Pastor’s Blog

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Captivity:  Fear

- Break the captivity of fear by trusting in the promises of God.

- Break the captivity of fear by trusting that God knows what He’s doing.

- Break the captivity of fear by remembering what slavery is like.

1.)  Read Genesis 46:1-7; Exodus 1:8-14; Exodus 2:23-25.  Does it seem to you that God broke His promise to Israel?  Why, or why not?  Have there been times in your life when it seemed to you as if God had broken His promises to you?  If so, why did it seem that way?  Pastor Craig stated, “You have a choice, fear or faith.”  How does faith set you free from the captivity of fear?

2.)  Read Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 18:27; Romans 8:28; I John 1:9.  As you read these passages one by one, describe the way that these promises applied to the Israelites’ in Egypt, and the way they apply to your life.  In what ways does trusting in each of these promises set you free from the captivity of fear?

3.)  Read Exodus 14:10-22.  The Israelites had to trust that God knew what He was doing when He told them to walk through the sea with the walls of water on either side of them.  What experiences have you had when it seemed like walking through the Red Sea?  If the Israelites had given in to their fears, what do you think they would have done?  Moses spoke words of courage and faith to them.  What persons in your life speak those words of courage and faith to you?

4.)  Read II Corinthians 1:8-10.  Paul could have been traumatized by his experience in Asia (he was thrown to the lions by the Romans) and become paralyzed by fear, always expecting the worst.  What was it that kept him from that captivity?  How can we have the same kind of faith that Paul had, trusting that God knows what He’s doing in all the ups and downs of our lives?

5.)  Read Exodus 16:1-3.  What was it that caused the Israelites to paint an unrealistic, “rosy picture” of their experience in Egypt?  Why are we so prone to be in denial about the consequences of our sin?  What does the message of the cross say to you about denial and freedom from fear?

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Captivity: shame

- Shame can keep persons in captivity.

- There is a good and necessary kind of shame; and there is a toxic, captivity-producing kind of shame.  You have a choice - when shame comes, what will you do with it?

- Jesus took our sin, shame, and guilt upon Himself on the cross.  You have a choice, will you believe that or not?

- Jesus is a mighty warrior fighting against the spiritual hosts of wickedness that would oppress you with toxic shame.  You have a choice, will you give your oppressors to Jesus or not?

1.)  Read Jeremiah 3:22-25.  It’s clear the Israelites wanted to return to the Lord, and understood how foolish and sinful their behavior had been; yet shame held them captive in their sin.  Why?  What do you see in verses 24 and 25 that answer that question?  In what ways has shame held you, or some loved one, in captivity?

2.)  Read Jeremiah 8:4-6, 12 and II Corinthians 7:9-10.  What is the difference between good, necessary shame; and toxic, captivity-producing shame?  What is it that we can do with shame so that it isn’t toxic?

3.)  Read John 8:2-11.  Think of all possible answers to the question, what would have made it easy for the woman to believe that Jesus did not condemn her; and what would have made it hard for her to believe that Jesus did not condemn her?  What is the connection between His words, “Neither do I condemn you” and, “go, and do not sin again” ?

4.)  Read Psalm 103:10-12; Isaiah 43:25; I John 1:8-9.  Do you have trouble believing that God has so thoroughly forgiven your sin?  Why, or why not?

5.)  Read Zephaniah 3:17-19.  Are there “flesh and blood” oppressors who keep you in shame (in other words, are there persons who heap shame upon you)?  Are there spiritual oppressors that keep you in shame?  In what way is Jesus a mighty warrior fighting these oppressors for you?  In what ways can we give our oppressors to Jesus?

Sunday, February 21

Captivity

- Is will-power the answer for all the challenges, difficulties, opportunities, etc., of life?  No.

- Who are the people God won’t help?  Nobody.

- At what point will God give up on you?  Not in this life.

1.)  Read Zechariah 9:11-12.  We begin this series of teachings with a word of hope: in the “blood of the covenant” there is hope for the captives.  Have  you experienced hopelessness in the face of of some captivity in your life or the life of a loved one?  If so, describe the reasons why you felt hopeless.

2.)  Read Romans 7:15-23.  In what ways has will-power helped you to succeed in the challenges of life, and in what ways has will-power failed you?  Do you relate to Paul’s words, “I can will what is right, but I cannot do it” (verse 18)?  Why, or why not?  Why is it that will-power seems to be enough in certain areas of life, but not others?  Why are those areas different from one person to another?

