Sunday Rewind | 3.15.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God is Able by Hillsong
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Who Are You? Part 1
Someone’s value influences how we value someone. “Who is Jesus?” is the most profound, life-changing question we could ever ask.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Discuss the statement, “Someone’s value influences how we value someone.” Have you found this to be true? What examples can you think of?
- Read and discuss Mark 8:27-29. What do you think this tells you about us? What does it tell us about Jesus?
- What is significant about how the disciples answer Jesus’ first question (vv. 27-28)?
- How would you answer Jesus’ first question from a modern-day perspective – “Who do people say that I am?”
- What is significant about how Peter answers Jesus’ second question (v. 29)?
- How would you answer Jesus’ second question – “Who do you say that I am?” Why is this question the most profound, life-changing question we could ever ask?
- How does your answer to Jesus’ questions in Mark 8:27-29 affect your life on a daily, practical level?
- Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you understand and live out the great value Jesus has, that we would value Him above all else.
Sunday Rewind | 3.8.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: Wisdom Vs. Intelligence
Wisdom does not guarantee you won’t have problems in life, but is does guarantee you won’t be the cause. In the moral realm, intellect is driven by passion; wisdom is driven by truth.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Read and discuss Proverbs 9. What does this tell you about the nature of man? Of God? What does it tell us about wisdom?
- How would you summarize the difference between wisdom and intellect? What are some examples of each?
- Why do you think fear of the LORD is the “beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10)? How is wisdom paired with intellect in this verse?
- “In the moral realm, intellect is driven by passion; wisdom is driven by truth.” How do you see this play out in David’s life in 2 Samuel 11? Where else in scripture do you see this principal play out? Where have you seen this play out in modern culture?
- What area or situation in your life do you need to combine wisdom with intellect? Spend some time praying for this.
RESOURCES
Click here for more thoughts on wisdom verses intelligence from Pastor Mike.
Bill Plowden Memorial Service
VISITATION & SERVICE | On Tuesday, March 3rd visitation and a memorial service for Bill Plowden will be held at Reston Bible Church. The visitation is from 2:30-3:30pm and the service will begin at 4:00pm. A reception will follow at the church.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS | Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bill Plowden to the Plowden Family Fund at Fundrazr.com (http://fnd.us/c/3iF3b) to support the children’s college fund. Letters for the girls about Bill can be sent to theplowdengirls@gmail.com.
FROM THE FAMILY | We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of the many friends and family who have walked with us throughout this journey. The Lord has used your prayers and support to sustain us in every possible way. We would also like to thank all of the wonderful staff of Massachusetts General Hospital who have cared for Bill over the past 18 months. A special thank you to our RBC family for your loving support and for helping us to plan Bill’s Celebration of Life.
Sunday Rewind | 3.1.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
TEACHING: Why the Gospel is Never Given the Same Way Twice
There is a massive difference between knowing the facts of the gospel, and putting your faith in the gospel. The gospel is a Person, not a formula.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Read and discuss 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. What do these verses tell you about the gospel? What do they tell you about Jesus? What do they imply about us?
- Why is the gospel “good news”?
- When did you first hear the gospel? What happened? How did you respond?
- What people or events in the Old Testament can you think of that serve as a foreshadowing of Christ?
- “The gospel is a Person, not a formula.” What does this mean? What the practical implications of this statement as you live your everyday life?
- What is the difference between knowing the facts about the gospel, and putting your faith in the gospel? Why is this distinction important?
- What felt needs can you identify in this season of your life? How does the gospel address those needs? How do you need to apply the gospel to those areas?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ. Ask Him to help you know Him more through the wonders of the gospel.
Ideas for Worshiping at Home
SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 6:25AM – BOTH SUNDAY SERVICES, CLASSES & MINISTRY ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELED FOR THIS MORNING due to hazardous road conditions. Please be safe and enjoy time worshiping the Lord at home this morning!
The Youth Missions Application meeting scheduled for this afternoon is also canceled.
Updated 11:55AM – AWANA and Financial Peace University are canceled for this evening.
