Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

Ruth 3

Sermon Notes:

(Outline taken from David Strain, Ruth & Esther: There is a Redeemer & Sudden Reversals, 53-62.)

1) The Persistence of Sin in a Believing Heart, 1-5

2) The Good News of Rest for a Restless Heart, 6-14

3) The Promise of Fullness for an Empty Heart, 15-18

Reflection questions:

1. Critique the following statement – “I don’t need to repent anymore; I’m a Christian.” Passages to consider: Ruth 1:20-21; 3:1-5; Romans 7:13-25.

2. How do you sometimes have trouble resting and trusting in the promise of God’s provision? In what ways do you think God is going to come up short? Reflect on Matthew 6:25-34.

3. How is Boaz good news for Naomi and not just for Ruth?

The Long-Lost Hope

Ruth 2

Sermon Notes:

1) The Redemptive Background You Need to Know, 2, 20b

2) The Chance Meeting You Happen to See, 1-7

3) The Worthy Protector You Long for, 8-17

4) The Unfolding Revelation that Keeps You Reading, 17-23

Reflection questions:

1. Gleaning (Dt. 24:19; Ruth 2:2ff) could be seen as extension of the command to love your neighbor as yourself, loving with one’s possessions (See Leviticus 19:18 and 19:9-10). How can we do this today in a non-agricultural society? Consider this suggestion: “We must deliberately plan our financial lives to have extra left over to give to those in need.” (DeYoung and Gilbert, What is the Mission of the Church?, 144.) Also consider Ephesians 4:28

2. How do you see Boaz’s generosity and character in this story? Does it make you think of anyone else who gives far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20)?

3.In what ways are you doubting that God can provide for you – finances, protection, spiritual nourishment, or something else? Are you doubting that God’s grace is greater than all your sin, or all your need?

The Long Way Home

Ruth 1

Sermon Notes:

1) The Road of the Bereaved, 1-5

2) The Request to Leave, 6-13

3) The Resolve to Cleave, 14-18

4) The Report of Grief, 18-22

5) The Reason to Still Believe, 22b

Reflection questions:

1. What does it look like to believe in God’s Sovereignty but not in His goodness? What does it sound like? (Feel free to see Naomi’s examples in vv. 8, 20-21.)

2. Has your bitterness ever made you doubt God’s goodness to you? Has your bitterness ever driven people away from the God you say you love? Has your bitterness ever driven your friends away from you?

3. What can help us to stop feeling bitter and hopeless about our circumstances? See the following passages that start out bitter and end with hope: Psalm 77 (especially vv.7-15); Psalm 73; Lamentations 3 (especially vv.13-27).

When Suffering Rips Your Guts Out

Psalm 30

Sermon Notes:

1. The problem: Our struggle is we don't know how to respond to intense suffering (Optimism in our own strength, vain optimism, optimism but only for the far-off future, Pessimism?)

2. The main idea: This psalm shows us that oftentimes, "suffering can bring reorientation." David's suffering offers him reorientation:

• Reoriented Perspective (v.5)

• Reoriented Relationship (v.8)

• Reoriented Hope (v.11)

3. The answer: David's experience shows us that we don't face suffering with optimism or pessimism, but God uses the suffering to give us a reoriented "Hopeful Realism."

Reflection Questions:

1. On a scale of 1-10, how much are you feeling signs of depression or anxiety from any suffering you are currently facing?

2. How do you tend to respond to intense suffering (see the list in parenthesis under "the problem" above).

3. Why do you tend toward that response and not the others?

4. What about David's experience in this psalm gives you hope or comfort for your own situation?

5. How might you reorient the way you see this current suffering with more of an outlook of "Hopeful Realism?"

The Wise Worship the King

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Notes:

1. Wise Men Recognize the King

2. Herod Is Troubled by the King

3. Wise Men Worship the King

Reflection Questions:

1) What are the "gatherings" your life tends to revolve around? Work? School? Recreations? In what ways can you improve in gathering with God's people, but not the absolute exclusion of other necessary or good gatherings?

