Sunday Rewind | 11.3.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – The I Heart Revolution by Hillsong
TEACHING: Philippians: A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 4
At the end of the first chapter of Philippians, Paul introduces a glorious tension that all Christ-followers should feel to some degree.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this teaching that you hope to discuss as a group?
- Read and discuss Philippians 1:22-30. What themes do you see in these verses? What “glorious tension” is Paul wrestling with here?
- Why does Paul rejoice, even though he is “in chains”? What application can we glean from this for our own lives?
- Paul seems assured that when he departs this life, he will be with Christ. How can he be so sure? Are you sure? Why or why not?
- Can you think of anyone who has departed to be with Christ, but who had planted gospel “seeds” in your life?
- What gospel “seeds” do you think you will leave behind when you depart this world?
- What does it mean to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (v. 27)?
- “All real forgiveness costs you.” What does forgiveness cost those who extend it?
- Is there someone you need to reach out in humility, love and forgiveness? How can you carry those supernatural qualities into that relationship or situation and let Jesus be your advocate? Spend some time in prayer for this with your small group.
Event Update: Trunk-or-Treat
Two years ago, it snowed for Trunk-or-Treat, forcing our event indoors. Last year, Hurricane Sandy (also known as “Frankenstorm”) shut us down completely. This year, we trusted the weather would cooperate. While it was challenging to set up with the crazy wind, we tied, taped and bungeed everything down and were ready to go by 6:00pm last Thursday evening. Finally the winds blissfully died down… only for it to begin to rain.
Many thanks to all who didn’t let being slightly damp put a damper on the evening. We had 32 spots filled with decorations, games, and wonderful people in costumes giving out candy to the hundreds of children who came out to trick-or-treat with us. I have to admit, I had my doubts about how many people would venture out on a windy and rainy night with their kids in costumes – but as usual, the Lord showed me what a waste of time worrying is. Lots and lots of kids and parents dressed in costumes and ready to spend a safe, fun-filled evening with their family arrived in spite of the off-and-on rain. After playing games and trick-or-treating, the children were treated to hay rides, candied apples and popcorn, and fun Halloween crafts. Several hundred of our surrounding neighbors and friends from Guilford came out for the fun.
Our parking “spots” were amazingly creative with Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter, Captain America and the Avengers, Batman, aliens, the Pumpkinmobile, a photo booth, and Duck Dynasty – just to name a few.
A HUGE THANKS to everyone that helped – set up, clean up, food, crafts, hayrides and of course the parking spots. It takes a lot of help to put on an event like this, and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers. I think it’s safe to say that everyone went home “Happy, happy, happy!”
Event Update: Community Yard Sale
Thank you to all who donated items, picked up furniture, sorted and priced, and worked the day of our recent Community Yard Sale. We raised over $6500 to put into our Community Ministries – but even more importantly, we saw God meet specific needs in the body.
In spite of the rain, we had a great turnout and people were blessed to be able to purchase clothing and household items for their families at very affordable prices. I was able to help one woman choose Christmas presents for her extended family – things that were beautiful and special but that she would not have been able to afford to buy from stores. We watched as a young family purchased furniture that they desperately needed, plus a few toys for their young children. One woman bought armfuls of clothing to send back to her homeland, where even after she pays the shipping costs the clothes were still less expensive than if her family members bought them in their country.
It was a lot of work, but the Lord used it for His glory and to further His kingdom. Thank you to all who played a part in making this event happen.
TRAIL GUIDE: Static on the Line
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
FIVE BY FIVE*, LESSON 4: God answers prayer.
When our Internet connection or phone connection quality takes a dive, we typically begin a process of troubleshooting. We might start by rebooting. We then move to check all of our connections to confirm they are firmly in place. Then we confirm our settings and passwords. When that doesn’t work we’ll find a way to contact our service provider and pursue a solution until our connection is restored. What is our troubleshooting process when we sense that God is not hearing (by hearing, I mean in the active sense of hearing and responding) our prayers?
Our owners’ manual gives us some things to check on. In Psalm 66:18-19, the psalmist gives us the first and easiest place to look for trouble. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” Is there some area of my life that I have intentionally held on to and not surrendered to Christ? Do I have some “pet sin” that I am trying to hang on to? Maybe that’s not the problem. Perhaps I have some unresolved issue with a brother or sister in Christ? According to Matthew 5:24 we should first reconcile ourselves to our brothers before we come into communion with the Lord. Another place to look for trouble is in the heart behind the prayer. James the brother of Jesus tells us that sometimes we don’t receive what we have asked of the Lord because our motives are wrong. Why are we praying the way we are praying? Are we really praying in keeping with God’s will or for some other purpose?
