Sunday Rewind | 3.1.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
TEACHING: Why the Gospel is Never Given the Same Way Twice
There is a massive difference between knowing the facts of the gospel, and putting your faith in the gospel. The gospel is a Person, not a formula.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
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 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. What do these verses tell you about the gospel? What do they tell you about Jesus? What do they imply about us?
- Why is the gospel “good news”?
- When did you first hear the gospel? What happened? How did you respond?
- What people or events in the Old Testament can you think of that serve as a foreshadowing of Christ?
- “The gospel is a Person, not a formula.” What does this mean? What the practical implications of this statement as you live your everyday life?
- What is the difference between knowing the facts about the gospel, and putting your faith in the gospel? Why is this distinction important?
- What felt needs can you identify in this season of your life? How does the gospel address those needs? How do you need to apply the gospel to those areas?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ. Ask Him to help you know Him more through the wonders of the gospel.
Ideas for Worshiping at Home
SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 6:25AM – BOTH SUNDAY SERVICES, CLASSES & MINISTRY ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELED FOR THIS MORNING due to hazardous road conditions. Please be safe and enjoy time worshiping the Lord at home this morning!
The Youth Missions Application meeting scheduled for this afternoon is also canceled.
Updated 11:55AM – AWANA and Financial Peace University are canceled for this evening.
Scripture is clear about the importance of being a part of the church – both the “big-C” Church (the universal body of believers for all time) and being involved in the localized expression of the Church, what we might call the “little-c” or local church. Scriptures like Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:25, 1 John 4:12, Hebrews 10:24, Galatians 5:13, Romans 12:10, Romans 15:14 and 1 Corinthians 12 – among many others – show us the importance of the Christ-based community unique to church, where we can use the gifts God has given us to love, serve and instruct one another for His glory. Though we will not meet together this morning as we usually do, we encourage you to use the time at home this morning to do the same – to love, serve and instruct one another in the context of worshiping our great and glorious God.
Here are some quick ideas for at-home family worship this morning:
- Worship God in song: Put on some of your favorite worship songs and sing along. Our live worship album No Other Name offers some familiar voices to sing along with.
- Proclaim His excellencies: 1 Peter 2:9 tells us “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Tell about a time you recently saw God do something great.
- Honor the Word of God: The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Peruse our sermon archives and pick out an old favorite to listen to or watch again, or catch up on a missed Sunday. Take some time to read some of your favorite Scriptures aloud and share why they are meaningful to you.
- Pray: Spend some time praying for each other, for others you know are in need and for our church.
- Give: To give tithes or offerings, you may do so securely online here.
Sunday Rewind | 2.15.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Awesome Is The Lord Most High (Psalm 47:1-2) – See The Morning by Chris Tomlin
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns: Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)
Beautiful Jesus (Romans 1:20) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: A Better Sight
There is a sight better than sight and a blindness worse than blindness. The greater miracle in John 9 is not the opening of the blind man’s eyes but the opening of his heart to Jesus.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Have you ever received difficult or devastating news? How did you respond?
- What is something in your life that would devastate you if you lost it? Or, what is something you desperately long for, but have not received?
- Read through John 9. What does this chapter reveal to us about Jesus? What do you observe about the disciples, the Pharisees and the blind man? Where do you see yourself in this narrative?
- Why do you think that when we see or experience loss or pain, our instinctive question is often “Why?”
- What is the difference between a cause and a purpose? Why does this matter?
- Why is spiritual blindness a “devastating blindness”? Why is spiritual sight better than physical sight?
- Instead of giving explanations, in John 9 Jesus provides an opportunity for faith & obedience. Where else in scripture do you see this? Have you seen this happen in your own life?
- Can you identify an area of your life where Jesus is asking you step out in faith and obedience? What would it look like to take the first step in that area? Spend some time praying about it.
Sunday Rewind | 2.8.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Depression and the Gospel
Until we see ourselves as emotionally & cognitively broken, we cannot empathize with the brokenness and suffering of others.
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? What have you taken away from this series as a whole?
- What do you think of when you hear the word depression? Have you ever struggled with it or known someone who has? To what degree?
