Blog Posts by Travis McSherley

Sunday Rewind | 6.30.2013

Sunday Rewind

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin

Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

The Solid Rock (Psalm 18:2) – Original Arrangement

I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Pearson Shelton (North Point)

 

TEACHING: Ruth: A Story of God’s Redemptive Love, Part 1

In Ruth Chapter 1, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth suffer the tragedy of losing their husbands. But Naomi’s honest faith and Ruth’s unyielding loyalty pave the way for royal line of the Messiah.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

  1. How can we become people whom others want to “follow” through life with such eager commitment as Ruth’s? Do you know any people like that?
  2. Read Ruth 1:11-13 and 20-21 and discuss Naomi’s reaction to her circumstances. What do her words reveal about her walk with Lord? Can you think of other examples in Scripture where people responded similarly? Do you ever express yourself to God like that?
  3. Have you ever had a season in life where you felt called to abandon all that you know to follow God’s plan? Did you go?
  4. Read Ruth 1:15-17. What does this section reveal about Ruth’s persistent faithfulness to Naomi?
  5. What are some ways you can already see in this section that God is using the lives of these two women to prepare the way for Christ’s arrival on earth?

Sunday Rewind | 6.23.2013

Sunday Rewind

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong

Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

God, You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche

In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

 

TEACHING: Is That a Fact?

With all of the modern advances in economics, technology, and medicine, life should always be getting better and better. But instead, things seem to be going downhill, almost as if the world is cursed.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

  1. What was your initial reaction to his message? Do you still feel that way?
  2. Why do logic, knowledge, and science fail so miserably in fixing the problems of the world?
  3. What are some examples of economic, technological, or medical advances showing evidence of the curse?
  4. Read Romans 8:18-25. How does this passage affect your view of life on earth – or your anticipation of the life to come?
  5. Do you agree that the world has lost its ability to produce genius (the likes of Beethoven, Rembrandt, or Newton)? Why or why not?
  6. How can you use what you learned in this message to share the Gospel with your friends, family, or neighbors?

Sunday Rewind | 6.16.2013

Sunday Rewind

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman

Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

 

TEACHING: The Prodigal Son, Part 4

The prodigal son’s older sibling seems to carry an attitude of contempt toward his younger brother – and toward his father, from whom he felt entitled to be rewarded for his righteous deeds. The older brother hoped for justice and favor but received a rebuke.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

  1. Take a few minutes to reflect on the Rembrandt painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” (See the image here.) Which parts of the painting and its symbolism are especially meaningful to you? Did you observe any additional symbolism in it?
  2. Read and discuss Luke 15:25-32. In what ways does the older brother go to his own “far country”?
  3. How do you avoid the self-righteous mentality that says to God, “You owe me”? Can you think of some scriptural truths that counter such a mindset?
  4. Is it easier to preach the Gospel to people rooted in vile behavior, or to those rooted in self-righteousness? How can we talk about God’s grace to either group (including one we might be in)?
  5. Where do you fit in this story? Are you the prodigal son? The older brother? Or do you find elements of both in your own heart?
  6. How has your view of the prodigal son story changed during this series? How has your view of yourself changed?

 

Support Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

sandy disaster relief teams

Interested in joining a team to help Hurricane Sandy victims in New York/New Jersey?
Click here and sign up to learn more.

If you’d like to support relief efforts financially, you can give online (be sure to designate “Hurricane Sandy Relief” in the box at the top.) Click here to give online.

(If you prefer to give by check, please put “Hurricane Sandy Relief” in the memo line and drop it in an offering box. Offering boxes are located in the lobby and in the back of the sanctuary.)

Sunday Rewind | 11.25.2012

Sunday Rewind

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship

Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)

 

TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 2

Jonah needed some dramatic encounters with God’s all-knowing, all-powerful presence to take Him seriously – including being swallowed alive by a great fish. Such divine discipline is painful, but God can use it to bring us closer to Him and to prepare us for greater ministry.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Can you remember a time where you felt like you were receiving chastening or discipline from the Lord? How did that time affect your life afterward?
  2. Read Jonah’s prayer in Chapter 2. What truths about God does Jonah cling to?
  3. How are “the big three” attributes of God revealed in this chapter – omniscience (God knows all things), omnipotence (God has all power over all things), omnipresence (God is everywhere)?
  4. How have you experienced the “bait and switch” nature of sin? Is there an area right now where you’re believing that “life will be better when…”?

Sunday Rewind | 11.11.12

Sunday Rewind

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

The Church – For the Honor by Elevation Worship

Let Our Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace Music

Great in All the Earth (Psalm 47:1-2) – I Will Go by Starfield

Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche

 

TEACHING: The World Is Waiting – 2012 Missions Conference

As part of RBC’s annual Missions Conference, nine missionaries from every corner of the globe joined us last week to share how God has been working in their respective ministries.

Listen to Bill Hurley’s November 4 message, “On Mission”

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Share anything new you learned this week about missions work, or about any of the countries and regions represented by RBC missionaries.
  2. Read Romans 1. How does this passage change the way you think about sharing the Gospel? How does it affect your view of missions?
  3. Is it more important to be a missionary “goer” or a “sender”?
  4. Are you willing to follow God wherever may lead you? If you are comfortable, talk about the calling God has placed on your life and whether you feel like you’re pursuing it.
  5. Spend some time praying for the missionaries we heard from this week, or any of the other RBC missionaries. Learn more here about ways you can pray.

Sunday Rewind | 8.26.12

Sunday Rewind

MUSIC

O Worship the King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)

How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)

Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture

Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Original Arrangement

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Galatians 6:14) – Mission:Worship by Stuart Townend

 

TEACHING: Do Not Be Ashamed

Paul exhorted his protege Timothy to trust in the Lord enough to boldly and confidently proclaim the Gospel. As Christians, we must also not be ashamed to stand firmly on the truth.

CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDIO AND VIDEO

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. How would you define “trust”?
  2. What kind of fears prevent you from sharing your faith with others or living a Christ-centered life?
  3. Do you have any “Pauls” in your life to encourage your Christian walk? Do you have any “Timothys”?
  4. Read and discuss 2 Timothy 4, which represents the last words of Paul recorded in Scripture. How do you think Paul’s “unashamed” ministry affected his legacy to Timothy, and to believers through the ages? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?