VIDEO: Marriage Booster Promo
IS IT SAFE? How to Take Your Marriage to a Deeper Level of Emotional Intimacy.
Are there some topics that are taboo in your marriage? You know, those areas of discussion that you avoid because venturing there always seems to end up shaking the foundations of commitment to one another. In other words, you “don’t feel safe going there”. Join us on Friday, January 18 for our first Marriage Booster of the year. Pastor Paul Goodnight will help us learn how to take marriage to a deeper level of emotional commitment and trust.
The evening starts on your own with a dinner date for you and your spouse, with discussion questions provided by Pastor Paul Goodnight. Afterward we’ll meet back at RBC, where Pastor Paul Goodnight will speak.
Sunday Rewind | 1.13.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:8-9) – God Is Able by Hillsong
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-9) – Facedown by Matt Redman
My Deliverer (Psalm 18:2) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 1
Spiritual warfare is constantly raging around us, and ignoring it will keep us in bondage to it. We need not fear our enemy, but we must be aware of what he is doing so we do not fall captive to his schemes.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- As you reflect on this sermon, what is one thing you hope we discuss as a group?
- What comes to mind when you think of spiritual warfare? How would rate your personal awareness of spiritual warfare?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 6:10-20. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal to us about God?
- How do you think our everyday irritations, arguments, conflicts, etc. are related to “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”?
- Satan mixes truth with error in order to deceive us. What other tactics does he use? How have you seen these at work in culture/society? How have you fallen prey to some of these tactics?
- Is there an area of current spiritual warfare you can identify in your life? How does the Gospel address this struggle? How can your small group pray for you in this area?
Event Update: Jr. High Minute To Win It
Back in December, the Jr. High Ministry held our 3rd annual Minute to Win It: Friday Night Live. Guy Feiri (played by Erik Palmer) hosted our own version of the TV game show as our students played a series of pressure-packed challenges to win prizes.
We had a full room of excited Jr. Highers (with about 50 friends who do not regularly attend RBC) trying to throw rolls of toilet paper through hoops, making Diet Coke volcanos with Mentos, and bobbing their heads trying to tally steps on a pedometer.
The highlight video below gives you a small glimpse of the excitement. In the middle of the event, one of our Jr. High Volunteers, Amy Stegeman, shared about her life (you can also watch her story below). Just like how in the game show you only have a short time to complete a task, she shared about how she has learned that our time here on earth is short. But unlike the game, we don’t win prizes based on our performance, but by believing in the performance of the God who came into this world at Christmas 2000 years ago.
Praise God for the over 20 students who indicated they trusted in what Christ has done for them & began a relationship with God that evening.
Sunday Rewind | 1.7.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace Praise
How Great Is Your Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23) – We Shall Not Be Shaken by Matt Redman
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Kingdom Come by Elevation Worship
Oh How I Need You – The Longing by All Sons & Daughters
TEACHING: More Prejudiced Than You Think
Being prejudiced goes well beyond racial bias. We all have the tendency to pull away from certain people or groups – “those people.” Yet, the Gospel dictates that those are the very people we should lean into. To be prejudiced is to go violate the great commandments of loving God and loving our neighbor. Odds are, we are more prejudiced than we think.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Was there any one thing you most agreed or disagreed with from this message? What was it and why?
- When you hear the word “prejudice,” what comes to mind?
- Read and discuss James 2:1-4. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal about Jesus?
- What are some hot-button issues for you personally? How might these expose your own prejudices?
- Have you ever exercised prejudice against another person or group? Have you ever been the recipient of someone else’s prejudice? What happened?
- Read and consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:43-48. How does the gospel of Christ call us to “lean in” to other people or groups we might naturally pull away from?
- Is there something God has revealed to you as far as a prejudice you may have? What would it look like for you to be neighbor to that person or group? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
Sunday Rewind | 12.30.12
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For the Honor by Elevation Worship
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Agnus Dei (Revelation 5:12) – Original Arrangement
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
Great In All the Earth (Psalm 47:1-2) – I Will Go by Starfield
TEACHING: Be At Rest
Our culture prizes busyness while avoiding suffering at all costs. Yet, Scripture tells us we will suffer and calls us to work from rest, not just rest from work. As we enter this new year, seek Him for physical, spiritual and geographical rest. Live a life of saying “yes” to God from a place of rest, despite whatever our circumstances may be.
WHERE’S THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO? Due to the ministry location of our speaker this weekend, we are not able to post the sermon media online. You can, however, request an audio CD at the RBC Bookstore (located in the lobby by the stairs) between Sunday services.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you heard last weekend’s sermon, what is one principle or insight that stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful, or memorable?
- Read and discuss Hebrews 1:1-4. What do these verses tell you about Jesus? What are the implications for your personal faith in Him?
- Read and discuss Hebrews 4. What do you observe about suffering and rest in this chapter?
- Do you find it difficult to rest? Why or why not?
- How does the gospel encourage us to rest in Jesus?
- What would it look like for you to rest physically, spiritually and geographically as you enter this new year?
- Is there something God is currently asking you to say “yes” to? What would it look like to say “yes” to His calling from a place of rest? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
Support Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
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 | 12.16.2012
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Angels We Have Heard on High (Luke 2:13-14) – Christmas Offerings by Third Day
Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Luke 2:9-10) – Original Arrangement
I Lift My Hands (Psalm 46:10) – And If Our God Is For Us… by Chris Tomlin
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel
God, You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Follow Me
Pastor Wayne Johnson takes a look at the life of Peter, whose world was rocked by Jesus’ call to follow Him. What was it about Jesus that so captivated Peter’s heart? The way Jesus captured Peter’s heart is the same way He captures ours, and we will live for and from whatever captures our hearts.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If Pastor Wayne were to give an abbreviated version of last Sunday’s messages, what one or two points would you tell him to make sure he leaves in, no matter what?