If all of these things check out, we need to remember what God promises in regard to prayer. He promises an answer (yes, no, or wait) and He promises peace. In Philippians 4:7, He says that when we present our requests to Him in thanksgiving we will receive his peace regardless of the answer. Where God’s sovereignty and the prayers of his people meet and work together is a mystery, but of this we can be sure, prayer molds our relationship with God, prayer moves God to action and prayer changes things. This is the great privilege of the believer, to enter in to the presence of God and participate in the eternal purposes of God in prayer. “So let us keep on coming boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.. -James 5:16
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Philippians 4:6-7
Matthew 5:24
Psalm 66:18-19
James 4:3, 5:16
*What does “5 by 5” mean? In spoken communication over two-way radios, a transmitting station may request a report on the quality of signal they are broadcasting. “Five by five” means a signal that has excellent strength and perfect clarity — the most understandable signal possible.
Sunday Rewind | 10.27.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman
O Worship the King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Shelton (North Point)
TEACHING: Philippians: A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 3
Though Paul is “in chains” as he writes to the Philippian church, the gospel continues to advance.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this teaching that you found particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?
- Read and discuss Philippians 1:12-21. What themes do you see in these verses? What can you glean about the nature of man? What do you observe about the nature of the Gospel? What do you observe about Paul’s character?
- Why does Paul rejoice, even though he is “in chains”? What application can we glean from this for our own lives?
- Paul indicates that because of his imprisonment, others are becoming bolder for Christ (v. 14). Why does the church seem to expand with the presence of persecution?
- If you had to pick a signature verse for your life, what would it be? Why?
- How would you fill in blanks? “For me, to live is ________, and to die is ________.”
- In what ways are you “in prison” or “in chains”? How does the gospel address this? How might the gospel still be advanced despite those chains? Spend some time in prayer for this with your small group.
The Missing Peace: Q & A, Part 3
This is the third and final Q & A post from The Missing Peace teaching series. The first Q & A post is here. The second post is here. Thanks again to all who submitted questions for this series! We pray it has been helpful and encouraging as you walk with Jesus
– Jason VanDorsten & Jason Goetz
Can you elaborate on what Jesus meant when he said he did not come to bring peace, but a sword?
Jason VanDorsten – I figured that some us may be thinking back to week one, when Goetz touched on that fact that Jesus, the Prince of Peace said that he did not actually come to bring peace, but a sword. This is from Matthew 10:34-36: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.”
I remember reading those verses for the first time as a very young Christian and thinking something along the lines of “…WHAAAAAT?!” I was so confused. How is it that the Prince of Peace brings a sword for war and divides people who should love each other?
I would say that the sword Jesus brings is not a physical one. In fact, when Peter draws a physical sword on behalf of Jesus in Matthew 26, Jesus rebukes him, telling him to put it away because “all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Instead of a physical sword, the sword Jesus refers to here is a spiritual one, one that will divide and sever broken human relationships that are resistant to a reconciled relationship with the living God.
Jesus is making the point that although he brings real peace with God (and we as peacemakers offer real peace with God in Christ to others), it will bring relational division, conflict and even war. As we’ve said, we tend to think of peace in terms of absence – no pain, no conflict, no noise. Maybe we think of peace in terms of people shutting up – parents, a boss, a teacher, those guys on stage at church while Pastor Mike is gone (bless their hearts!) Out of our fallen natures and the residual “old self” that resides within even regenerated believers (see Romans 6-7), we all lean toward some form of personal “peace” that basically asserts, LET ME DO WHAT I WANT TO DO, LET ME BE FILLED WITH WHAT I WANT TO FILL MY LIFE WITH, LET ME ESTABLISH MY OWN KINGDOM WITH MY OWN RULES. Anything that gets in the way of the kingdom we are trying to set up for ourselves disturbs our version of peace, whatever that may look like for each of us.
I think Jesus is saying here in Matthew 10:34-36 that he didn’t come for that. He did not live and die and rise again for our tiny little definition of peace. He did not come to establish our kingdom, but His Father’s kingdom.
