Very Good

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon Notes:

1) God is Creator | 1:1

2) God is Trinitarian | 1:1-3, 26-27

3) God is Extraordinary | 1:3, 5-7, 14

4) God is a Detailed Designer | 1:26-28

5) God is a Delegator | 1:28-30

6) God is Good | 1:31-2:3

Reflection questions:

1. If God created all things, then why is mankind so tempted to create meaning and purpose outside of God’s Word? Why are you tempted to do this?

2. Loneliness is mentioned in Genesis 1-2, but was God ever lonely? Why/why not? (See John 1:1-5; Acts 17:23-26.)

3. Do you ever struggle with the thought that God’s promises are too good to be true? How is that thought similar to the way that Satan would tempt Adam and Eve? (Cf Gen 3:1.) What would you tell a friend if they said that (His promises are too good to be true) to you?

The Church’s Generosity, Discipline, and Growth

Acts 4:32-5:14

Sermon Notes:

1) Great Power | 4:32-35

2) Great Grace | 4:33-37

3) Great Deception | 5:1-11

4) Great Gear | 5:5-14

Reflection questions:

1) Why might it be easier if we were commanded as Christians to relinquish our private property? What difficult decisions could we avoid? (No, I am not suggesting we should or that the Bible says we should.)

2) Does this passage say why Ananias lied? How do you think Satan tempted him to lie? What reward was he seeking? (Cf. Matthew 6:2-4 for one possibility.)

3) Is the great fear that fell upon the church an encouraging note to you? What does it mean to fear God? See Hebrews 12:18-29.

Praise Amidst Persecution

Acts 4:23-31

Sermon Notes:

1) The Servants released | 23

2) The Servants raise their voices | 24

3) The Nations rage | 25-27

4) The Lord reigns | 27-28

5) The Lord responds | 29-31

Reflection questions:

1) What aspects of the disciples’ prayer stick out to you? How can the circumstances and the words of this prayer teach us to pray?

2) Read Psalm 2. What parallels do you to the story of Acts 3-4 (see vv. 25-27 for a hint) as well as the story of the entire Bible?

3) The disciples prayed for boldness to speak God’s Word, and their prayer was answered. (In a way, it’s answered again at the end of Acts – see Acts 28:30-31.) Is there one person (or more) to whom you want courage to speak God’s Word?

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord!

Psalm 126

Sermon Notes:

1) The great things He has done | 1-3

2) The gladness we have | 3

3) The restoration we seek | 4-6

Reflection Questions:

1. “The Lord has done great things for us.” (v3) What great things has the Lord done for you?

2. “We are glad.” (v3) Does joy (and gladness) characterize your life as much as the Bible suggests it should? See 1 Thess. 5:16-18. What can you do to cultivate joy in your life, while still leaving room for Biblical lament?

3. “Restore our fortunes, O Lord!” (v4) Are your prayers as bold as this one? Can you be bold in prayer while still holding your earthly wishes loosely, accepting whatever outcome God sends?

The Need for God's King

Judges 21:25; 1 Samuel 8:4-9:2

Sermon Notes:

Main Point: “God's People Need God's King”

1. A King is the Right Answer

2. Israel Wants the Wrong King

3. The Wrong King Brings Us Closer to the Right King

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some examples of things you are wrong to put your trust in? Why these things?

2. How does Jesus offer a better version of what these worldly objects of hope promise?

3. What might you do daily/weekly/monthly...to help you more consistently place your trust in Christ when you are tempted to turn to other people or things?

The Glory in the Grief

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Sermon Notes:

1) Grief is Not Wasted

2) The Hope of Glory

3) The Realities of Suffering

Reflection Questions:

1. If our suffering is not wasted, then surely we should be able to see how God has redeemed suffering in the past. But in order to see that we might have to lift our gaze to beyond how we normally perceive our pain.

• What are some examples from scripture of God using other's suffering to bring hope to those around them?

• What are some examples of others in your life who have shown God's goodness through their suffering?

• If you can recognize those things, how might God be working in circumstances in your life now to reveal his redemption to you and to those around you? How can you then be intentional like Paul to proclaim Christ through your suffering?

2. Those that Paul says have "plausible arguments" will try to persuade you that your suffering is meaningless. But in order to do that, they have to ignore what God produces in us through suffering. Does the result of our suffering justify the process? If God uses your temporary suffering, however painful and dreadful it may be, to bear witness to an eternal hope, is it not worth the cost? Consider and meditate upon Matt 13:44-46 and Phil 3:7-11.

But the Word of God is Not Bound

Acts 4

Sermon Notes:

1) The Word is not bound | 1-4

2) There is no other name | 5-12

3) We cannot help but speak | 13-22

Reflection questions:

1) What do you notice in vv. 1-4 about the opposition to the church and its message and the spread of the church’s message?

2) What hard truth does Peter speak to the Jewish authorities (vv.8-12)? What comfort is contained in his words, for those who have ears to hear it?

3) Can you see some respect to authority in Peter’s answers (vv8-12, 19-20)? Is there also a limit to his respect? What command will Peter not obey?

Times of Refreshing

Acts 3

Sermon Notes:

1) A Man who Received Grace not Gold | 1-10

2) A Group who Received Guilt They Deserved | 11-16

3) A Chance to Receive Restoration from Sin | 17-21

4) A Group who Received Grace not Guilt | 22-26

Reflection questions:

1. Can we do for others what Peter did for the nameless lame man? Can we follow Galatians 6:10? What is the significance of the following phrases in that verse: “as we have opportunity … everyone … especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

2. How responsible are you for the death of Jesus? (See vv.13-16 and notice all of the you’s.) How responsible was Jesus for your salvation, your deliverance from death? See 2 Cor. 5:21; Acts 3:19-20.

3. Would you describe repentance as a decisive turning from sin to salvation in Christ (see 2 Cor. 7:10)? Would you also acknowledge that repentance is followed by a greater awareness of sin, and a greater realization of our need to fight against sin daily? See Rom. 6:15-19; 7:7-25.

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?