3.) Read John 8:31-36.  Why did Jesus’ listeners believe that they had, “never been in bondage to any one”, when in fact they had been in slavery in both Egypt and Babylon; and, as Jesus pointed out, they were slaves to sin?  In what ways do we have that same false belief about ourselves?

4.)  Read Matthew 15:21-28.  Pastor Craig stated that Jesus’ words held a mirror before the Canaanite woman, forcing her to examine what she believed about herself.  Why could she have easily believed that she would not receive help from Jesus?  Why do you think she did choose to believe that He would help her?  Do you believe that Jesus will help you?  Why, or why not?  How about some loved one you are concerned about?

5.)  Read  II Chronicles 33:1-13.  Do you believe there is a point at which God will no longer help someone?  If so, what is that point, and why?

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Why Should We Care For Orphans?

-….because we are all orphans.

-…because God has been very good to us.

-…because huge blessings come when you give as it has been given to you.

1.)  Read Isaiah 1:12-17.  Israel was not caring for the poor, the widows, and the orphans; and thus God was not at all pleased with their worship, prayers, etc.  In what ways do you see this playing out today?  in your own life?  in the life of the Church?

2.)  Read Galatians 4:3-7 and Romans 9:25-26.  What does it mean to you to know that you were an orphan adopted by God?  What does that say to you about your identity as a person?  How does knowing that you were an orphan adopted by God affect how you relate to others?  how you relate to the orphans of the world?

3.)  Read Ezekiel 16:1-6.  In this graphic metaphor God speaks to an abandoned infant and says, “Live”.  In what way did God speak that word to your life?  In what ways do you as an individual, or we as a church, speak that word to others?

4.)  Read Ephesians 5:1-2.  Pastor Craig stated that we are to care for orphans, the elderly, and the poor because God has been very good to us.  Why is it so hard to remember how good God has been to us?  In what ways have you tried to imitate God and His love for us?

5.)  Read Deuteronomy 10:17-19 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22.  God commanded the Israelites to make financial sacrifices for the sake of the widows, the orphans, the poor, and the sojourners; and reminded them of what He had done for them when they were slaves in Egypt.  How do you connect to these scriptures?   Though we were slaves to sin , and Jesus made a huge sacrifice to set us free; yet so often we aren’t very motivated by that?  Why?

6.)  Read Isaiah 58:7-10.  Why is it that such tremendous blessings come to those who care for others who are in need?  How have you seen the truth of this scripture played out in life?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

a study of the apostles’ creed: life and death

 - If you know that when you die you will stand before God and give account of yourself to Him, you are motivated to make the most of the time He has given you.

 - If you know that Jesus has broken the power of death, you will never give up.

 - If you know that perfect joy is coming to you, you will be at peace when there is sadness and disappointment in your life now.

1.)  Read Luke 12:16-21.  The farmer wastes an opportunity to use his prosperity to bless others, choosing instead a path of self-centeredness.  What opportunities to bless others have you missed because of self-centeredness?  Do you agree with Pastor Craig’s statement that knowing you will one day be judged by God motivates you to make the most of the time God has given you now?  Why or why not?  The farmer in Jesus’ story finds himself very suddenly and unexpectedly standing before God.  Is it difficult for you to keep the unpredictability of life in mind?  Why or why not?

2.)  Read Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 and Ephesians 5:15-16.  Solomon describes very powerfully the unpredictability of life.  How does that unpredictability affect you?  Does it hinder you in doing what God asks you to do in life?  Why or why not?  The Apostle Paul also reflects that unpredictability in his phrase, “the days are evil”.  For him it is a motivation to work all the harder at makng the most of the time.  Why?  How do you see that working?

3.)  Read Job 10:1-3, 18-22.  How does Job’s understanding of death affect his response to the trials he is facing in life?  Have you had wrong understandings of death that have negatively affected how you were living? 

4.)  Read Philippians 1:19-21.  What does Paul mean when he says, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”?  Paul had experienced severe trials, and was currently in a very difficult prison facing potential death, yet he didn’t give up on striving to do all that God was asking him to do.  Why? 

5.)  Read I Corinthians 15:19-22, 58.  How does all that Paul says about our hope of resurrection relate to the phrase in verse 58, “knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” ?