As we’ve said throughout the series, true peace – shalom – is not the kind of peace that man naturally wants or desires. Our human definitions of peace are too narrow, our goals fall too short. So when we come to the table with the gospel, declaring God’s terms of surrender found in repentance, God’s terms of believing the gospel of Christ, we find a violent opposition – sometimes from within, sometimes from without.
Why this opposition? Because I do not naturally want to surrender to the truth of the gospel as it involves acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord & King of all – including all of me. The gospel is a call to submit to Someone other than myself and the idols I set up as I build my own little kingdom. So there is a violent opposition between God’s terms of peace in Christ and the terms of peace we want. Therefore until repentance comes in man’s heart, by God’s grace, there will be no peace. And that gets back to the light/darkness topic addressed in the first Q & A session, under the question “Why would peacemakers be persecuted?”
Being a light in dark places will make enemies even of those even in your own household if they love the darkness.
How can we make peace with a fallen world – Is this even possible?
Jason Goetz – Unfortunately, it is not possible to make true shalom peace with individuals who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord. It is only possible to make shalom peace when both parties hold to the same standard – the Gospel. Without both parties acknowledging Jesus as Lord and desiring to honor Him, you’ll always have one side that is pursuing a counterfeit peace. This counterfeit peace may appear to be shalom, but it is always full of their own desires (Isaiah 64:6) – the desire to avoid conflict, the desire to be liked, the desire for others to “return the favor”, etc. Though we cannot make true shalom peace with those that don’t follow Jesus, we are called to bring, reflect, model true shalom peace to them (Jn 20:21, Mt 28:19) in the hopes that they will accept Christ.
JVD – In addition to Goetz’s answer above, I’d say for peace in terms of interpersonal relationships, refer back to the principles in the response to the question “How do I make peace with a non-Christian?” In regards to world peace, or general peace in the world system, check out the answer to the question “If shalom means the way things were meant to be and there is sin in the world, can we ever really have true shalom here on earth?”
If only Christians have true peace, can only Christians bring true peace?
JVD – It stands to reason that no one can bring to others that which the do not possess. So in that sense, only Christians can bring the true peace of Christ to others. While people can know about God through what is called general revelation (see Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1-4 for examples), general revelation does not communicate the explicit truth of salvation through Jesus Christ – the gospel. Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from the penalty of sin, and thus the only way to true peace. So how can people know the true peace from the gospel? Romans 10:14-15 says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” God’s people – true, believing, regenerated Christians, saved by His Son, moving in the power of His Spirit, directed by His Word – are His chosen vessel for the good news of peace with God through Jesus (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8).
How can I know if my peace is really in Jesus or if it’s just circumstantial?
JG – This is a natural question and common to all Jesus followers. It exists as part of the ongoing tension we will face during this lifetime. Shalom peace is the direct result of accepting the truth of the Gospel – admitting that I am a sinful person, accepting that I cannot earn God’s forgiveness or favor, repenting of my wrongdoings, and trusting that God sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty that I deserve. Put differently, we often wonder (to varying degrees) whether we have shalom peace with God. We need to rest in the fact that our decision to follow Jesus is eternal (John 10:28).
That being said, we don’t even consider this question during the moment-by-moment occasions when circumstances are perceived as neutral – things happen the way we expect them to happen (we are healthy, our car starts when we turn the key, we still have a job, etc.) In a truly introspective moment after something good happens to us, we may occasional ask ourself, “Does my peace come from Jesus or this really good thing?” But most of the time, we tend to ask ourselves this question regarding circumstances that we view as negative. We begin to doubt our faith and consider whether our perceived peace was only present because life was going well.
We are called to live our lives as a living sacrifice for Jesus (Romans 12:1). We are also commanded to rejoice and give thanks in all situations (1 Thes 5:16-18), regardless of the circumstances.
In a practical way, we can ask ourselves the question – “Would I still be joyful (have peace) if this doesn’t turn out the way I want?”
JVD – Diagnostic questions like Goetz’s above very helpful to me when considering this question. Personally, I think the answer to this ultimately lies deeply in the theme of idolatry. By idolatry, I don’t mean little wooden men that I set up and bow down to… but spiritual idolatry. I’ve heard idolatry defined as taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing. What or whom do I esteem, value, or worship more than God? What or whom do I tend to escape to when times are difficult? Is it Jesus? Or something (or someone) else? What thing or relationship, if taken out of my life, would leave me completely, hopelessly devastated? What do I fear? What do I seek? What do I feel is missing from my life? What one thing or relationship would make me truly happy if I had it (or didn’t have it)? What disappoints me or makes me angry? What do I expect and how do I respond when those expectations aren’t met?
