Pastor's Blog

 Hope in God – Psalm 42-43

Notes:

-Why does the psalmist say the same thing three different times?  What does that teach us as we seek to hope in God?

-What is the difference between listening to ourselves and talking to ourselves?  What do we need to tell ourselves?

-Where might you be placing your hope instead of in God?

Other passages to consider:

Job 13:15; Ps 33:18; 73; 130:7; 147:11; Mt 26:38-39; Rom 15:13; Phil 4:8; Heb 4:14-16; 1 Pet 1:3-4; 2:23; 1 Jn 3:1-3. 

Jesus Rose from the Dead – Matthew 27:55-28:15

Notes:

Witnessing Christ’s Resurrection:

1)                                          - vv55-61

2)                                          - vv62-66

3)                                          - vv1-7

4)                                          - vv8-10

Considering Christ’s Resurrection:

• What is significant about eyewitness accounts to Christ’s burial and resurrection?
• What does the resurrection declare about Jesus?
• What all does the resurrection of Christ promise for all Christians?
• How should Christ’s resurrection impact my life today?

Other passages to consider:

Jn 11:25-26; Acts 2:22-41; 4:12; 10:34-43; Rom 4:24-25; 1 Cor 15:3-6,12-20,50-58; Eph 1:18-20; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:1-4; 1 Pet 1:3-6.

The Light of Christ Dispels the Darkness-Ephesians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

Notes:

1)      The Darkness of ____________________________________.

2)      The Light of the ____________________________________.

Digging Deeper:

• Think about the Bible’s use of the term “darkness” to describe a person without Christ.  What all does this say about their condition?
• Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12).  What does this tell us about His saving work?
• How does a person go from darkness to light?  What does God do?  What is man’s response?
• Who can you pray for that doesn’t know Christ?  How might God use you to shine the light of Christ into their lives?

Other verses to consider:

 Matt 4:16; Jn 1:1-14; 3:19; 8:12; 12:46; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 5:8; Col 1:13-14; 1 Pet 2:9.

Sin’s deceit & God’s power – Joshua 9

Notes:
 

1)                                                                                                             -vv3-13

2)                                                                                                            -vv14-21

3)                                                                                                           -vv22-27

Digging Deeper:

• How does Satan use deception to steal, kill, and destroy?
• When are you most tempted to handle things yourself rather than seeking wisdom or prayer?
• How do we see God’s purposes prevail even in the face of sin and opposition?

Other passages to consider:

Deut 7:1-4; 20:10-20; Ps 119:105; Prov 3:5-6; Acts 4:24-28; Rom 8:28-29;  2 Cor 11:3,14; Eph 6:10-18; Jam 1:5; 1 Pet 5:8.

 God’s Sovereign Grace – Matthew 20:1-16

Notes:

Digging Deeper:

-What does the parable teach about the master of the house (God)?

-What is the definition of sovereign grace?  Why should God’s grace humble us?

-Why do many Christians react negatively to the doctrines of election and regeneration?

Other passages to consider:

Deut 24:14-15; Luke 15:20-32; Rom 9:10-18; 2 Cor 8:9; Eph 1:3-6; 1 Tim 1:14-17; Jam 4:6.

Responsible for One Another-Matthew 18: 15-20

Notes:

1)                                                                                                            - v15a

2)                                                                                                         - vv15b-17

3)                                                                                                          - vv18-20

Digging Deeper:

• Why is it important that unrepentant sin is dealt with in the church?
• What do you notice about the process laid out in vv15-17?  Who is responsible for carrying out this process?
• How does this passage point to the importance of church membership?
• How am I to be responsible for, and accountable to, my fellow church members?

Other passages to consider:

Lev 19:17; Deut 19:15; Matt 12:49-50; 16:19; 28:20; John 8:17; 16:19; 1 Cor 5; 1 Tim 5:19.

God’s Loving Care for His People

-Matthew 18:10-14

Notes:

1)      He _____________ to minister to them – v10.

2)      He _______________ when they stray – vv12-13.

3)      He____________________________ - v14.

Digging Deeper:

-What examples of God’s loving care for His people do we see in this passage?

