Sunday Rewind | 3.17.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
The Solid Rock (Psalm 18:2) – Original Arrangement
Beautiful Jesus (Romans 1:20) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: A Word to the Wise – Part 2
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Words are a signature of the soul, and the weight and power our words carry is directly proportional to the relationship you have with that person. Do you use your words wisely?
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
ARTICLES
Here are links to Pastor Mike’s articles on encouragement, which he referenced during this week’s sermon.
- Why We Need to Encourage & Be Encouraged: http://bit.ly/dBcx0o
- How to Encourage: http://bit.ly/bEOP78
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What principle, insight or idea struck you as particularly helpful, insightful or difficult to grasp?
- What verses in Scripture can you think of that deal with the power of words? What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do you see about the nature of God? Do you observe anything in these verses regarding characteristics of wisdom?
- How have you personally seen or experienced the power of words and speech in a positive way? In a negative way?
- “Words are the signature of the soul.” Can you think of any examples where you’ve observed this?
- How can intellect and wisdom be at odds regarding how we use our words?
- How does the Gospel help us grow in wisdom in how we use our words?
- Who is someone you can impact in a positive way this week though the power of your words? Share with your small group and plan to follow up on this the next time you meet.
Sunday Rewind | 3.10.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley Of Vision by Sovereign Grace Music
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Your Love Oh Lord (Psalm 36:7) – Offerings by Third Day
I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Pearson Shelton (North Point)
Lord Of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: A Word to the Wise – Part 1
Intellect does not always equal wisdom. Wisdom is a skill for living, the proper application of knowledge. Wisdom dictates that we see life as it really is, and the only way to do this is through the lens of God’s word.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What principle, insight or idea struck you as particularly helpful, insightful or difficult to grasp?
- How would you define wisdom? How is this different from intelligence?
- Read and discuss Proverbs 1. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do you see about the nature of God? What do you observe about the characteristics of wisdom?
- Have you ever done or said something that seemed smart at the time, but was not wise?
- “Wisdom does not guarantee that you won’t have problems in life. But it will guarantee you won’t be the cause of those problems.” Can you think of any examples where you’ve observed this?
- Read and discuss 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. How does the Gospel of Jesus Christ lead us to the ultimate wisdom?
- Can you think of a situation in your life right now where it is difficult to distinguish between the letter of the law (intellect) and the spirit of the law (wisdom)? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
Sunday Rewind | 3.3.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Great In All The Earth (Psalm 47:1-2) – I Will Go by Starfield
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Sound of Melodies by Leeland
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Original Arrangement
Give Me Your Eyes – What If We by Brandon Heath
TEACHING: Lights, Camera, Reaction – Part 2
Even though we buy into the lie that God only uses super-gifted, super-talented people, He does extraordinary things through ordinary people all the time. We have opportunities to act not because God needs us, but because He wants us.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you were to give a one-line summary of this message, what would it be?
- Have you ever had a “Who, me?” moment? What happened?
- Read and discuss Esther 4. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What stands out to you as the major characteristics of Esther and Mordecai?Where might you see the invisible hand of God at work in these scriptures?
- “God does extraordinary things through ordinary people all the time.” What examples can you think of?
- Do you believe God can use you for Kingdom purposes? Why or why not?
- “Not every opportunity set before us is from God.” How can we discern if an opportunity is from God or not?
- How does Esther’s story point us to Jesus?
- Are there any opportunities God has opened or is opening in your life “for such a time as this”? How will you respond? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
Sunday Rewind | 2.17.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Grace Is Enough (Ephesians 2:8-9) – Arriving by Chris Tomlin
Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28-29) – See The Morning by Chris Tomlin
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Mighty To Save by Hillsong
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Galatians 6:14) – See What A Morning by Stuart Townend
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 6
PART 6: THE ARMOR OF GOD – Perhaps the greatest strategy the enemy has against the church is to sideline Christians by making us comfortable to the point that we have no impact on the world around us. But God provides all we need for the battle, and He provides the victory.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this message you hope to discuss as a group?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 6:10-20. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they tell us about our enemy? What do they tell us about God?
- How does our culture tend to present Satan as a fairytale character? How are we prone to fall into that trap?
- How does Satan sideline Christians, making us ineffective for the Kingdom of Light?
- Has there ever been a season in your Christian pilgrimage where you have felt sidelined? What happened?
- How does the Gospel empower us to get off the sidelines and engage in “the forgotten war”?
- In his sermon “Getting Used to the Dark,” Vance Havner points out how easy it is for Christ-followers to become desensitized to darkness in our lives. Is there an area in your own life where you’ve gotten used to the darkness? What would it look like to move from darkness to light in that area? How might the Gospel enable that move?
- As you have gone through this teaching series, what have been some big take-aways for you? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about how God might have you practically apply what you have learned.
VIDEO: Whom Shall I Fear
As we prepare to close out our series on The Forgotten War, it’s plain to see that our takeaway centers around the pure truth of the Word of God and our obedience to Christ. We are in a constant struggle between the war of two kingdoms – the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light. We must see this conflict through the eyes of Scripture in order to engage as children of the Kingdom of Light. Satan’s tactics follow the same pattern nearly every time; a combination of doubt, direct contradictions of the Word of God, and half-truths. He works diligently to set up strongholds of shame, keeping us captive in hopelessness.
But there is hope. And He is God. He crushes the enemy under our feet. He is our sword and shield in times of trouble. Who is left to fear? We know who goes before us. We know who stands behind us. He is the God of Angel Armies And He is by our side, reigning forever.
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though trouble lingers still
Whom shall I fearI know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful
The God of angel armies is always by my side
Sunday Rewind | 2.3.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
All Creatures of Our God and King (Psalm 148:13) – Original Arrangement
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 4
PART 4: KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT – We are in constant struggle between the war of two kingdoms – the Kingdom of Darkness, or the world system, and the Kingdom of Light. We must see this conflict through the eyes of Scripture in order to engage as children of the Kingdom of Light.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you were to give a one-sentence version of this message, what would it be?
- Read and discuss 1 John 5:18-21. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they tell us about God?
- What is “spiritual sight”? Why is it important? How do we get it?
- What is the Kingdom of Darkness? What is the Kingdom of Light?
- What strategies, devices & tactics does the Kingdom of Darkness use to blind our minds and neutralize us? How does Scripture answer these?
- What strategies, devices and tactics does the Kingdom of Light employ? What role does the church play in this?
- “Wherever a child of the kingdom goes, they bring the kingdom with them.” Where might God be calling you to bring the kingdom? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
The Green Room Sessions: Forever Reign
Here’s the latest installment of The Green Room Sessions, introducing the song Forever Reign, from Hillsong. We’ll be introducing this during worship services on Sunday, January 27. Enjoy!
VIDEO: Oh How I Need You
Since so many of you requested a copy of the special song performed in our January 6 worship services, we put this little video together for you. Here is Erik, Jesse and Melody performing Oh How I Need You by All Sons & Daughters. Enjoy!
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
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?
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.