Pastor's Blog

Precious Gift of Peace – Luke 2:8-14

Sermon Notes:

1)  What you have been given –

2)  Why it could be given –

3)  Why it was given to you –

Digging Deeper:

• By nature, why do we need peace with God?
• How does Jesus Christ make peace between sinners and God?  How should this peace affect our lives?
• Why do you have faith in Christ while others don’t?  What is your response to such grace?

Other Passages to Consider:

Isa 9:6; John 6:35-40,44,65; Acts 16:14; Rom 1:18; 5:1-10; Phil 1:29; Eph 2:4-9; Col 1:19-23. 

Living as a Stranger on the Earth - Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16

Sermon Notes:

1)       

2)       

3)       

Discussion Questions:

• How is God’s call of Abraham a picture of God’s sovereign grace?
• What is significant about Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob living in tents throughout their lives?
• In what ways do we tend to forget that we are strangers in this world?
• What can fuel our faith and longing to be with God?

Other Passages to Consider:

Gen 12:1-3; Josh 24:2; John 15:18-19; 17:15-18; Phil 3:20; 1 Pet 1:17-19; 2:11-12; Heb 12:28; 13:14; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Rev 21:1-7 

What Faith Is and Does – Hebrews 11:1-3

Sermon Notes:

Object of Faith –

Description of Faith – v1

                1a – Faith is the ________________ of things hoped for.

                1b – Faith __________________________________ of what God has promised.

                2a – Faith is the _______________ of things not seen.

                2b – Faith _______________ that what God promises will happen.

Result of Faith – _________________________ – v2

Outworking of Faith

Digging Deeper:

• Is biblical faith a blind faith?  Explain your answer.
• What is our faith based on?  How then can our faith be strengthened?
• What is the connection between faith and what God has promised?
• How does faith enable us to follow Christ in obedience?

Other Passages to Consider:

Gen 1-2; John 1:18; 14:1-3; Rom 1:16-20; 8:23-25; 2 Cor 5:1-7; Gal 2:20; Heb 1:1-3.  

From Fear to Faith — Psalm 56

Sermon Notes:

1)   Trials – vv1-2, 5-7

2)   Truth – vv8-9

3)   Trust – vv3-4, 10-13

Discussion Questions:

• Will Christians ever become afraid?  What should we do when we are afraid?
• How does the Bible help us to trust God?
• What truths should I preach to myself when I am afraid?
• What fruit is evident in the life of a person who is trusting God?

Other Passages to Consider:

1 Samuel 21; Ps 34; 138:2; Prov 3:5-6; Isa 49:14-16; John 16:33; Rom 8:31-39; Heb 13:5-6; Matt 6:25-34; 10:28-31

Blessings Secured For Us By Christ – Romans 4:24-5:2

Digging Deeper:

• What is justification?  How does Jesus secure it?  How do we receive it?
• By nature, why do we need peace with God?  Describe the blessing of knowing you are at peace with God.
• What does it look like to have access to God? 
• What is biblical hope?  What will the believer’s future be like?
• What from the text assures you these blessings are secure?

Other Passages to Consider:

Rom 4:24-5:11; 8:18-30; Phil 3:20-21; Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-25; 1 Pet 1:3-9

Psalm 131 - Peace in the Presence of God

Digging Deeper:

• How does a mother with her child picture God’s care for us? – Isa 66:12-13
• What is the child experiencing in v2?
• Why does the Bible teach that we must have a child-like faith?  What does that mean? - Matt 18:1-4; 19:13-15
• Was David’s life free from trouble and pain?  How had he come to experience peace? – Ps 27:11; 23:1-4; 86:1-5
• How do we enter into the presence of God?  What attitudes and actions are necessary for you to do that?

Other Passages to Consider:

Prov 3:5-6; Phil 4:6-13; Luke 10:38-47

The Promised Son of Abraham – Matthew 1:1-17

Digging Deeper:

• Why did Matthew highlight that Jesus is the son of Abraham?
• What promises did God make to Abraham?
• How are these promises ultimately fulfilled in Christ?
• What is significant about the four women referenced in vv3-6?
• How is God glorified by saving people from all nations?
• Think about God’s grace in saving you and respond in praise.

Other Passages to Consider: 

Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-6; 17:1-8; 22:18; Ps 86:8-10; Matt 4:15 (from Isa 9:1); 12:15-21 (from Isa 42:1-4); 15:22; 28:18-20; Rom 4:13-25; 2 Cor 1:19-20; Gal 3:7-18

God Saved Me - Titus 3:3-7
 

Preparing your heart for the sermon:

• In v3, which verbs are active and which are passive?  What does this show?
• What was not the grounds for our salvation?  On what basis does God save us?
• What are we saved from?

Other passages to consider: Ezek 36:25-27; Luke 19:10; John 3:1-8; Rom 6:17-19; 2 Cor 4:4-6; Eph 2:1-10; Col 3:7; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 4:14; 

Digging Deeper:

• What were you like before God saved you?  How have you changed?
• How does God save us?
• What is true of you now that God has saved you?
• How does this passage give you hope that God can save unbelievers around you?

Core Commands for the Battle – 1 Corinthians 16:12-14

Preparing your heart for the sermon:

• What sins and temptations did the Corinthians need to be alert for?
• In the Bible what activity is linked to being watchful?  Why?
• How would love take care of most of the problems plaguing the Corinthian church?

Other passages to consider: Josh 1:1-9; John 15:1-20; Acts 20:24-32; 1 Thess 5:1-11; 2 Thess 2:13-15; 1 Cor 4:10-14; 10:31; 13:1-3; Eph 5:15-17; 6:10-20; Col 4:2-6; 1 Pet 5:6-11; Heb 10:19-25

Digging Deeper:

• What dangers do Christians need to be alert to in this present world?
• Why do Christians need courage?  What frightening circumstances may we face?
• Where do courage, perseverance, and love come from?  How do we tap into that?
• What dangers/temptations/distractions are your currently facing?  Where can you find help?