-In light of God’s loving care, what is the command Jesus gives His followers?  What is the connection between God’s care and Christ’s command?

-How does this passage encourage you regarding your own relationship with God?

Other Passages to Consider:

Ps 23; Isa 53:6; Jer 13:17; Ezek 34:11-24; Zech 10:3; 13:7; Jn 10:7-8; 1 Pet 5:2-4

Consider the Cost

Matthew 16:21-28

1) The Cost of Salvation – vv21-23.

2) The Cost of Following Christ – vv24-28.

Digging Deeper:

-As you consider what Jesus did for you, what is your response?

-Are the requirements to follow Christ a one-time decision or ongoing?  Or both?

-In what areas do you need God’s help to deny yourself and come under Christ’s authority?

Other Passages to Consider:

 Ps 2; Isa 53; Matt 4:1-11; 10:16-39; 26:30-28:7; Phil 2:5-11; 3:7-9.

Savior for All Nations – Matthew 15:21-39

Notes:

1)                                                     -vv21-28

2)                                                     -vv29-31

3)                                                     -vv32-39

Take Aways:

*

*

*

*

Digging Deeper:

-In v28, Jesus commended the Canaanite woman’s faith.  How did she demonstrate great faith?

-What do vv21-39 teach us about the mission of Jesus?

-How does being a Gentile Christian make us even more thankful for God’s grace and mercy?

Other passages to consider: 

Gen 17:1-8; Isa 35:5-6; 42:1-7; 49:6; 66:18-20; Acts 10; 13:46; Rom 1:16; Eph 2:11-22; Rev 7:9-12.

God’s Grace to Us in Christ

Notes:

1)  Grace that __________________ – Romans 3:23-25

2)  Grace that ___________________ – Titus 2:11-14

3)  Grace that ______________________________ – 2 Cor 1:3-5

Digging Deeper:

*Does God love you more when you are doing well in the Christian life?  What is the basis for how God treats us?

*Why is training usually not easy or comfortable?  What all does God us to train us?

*What does it mean to preach the Gospel to Yourself?  Why is it important for Christians to do that often?

Other passages to consider:

Rom 3:21-26; 5:18-6:2; 8:1; Eph 1:3-14; Heb 9:14; 10:19-23; 12:6; 2 Tim 2:1.

Tell others the good news of Jesus Christ –

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Notes:

Digging Deeper:

• What is the gospel?
• Why should we evangelize?
• What should our evangelism look like?

Other Passages to consider :

Matt 12:34; 28:18-20; Jn 13:34-35; Acts 8:1-4; 11:19-21; Rom 10:1-17; 1 Cor 15:3-5; 2 Cor 2:14-17; 5:10-21; Col 4:3-6; 1 Pet 3:15.

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.  

Testimony of God’s Comfort - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Sermon Notes:

1)

2) 

3)

4)

Digging Deeper:

• Why does Paul want the Corinthians to know that God delivered him from a severe affliction?
• Why is it important that Christians learn to rely on God and not themselves?
• What gave Paul confidence of God’s ongoing deliverance?
• How can we pray for those going through trials?

Other Passages to Consider:

Ps 121:1-2; 2 Cor 4:7-12; 11:24-28; 12:7-10; Eph 6:18-20; 2 Tim 4:16-18; Jam 5:16; 2 Pet 2:9 

Radically Different (Better) Physical Bodies

1 Corinthians 15:35-44

Preparing your heart for the sermon:

• What were the Corinthians asking?  What were they really doubting?
• How does a seed growing into a plant/tree relate to bodily resurrection?
• What do we learn about God’s creative power by observing the different earthly and heavenly bodies?

Other passages to consider: Gen 1; Ps 8; Rom 8:18-30; 1 Cor 1:18 -2:16; 2 Cor 4:16-5:10; Phil 3:21; Rev 21:1-6

Digging Deeper:

• How do you envision your future resurrection body?  Do you grasp how different and awesome it will be?
• In what areas are you tempted to doubt God’s power or wisdom?  What shall you do?
• How does remembering our hope help us follow Christ now?
• What will it be life to worship Christ with no weakness or sin?