An Unholy Church
November 22, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
- To what degree is holiness valued in the church today? Explain the factors that you think play into your answer.
- Respond to this statement: The church is supposed to be a different type of community with a different type of culture because they possess a different type of character.
- Why do you think the Corinthian church tolerated this man’s sin? What do you think it says about them?
- Explain the reason for the placement of the statement, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” In attempting to connect it to vs. 6 and the first part of vs. 7 please read Exodus 13:7 and Deuteronomy 16:4 (and possibly their contexts). How is the Gospel at the center of this issue? (You might recall the three things listed in the sermon.)
- How does Paul think the church should respond to immorality outside and immorality inside the church? Why do these responses differ? What are the respective goals of each?
- Formulate your own question from this text to share with the group.
- Pray for Lifeline to value holiness and restoration. Pray for Lifeline to keep the Gospel at the center of the issues we face as we do life together.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
An Apostle and the Church
November 15, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 4:1-21
- What is an Apostle? Characterize in your own words the attitudes of the Corinthians and Paul if all you had to go on was this chapter.
- Think about the metaphors below that Paul uses in this text to refer to himself. What do they tell you about his role and how he perceives that role?
- Under-rower –
- Steward (also read Luke 12:35-48) –
- Father –
- What role does the conscience play in human life? Is it a reliable guide for decision making? How is it fashioned or formed? What are the implications of our conscience’s formation for how we live our lives and for what we allow into our lives?
- Make some notes about the contrast in vs. 8-13 between the Corinthians perception of the Christian life and Paul’s perception as an Apostle. How do they mix with your own perception?
- Explain the contrast in metaphors Paul uses in vs. 15. Vs. 21 is thought to end a major section of the letter: what do you make of the way he ends this section?
- Pray for yourself and all who minister at Lifeline to serve as under-rowers and good stewards of what God has entrusted to them. Pray for each one in the group to have a proper perspective of the task of Christian discipleship.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Buildling God’s Way
November 8, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
- According to this passage what should you consider as you build into God’s church?
- In addition and more specifically, how do we build in ways that are not perishable? (think of specific and individual ways)
- What other foundations do some people try to lay for the church? Can you think of examples where a wrong foundation has been laid and what the consequence has been?
- Share some ideas about how you can effectively communicate and gather support for the $100 challenge as a means of helping Lifeline obtain a permanent facility.
- Look closely at vs. 13-17. What is the difference between the person in vs. 15 whose work is burned up and the one in vs. 17 who is destroyed? (regarding the word used for “destroyed” you might look at the other NT uses: 1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 7:2; 11:3; Eph. 4:22; 2 Pt. 2:12; Jude 1:10; Rev. 19:2)
- Pay attention to vs. 17, how is the church at large viewed by people who attend it? How is Lifeline viewed? How ought it to be viewed? What does this mean for your actions as part of the church?
- What does Paul mean in vs. 21-23? In what sense are “all things” yours? Why does he speak this way to them? What are the implications of this for the things he mentioned (world, life, death, present, future)? How do these things oppress us?
- Pray that God would help you be a good builder at Lifeline. Pray that we would treat the church as holy/set apart? Pray for our $100 challenge.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
God’s Building
November 1, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
- In your own words describe the Corinthians from what Paul has said so far.
- How is the Gospel both milk and solid food? How is this analogous to our ABC’s and language? How does the Gospel find import into all of life? Talk about some specific areas of life and how the Gospel reforms and reshapes them.
- Talk about what it means to “act as mere men.” What is meant here? (keep in mind that the Greek literally says, “are you not walking according to men?” Contrast this to Galatians 5:16-26.
- How are the “laborers” in this text characterized? What do you learn about them and their roles both individually and as they relate to God and His “field”? How have the Corinthians misunderstood the role of teachers in the local body? (keep in mind 1 Cor. 1:10-17; 2:10-16; 12:4-6 and 29)
- How does God build His church? What are some good evaluative questions to diagnose if it is being built well?