While these questions are helpful in a preemptive way, I find more often than not that it is the unexpected and difficult circumstance itself that often reveals what I really believe about Jesus – and I always feel like I come up short. We will feel the hurt even more keenly when a painful situation shows us we have been trusting less in Jesus than we dare believe. But He is far more gracious, kind and faithful than we dare hope. He does not leave us, but walks with us during those seasons. Like a good Father would, our Lord is kind to take the idols from our hands and turn our faces back toward Him. For most of us, as Goetz indicated, we are probably already trusting more in our circumstances than in our Lord. I think that’s going to be unavoidable to a large degree. But when I have those realizations, I don’t want to sweep them under the rug or wallow in self-pity, but allow God to use those times to push me deeper into all we have in Christ.
What are some practical ways we can “make every effort” (Romans 14:19)? What does doing something with “all” of yourself look like?
JG – I would say that this comes down to a struggle with idolatry, much like JVD outlined in the response to the previous question. We are struggle with this to some degree. Ask yourself the question – Is there something in my life that I am more committed to than Jesus? This might be in life overall or during a given season. Whatever that thing is is holding you back from an all-out pursuit of God. Pursuing God with the same tenacity that we pursue that idol would model what we see in Mark 12:30-31 – “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
However, we are still sinful individuals and it isn’t going to go perfectly for us in this. We will turn away and desire something less, just like the nation of Israel. But the more we know God and recognize His unconditional love for us, the more we are drawn to Him and committed to serving Him.
JVD – One of the folks who sent a version of this question preempted it with this statement: “My observation in life is that we (myself included) seldom do things to the best of our ability; we tend to do things to the best of our willingness.” Not a bad observation. I think “making every effort” is not just muscling through, but has a lot to do with God changing my desires so that they align with His. What my heart desires, my will is going to pursue. Making every effort to toward peace, or loving God and others with all we have, is work – but work that we do as a result of our faith in Christ (James 2:20). On a practical level, if we are just going through religious motions, I think we’ve missed the mark. I need the Spirit of God and the Word of God leading, guiding, directing me to from within to accomplish what God is calling me to do as one who is to love with “all.” In a very real sense, in order for me to give my all or make every effort, Jesus “must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). He must direct my desires, and I must surrender my will to His.
Why is peace so elusive when it is one of Jesus’ promises? Saying it is a broken world is not sufficient to answer this question.
JG – I think even more important than the broken world is the broken man. Shalom is so elusive because we really don’t want it. At our core, we don’t want to be right with the one true God…..we want to be God (Gen 3). Peace (from a sanctification perspective) is always there for the Christ follower, but our sinful nature draws us away from experiencing it. Paul articulates this so well in Romans 7:15-20: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
JVD – Despite the protest that came with this question, I think that saying it is a broken world is in many ways a very sufficient answer. We may not like that answer, but you can dig down pretty deep there. That said, I’d have to agree with Goetz regarding broken man. Christian or not, most people can quote John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He have His only Son…” One of the amazing things about that verse is not just that God would give His Son to save something so BIG as the world, but also that He would save something so BAD as the world – a world in which no one meets the holy standards of God and not one seeks God (Romans 3:11). Broken people in a broken world make for elusive peace.
Does this mean failure on Christ’s part to deliver on His promise? Not at all. His promise is both for now and for eternity. If I am broken and Jesus is not, I have to consider that the elusiveness of peace in the present is not a failure on His part to deliver, but a failure on my part to perceive. You can refer to our answer to the question “If shalom means the way things were meant to be and there is sin in the world can we ever really have true shalom here on earth?” in this post. Though our salvation in Christ is secure in the eternal sense, our present realities are still lining up with our eternal status. I think this often plays into the question of elusive peace, as well as the pull toward circumstantial peace discussed (in this post, above) in response to the question “How can I know if my peace is really in Jesus, or if it’s just circumstantial?”
How do I stay at peace when there is no peace from something (abuse, chronic illness, ongoing conflict, divorce, etc.)?