Scripture is clear about the importance of being a part of the church – both the “big-C” Church (the universal body of believers for all time) and being involved in the localized expression of the Church, what we might call the “little-c” or local church. Scriptures like Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:25, 1 John 4:12, Hebrews 10:24, Galatians 5:13, Romans 12:10, Romans 15:14 and 1 Corinthians 12 – among many others – show us the importance of the Christ-based community unique to church, where we can use the gifts God has given us to love, serve and instruct one another for His glory. Though we will not meet together this morning as we usually do, we encourage you to use the time at home this morning to do the same – to love, serve and instruct one another in the context of worshiping our great and glorious God.
Here are some quick ideas for at-home family worship this morning:
- Worship God in song: Put on some of your favorite worship songs and sing along. Our live worship album No Other Name offers some familiar voices to sing along with.
- Proclaim His excellencies: 1 Peter 2:9 tells us “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Tell about a time you recently saw God do something great.
- Honor the Word of God: The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Peruse our sermon archives and pick out an old favorite to listen to or watch again, or catch up on a missed Sunday. Take some time to read some of your favorite Scriptures aloud and share why they are meaningful to you.
- Pray: Spend some time praying for each other, for others you know are in need and for our church.
- Give: To give tithes or offerings, you may do so securely online here.
Sunday Rewind | 2.15.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Awesome Is The Lord Most High (Psalm 47:1-2) – See The Morning by Chris Tomlin
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns: Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)
Beautiful Jesus (Romans 1:20) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: A Better Sight
There is a sight better than sight and a blindness worse than blindness. The greater miracle in John 9 is not the opening of the blind man’s eyes but the opening of his heart to Jesus.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Have you ever received difficult or devastating news? How did you respond?
- What is something in your life that would devastate you if you lost it? Or, what is something you desperately long for, but have not received?
- Read through John 9. What does this chapter reveal to us about Jesus? What do you observe about the disciples, the Pharisees and the blind man? Where do you see yourself in this narrative?
- Why do you think that when we see or experience loss or pain, our instinctive question is often “Why?”
- What is the difference between a cause and a purpose? Why does this matter?
- Why is spiritual blindness a “devastating blindness”? Why is spiritual sight better than physical sight?
- Instead of giving explanations, in John 9 Jesus provides an opportunity for faith & obedience. Where else in scripture do you see this? Have you seen this happen in your own life?
- Can you identify an area of your life where Jesus is asking you step out in faith and obedience? What would it look like to take the first step in that area? Spend some time praying about it.
Sunday Rewind | 2.8.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Depression and the Gospel
Until we see ourselves as emotionally & cognitively broken, we cannot empathize with the brokenness and suffering of others.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon? What have you taken away from this series as a whole?
- What do you think of when you hear the word depression? Have you ever struggled with it or known someone who has? To what degree?
- What scriptures can you think of where Jesus spent time with suffering people?
- Do you tend to engage with or avoid suffering people? Why? How can you grow in this area?
- Why is prolonged isolation destructive to the Christian? Have you ever experienced this?
- “Everyone needs a friend with whom there are no secrets and with whom there is no condemnation.” Do you have such a friendship?
- “If all we turn to God for is relief from suffering, He may or may not grant that relief, for He offers far more.” How do you respond to that statement?
- “And so there is a peculiar, rich, and poignant joy that seems to come to us only through and in suffering.” (Tim Keller, Walking with God Through Pain & Suffering). How do you respond to that statement? How have you found it to be true or not in your own life?
- Spend some time praying over the members of our church body, and the members of your shepherd group, who are suffering. Ask God for strength and courage to minister to those specific people you know are suffering.
RESOURCES
For counseling info and assessment at RBC, contact our Counseling Pastor, Paul Goodnight.
For information on the Lay Counseling Institute, visit www.lciministry.org.
Sunday Rewind | 2.1.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: Sexuality & the Gospel, Part 3
As we engage the culture with the topics of sexuality & the gospel, it is not our place to hate or judge. The broken world is waiting to see salt & light combined with grace & truth.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon? What have you taken away from this series as a whole?
