Sunday Rewind | 8.24.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-8) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by Heartsong
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Do Something, Part 2
Having a hard heart can keep us from listening to and applying God’s truth to our lives.
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?
- Are many people willing to admit to being stubborn? Why or why not? How did you respond to the statement, “We all struggle with hard or stubborn areas of our hearts”?
- How does being stubborn or having a hard heart make it hard for us to really listen and apply God’s truth?
- Where are some areas where you think our society has a hard heart or a severed conscious against God’s Truth? Where do you see yourself following society’s lead?
- On Sunday, Aaron said, “The more we say no to God, the quieter his voice becomes.” Where have you see this truth in your own life?
- Are there any areas where you think you are currently struggling with a hard heart or severed conscious rejecting God’s truth? Some of the diagnostic questions from Sunday are: what are areas we get defensive about? Where do I have to justify myself a lot? Where am I making lots of excuses? What am I claiming as my rights?
- Read Malachi 4:6. What is God’s desire for our relationship with our family? How is this different than just all getting along and our kids behaving well. How have we been deceived into choosing something good over God’s best for our family.
- Read Matthew 23:37 (start earlier for some context). What is God’s heart towards the Pharisees and those who had hard hearts towards him? Why is this important to realize as we deal with our own hard hearts?
- Pray through Psalm 139:23-24, asking God to reveal the hardness in your own heart.
Sunday Rewind | 8.17.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – The Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
TEACHING: Do Something, Part 1
In a relationship with God, as in any good relationship, both knowledge and application are vital. We must hear and do. In the context of the local church, this will result in gospel-motivated service to the body.
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?
- Read and discuss James 1:19-25, 1 John 2:4-6 and Matthew 7:24-29. What do these verses tell us about the nature of man? What do these verses tell us about God and His Word?
- Do you find it easier to be a hearer of the Word, or a doer of the Word? How do the Scriptures push us toward both?
- What is the result of knowledge without application (hearing without doing)? What is the result of application without knowledge (doing without hearing)?
- Compare and contrast the two builders in Matthew 7. What are similarities? What are the differences? Which foundation would you say you are building on in this season of your life?
- Why is knowledge “half the battle” when it comes to relationships?
- What is the difference between hearing and listening?
- How does gospel-motivated service in the context of the church help us “walk in the same way in which He walked” (1 John 2:6)?
- Do you currently serve in some way at RBC? Why or why not?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His Word and asking Him for the grace to become more than mere hearers. Thank Him for the provision we have in Christ, who is both our example and motivation for serving His bride, the church.
Sunday Rewind | 8.10.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
TEACHING: Rooted: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 8
How were people in the Old Testament saved if Jesus had not yet come? If we can’t keep the law, why were we given the law? If we are under grace, can we live any way we want? The answer to these questions lies in the pure, undiluted organic gospel.
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?
- Read and discuss Colossians 2:16-23. What do these verses tell us about the nature of man? What do these verses tell us about Jesus?
- Where in these verses do you find warnings against legalism, mysticism and asceticism? How do each of these add to or take away from the gospel?
- What is the purpose of the law? How does the law “stir up the flesh”? How does the law also point us to Christ?
- How were people in Old Testament times saved if Jesus had not yet come?
- Read and discuss Romans 5:12-6:14. How would you describe the relationship between law and grace?
- If we are under grace, and not under the law, can we live any way we want? How would you justify, explain or defend your answer?
- What is “the organic gospel”? What do we tend to add to or take away from the gospel?
- Where in your life do you need spiritual “recalculating”?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the goodness of both His law and His grace. Thank Him for the provision we have in Christ, who fulfills the law and covers us in His grace.
Sunday Rewind | 8.3.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Rooted: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 7
Performance will always lead to self-righteousness, which always leads to judging others. The thing you tend to judge others for is likely the area of self-righteousness that you struggle with.
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?
- Do you ever sense a disconnect between what you feel and what the Bible says?
- Read and discuss Colossians 2:11-15. What do they tell us about the nature of man? What do these verses tell us about Jesus?
- What does it mean to be “dead in your sins” (v. 13)?
- What is the “record of debt” that the law demands of us (v. 14)? How is the law an instructor?
- Consider your answers to questions 4 & 5. How is Christ the remedy?
- What is grace? How is grace an instructor?
- What drives us to perform, rather than rest in grace?
- “Performance will always lead to self-righteousness, which always leads to judging other people.” Have you found this to be true?
- In what area(s) of your life do you tend to struggle with self-righteousness? How does the gospel address this?
- Spend some time in prayer asking God to graciously keep us from self-righteous performance. Pray that His grace would continue to take root deep within our hearts.
Sunday Rewind | 7.27.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:7-8) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
TEACHING: Rooted: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 6
What does it mean to be complete in Christ?
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?
- Read and discuss Colossians 2:6-10. What do these verses tell us about Jesus? What do they indicate about the nature of man?
- What does it mean to “walk in” Jesus (v. 6)?
- What warning does Paul give us in these verses?
- What modern-day arguments, philosophies or traditions might take us captive? How should we respond to these in light of the gospel?
- What does it mean to be “complete in Christ”? Do you feel complete in Him? Why or why not?
- What ways to you tend to try to complete yourself outside of Christ?
- How does the gospel make us complete in Jesus?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the glorious hope we have in Christ. Pray that He would show us any areas of our lives where we are seeking completeness outside of Him.
Sunday Rewind | 7.20.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
TEACHING: Rooted: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 5
Love is the prerequisite to a fuller understanding of Christ.
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?
- Read and discuss Colossians 2:1-5. What do these verses tell us about Jesus? What do they indicate about the nature of man?
- What do you tend to “contend for” or “agonize over” (v. 1)? Do these things draw you toward Christ and His church, or push you away?