JG – We sympathize with those of you that are in these types of situations. The reality is that difficult circumstances may never fully go away. It’s during difficult times like these when it is critically important to circle back to the point at which we got peace – the Gospel. With that in mind, we need to rely on the Gospel truths that we find in God’s Word:
- You are God’s child and nothing can change that (John 10:28)
- God is there to protect you (Proverbs 18:10)
- God is your strength (Ephesians 6:10)
I think the responses to the question of circumstantial peace (above, in this post) can also be helpful in thinking through this question.
JVD – Before I jump in to this question, we would be clear and quick to say that in cases of abuse please do not assume that making peace and pursuing peace means continually submitting yourself to the evils of abuse. In no way would we want to imply that remaining in an abusive situation is somehow the most spiritual or godly thing to do. If you are being abused in some way – including, but certainly not limited to psychological, spiritual, physical or sexual abuse – get out and seek help.
To the question, I think we would certainly reiterate the distinction between shalom and circumstantial/situational peace. And absolutely, we must circle back around the the Gospel, as Goetz points out. Does this mean that the Gospel specifically tell us what to do in every single circumstance or situation? No, not explicitly. But the Gospel does tell us all we need to know about who God is, who we are, how God sees us, how God sees others, and how things turn out in the end. While it does not make every situation and circumstance easy and well, the Gospel is the lens through which we must view and navigate the individual circumstances and situations we face. We have the tendency to judge God through the lens of our situation – i.e., This situation is _______(difficult, painful, disappointing, etc.), therefore God is________ (distant, angry, apathetic, etc.) We must go back again and again to the Gospel in order to do precisely the opposite – instead of passing judgement on God because of our situation, view our situation through the lens who God has shown Himself to be.
We have to understand that there will be circumstances and situations that will not change this side of eternity, so we will not experience that kind of peace we want in them. In reviewing our series with some of the staff, someone said, “Conflict is our address. It’s where we live.” Meaning – we will not be free from difficulty and pain until Jesus comes back. If you dealing with heavy, ongoing difficult circumstances, I would recommend some time before the Lord meditating on, working out and praying through Philippians 4:4-9 – a great promise from God that begins with rejoicing not in a situation, but rejoicing in God despite situations:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
If I’m reading this correctly, God will guard my heart with His peace – not because the situation gets better and not because I understand all the whys and hows and whens – but because I walk with Him in thankful prayer with a rejoicing spirit. May He give us the grace to do just that.
TRAIL GUIDE: Confident Prayer
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
FIVE BY FIVE*, LESSON 3: God answers prayer.
Confident prayer flows from a personal, experiential trust in the character of God. Trusting that God will answer your prayers, and always in the very best way possible, begins with the knowledge of the revealed character of God in scripture. “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (2 Sam. 22:31)
Scripture is clear; God answers the prayers of his people when they turn their hearts toward him. But how does He answer? What can we expect?
Consider these questions as you prepare your heart this week to lead your students. Would our God be good if He gave us what we asked for even if it was not the best? Would He be a loving Father if He gave us that which would, in the end, do us harm or send us on a detour from His perfect plan?
While the answers to these questions seem clear theoretically, we still struggle with them in practice. Especially when what we’ve asked for seems good and right to us. The truth is that what we ask for may in fact be good and right but not best and not God’s will in that circumstance.
Accepting the fact that God is more interested in our character than He is in our comfort, and believing in His goodness even when it doesn’t seem good to us, is a very real part of the Christian walk, a critical feature of a Christian worldview, and one that we must teach the children early before the storms of life come to shake their faith.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God… -1 John 5:14a
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Jeremiah 33:3
Ephesians 3:20
Matthew 7:11
James 1:17
Isaiah 55:9
*What does “5 by 5” mean? In spoken communication over two-way radios, a transmitting station may request a report on the quality of signal they are broadcasting. “Five by five” means a signal that has excellent strength and perfect clarity — the most understandable signal possible.
Sunday Rewind | 10.20.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
The Wonderful Cross (Galatians 6:14) – Original Arrangement
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Philippians: A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 2
Paul’s opening prayer in his letter to Philippians leads us to great depth regarding the qualities of true Christ-followers.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- From last week’s questions – were you able to reach out to a specific person in fellowship? Give a report of what happened.
- What is one thing from this teaching that you hope to discuss as a group?
- Pastor Mike said, “Love is a distinguishing mark of a true Christ-follower. ” What do you think of when you think of “love”? How would you define “love”?