6.)  Read Isaiah 35:10.  Pastor Craig stated, “If you know that perfect joy is coming to you, you will be at peace in the sadnesses and disappointments of life now.”  Do you agree with that?  Why or why not?  Critics say that Christians’ belief in heaven cause them to be apathetic in making this world a better place.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  How so?

Sunday, January 31, 2010

a study of the apostles’ creed: forgiveness

- Do you believe that God has forgiven your sin?

- Have you forgiven those who have done you wrong?

1.)  The heart of the sermon this week was the story of King David’s biggest mistake, and how that mistake affected him decades later (the story unfolds in chapters 11 to 18 of II Samuel).  Pastor Craig identified II Samuel 13:21 (”When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.”)  as the critical moment of the story.  Although he was angry, King David was unable to do anything or even speak up against the sexual immorality and the violence taking root in his family because he didn’t truly believe that he was forgiven the immorality and violence of his younger years.  Read Psalm 51:1-2 and Psalm 32:1-4. Why is it so hard to believe that God does truly forgive our sins?  How would you define the word forgiveness?  Can you describe a time when you found it very hard to believe that you were forgiven?

2.)  Read I John 1:9-2:2.  What does true confession of sin look like and not look like?

3.)  Read Colossians 1:21-23.  Why is forgiveness our deepest need, in this life and for eternity?  How do you know when you are forgiven?

4.)  Read Matthew 6:14-15 and Ephesians 4:31-5:2.  Why is it so hard to forgive?  Why does an unwillingness to forgive prevent us from receiving forgiveness?  How do we find the strength to forgive?  Can you tell a story about a time when you found it very hard to forgive, but found the strength to do so in Jesus?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

a study of the Apostles’ Creed: the church

 - I believe in the Church because Jesus is building the Church in every generation to protect His people.

 - I believe in the Church because Jesus not only knocks down the wall we build between ourselves and God, but He also knocks down the walls we build between one another; and, Church is where that happens.

 - I believe in the Church because Jesus’ number one commandment is to love, and you cannot learn how to love alone.

1.)  Read Matthew 16:13-20, Hebrews 10:23-25, Galatians 6:1-2.  What do you see in these passages about why Jesus builds His Church?  Pastor Craig spoke of Jesus building the Church to protect His people: what do you see in these passages that indicates that?  Have you felt protected by being a part of Jesus’ Church?  Why or why not?  In what ways can we best protect one another?

2.)  Read Acts 10:1-48.  In what ways have you experienced Jesus knocking down walls between persons?  In this passage, do you feel more like Cornelius or Peter?  Why?  In what ways does this passage challenge you?  Pastor Craig spoke of divisions between rich and poor, educated and uneducated, “good” and “bad”; he also spoke of divisions of race, divisions of unforgiveness, divisions of jealousy, etc.  What wall or division in your life would you like persons to pray for you about?

3.)  Read 1 Peter 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.  Jesus builds the Church so that we learn how to love one another.  In what ways has Church given you the opportunity to learn how to love?  Pastor Craig semi-jokingly stated that Church is supposed to be annoying so that we learn how to love people who annoy us, let us down, do us wrong, etc.  What has been your experience?  What does it take to “hold unfailing your love for one another”?  Pastor Craig spoke of church that becomes “religion Inc.” as opposed to church that does the “messy” work of love.  Why is love messy?  What is hard about it?  What do you see in these passages that speak of how difficult love is?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

a study of the Apostles’ Creed:  the Holy Spirit

 - I believe in the Holy Spirit because I believe God comes to the deepest places in the human heart.

 - I believe in the Holy Spirit because I believe God speaks to His children.

 - I believe in the Holy Spirit because I believe God gives strength beyond themselves to His children.

1.)  Read John 3:1-8  and Ezekiel 36:26.  What is it about Nicodemus that is preventing him from seeing and being a part of the kingdom of God?  What is the birth of the Spirit that Jesus is speaking of?  Describe your own experience of being born anew by the Spirit of God.   What has it meant to you to have the presence of God’s Spirit abiding within you?

2.)  Read Acts 13:1-4 and Acts 16:6-10.  In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit speaking to you?   Describe a time when God spoke to you about how you were to do something.  Describe a time when God spoke to you about changing direction.  Did you listen?  Why or why not?

3.)  Read Romans 8:15-17.  When we fall back into the slavery of fear, what does the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts; and how does that set us free from fear?  What does the Spirit say to us about our times of suffering?

