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.
Set List: Evening of Worship
Many of you have asked for a copy of the set list from our last Evening of Worship (July 11, 2014). Ask and you shall receive:
With Us (Hillsong)
Unstoppable God (Elevation Worship)
I Will Look Up (Elevation Worship)
Your Great Name (Natalie Grant)
Be Thou My Vision (Heartsong)
Lord I Need You (Matt Maher)
Cornerstone (Hillsong)
Glorious (Paul Baloche)
Open Up The Heavens (Meredith Andrews)
Christ Is Enough (Hillsong)
Come Thou Fount (RBC)
Closer (Hillsong)
Always (Kristian Stanfill)
Great And Mighty King (Elevation Worship)
Lord of All (Kristian Stanfill)
Sunday Rewind | 7.13.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Seek and You Shall Be Satisfied
Any journey worth taking, or any task worth doing, will be difficult. We will be tempted to cut corners or settle for something less. This is especially true in our relationship with God. Psalm 63 gives us permission to struggle in our relationship with God, but not to give up or settle for something less.
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?
- “Our hearts are too stubborn to obey more than one thing at a time.” Do you find this to be true in your life?
- Read and discuss Psalm 63. What do these verses indicate about man? What do they tell us about God? What do you note about seeking God from these verses?
- Why is it significant that David was in the wilderness when he wrote this psalm? Have you ever experienced spiritual wilderness?
- Why are we tempted to cut corners in life? How do we tend to cut corners in seeking God?
- “Many Christians have never been given permission to struggle in their relationships with God.” What does this mean? Can you identify with this? Why or why not?
- What “snares” can you identify in your life that choke life out of your relationship with God?
- How does the gospel of Jesus both enable and encourage us as we seek God and struggle in our relationship with Him?
- Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for His faithfulness to us in Christ and for the promise of satisfaction we have in Him.
Let Us Worship Together
The heart of life of any Christian community is worship. It strengthens, it deepens, and it unifies. As Christians, our hearts are in a constant war over our worship – a war between the totality of God’s inhabitance in our hearts and everything else in our lives. Boiled down, our worship is all about value. It is our response to what we value most. Christ is the only one worthy of our praise. He is the only one worthy of our worship. He is our value. We are called to respond to God’s incredible revelations in our lives through worship and prayer and community. That calling is an awesome privilege and it’s our prayer that we would all be stirred to have an intense desire to obey that calling – if for no other reason but because it matters to our God, our Creator.
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Through Christ you can breathe again; inhaling the wonder of God that always surrounds you, exhaling words and deeds of praise that reflect all of who He is. Join us this Friday at 6:30 in the auditorium for an extended time of worship… praising God together with one voice.
Sunday Rewind | 7.6.14
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
You Never Let Go (Psalm 23:4) – Beautiful News by Matt Redman
TEACHING: The Armor of God
The lie the enemy whispers in our ear is almost always some form of “God could never love you.” If you try to defend yourself with the armor of your own attributes, you’ll believe the lie every time – but God offers a better armor, and in Christ, the sin you cannot forget, God cannot remember.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 6:10-20. What do these verses tell you about man? About Satan? About God?
- How would you describe the battle mankind is engaged in, based on these verses?
- What does this spiritual battle tend to look like for you personally? What specific “flaming darts” are you currently dealing with (v. 16)?
- Do you ever feel the pressure to “hide behind a version of yourself”? Where does this pressure come from? Does the source of this pressure align with the truth of the scriptures?
- “Our greatest fear is to be known and to be rejected.” Do you find this to be true in your life? Do you find it difficult to let others know “the real you”? Why or why not?
- Do you ever find yourself defending yourself with the armor of your own attributes?
- “God could never love you.” How does the gospel address this lie?
- How does the armor of God in Ephesians 6 point us to Jesus?
- Send some time in prayer thanking God that He knows us and loves us. Pray for His redemptive perspective on any “flaming darts” you may be dealing with.
Sunday Rewind | 6.29.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – The Death of Death by Charlie Hall
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
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: Free to Worship
God has set us free to worship Him, but freedom requires sacrifice and a generous heart.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- How did this message change or enhance your understanding of worship?
- What does it mean to be “free to worship”? What Scripture comes to mind that displays this freedom?
- Do you keep a few idols in the “closet” of your heart? What are they? How do these idols or “impostors” hinder your worship of the true God?
- Read Isaiah 45:14-25. Do these verses inspire you to worship? How do they speak to God’s worth, and the worthlessness of idols?
- In 2 Samuel 24:24, David says, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” Why does our freedom to worship require sacrifice?
- How can you keep your possessions from possessing you, and thus drawing you away from worship? How can you encourage others to serve God rather than mammon?
- What are some practical ways you can stretch yourself in being generous to God?
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.