- Read and discuss 1 Peter 1:3-9. What do these verses tell you about Jesus? What are the implications for your personal faith in Him?
- Our culture values privacy, busyness, and comfort. What else does our culture value?
- How does does the Gospel go against the grain of our culture?
- In what ways can culture distort the Gospel? How can culture be used as a vessel for the Gospel?
- What do you find captivating about the person of Jesus Christ?
- Was there ever an area in your life as a Christian where you sensed Jesus’ call to follow Him? What happened? Is there an area in your life now where He is asking you to follow Him? Pray about this area with your small group.
Questions in Tragedy
The nation again has had its soul pierced with yet another massacre. This did not take place in on the battlefield of Afghanistan nor was it the result of a back-alley drug deal gone bad. It took place in an obscure town in Connecticut, where a gunman opened fire in an elementary school. Two questions always surface in the aftermath of such blatant evil.
“Why does this keep happening in the most sophisticated nation on earth?”
“Why does God allow such things to happen?”
The answer to the first question is easy. The answer to the second is not easy.
Why does this keep happening in the most sophisticated nation on earth? People do such evil deeds because the Scriptures tell us the “The heart is incurably wicked…..” (Jer.17:9). Simply put, it is impossible for man to police his own behavior. God has established human government to be a deterrent to evil, but it will never be perfectly effective in this task. When human beings in any society vote to have total moral freedom, that society will see an increase in violent behavior. There is a subtle irony in that unrestricted freedom eventually leads to bondage. True freedom is only found when we stay within the bounds of God’s moral will.
When a nation heads down this path of unrestricted freedom, it tends to turn a blind eye to the real issue. It will point to having more security or better-educated people or more legislation regarding gun control to the table. But if anyone brings up abortion, pornography, violence in movies, lyrics, and video games, or the absence of absolute truth (all of which contribute to devaluing human life) then prepare yourself for battle. These will be seen as a threat to one’s moral freedom.
To be sure, the church is in no position to point its self-righteous moral finger at the world. Perhaps the finger needs to be pointed more at the church than at society since we are called to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). There is enough blame for everyone to have a sizable piece of the pie. Are we living a life that is void of hypocrisy?
So why does God allow such things to happen? This is a much bigger question and far more difficult to answer. In fact, the writers of Scripture often asked the same question. We know God is all-powerful and hates evil. Yet it is clear He allows it to have a foothold in every nation. God gives hints to an answer, but never fully reveals His feelings on this matter of lingering evil. Here are a few Scriptures to meditate on:
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever….” (Deut. 29:29)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 55:8)
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then, face to face…” (1Cor. 13:12)
I think perhaps the most revealing response is found in John’s gospel, where Jesus and Pilot are in dialogue. Jesus answers Pilot with these words “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I would not be delivered to the Jews…”
His point seems to be that as long as His Kingdom has not fully come, then by default, Satan’s kingdom reigns to the degree that God allows it. This does not answer all the questions surrounding the subject of evil, but in the end, we must trust Him to have reasons far beyond our present comprehension. And to be sure, our lack of understanding does not negate our duty or privilege to pray for those dear people who lost their children in this most recent tragedy.
~ Pastor Mike
Sunday Rewind | 12.9.2012
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Come All Ye Faithful (Luke 2:14-15) – Original Arrangement
Awesome is the Lord Most High (Psalm 47:1-2) – See the Morning by Chris Tomlin
In Christ Alone (Philippians 3:7-8) – Original Arrangement
Hosanna (Mark 11:9-10) – All of the Above by Hillsong
Your Love O Lord (Psalm 36:7) – Original Arrangement
TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 4
How often do we allow our personal prejudices and biases dictate how we view – and treat – other people? As Pastor Mike teaches through the final chapter of Jonah, we see that to take God seriously, we must take people seriously – even when they are different than we are.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- As you reflect on this sermon, what is one principle or insight that stands out as as being particularly helpful, insightful or difficult to grasp?
- Read and discuss Jonah 4. What do you learn about the nature of God? What do you observe about the nature of man?
- What is the significance of the plant in these verses?
- Where is Jonah’s prejudice or bias evident in these verses?
- “Christians have become really good at being good.” Do you agree or disagree? Why? What are the implications of this statement?
- Why is the human heart pulled to bigotry? How do you see this played out in the world? How do you see it played out in the church?
- How does the Gospel of Christ deal with our bent toward bias, prejudice and bigotry?
Sunday Rewind | 12.2.2012
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalms 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
All Creatures Of Our God And King (Psalm 148:13) – Original Arrangement
How Great Is Our God (Psalms 145:3-4) – Arriving by Chris Tomlin
TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 3
Obedience is a key part of the Christian life, and God enables us in whatever He has called us to. It is not our purpose as Christ-followers to pass moral judgement on the world and society at-large. Rather, we are to uphold the testimony of the Gospel by holding fellow Christians accountable to obedience to the Word of God.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What’s one thing from this sermon that you hope we talk about as a group?
- Read and discuss Jonah 3. What do you learn about the nature of God? What do you observe about the nature of man?
- In Jonah 3:1, what is the significance of God coming to Jonah a “second time”?
- Can a person take God seriously without obeying Him? What role does obedience play in the Christian life?
- Do you think Christians are known most for what we are against, rather than what we are for? Why?
- Discuss this statement. Do you agree or disagree and why? “As followers of Christ, we do not have the right to impose our moral views on society.”
- Has God ever given you a specific calling to do or be something or to go somewhere?
- Have you been obedient to that calling? If yes, how did you experience God’s enabling? If no, how can your small group encourage you toward obedience?