Preparing for Sunday | September 25
My hope and prayer for this blog each week is that God would use it to stir your affections for Him and for His Word, and to help you prepare for and eagerly anticipate what God will do through our time gathered together on Sunday. Here’s the first Preparing for Sunday post with a more in-depth explanation of why we do this.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Open Up The Heavens | [listen + lyrics]
by: Meredith Andrews, Stuart Garrard. James McDonald, Andi Rozier
Always | [listen + lyrics]
by: Jason Ingram, Kristian Stanfill
But God | [listen]
by: Michael Bleecker, Hunter Hall, Lauren Chandler
Revelation Song | [listen]
by: Jennie Lee Riddle
Come to Me | [listen]
by: Elizabeth Akers, Jeff Capps, Michael Bleecker
SERMON TEXT
Proverbs 20:5
Sunday Rewind | 9.18.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
Good Good Father (2 Thessalonians 2:16) – The EP by Zealand Worship
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) –Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
This I Believe (The Creed) (Romans 1:16) Fielding, Crocker | Hillsong Music Publishing
Revelation Song (Revelation 4:8(b)) – Fearless by Philips, Craig and Dean
TEACHING: Until All Are Free
Prosperity blinds us to a world of injustice.
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 Sunday?
- What do you think of when you hear the word slavery? What is your understanding of modern slavery?
- Read and discuss Ecclesiastes 4:1, Psalm 146:6-7, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, and Psalm 10:17. What do these verses tell us about God? What do they reveal about us?
- What do these scriptures reveal about God’s heart on the topics of justice, slavery and oppression? How does your heart need to move closer to His on this?
- What is the significance of the phrase “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 4:1)? How does this frame the topic of slavery, oppression and injustice?
- How do we confuse inconvenience with injustice? What examples can you think of?
- “Prosperity blinds us to a world of injustice.” Have you seen this to be true?
- How does the gospel compel us toward justice for the oppressed?
- Is there an area or situation in your list from where you need to act justly or “do justice” (Micah 6:8)? Spend some time in prayer about this.
Preparing for Sunday | September 18
My hope and prayer for this blog each week is that God would use it to stir your affections for Him and for His Word, and to help you prepare for and eagerly anticipate what God will do through our time gathered together on Sunday. Here’s the first Preparing for Sunday post with a more in-depth explanation of why we do this.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Good Good Father | [listen]
by: Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett
Your Great Name | [listen]
by: Michael Bleecker, Hunter Hall, Lauren Chandler
I Will Look Up | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye, Matt Redman
This I Believe | [listen + lyrics]
by: Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker
Revelation Song | [listen]
by: Jennie Lee Riddle
SERMON TEXT
Luke 4:18-21
THEME/TOPIC
Exposure to the reality of slavery in our world.
Sunday Rewind | 9.11.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Nothing But the Blood (Ephesians 2:13) – Already Not Yet by Citizens and Saints
But God (Romans 5:8) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Aaron Bleecker
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Jesus Paid it All (Colossians 2:13-14) – Everything Glorious by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: Be the Church, Part 3
God gives us gifts then gives us as a gift to a local church body. No God-given gift is better or worse than another. Unity in the body is the result of corporate humility.
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 Sunday?
- How has the Lord used the church in your walk with Him?
- Read Ephesians 4:1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. What do these verses tell us about God? What do they reveal about us?
- What does it mean to equip the saints for the work of ministry? How do you think you need to be equipped? In what ways can you equip others?
- What causes divisions among churches? What examples of division in the church have you seen?
- What examples of unity have you seen in the church? Is there an area of unity within the context of the church that you need to move toward?
- What gifts, abilities or talents do you think God has given you? Where could those fit in the church?
- What is the difference between unity and uniformity? Which does scripture call us to?
- How does the gospel compel us toward unity through diversity?
- Spend some time praying for the things you’ve discussed. Pray that the Lord would lead our church to a gospel-centric unity within our body and with other churches in our area.
Preparing for Sunday | September 11
My hope and prayer for this blog each week is that God would use it to stir your affections for Him and for His Word, and to help you prepare for and eagerly anticipate what God will do through our time gathered together on Sunday. Here’s the first Preparing for Sunday post with a more in-depth explanation of why we do this.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Nothing But the Blood | [listen + lyrics]
by: Robert Lowry (1876)
But God | [listen]
by: Michael Bleecker, Hunter Hall, Lauren Chandler
In Christ Alone | [listen + lyrics]
by: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
Jesus Paid It All | [listen + lyrics]
by: Elvina M. Hall, (1865)
SERMON TEXT
Ephesians 4
READ
1 Corinthians 12
READ
Sunday Rewind | 9.4.16
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Come To Me (Matthew 11:28-30) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Lauren Chandler
Great Things (Worth It All) (Galatians 6:14) –Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship
But God (Romans 5:8) – Look and See by Village Church feat. Aaron Bleecker
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Be the Church, Part 2
The church is called to be salt that preserves the world from decaying and light that cuts through darkness. The salt sets the stage for the light.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- How would you describe the mission of the church, in one sentence?