- Why is it often so easy to judge others who are broken differently than we are?
- In regards to cultural engagement, do you tend to jump right in, or shy away? Why?
- Read Matthew 5:13-16. What do these verses tell us about human nature? What does this section tell us about God? What do they indicate about engaging with the culture around us?
- What is the significance of salt & light in these verses?
- How has God called you specifically to be salt and light in your personal spheres of influence?
- Read and discuss Matthew 7:1-5. What does this indicate about passing judgement? What is the context for proper judgement? Is there an area in your life where you need to apply this principal?
- Read and discuss Luke 18:9-14. What is Jesus telling us about sin and righteousness? How should we apply this as we engage with the culture around us?
- As you consider the topic of sexuality and the gospel, where do you need to grow in being salt & light with grace & truth? Is there someone you need to be salt & light to? Spend some time in prayer for this.
From the Field: Bolivia
The update below is from Paul & Faith, RBC-supported missionaries serving with New Tribes Missions. Paul serves at NTM’s Training Center and helps oversee their U.S.-based ministries. One of his primary responsibilities is developing a leadership team to cast a vision for mobilizing believers for the task of tribal evangelism and church planting.
– – –
A “new” happening in Bolivia brings an urgent prayer request! On Tuesday, January 27th through Thursday the 29th a group of around 30 Ayoré church leaders and their wives will be meeting together in Bolivia. They come from 10 Ayoré communities where Ayoré Churches exist. Paul’s brother and his wife will be meeting at the Missionary Training Center of Etnos, where they live and minister, for an Ayoré Leaders Conference of Spiritual Refreshment and Teaching. The facilities are available because the students are gone for “summer break” these days. Please pray for them as they will be doing the teaching for the 15 hours of meetings and deeply feel the need for Spirit-breathed inspiration, sensitivity and discernment for both the meeting time together and the hours fellowshipping together those three days. Please pray as well for good weather as it is rainy season and for open receptive hearts for all God has for all of us.
A
bout 72 years ago, five young missionary men gave their lives in the effort of contacting this very primitive, nomadic indigenous people group — NOW, here they are — all these years later gathering together in the name of Christ! Was it worth it all? We LOVED the ten years God allowed us to invest in this work together with YOU who prayed for and supported this work. Our prayer is that YOUR hearts will be as encouraged as our hearts are as we pray for the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in these precious lives. God is at work! Check out this really neat video (below) – It’s an interview with some of our current students here at the Missionary Training Center. You are now investing in the training of these young people who will be scattering around the world to spread the gospel!
Thank you so VERY much for your financial support and for your faithful, faithful prayers for us! We are so very humbled by God’s amazing grace and faithfulness in our lives! We pray God’s ABUNDANT grace and blessings for you in this “new” year and that you will enjoy sweet fellowship with Him!
– Paul & Faith, New Tribes Mission
Sunday Rewind | 1.25.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God is Able by Hillsong
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
TEACHING: Sexuality & the Gospel, Part 2
As we address the issues of sexuality and marriage, love does not necessarily mean agreement nor does disagreement necessarily mean hate. But in obedience, God reveals the deeper things of Himself.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- How have you seen or experienced hate speech in regards to the issue of sexuality and marriage?
- Read Matthew 19:1-6. What do these verses tell us about human nature? What does this section tell us about God?
- How does Jesus define marriage in this section? How is marriage a modeling of the gospel?
- How would you answer the following question? “How can you expect a person with strong sexual desires to be denied the privilege and the right to express those desires?”
- How does the theme of obedience play into the topic of sexuality and marriage?
- For the follower of Christ, should obedience trump desire or desire trump obedience? Defend your answer with scripture.
- How does the gospel speak to our struggles with sexuality? How does the gospel call us to view others’ struggles with sexuality, even their struggles are very different from our own?
- Do you feel your views on sexuality are balanced with grace and truth? Where do you need to grow in this balance? Spend some time in prayer for this.