- What scriptures can you think of where Jesus spent time with suffering people?
- Do you tend to engage with or avoid suffering people? Why? How can you grow in this area?
- Why is prolonged isolation destructive to the Christian? Have you ever experienced this?
- “Everyone needs a friend with whom there are no secrets and with whom there is no condemnation.” Do you have such a friendship?
- “If all we turn to God for is relief from suffering, He may or may not grant that relief, for He offers far more.” How do you respond to that statement?
- “And so there is a peculiar, rich, and poignant joy that seems to come to us only through and in suffering.” (Tim Keller, Walking with God Through Pain & Suffering). How do you respond to that statement? How have you found it to be true or not in your own life?
- Spend some time praying over the members of our church body, and the members of your shepherd group, who are suffering. Ask God for strength and courage to minister to those specific people you know are suffering.
RESOURCES
For counseling info and assessment at RBC, contact our Counseling Pastor, Paul Goodnight.
For information on the Lay Counseling Institute, visit www.lciministry.org.
Sunday Rewind | 2.1.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: Sexuality & the Gospel, Part 3
As we engage the culture with the topics of sexuality & the gospel, it is not our place to hate or judge. The broken world is waiting to see salt & light combined with grace & truth.
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? What have you taken away from this series as a whole?
- Why is it often so easy to judge others who are broken differently than we are?
- In regards to cultural engagement, do you tend to jump right in, or shy away? Why?
- Read Matthew 5:13-16. What do these verses tell us about human nature? What does this section tell us about God? What do they indicate about engaging with the culture around us?
- What is the significance of salt & light in these verses?
- How has God called you specifically to be salt and light in your personal spheres of influence?
- Read and discuss Matthew 7:1-5. What does this indicate about passing judgement? What is the context for proper judgement? Is there an area in your life where you need to apply this principal?
- Read and discuss Luke 18:9-14. What is Jesus telling us about sin and righteousness? How should we apply this as we engage with the culture around us?
- As you consider the topic of sexuality and the gospel, where do you need to grow in being salt & light with grace & truth? Is there someone you need to be salt & light to? Spend some time in prayer for this.
Live Album Night | February 8
Together, next Sunday night, we will be recording our second live worship album.
The response to our first project, No Other Name, has been such an amazing blessing. We’ve heard so many great stories of how the music from that album has impacted you and given you a new avenue to worship God, along with familiar voices and arrangements, Mondays through Saturdays. Our desire continues to be putting solid, Biblical, singable, and passionate songs into your hands and hearts to extend our Sunday morning experience beyond the walls of our church. We are setting out once again to make a record because we deeply and truly love Jesus and his church – and his church needs great songs to sing for their great God.
We’ll be playing a selection of songs that really represent the journey, needs, and experiences of our church – songs that have become the anthems that resonate in our hearts for days after singing them together on Sunday mornings.
Our hope is to accurately portray our church on this record. When people visit RBC from other churches, they always tell me that we are “a singing church.” We sing a lot. And we sing loud. And we need your voices to help us paint that picture on this album.
Join us next Sunday, February 8.
Doors will open at 7:00 and we’ll get underway promptly at 7:30. CD pre-orders for the new album will be available for $10, and you’ll be able to pick those up a couple weeks before the digital release this Spring. We’ll also have copies of No Other Name that night on sale for $5.
Thanks, and we hope to see you all there!
– – –
Our last live album, No Other Name is available from the digital music vendors below, as well as on Spotify, eMusic, Rhapsody, Rdio, and iHeartRadio.
Sunday Rewind | 1.25.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God is Able by Hillsong
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
TEACHING: Sexuality & the Gospel, Part 2
As we address the issues of sexuality and marriage, love does not necessarily mean agreement nor does disagreement necessarily mean hate. But in obedience, God reveals the deeper things of Himself.
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?
- How have you seen or experienced hate speech in regards to the issue of sexuality and marriage?
- Read Matthew 19:1-6. What do these verses tell us about human nature? What does this section tell us about God?
- How does Jesus define marriage in this section? How is marriage a modeling of the gospel?