2) What are the areas in which you tend to sin but justify or cover it with a "holy excuse?" Can you admit them to yourself, your loved one(s), and God?

3) What are the areas of your life that you are "holding back" offering your best to God?

Jesus Is (a) Better (Priest)

Hebrews 7:14-28

Sermon Notes:

1) We need a priest, 19

2) Jesus is a better priest, 14-17

3) Jesus gives a better hope, 18-25

4) Jesus gives such a greater salvation, 24-28 (cf Heb 2:3)

Reflection questions:

1) Read Galatians 3:1-3. Why were the Galatians trying to be “perfected” by their own efforts? How would this passage from Hebrews have helped them?

2) Read Hebrews 10:14. What is the “single offering” that the passage refers to? In what way has that offering “perfected [God’s people] for all time”? In what way are God’s people “those who are being sanctified”?

3) Does the knowledge of your sin and of Christ’s sacrifice/suffering make you feel unworthy of His love? Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 10:19-25 – Should the knowledge of Christ’s work for you drive you away from Him, or pull you closer?

Jesus, Our Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Matthew 17:1-8

Sermon Notes:

1) God's word guides us

2) God speaks with us

3) Jesus, the ultimate prophet

4) The church, his body, as prophet

Discussion Questions:

1.    What are some rules you absolutely hate following?

2.    What are some things you do, that you don't like doing, but you know are good for you?

3.    Imagine being in love, how does it feel "doing all the right things to make a relationship healthy"? Does it feel burdensome or a joy? 

4.    How might a close relationship turn what was "begrudging obedience" into joyful expressions of love and trust?

5.    How was Jesus a better law giver then Moses? How was Jesus a better covenant mediator then Elijah?

6.    How are you called to be like Jesus, specifically how do we, as his body, continue his prophetic role in the world?

Final Instructions to the Church

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon Notes:

1) An Evangelistic Benediction, 50

2) A Dramatic Exaltation, 51

3) A Doxologic Jubilation, 52

4) An Enduring Association, 53

Reflection Questions:

1.       Christ blesses his disciples in vv. 50-51. Read Numbers 6:22-27 for background on how God blesses His people through His priests and compare to Psalm 67. How does God bless us, and what effect should it have on us?

2.       The immediate response to Christ’s ascension was to worship God with great joy. While the Bible has much to say about worship, what do the following passages show you about what our worship should look like – either internally (in terms of our attitude) or externally (what we should express)? Hebrews 12:18-29; Psalm 2:11-12.

3.       Fellowship (worshipping continually in the temple) is a minor note in this passage, but what more does Luke say about it in his second volume, Acts 2:42-47? Are you experiencing less fellowship with God’s people during this time? Do you miss it, or have you not realized how much you miss it and need it?

The Great Commission, According to Luke

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon Notes

1. Peace, 36-39

2. Proof, 38-48

3. Power to Proclaim, 45-49

Reflection questions:

1. Were the disciples’ circumstances peaceful? (See John 20:19) How is that Jesus was able to pronounce peace to them during this time? (Consider John 16:33 and 14:27)

2. Why did the disciples need more proof of the Resurrection? What promises of God are you struggling to believe? Do you ever worry that God is disappointed in you because you have doubts? What word you use to describe God’s actions towards these doubters who should’ve known better?

3. Does Jesus still want us to wait (v49 – “stay”) until we proclaim the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins? Or has the promise “power from on high” been fulfilled? See Acts (Luke’s 2nd volume), specifically Acts 2.

The Greatest Bible Study EVER!

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Notes

1) The Secret, 13-18

2) The Sadness, 17-24

3) The Story (Revealed), 25-27

4) The Satisfaction, 28-35

Reflection questions:

1. How would you answer this question – I will be happy (or content) when ______ happens?

2. Read vv. 25-27. Can you think of one Old Testament passage that predicts part of the life and ministry of Jesus? Can you think of one theme of the Old Testament that is fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 15 about the Resurrection, particularly vv. 12-19. Why is the Resurrection so important to the Christian life? What perspective does it give us about our current life in a fallen world? Focus especially on v.19.