A Trustworthy Saying, a Valuable Training, and a Living Hope

1 Timothy 4:6-16

Sermon Notes:

1) When your pastor hopes in the Living God, he can focus on godly doctrine, 6-7, 10.

2) When your pastor hopes in the Living God, he can strive for godly discipline, 7- 10.

3) When your pastor hopes in the Living God, he can maintain a godly demeanor, 10-12.

4) When your pastor hopes in the Living God, he can maintain a godly devotion,10, 13-16.

Reflection questions:

1. Why did God include a letter from one pastor to another in the Bible? Is this letter only for pastors? What does Paul’s benediction (1 Tim. 6:16, and be sure to check the footnotes) have to say about that?

2. Is physical training pointless? Is it valuable? How valuable? What’s more valuable, and why? (See 1 Tim. 4:7-10; 1 Cor. 9:22-27; Phil. 3:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:1-7; 4:6-8.)

3.In what sense does Paul mean that Timothy can save himself? Compare this verse to the following: 2 Tim. 4:6-8; 1 Tim. 1:15; Phil. 2:12-13; Phil 3:1-9; Eph. 2:8-10.

Poured Out

Acts 2:1-41

Sermon Notes:

1) A Sound | 1-2

2) The Spirit | 3-4

3) A Curse Reversed | 5-12

4) A Priest’s Error Repeated | 13-15

5) A Prophecy Fulfilled | 16-21

6) A Romans Preview | 21

7) A Gospel Review | 21-24

8) A Resurrection in the Old Testament | 25-35

9) A Searing Conclusion | 36-37

10) A Spirit-filled Encore | 38-41

Reflection Questions:

1) Compare and contrast Acts 2 (especially vv.1-11) with Genesis 11:1-9; pay attention to the language(s), the goals, where the people dwell. Then compare them both to Revelation 5, especially vv. 8-14.

2) Is every aspect of Joel 2:28-32 (which Peter quotes in Acts 2:16-21) fulfilled in Acts 2? When should we expect to see the rest of it fulfilled, according to the Bible? Also, when are “the last days”? (See I John 2:18)

3) What is the main focus on Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:14-41) – tongues/languages, the Spirit, or the Resurrected Savior?

Broken but Bold - All that Jesus Continued to Do and Teach

Acts 1

Sermon Notes:

1) Apostolic Empowerment | 1-11

2) Apostolic Oblivion | 3-8

3) Apostolic Apostasy | 12-20

4) Apostolic Succession | 15-26

Reflection Questions:

1) Acts 1:3 says that Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God during the 40 days before He ascended into heaven. What is the Kingdom of God? And what is the “good news of the Kingdom of God” (Luke 4:43)?

2) What does Jesus say will happen after His people receive the power of the Holy Spirit? What are all the ways you are currently witnessing (in small or large ways) about the good news of Jesus and its (current and future) impact upon your life?

3) Does Acts record the casting of lots in chapter 1 to encourage us to use similar methods in our decision making? What about the presence of prayer? How can we know which parts of Acts are prescriptive (prescribing what we should do) and which ones are descriptive (merely describing what happened)? How can the rest of Scripture help us decide?

Mourning and Rejoicing in New Jerusalem

Isaiah 66

Sermon Notes:

1) The Lord will right every wrong | 1-6

2) The Lord will fulfill every promise | 7-14

3) The Lord will proclaim His Kingdom to every coast | 15-24

Reflection questions:

1. What are some of the most memorable verses from Isaiah for you? What chapter of Isaiah did you underline the most? (Note: Jesus doesn’t love you less if you do/don’t underline your Bible.)

2. How does knowing that God will right every wrong change the way you approach your life? See Matthew 10:22 and John 16:33.

3. What do the following passages show us about God’s good news and His Kingdom, and what role we should play in proclaiming it? Isaiah 66 (especially v15-24); Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 67; Romans 10:13-17.

Judgement and Salvation in New Jerusalem

Isaiah 65

Sermon Notes:

1) God will definitely repay the rebellious | 1-7

2) God will definitely divide people into two distinct destinies | 8-16

3) God will definitely reward His remnant with delight | 17-25

Reflection questions:

1. Do you ever think that your sins actions will not have eternal consequences, because you’ve been able to avoid really bad consequences so far? Did you know that people in the 1st - century once said that, too? How does Peter, let alone Isaiah 65, respond to that kind of thinking? See 2 Peter 3:1-10, especially vv.3-4, 9-10.

2. Why did Asaph become envious of the arrogant (v2) in Psalm 73? What did he forget about them (v27) and about himself (vv.23-28)?

3. How should our future hope affect our lives as we await that hope? See 2 Peter 3:11-15. (For a negative example, see 2 Thess. 3:6-15 and 1 Thess. 5:1-10.)

Rend the Heavens and Come Down

Isaiah 64

Sermon Notes:

1) The Urgent Need of a Holy God |1-2

2) The Awesome Presence of a Holy God | 3-5

3) The Awful Pollution of an Apathetic People | 5-7

4) The Unanswered Question to a Faithful God | 8-12

Reflection Questions:

1. Why does Isaiah want God to “come down” so urgently? Read vv. 1-3, then read vv.5-7. Couldn’t Isaiah or the others just try harder?

2. What are some of the ways that God has answered Isaiah’s question in v.12? In the century when Isaiah lived? In the days after the exile? Can we still ask those same questions (of v.12) today?

3. Do you ever have passing doubts about the resurrection? Consider what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, especially v8.

4. Why is the resurrection so important? Read what Paul wrote to those who were doubting the resurrection: I Corinthians 15:17-19.

A Prayer of Praise Remembrance

Isaiah 63:7-19

Sermon Notes:

1) The LORD Remains Faithful to His Covenant People in All Their Afflictions | 7-9

2) The LORD Remains Faithful to His Covenant People in All Their Rebellion | 10-14

3) The LORD’s Faithfulness to His Covenant People Leads Them to Cry Out for Tangible Deliverance | 15-19 (cf 11-13)

Reflection Questions:

1. What descriptions of God do you see in vv. 7-9? What sticks out about Isaiah’s prayer to God, about God?

2. Why is Isaiah asking so many questions of God? Do these questions imply that Isaiah does not trust God’s promises?

3. Read the following passages and see what parallels you can find to Isaiah 63:7-19. Consider Exodus 3:7; 4:22; 6:7; 19:4; 33:14; Psalm 78.

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.