ─ Micah 5:1
•  Fulfillment ─ Matthew 26:67

7.       He was mocked.

• Prophecy ─ Psalm 22:7
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 27:31

8.       He fell while carrying the cross.

• Prophecy ─ Psalm 109: 24
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 27:32

9.       His hands and feet were pierced.

• Prophecy ─ Psalm 22:16, Zechariah 12:10
• Fulfillment ─ John 20:25

10.      He was crucified with thieves.

• Prophecy ─ Isaiah 53:12
• Fulfillment ─ Mark 15:27

11.      Buried in rich man’s tomb.

• Prophecy ─ Isaiah 53:9
• Fulfillment ─ Matthew 27:57-60

Adapted from “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell

April 17th Sermon Follow-Up Study

WHO IS LIKE OUR GOD?

Study Guide # 6

1.    Read Psalm 11:10.  Why do you think the writer of Psalms calls the fear of the Lord “the beginning of wisdom”?

2.    Look at your life – do you actually fear God?  What evidence is there that you do or don’t fear God?

3.    What is your view of God?  Give a brief description of some of the ways you view God.

4.    Read Isaiah 6:1-8.  How did Isaiah view God?  Is that the same view of God that you have?

5.     As we talked about God being terrifying, all powerful, and in charge, what is your natural response?

6.    Read Revelation 1:9-18 slowly and carefully.  Try to get the feel of what John was experiencing.  Try to picture in your mind’s eye what John was seeing.

7.    What if Jesus suddenly appeared to you as described in Revelation 1.  How would you respond?  What might go through your mind?

8.    Take some time to consider your relationship with God.  Mediate on the fact that you are in God’s presence.  Spend ten to fifteen minutes in prayer as you immerse yourself in the reality of God’s presence.   See yourself in the presence of the fear–inspiring God who showed Himself to Isaiah and John.

9.    Do you have any arrogance when it comes to your relationship with God?  Stop; pray asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any arrogance in your heart.  Repent of what He shows you.

10.    Read Revelation 1:17 -18.  How did Jesus calm John’s fear?  Does Jesus calm your fear?

11.    Read 8:31-39.  Are you willing to claim and live out this truth daily?  How would your life look different?

Adapted from “Who Is God” by Francis Chan

April 10th Sermon Follow-Up Study

Who is like our God?

“Holiness”

Study Guide # 5

 

What does “holiness” mean to you?

How would you describe it to someone who knew nothing about God or the Bible?

What is so important about God’s holiness?

Read Exodus 15:1-18 and Revelation 15:3-4.

If you were to re-write the exodus song to reflect an event in your life, what would it say?

What is the relationship between fear, glory and holiness, in Revelation 15:3-4?  How does your own life reflect this relationship?  Read Isaiah 6:1-8.

How does Isaiah react to seeing God’s glory verse 5?

How do you think you would have reacted?

What was the result of Isaiah’s cleansing?

How do you think God wants to use Isaiah’s experience in your own life?

 

Adapted from Max Lucados’ book “It’s Not About Me”

April 3rd Sermon Follow-Up Study

WHO IS LIKE OUR GOD?
Study Guide # 4

Read Exodus 15:11-13

• How would you answer the question in verse 11?
• What does it mean to be “majestic in holiness”?
• What does it mean to be “awesome in glory” (NIV)?
• How do God’s love and strength comfort and encourage God’s people (verse 13)?

Read John 12:23-33

• How did Jesus expect to be “glorified” (verses 23-24)?
• In what way did Jesus expect His followers  to mimic His example (verses 25-26)?
• Did Jesus look forward with great pleasure to what lay ahead for Him (verse 27)? In what did He take the ultimate pleasure in?
• How did God put His stamp of approval  on Jesus  and His mission (verse 29)?
• How did Jesus picture His mission (verses 30-33)?  In what way was it for the benefit of His followers that He described events like this?

 

Action Step

• Make a list of the ways that you can reflect God’s glory in your life.

Adapted from Max Lucado’s book “It’s Not About Me.”

March 27th Sermon Follow-Up Study

Who is like our God?

Study Guide 3

 

Read Exodus 33:12-34:10.

• What instructions does God give to Moses in 34:1-4?  How do these instructions heighten Moses’ anticipation of what is about to happen?

• How does God describe Himself in 34:5-7?  How do the attributes He names contribute to His glory?

• How does Moses respond to the revelation of God’s glory in 34:8-9?  How is this significant for us?

• How does God reply to Moses’ final request 34:10?  Should this fill us with hope or dread? Why?

 

Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-11.

• How does Paul compare and contrast the ministry of Moses with “the ministry of the Holy Spirit”?

• In what ways was Moses’ ministry one “that condemns men” (verse 9)?  If it condemned men how could it be “glorious”?

• Why does the ministry of the Holy Spirit out-shine the ministry of Moses (verses 9-11)?

 

Adapted from “It’s Not About Me” by Max Lucado

Leave It Better Than You Found It!

From “The Christian Working Woman” daily email devotion. – As written and presented by Mary Whelchel

How’s your church doing? I’m well aware that churches that thrive and do well are those who have lots of involvement from the congregation. I’m proposing that we adopt the Boy Scout mantra to leave things better than we found them, and I was thinking how much better our churches would be doing if every church member took that seriously.

You know, it’s not difficult to find things wrong with your church. It’s full of people-people who make mistakes, people who don’t have it all together, many are new believers with lots to learn. So, you won’t have trouble finding something about your church that you don’t like so much. But if it’s a Bible preaching church, under godly leadership, and that’s where God has put you, then you have to ask yourself what you’re doing to make it a better church.

I think of a woman in our church-we call her Miss Shirley-who is now 90 years old. Miss Shirley has never held an office in our church, but few people have benefited the church like she has. For years she made it her job to greet someone new every Sunday, invite someone new to sit with her, get to know them, and just share God’s love with them. One of my friends tells how when she started coming to our church, she was very wounded and was trying to just isolate herself from everyone, but Miss Shirley found her, sat with her, invited her to my class, and eventually helped her get involved and find healing.

Miss Shirley can’t do as much now because of her health, but she definitely has left our church better than she found it. She still spreads joy and love with everyone she meets.

Just ask yourself: If you dropped out of your church today, would it leave a hole? Would your service to the church be missed?

God created us for community; we are one body in Christ, and we need each other for fellowship, for healing, for growth, for accountability. I hope you are very much committed to your church and you can say for sure that you are leaving it better than you found it.