- Read Matthew 5:13-16. What does it mean for believers to be the salt of the earth? What does it mean to be the light of the world?
- Read John 3:16-21. How does this passage, with its imagery of light and dark, describe the hopelessness of man’s condition? What is the hope-filled solution the Lord provides?
- Why do most religions offer a performance-based path to salvation? What is Scripture’s response to someone who believes they must work to earn God’s favor?
- Why must we act like “salt” before people will be receptive to our “light”? How might that affect your day-to-day life?
- What fears or doubts keep you from sharing the Gospel? What truths from Scripture might help you overcome those fears?
- Spend some time praying that the Lord would help you to be salt and light to those around you.
Preparing for Sunday | September 4
My hope and prayer for this blog each week is that God would use it to stir your affections for Him and for His Word, and to help you prepare for and eagerly anticipate what God will do through our time gathered together on Sunday. Here’s the first Preparing for Sunday post with a more in-depth explanation of why we do this.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
This week we’re introducing a new song, “But God.” This song is taken right out of Ephesians 2:4-7:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
I want to encourage everyone to take some time and get familiar with this song this week. It’s full of rich, gospel truth. May this song and the truth that God, by his grace in and through Jesus, has saved us “even when we were dead in our trespasses” encourage our hearts this week.
I look forward to singing this song together with you all this Sunday!
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Come to Me | [listen + lyrics]
by: Lizzie Akers, Jeff Capps, Michael Bleecker, Hunter Pecunia
Great Things | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye
But God | [listen]
by: Michael Bleecker, Hunter Hall, Lauren Chandler
In Your Presence | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, London Gatch, Jane Williams
SERMON TEXT
Matthew 5
READ
Sunday Rewind | 8.28.16
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Good Good Father (2 Thessalonians 2;16) – The EP by Zealand Worship
Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Public Domain
Unending Love (Romans 8:39) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship
Jesus Is Better (Mark 9:24) – King of Love by Austin Stone Worship
Doxology (Romans 11:36) – Public Domain
TEACHING: Be the Church, Part 1
As followers of Christ, we don’t go to church. We are the church.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Prior to hearing this message, what came to mind when you heard the word “church”? Has that changed at all now?
- What passages of Scripture come to mind that describe the design, purpose, or mission of the Church?
- What does it mean that we, as followers of Christ, are the Church? Why is it so important to get these terms right?
- Have you, or anyone you know, left a local church for any of the reasons that Pastor Mike described? What are other reasons (right or wrong) that someone might leave?
- What does it look like for the truth to bring conviction rather than guilt?
- How would you respond to a friend who said he was leaving the church because he thought it was boring or irrelevant? What if he thought that the church was full of hypocrites?
- Read Romans 6:15-23. What is the difference between how the world defines “freedom” and how Scripture defines it? How does Jesus give freedom to His followers? What should our lives look like in light of that freedom? How should it affect our interactions with unbelievers?
- Spend some time praying that your group, and all the believers at RBC, would truly reflect and honor Christ, as His Body. Pray for the unbelievers in your lives, that they would put their faith in Christ and become members of the Church.
Preparing for Sunday | August 28
My hope and prayer for this blog each week is that God would use it to stir your affections for Him and for His Word, and to help you prepare for and eagerly anticipate what God will do through our time gathered together on Sunday. Here’s the first Preparing for Sunday post with a more in-depth explanation of why we do this.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Good Good Father | [listen]
by: Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett
Come Thou Fount | [listen + lyrics]
by: Robert Robinson (1758)
Unending Love | [listen + lyrics]
by: Jill McCloghry, Sam Knock
Jesus Is Better | [listen]
by: Aaron Ivey, Brett Land
Doxology | [listen | lyrics]
by: Thomas Ken (1674), David Crowder
SERMON TEXT
Acts 14:27
READ
Sunday Rewind | 8.21.16
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Keeper of My Heart (Psalm 121:1-2) – Majestic by Kari Jobe
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Galatians 6:14) – Mars Hill Music by Dispatch
Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Be Anxious for Nothing
We live in a world that is morally decaying. Pastor Mike and David Shedd dialogue about viewing the world in which we live through a biblical lens.
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 Sunday?
- What makes you anxious as you observe the state of the world today?
- Read and discuss Philippians 4:4-9. What does this reveal about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
- We live in a world that is morally decaying. What opportunities do you have (or can you make) to be salt and light in the environments in which you have influence?
- How do we balance the tension between security and compassion in an uncertain world?
- What is the root of anxiety, beyond circumstances and situations? How does anxiety relate to trust?
- How does the gospel anchor us in the midst of uncertainty?
- Read and discuss 1 Peter 5:6-7. What anxieties do you need to cast upon the Lord? Spend some time in prayer about this.