- Read and discuss Philippians 1:1-11. What themes do you see in these verses? What do you note about Paul’s prayer at the end of this section? What is he praying for? Why does he pray for these specific things?
- What do you tend to pray most about?
- What is “the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” that Paul includes in his prayer (v. 11)?
- Why do you trust the Bible? How have you experienced knowledge and depth of insight from the Scriptures?
- Are there some areas of your life where you need to move toward “pure and blameless” (v. 10)? How might the gospel empower you to growth in these areas?
- In light of Paul’s prayer, share prayer requests and spend some time in prayer for the areas in question 8, using the themes you’ve identified from Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1.
Partnering with the Gospel
Last Sunday, Pastor Mike asked us to consider how we are partnering with the gospel. The RBC vision statement says, “To know Christ and make Him known … ” In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations …” That’s a command, not a suggestion, from our Savior to each of us who’ve submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are to go because we highly value the gospel and have committed to following Him as a disciple. The question is, how are you partnering with the gospel?
For some, “all nations” means missionary work in a foreign country, but for most of us, it’s within the borders of Fairfax or Loudoun Counties. Our mission field is where God has strategically placed us within our families, our neighborhoods, communities and workplaces. How are you fulfilling Jesus’ command to go and make disciples, how are you partnering with the Gospel? Here’s an opportunity.
The RBC Men’s Ministry holds THE SUMMIT as an outreach event four times a year for the purpose of giving RBC men an easily-leveraged opportunity to invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We choose speakers who have a strong relationship with Christ and have demonstrated living it out through all areas of their lives. We select speakers who can speak on a topic that is culturally relevant to what men might most connect with at each quarterly event.
Won’t you consider praying about how God might be leading you to reach one man with the gospel he has placed in your life? Invite him to join you this Monday evening for a BBQ dinner, then to hear about what’s really going on in Washington. There will even be an open Q & A time. Pray for the Lord’s leading, be bold, invite that man, pay for his dinner, register him, come together.
Go and make disciples, make Christ known. Click HERE to register now.
-Alex Marcus for the Men’s Ministry Leadership Team
Event update: Due to a last-minute conflict, our original speaker for tonight’s SUMMIT, congressman Daniel Webster, cannot make the event. Instead, we will be hosting the deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, David Shedd. Click HERE to register now.
TRAIL GUIDE: In Jesus’ Name
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
FIVE BY FIVE*, LESSON 2: God answers prayer.
“…In Jesus’ name…” We throw those words on to the end of our prayers as though they were a postage stamp or magical phrase that will result in our prayers being answered. I am as guilty as the next guy in this regard. “In Jesus’ name” has become just as rote as saying, “amen” at the end of a prayer. It is interesting to consider that “in Jesus’ name” does not appear at the end of any prayers in the Bible. So what does it mean to pray, “in Jesus’ name,” and why is it the key to answered prayer?
Thinking about the answer to this question brought to mind an incident that occurred some years ago. I was suffering with a kidney stone. Those of you who have had one will attest to the agony. I went to a hospital where I sat (or rather, writhed) in pain while the receptionist asked me about my address, my insurance, and my medical history. She then informed me that I had to wait for admittance even though there were apparently no other patients in the waiting area in as much pain. I asked her to reconsider, but to no avail. Then something happened. A good friend of mine, who also happened to be a doctor – and, at the time, the Mayor of the city we were in – came through the front door. When he saw me there, doubled over on the floor, he took my hand, told the receptionist he was taking me into the attending room and admitting me immediately in his name. The receptionist just nodded in disbelief as I was whisked past her and into the hospital where I was attended to quickly and courteously all at the direction of my friend, the Mayor. It pays to know people in places of authority, and as Christ-followers we have access to the highest of all authority. To pray “in Jesus’ name” is to come before the Father in the authority of the Son. This is not a little authority either. Jesus said that, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” All authority is just that – all.
We will be exploring with the children this week what it means to pray in the authority of Jesus and the importance of the “will” of God in those prayers. As you meditate on our passages and theme for this week consider how you might communicate these truths from your own life stories.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God… -1 John 5:14a
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
John 15:7
1 John 5:14-15
Matthew 26:36-42
*What does “5 by 5” mean? In spoken communication over two-way radios, a transmitting station may request a report on the quality of signal they are broadcasting. “Five by five” means a signal that has excellent strength and perfect clarity — the most understandable signal possible.