- Pray for Lifeline and its leadership. Pray that God would build His church and ask Him to show you how to contribute in the best way possible.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
An Image Marred
October 25, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
Genesis 1:26-27
- The Bible clearly declares that man has attributes that set him apart from the rest of God’s creation. What are some of those attributes, and how do they allow us to relate to our creator as well as enable us to exalt our creator?
- In light of what we have seen in human history and what we currently see in our world, what happens when the Image of God (Imago Dei) is either denied or ignored?
- What responsibilities do Christians have to proclaim the uniqueness of man? Generally speaking, do Christians fulfill that responsibility? How could they improve?
- Read Colossians 3:5-10. Does the Church (universal) generally set a good example when it comes to this list of things to “put off”? Reflecting on your personal walk with Christ, how do you overcome the struggle to “put on the new self”?
- In Luke 21:17 Jesus says, “And you will be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Discuss what you think generally causes distain against Christians and Christianity at large. Is this animosity a result of Christians setting a good example of what the Image of God should look like, or because so many Christians express the marred image?
- Paul paints a dire picture of mankind in Romans 3:23. Since this verse does not exempt followers of Christ, how are we as a people with a marred image to relate with others who have a marred image?
- Discuss J.C. Ryles’ statement that illustrates God’s love for redeemed mankind: “Though filthy in their own eyes, they are lovely and honorable in His. They are altogether beautiful—He sees no spot in them. Their weaknesses and shortcomings do not break off the union between Him and them. He chose them, knowing all their hearts. He took them for His own with a perfect understanding of all their debts, liabilities, and infirmities, and He will never break His covenant and cast them off. When they fall, He will raise them again. When they wander, He will bring them back. Their prayers are pleasant to Him. As a father loves the first stammering efforts of his child to speak, so the Lord loves the poor feeble petitions of His people. He endorses them with His own mighty intercession, and gives them power on high. Their services are pleasant to Him. As a father delights in the first daisy that his child picks and brings him, even so the Lord is pleased with the weak attempts of His people to serve Him. Not a cup of cold water shall lose its reward. Not a word spoken in love shall ever be forgotten” (J.C. Ryle, “Wheat and Chaff”).
- Pray for the Church and specifically those within our community at Lifeline, that she/we might reflect the light of Christ and what God’s primary intention for humanity should be.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The Mystery and The Spirit
October 18, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
- Set this passage in the bigger context of 1 Corinthians and what you have learned in this letter so far. How would you describe it set in its context?
- How is the “wisdom” of the Gospel described in vs. 7-9? Talk about each description.
- What are the implications of the fact that the mystery of the Gospel is revealed by the Spirit? Relate this to both the expectations in evangelism and the role of the evangelist.
- How might some people abuse the idea that the Spirit is a revealer? Read 1 John 2:18-27. Interpret vs. 27. What is being addressed in the context? Do we need any human teachers? (you might consider looking at 1 Corinthians 12:29; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Tim. 4:11-13; 2 Tim. 2:24)
- Describe both the natural man (psuchikos) and the spiritual man (pneumatikos). Vs. 15 says that the “spiritual man makes judgments about all things.” What things? How is he qualified to do so as opposed to the “natural man”?
- What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Pay attention to both the context of this passage and also look at Philippians 2:5 and its context.
- Pray for God to open the minds of the lost and pray for those who are the “spiritual” (pneumatikos) to live like it in how they relate to a lost world.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To Be or Not to Be
October 11, 2009 · Filed Under Sermon Study Guides · Comment
Acts 4:32-5:11; 20:18-38
- When you hear the word integrity, who comes to your mind? Why does that person stand out as being one with integrity?
- Take about five minutes and list all of the small things one might have in their life that could cause them to be looked upon as one without integrity.
- Reread the scenario of Ananias and Sapphria in Acts 5:1-11. Do you think their punishment was too hard? How do you believe this passage reflects God’s character? His view of sin, what of His view of truthfulness in the church? Why was the punishment so severe?
- Consider the following characteristics Paul viewed as being integral in the lives of those seen to have integrity.
