At Last!

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon Notes:

1) Mankind’s Paradise | 4-14

2) Mankind’s Purpose | 15-17

3) Man’s Partner | 18-25

Reflection questions:

1) How do you see hints of God’s goodness in creation in Genesis 2:4-14? What does mankind need that he doesn’t have in the home that God created? How will God one day restore all that we need in our future home?

2) Was man’s obedience to God (see God’s purpose for and command to man in Gen 2:15-17) an act of worship? How should our whole lives be lived in worship to God even now, on this side of the Fall? See Romans 12:1-2.

3) How can the first marriage (and the institution of marriage) inform our conduct today in our own marriage relationships? What does verse 23 (as well as v18, 20, 24-25) teach us about how we are each made for the other? (Also compare them to Ephesians 5:21-33.) How is it instructive even for those who are currently single? (Compare Genesis 2:18a to Hebrews 10:24-25 as one example.)

Male and Female He Created Them

Genesis 1:26-28

Sermon Notes:

1) Created by God | 26

2) Created male and female | 27

3) Created for glory and honor | 28

4) Re-Created in Christ | See: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 7; Philippians 1:6; 3:20- 21; I John 3:2-3; 1 Cor. 15:49

Reflection Questions:

1. Are all mankind made in God’s image? What is one implication of being made in God’s image? See Genesis 1:26-28.

2. Has our sin marred the image of God in man? Has it been completely destroyed; is it irrecoverable? Can the image of God be redeemed in Christ? See Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 8:29; Col 3:9-10; Eph 4:24; 2 Cor 3:17-18; Col 1:15- 20; I John 3:2-3 and 1 Cor 15:49.

3. In heaven, will God only redeem our souls (the spiritual, immaterial part of us), or will He also redeem our bodies? See Philippians 3:20-21; I John 3:2-3.

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.