- How would you answer the following question? “How can you expect a person with strong sexual desires to be denied the privilege and the right to express those desires?”
- How does the theme of obedience play into the topic of sexuality and marriage?
- For the follower of Christ, should obedience trump desire or desire trump obedience? Defend your answer with scripture.
- How does the gospel speak to our struggles with sexuality? How does the gospel call us to view others’ struggles with sexuality, even their struggles are very different from our own?
- Do you feel your views on sexuality are balanced with grace and truth? Where do you need to grow in this balance? Spend some time in prayer for this.
Sunday Rewind | 1.11.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: Sexuality & the Gospel, Part 1
Until you see yourself as sexually broken, you will never empathize with the brokenness of others; you will demonize them. God’s indictment is not on a particular community, but on the sinfulness of all people.
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? What is something you hope is covered in this series?
- Why is sexuality a part of our nature? What would you say are the biblical purposes of sex and sexuality?
- Read and discuss Genesis 1:26-31. What do you note about God’s purpose in creating mankind? What does it mean to be made “imago Dei” (in the image of God)? What are the implications of being created in His image?
- Read and discuss Genesis 3. What does this tell you about the nature of God? What does it tell you about the nature of all who are born “in the line of Adam”? What are the implications of this chapter in regards to human sexuality?
- What does it mean to “have no reference point” in regards to our fallen nature?
- Why do we seem to innately tie our identity as people to our sexuality? What are the results of this, and how do you see this reflected in our society?
- “Until you see yourself as sexually broken, you will never empathize with the brokenness of others; you will demonize them.” How do you respond to this statement? Have you found it to be true in your own life?
- Read and discuss Romans 5. How does this chapter compare with Genesis 3?
- How is the gospel the solution for the sexual brokenness of all people?
Sunday Rewind | 1.4.2015
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139 is an intensely personal letter for you that captures the deep redemptive theme of the Scriptures.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing in this message that particularly encouraged or challenged you?
- What do you think God thinks of you? Does this line up with what you find in scripture?
- Read and discuss Psalm 139. What major themes stand out to you?
- What do you note about being known in this chapter? Do you find it unnerving that God knows you so completely?
- What is “redemption”? What comes to mind when you think of this word? What does Psalm 139 tell us about redemption?
- What do you think God has purposed for your life? How does the gospel of Jesus Christ inform our identity and our purpose? Do you feel like you are fulfilling this purpose? What steps could you take to greater fulfillment of this purpose?
- What areas of unbelief do you struggle with in your walk with Christ? How does the grace of the gospel address those struggles?
- Using Psalm 139 as your foundation, spend some time thanking God that He knows you. Ask that He would use His Word to reveal His purposes for your life. Pray that He would uncover any areas of shame and unbelief and cover them in the grace of the gospel.
Sunday Rewind | 12.14.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
O Come All Ye Faithful (John 1:14) – Christ Is Come by Big Daddy Weave
Angels We Have Heard On High (Luke 2:13-14) – Christmas Offerings by Third Day
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Celebrating Generosity
It’s never natural to give away what you’ve worked for, but God doesn’t ask us to do what comes naturally. Don’t let greed and fear hold generosity hostage.
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?
- Who can you think of that is an example of a truly generous person? What makes them generous?
- Would you consider yourself a generous person? Why or why not?
- Read and discuss Luke 21:1-4. How does this verse celebrate generosity? Where else in scripture do you find generosity celebrated?
- In what ways is generosity a discipline?
- How does greed hold generosity hostage? What are some signs that greed is holding back your generosity?
- “The more you make, the less you want to give.” Have you found this to be true in your life? How can you grow in this?
- How does fear hold generosity hostage? What are some signs that fear is holding back your generosity?
- What is the difference between being an owner and a steward? If you are a steward – and not the owner – of what God has entrusted you with, how should this spur you to generosity?
- How is it a privilege to give sacrificially?
- How does the gospel deal with fear and greed? How does the gospel encourage and empower sacrificial generosity?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His great generosity toward us in Christ. Pray that He would help us uncover whatever holds us back from being generous.