The Preeminence of Christ

Colossians 1:15-23

Sermon Notes:

1) Jesus is the beginning

2) You are reconciled in Christ

3) Continue in the Faith

Reflection Questions:

1. Jesus is the perfect incarnation of our God. He is fully man, and fully God without any blurring or confusion of natures. How does all of the revelation of God's nature in the Old Testament give us hope to be able to trust in what Christ has done for us?

2. Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus sustains all things by his powerful word. Here in Colossians 1:17 we see that Jesus holds all things together. How should our faith be strengthened by this knowledge? How might we trust in God's plan, knowing that the one who died on the cross for us also is actively working in every aspect of our lives?

3. What are some tangible benefits of our reconciliation with God? How do you see those benefits working out in your life?

Look, There is Flowing a Crimson Tide...

Isaiah 63:1-6

Sermon Notes:

1) The One in Red Brings Vengeance

2) The One in Red Brings Salvation | 1, 4-5

3) The One in Red is the Only One Who Can Accomplish Both | 1, 3-5

Reflection Questions:

1. What type of news headline always makes you want to see someone punished for their actions? Does your reaction show that you believe sin deserves punishment? See Romans 3:23 and 6:23.

2. Do you realize how much you deserve God’s punishment? Do you realize how much you need his salvation? See Romans 6:23 and 7:7-25 (especially vv.19, 24).

3. Can you think of anyone who can accomplish justice and peace in the universe as well as forgiveness and peace in your heart? See Romans 3:26; Revelation 5:1-11; 19:1-6.

The Promise of the Lord's Delight

Isaiah 62

Sermon Notes:

1) No Rest for the Savior | 1-6

2) New Names for the Forsaken | 2, 4, 10-12

3) No Rest for the Sought Out | 1, 6-9

Reflection Questions:

1. Read Romans 7:7ff where Paul talks about remaining sin in the life of a Christian. Read also Philippians 1:6 where God says he will finish the good work in us which He has begun. How do you see evidence of the first passage in your life, and how does the second passage comfort you in light of that?

2. How would you describe your identity and image of yourself? What words or names would you use? Would you tend to use negative, hopeless terms like Forsaken or Desolate? What new names does God promise to His people? See vv. 2, 4, 10-12.

3. Read Isaiah 62:1-9. How would you describe the attitude and prayer life of God’s people? Compare it to Luke 18:1-8

The Year of the Lord's Favor

Isaiah 61

Sermon Notes:

1) The Year of Redemption that Has Dawned | 1-3

2) The People of Restoration who Restore Others | 3-4

3) The Reaping of Abundance that Brings Joy | 5-7

4) The Double Recompense that Warns and Comforts | 7-9

5) The Robe of Righteousness that Covers Our Shame | 3, 6-7, 10-11

Reflection Questions:

1. What part of God’s salvation has already happened and will never change? See Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11; see also 2 Cor. 5:17.

2. What part of God’s salvation is still in progress in your life? See Romans 7:7-25; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24

3. How does God want His people (who are already saved and still being sanctified) to interact with our fellow image bearers as we await our full inheritance? See Isaiah 61:3-4; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9- 10; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Psalm 67, especially vv.1-4.

Solid Joys and Lasting Treasures

Isaiah 60

Sermon Notes:

1) Light has come | 1-3

2) Wealth of the nations shall come | 3-7

3) Glory and Beauty shall come | 7-17

4) Peace shall come | 14-19

5) In its time, it shall come | 19-22

Reflection Questions:

1. How can the hope of God’s promises sustain us in dark times? Read Is 60:1-3; Ps 42-43.

2. Imagine the overseers and taskmasters and the authorities in your life. Imagine that they were replaced with peace. What does that make you think of?

3. What do these words make you think of? “Savior, if of Zion’s city I, through grace, a member am, Let the world deride or pity—I will glory in Thy name. Fading is the worldling’s pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasure None but Zion’s members know.”