4.)  Read John 14:25-26.  Pastor Craig stated that if we will consistently read the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will speak to us by bringing to our remembrance His words when we need them.  Have you experienced this?  If so, how?  Did you listen?  Why or why not?

5.)  Read Judges 6:11-16.  Describe how Gideon disputed what the Lord said to him.  In what ways have you done the same?  When Gideon stated that his clan was the least in their tribe, and that he was the least in his family (weakest?  smallest?  poorest?  least educated?  least influential?); God didn’t dispute that, but God told Gideon nevertheless to go lead the Israelites in battle.  Why?  In what ways have you experienced a strength beyond yourself, the strength of the Holy Spirit, in the battles of life that you have had to fight?

Sunday, January 10, 2010

a study of the Apostles’ Creed: Jesus

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord…..

- Would it be easier if we just believed in God?  Does believing in Jesus complicate things?

- I believe in Jesus because he knows exactly what it’s like to be me.

- I believe in Jesus because He was willing to die for me.

- I believe in Jesus because the One who died for me is worthy to judge me.

1.  Read Luke 4:16-30.  When He was here on this earth in the flesh, and to this very day Jesus has always been controversial.  Why?  What kind of antagonism to Jesus have you personally witnessed?

2.  Read I Peter 2:6-8.  Pastor Craig voiced the question that many raise - would it be easier and less complicated if we all just believed in God, but not specifically in Jesus?  What is it in I Peter 2:6-8 that makes it clear that we can’t do that?

3.  Pastor Craig stated, “I believe in Jesus because He knows exactly what it’s like to be me.”   Read Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:7-8; and Hebrews 2:11.  As you read each passage discuss what it says about how Jesus understands what it’s like to be us, and discuss why that’s important to you personally.  Unlike the distant or detached gods and prophets of the various religions of the world, Jesus (fully God and fully human) has “walked in your shoes”.  How does that affect your faith in Him and  your love for Him?

4.  Read Matthew 16:13-23.  Go deep with this question - why did Peter try to stop Jesus from going to the cross?  Why do people today not want to believe in a Savior who died for them?

5.  Read Philippians 2:5-8.  Pastor Craig stated, “I believe in Jesus because He was willing to die for me.”  The Philippians passage tells us that Jesus humbled Himself.  Does that humility make you want to believe in Him, love Him, trust Him?  Why or why not?  Why is Jesus’ death on the cross so offensive to so many?

6.  Read Revelation 5:6-10.  Why was Jesus worthy to receive the scroll from the Father?  Pastor Craig stated, “I believe in Jesus because the One who died for me is worthy to judge me.”  Do you, or others you know, have a hard time believing in a day of Final Judgment?  Why?  Does it make a difference to remember that the One who will judge you died for you and went to hell for you?  Why or why not?

Sunday, January 3, 2010

topic:  a study of the Apostles Creed: I Believe

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth….

- I believe in God because it makes no sense not to believe in God.

- I believe in God because the most important things are the unseen things.

- I believe in God because I know I need God.

1.)  Read Romans 1:19-21.  Why does it make no sense not to believe in God?  How is God’s “eternal power and deity….clearly perceived in the things that have been made”?  Do you agree with Pastor Craig’s statement that everyone knows there is a God?  Why or why not?  Does this passage support that statement?  Did you ever deny the existence of God, though you knew in your heart He does exist?  If so, how did that denial affect your life?  Paul said, “they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.”  How?  Why?

2.)  Read II Chronicles 32:6-15.  The people of Judah had a choice; would they trust in the unseen God or would they surrender to the fearsome armies of Assyria that they could see?  Seen or unseen?  In what ways have you had to make that choice?  Have the tragedies of this world that you could see with your eyes caused you to doubt the existence of God who you could not see?  Why or why not?  Pastor Craig stated, “I believe in God because the most important things are unseen.”  What does that statement mean to you?  How does it relate to the Chronicles passage?

3.)  Read John 1:5 and II Corinthians 4:16-18.  What words or phrases in these passages encourage you to keep your faith in God even in the face of tragedy, hardship, disappointment, etc.?

4.)  Read Luke 12:16-21.  In the sermon Pastor Craig said that without God he would become just as much of a fool as the man in this parable.  How is that true in your life?

5.)  Read Romans 3:10-17 and I Timothy 1:15.  No one wants God.  The question is, do you know you need God?  “I believe in God because I know I need God.”  How do you relate to that statement?