Generous, Hard-Working Servants

Exodus 25:1-8; 35:4-5; 36:2-7

Sermon Notes

1) Our Generous God, 25:1-8; 35:4-5

2) A Generous People Who Gave Their Best, 25; 35; 36

3) A Generous People Who Gave More Than Enough, 36:2-7

 

Reflection questions:

1.       Read 2 Corinthians 8, and focus on v.9. How did Paul motivate the Corinthians to give? Guilt? Or God’s Generosity?

2.       Read Exodus 25:1-2; compare it to 2 Corinthians 9:7. What similarities and differences do you see? Why were they giving? (Cf. I Cor. 16:1-4; Romans 15:25-31) What is similar about the way they gave?

3.       What else did God’s people give besides their possessions (“treasures” according to Phil Ryken)? See Exodus 35:25-26, 30-35; 36:1-2. Compare to Romans 12:1-13.

Empowered Servants

John 17

Sermon Notes

1) Jesus Prayed … For our Belief, 3

2) Jesus Prayed …  For our Protection, 15

3) Jesus Prayed … For our Sanctification, 17

4) Jesus Prayed … For our Effective Witness, 20

5) Jesus Prayed … For our Unity, 11, 20-23, 26

Reflection questions:

1) Why does Jesus command us to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12-13) when He also assures us that He will preserve us until the end (John 17:15; Philippians 1:6)? Do you think it’s because Jesus knew that we would not be able to keep those commands perfectly, even after we’re born again? (I John 2:1)

2) If Jesus prayed that we would sanctified in the Truth, then what can you be doing to see that you are sanctified by the Truth? See 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Romans 12:1-2.

3) Is unity opposed to an emphasis on sound doctrine, proper teaching? Consider what Paul writes in Titus 1:9 about elders. (Also see Titus 3:8-11) Is an emphasis on sound doctrine (and the possible need to rebuke which Titus mentions) opposed to patience? See what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

Transformed Servants

Romans 12:1-13

Sermon Notes

1) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to offer our living sacrifice, v. 1

2) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to be transformed, not to be conformed, v. 2

3) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to judge His gifts to us soberly, vv. 3-5

4) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to use His gifts to us accordingly, vv. 6-8

5) Because of God’s mercies, we’re called to love and show mercy, no matter

our gifts, vv. 9-13

Reflection Questions:

  1. Where is your home? (Phil 3:20; Ps 119:19) Therefore, how should live during your time on this earth? See Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-4.

  2. If people tend to be attracted to others with similar preferences and gifts, is that a potential danger to our church (or any church)? Read 1 Corinthians 12:17. Are you ever tempted to think that your gifts are unimportant to the body? Read 1 Cor. 12:15-16, 18-20, 26.

  3. Read Galatians 6:9-10. Compare it to Romans 12:9-13, especially v. 13. Should mercy to those outside the church be our highest priority/only priority? Should it be A priority?