Pastor’s Blog

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?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Topic:  When God Messes With Your Plans

- Christmas is all about a big plan of God that turns upside down a whole lot of peoples’ plans.

- God didn’t suggest a plan to Mary and Joseph, He commanded it.  The question is, will we obey or disobey?

- God’s plan for Mary and Joseph was not easy.  The question is, will we trust Him or not?

1.)  Read Ephesians 3:8-11 and Galatians 4:4-5.  These passages speak of God’s big plan concerning Jesus.  What words or ideas in these verses describe God’s plan for your life?  Why?

2.)  Read Luke 1:31; Luke 1:38; Matthew 1:20-21; Matthew 1:24-25.  Mary and Joseph had to decide whether to obey God when He “messed” with their plans.  In what ways have you had to obey God when your plans didn’t turn out to be His plan?

3.) Read Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:33-35; Matthew 2:13.  God’s plan for Mary and Joseph was not easy.  In what ways can you relate to the difficulties that they faced?  In what ways have God’s plans for your life been difficult?

4.)  Read Matthew 7:13-14.  Why is it that the easier road leads to destruction?  What are some examples of that?  In what ways have you been tempted to take the softer, easier way when you knew God was calling you to the harder way?  What did or would have happened if you had taken the softer, easier way?

5.)  Read II Corinthians 12:8-9.  Part of God’s difficult plan for Paul was a “thorn in the flesh.”  Why was that so important in Paul’s life?  As you look back, why were the difficult things in God’s plan for you so important in your life?

6.)  Read Isaiah 43:1-2.  In this passage God encourages the Israelites as they walk through a difficult season.  As you read this passage phrase by phrase, what encouragement do you receive for difficult times?

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Topic: Hope

- What are you hoping for this Christmas?  Why do you have hope?

- Sooner or later you won’t put much hope in money/prosperity/things.

- Sooner or later you won’t put much hope in people.

- Sooner or later you won’t put much hope in yourself.

- Hopelessness or hope?

- Jesus…”a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain”

1.)  What are you hoping for this Christmas?

2.)  Read Colossians 1:27.  What is, “the hope of glory” that Paul refers to?  How does that hope of glory relate to what you are hoping for this Christmas?

3.)  Read I Timothy 6:17 and Revelation 3:17.  How have you put hope in money/prosperity/things, and how has that hope disappointed you?

4.) Read Psalm 116:11 and Psalm 27:10.  How have you put hope in people, and how has that hope disappointed you?

5.) Read Psalm 33:16-17.  How have you put hope in yourself (your ability, intelligence, strength, perseverance), and how has that hope disappointed you?

6.) Read Jeremiah 2:25.  Why did the Israelites express hopelessness?  Have you experienced that same hopelessness?

7.) Read John 1:1-5 and Hebrews 6:19-20.  As you read through these verses phrase by phrase, what do they tell us about why in Jesus we have a sure and certain hope?  In what way has Jesus been a sure and steadfast anchor of your soul?

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Topic:  God With Us

- What kind of God do you believe in?

- Do you believe in the God who knows what it’s like to be you?

- Do you believe in the God who believes in you?

1.  Read Matthew 1:18-25; John 8:41; John 8:48; John 1:45-46.  Do these glimpses of the hardships Jesus faced help you to trust Him?  If so, why?  Do you believe in this God who knows what it’s like to be you?

2.  Read Hebrews 4:15-16.  What does it mean to you to know that Jesus has been tempted in every respect as you have been?  How is the fact that Jesus was tempted in every respect related to the fact that He sits now on a throne of grace?  Do you have the confidence to draw near to Jesus that this passage speaks of?  Why or why not?

3.  Read Hebrews 5:7-8.  What do these verses say about how Jesus knows what it’s like to be you?

4.  Read Hebrews 2:11-13.  What does it mean to you to know that Jesus is not ashamed to be your brother?  Read Hebrews 2:14-15.  Jesus was willing to face the death and hell of the cross because He believed in you.  He knew He could set you free if He gave His life to destroy the devil.  What does all of this mean to you?  How does knowing this God who believes in you, inspire and empower you?  How does believing that heaven is your destination, or believing that hell is your destination affect how you live right now?

5.  Read John 3:17.  How can you keep believing in the Savior who came to save you, not condemn you; even when you’ve made very poor choices?

Sunday, November 29

Topic:  Doing the Impossible:

- You can do the impossible when you know God is with you.

- You can do the impossible when you replace your fears with faith.

- You can do the impossible when you make up your mind to serve God one

day at a time.

1.)  Read Luke 1:26-28.  Why might Mary have had a hard time believing she was a “favored one”?  What is it that makes it hard for you to believe that the Lord is with you?  Read Ephesians 2:12-13.  What does this passage say to you about whether God is with you or not?

2.)  Read Psalm 18:1-3, 6, 16-17, 27-29.  What word pictures in these verses speak to you concerning doing the impossible knowing that God is with you?  Why?

3.)  Read Luke 1:29-30.  How can Mary replace her fears with faith?  In what ways do you need to replace your fears with faith?  Read Deuteronomy 1:26-30 and Jeremiah 1:17-19.  In what ways would fear have kept the Israelites and Jeremiah from doing the impossible, and how would faith change that?  Are there applications in these verses for your life?  How so?

4.)  Read Psalm 27:1-3.  What enemies of your soul are you afraid of?  How does faith in Jesus release you from those fears, and empower you to do the impossible?

5.)  Read Luke 1:31-38.  A handmaid doesn’t know the plan for tomorrow, next week, next month, etc.  She only does what the master tells her to do today.  In what way does serving God one day at a time give you the strength to do the impossible?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

“Know this, my beloved brethren.  Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.”  James 1:19-20

Some time ago I was invited to attend a political gathering.  The featured speaker, a Christian man who serves in our State Legislature, spoke very passionately about an important issue; and while I was in total agreement with his position on the issue, I was completely put off by his presentation.  Toward the end of his remarks he stated that he would appreciate any feedback, suggestions, etc.; so when he was done I approached him and said, “Brother, I agree with you, but I don’t think you’re going to succeed.”  He said, “Why?”  I said, “Because you’re so angry.”  “But considering what’s going on,” he replied, “I should be angry.”  “Well, maybe you think you should be so angry, and talk so angrily, and act so angrily,” I answered, “but the Bible is very clear, ‘the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.’ God’s not going to let you get anywhere with all of this anger.”

How many times do we speak or act or make decisions out of anger,  and then wonder why things aren’t working out?  We fool ourselves into thinking that we have a righteous, justified anger.  After all, we say, Jesus got angry.  Exactly.  Jesus is God, and only God has enough wisdom, understanding, and clarity of vision to ever have a truly righteous, justified anger.  We think we see situations clearly, but usually we don’t; and even when we correctly perceive evil or wrong, if we respond in anger, that anger will corrupt our words and actions so that nothing good is accomplished.

What are we to do?  Ephesians 4:26-27 gives us the answer, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”  First, don’t pretend you’re not angry.  That does no good.  Second, slow down, stop; make up your mind ahead of time that you are not going to react in anger.  Third, quickly give your anger to God.  Put whatever or whoever you are angry with in God’s hands right away, and repeatedly if necessary.  Fourth, remember who is ready to pounce if you ignore steps one, two, and three.

Prayer:  Father, please replace my anger with peace, that I might work Your righteousness in this world.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.