Reveling in Redemption

Isaiah 59

Sermon Notes:

1) The LORD Can Save … Can’t He? | 1

2) Sin Can Separate | 2-8

3) Truth Has Stumbled | 9-15

4) The LORD Saw and … | 15-21

Reflection questions:

1. Is it wrong to ask God questions when His promises haven’t seemed to come true yet? Compare Isaiah 59:1 (and 58:3) and Psalm 13.

2. Read Isaiah 58:2-8. What are some of the negative effects of sin, in addition to separation from God?

3. Is it ever appropriate to pray for the sins of others, in addition to your own? Read Isaiah 59:9-13.

4. Read Exodus 2:23-25 – What did God see? What did God know or remember? Compare to Isaiah 59:15ff.

True Worship

Isaiah 58

Sermon Notes:

1) How Hypocrisy Hinders Divine Hearing | 1-3

2) How to be Selfish on the Sabbath | 3-5, 9, 13

3) How to be Selfless on the Sabbath | 5-14

4) How God Satisfies the Selfless | 6-14

Reflection questions:

1. Based on Isaiah 58, which of the following best reflects the attitude God desires on the Sabbath: a day for “me time,” a day to rest in God’s goodness, a day to bless others in light of His goodness?

2. Is God simply promising to bless us if we do the right things? Do the promises God offers negate the fact that salvation is by grace alone? See Eph 2:1-9, but also read v.10, and Eph 6:1-3.

3. Read the promises of God (in vv8-14) to those who keep His Sabbaths and fast days in the way He desires. Are any of these blessings that you need right now?

The Triumph of Grace

Isaiah 56:9-57:21

Sermon Notes:

1. The Wrong Leaders | 56:9-12

2. The Wrong gODS | 57:1-13

3. The Right-er of All Wrongs | 57:14-21; cf 57:1-2, 13

Reflection questions:

1. How would you describe Israel’s leaders in Is 56:9-12? (Compare to Ezekiel 34:1-16.) How would Jesus be a better shepherd? See Psalm 23 and John 10:1-16.

2. What are the some of the ways that Israel’s worship in Is 57 had gone astray? Was Israel’s main problem laziness (lack of effort) or misguided effort? Consider Isaiah 30:15-18, as well.

3. What was God asking Israel to do in order to be healed? Consider Isaiah 57:15, 18-19; Psalm 51:16-17.

Increasing Faith, Increasing Fruit, Increasing Gospel

Colossians 1:1-14

Sermon Notes:

1. Increasing Faith | vv. 3-8

2. Increasing Fruit | vv. 9-12

3. Increasing Gospel | vv. 5-6, 13-14

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time you were overwhelmed with the joy and glory of salvation? If it's been a while, why has it become insignificant or mundane? Why is Paul compelled to pour out thanksgiving every time he prays for the Colossians?

2. What are some specific ways that your spiritual fruit shows your devotion to God? What ways have you seen your spiritual fruit grow since becoming a Christian?

3. God has delivered us from slavery to sin and death. Like God reminded Israel over and over again, he reminds us where we've come from and who we are now. What is your identity in Christ and how can you live out of the gospel more today than you did yesterday?

Serve Deeper - Worship Connect Serve DEEPER - Part 3

Philippians 2:3-9, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Sermon Notes:

1) Meet the Servant | Philippians 2-4

2) Serve in the Strength that God provides | 1 Peter 4:10-11

3) Serve Better by Knowing Service Doesn’t Earn Salvation | Philippians 3

4) Serve Better by Saying “No” More | John 3:30

5) Serve Better by Expecting Busy Seasons | 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Reflection Questions:

1. How did Paul prepare Euodia and Synteche to get along? What did he first show them? See Philippians 4:2, as well as chapter 2.

2. How can you change your habits to make sure that you are serving in the strength that God provides? See 1 Peter 4:10-11

3. What are some of the things that God wants us to say No to, some of the things He wants us to say Yes to? What are you already saying Yes and No to? Are you doing more or less than you realized?