- What is the significance, importance and the result of being “united in love” (v. 2)?
- What is the relationship between wisdom & knowledge (v. 3)?
- What “fine-sounding arguments” (v. 4) might we deal with today? How do these pull us away from being rooted in Christ?
- Is there anything holding you back from seeking out the deep riches of Jesus? Is there anything keeping you from being “united in love” with fellow believers? How does the gospel address or apply to these obstacles?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for revealing Himself to us in Christ. Pray that He would encourage our hearts toward being united in love, that we might know Christ and make Him known all the more.
Sunday Rewind | 6.22.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by HEARTSONG
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Rooted, Part 4
As Paul closes the first chapter of Colossians, the apostle addresses the topics of suffering, maturity, power, assignment and the mystery of Christ in us.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message that was particularly helpful or insightful? What was one thing that was difficult to understand or put into practice?
- “All scripture is equally inspired, but not all scripture is equally inspiring.” What does this mean? Do you find it to be true?
- Read and discuss Colossians 1:24-29. What themes do you note in these verses? What do these verses show us about Jesus?
- What does it mean to “rejoice in … sufferings” (v. 24)? What is Paul saying by this statement, and what does it mean for us today?
- How does suffering and affliction advance the gospel?
- What is the mystery Paul writes of in verse 26? How has this mystery become “tame” to us?
- What does Paul mean by presenting everyone as “mature in Christ” (v. 28)? On a scale from 1-10 (1 being very immature, 10 being very mature), how would you rate your own maturity in Christ? What are some criteria for Christian maturity?
- “Power comes with assignment.” Have you found this to be true in your life? What examples from scripture can you think of that demonstrate this principle?
- Do you feel that you have a specific assignment from God? What is it?
- Spend some time praying through the verses in Colossians 1:24-29, thanking God for revealing the mystery of Christ, the hope of glory.
Sunday Rewind | 6.8.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Son of God (Psalm 145:3-4) – Beauty in the Broken by Starfield
Take My Life (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
TEACHING: Rooted, Part 2
Jesus is not just the Son of God, but He is also God. This truth is a marvelous keystone of the Christian faith, one that will cause either worship or rejection of Christ.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message that was particularly helpful or insightful? What was one thing that was difficult to understand or put into practice?
- What comes to mind when you think of the person of Jesus?
- Read and discuss Colossians 1:15-20. What do you note about the person of Christ and the characteristics of God?
- What are the implications for us as we regard the person of Christ in these verses?
- How would you explain that Jesus is God to someone who did not understand?
- Read and discuss Romans 8:1-4. What do you note about the person of Christ and the characteristics of God in these verses? What do they imply about the nature of man? What are the implications for us as we regard the person of Christ in these verses?
- What is the significance of Christ coming “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (v. 3)? Why is it important that Jesus came in flesh at all?
- What do these verses in Romans tell us about forgiveness? Do you have a hard time accepting forgiveness from others? Do you find it easier or more difficult to extend forgiveness?
- Spend some time praying through the verses in Colossians 1:15-20 and Romans 8:1-4, thanking God for sending Jesus.
Sunday Rewind | 6.1.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Psalm 16:11) – Original Arrangement
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Pearson (North Point)
TEACHING: Rooted, Part 1
As we begin a series of deep faith in the book of Colossians, we must be careful to not simply view Scripture through a 21st century mindset. The truths of the Word are meant to be lived out: Do not tame the Word of God. Let it loose, like a lion out of its cage.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message that was particularly helpful or insightful? What was one thing that was difficult to understand or put into practice?
- Read and discuss Colossians 1:1-14 . What might you observe about the nature of man from these verses? What do you note about the person of Christ and the characteristics of God? What themes do you note in Paul’s introductory comments to the church in Colossae?
- How might a “21st century mindset” dilute the depth of truth God desires to communicate through His word? Is it difficult for you to see life as Paul describes it in these verse? Why or why not?
- Epaphrus is noted as a “fellow servant” and a “faithful minister of Christ” (vv. 7-8). Who can you point to in your life that has been an Epaphrus? To whom can you be such an example?
- What is the distinction between being “better than” someone as opposed to “better off than” someone? How do these two mindsets represent the two kingdoms mentioned in Colossians 1:13?
- How does the gospel make us “better off than” but not “better than” those who do not yet know Christ?
- “Sometimes in the West, we want to argue the truth rather than live the truth.” What does this mean? Do you find it to be true?
- In what ways are we tempted to tame the Word of God?
- Spend some time thanking God for His Word and praying through these verses in Colossians 1:1-14.
Sunday Rewind | 5.11.14
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is With Us (Philippians 4:9) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
TEACHING: Revolutionary Love, Part 4
Love is always on mission, but prejudice interrupts that mission. You cannot love anyone fully if there is any prejudice in your heart toward them for any reason.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message that was particularly helpful or insightful? What was one thing that was difficult to understand or put into practice?
- “Love is always on a mission.” Do you find this to be true? Why or why not? What is the mission of love?
- Read and discuss Jonah 4. What do you observe about the nature of God? What might Jonah tell us about the nature of man? What is the point of this chapter?
- Have you ever been angry with God? What happened? How has it been resolved?
- What comes to mind when you think of the word “prejudice”? How would you define it? What forms of prejudice do you observe in our culture? What forms do you observe in our church?
- Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone else’s prejudice? How did you deal with it?
- Is there a particular people, group or affiliation that you feel a level of prejudice toward?
- How does the gospel of Jesus Christ address prejudice? How does the gospel lead and empower us away from prejudice and toward love?
- What have you learned about love through this series? What practical take-aways have you been able to implement in your walk with Jesus? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His great love and asking Him to help us put into practice what we know and what we have learned.