- Paul reminded them to be HUMBLE (vv.18-21). He wanted the emphasis to be on Jesus not on him. The word “serving” in v.19 is the Greek term doulos which refers to “a servant with no rights of his own.” What can we incorporate into our life as Christians that will enable us to shint the light on Christ rather than ourselves?
- Paul reminded them to be FAITHFUL (vv.22-24). Even when the going was tough, his integrity would not allow him to quit. Why is it so important to remain faithful even when circumstances would lead us to not be?
- Paul reminded them to be CONSISTENT (vv.26-31) He had not give them a popular message but declared “the whole counsel of God.” His integrity demanded that he be consistent to in the gospel with everyone. How should consistency be modeled in the life of the believer?
- Paul reminded them to be UNSELFISH (vv.32-35). Interestingly Paul ended this address with counsel on finances. Is this a true statement? “If our integrity ever lags, it will probably first be obvious in financial matters.”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Of What Will I Boast?
1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5
- Start your time by doing exactly what Paul exhorts the Corinthians to do at the beginning of this text: consider your calling, specifically what you were when you were called. What does this tell you about God’s character and what should that elicit in you?
- What are some things that we ought not boast in but often do? What are some things we ought to boast in?
- What is the doctrine of election? What is the biblical evidence for it? How is it misperceived? Why do so many have such a hard time with this thought? (Some help in understanding might be gained by reading both the previous posts entitled “Total Depravity” and “Unconditional Election” by Pastor Bryan at blog.lifelinecommunity.com)
- Discuss the three terms in vs. 30 that seem to be explaining Christ as the wisdom from God.
- Righteousness
- Holiness
- Redemption
- What do you make of Paul’s proclamation (2:1a), proposition (2:1b-2) and posture (2:3)? Discuss each. Read Acts 18:5-11, why do you think he describes himself as coming to them in weakness, fear and trembling?
- Pray for each other to be humble and make the Lord their boast. Thank God for His mercy and sovereignty in salvation.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The Foolishness of God
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
- Why is the cross scandalous to the Jews and foolish to the Gentiles (specifically the Greeks)? What culturally or historically contributes to this being so?
- What are some contemporary forms of the “wisdom of the world?” In what ways are they made foolish by the wisdom of God?
- What is the power in the cross? Think this through thoroughly and deeply. Try to have your answers evidenced by Scripture. Consider the four points relating to this that were mentioned in the sermon.
- Look at vs. 21. Why did God plan it this way?
- The cross is powerful. With this truth from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 in mind read Ephesians 3:7-21. Relate what this says about power to the cross as the source and beginning of a Christian’s power. How might this passage show that “the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength?”
- Pray for people who you know are lost to have a clear understanding of the Gospel and pray that they might be enlightened by the power of the cross. Pray that each of you would be obedient to share the foolishness of God with others.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Is Christ Divided? Keeping the Cross of Christ as the Crux of the Church
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
- Have you ever been part of a church situation where quarrels and divisions ran rampant? What happened? How was it handled? What were the results?
- Think about the four names mentioned in vs. 12. There is much debate over whether these represent four groups of people that aligned themselves with leaders or whether Paul is utilizing these name/identifications as a means of exposing their lack of concern for the body and their primary concern for self-interest. If hypothetically they were aligning themselves with individuals why do you think these four names are mentioned and what do you think may have been unique about each group?
- Paul
- Apollos (you might want to read Acts 18:24-28)
- Peter
- Christ
- Recall how vs. 10 was explained in the sermon. What does it mean and what does it look like practically to be a body of people who are saying the same thing and are refurbished or reset in mind and thought with one another?
- Discuss the cross and its role in corporate unity. How do the two relate? (A text that has some relation to this, albeit focused on the Jew Gentile distinction, is Eph. 2:14-18 [note the “cross” in vs. 16]).
- What do you make of vs. 17? Talk about the phrase “words with human wisdom.” What is Paul trying to steer clear of here? How would it “empty the cross of its power?”
- Pray for the unity of Lifeline. Pray for our church to keep the cross of Christ at the center of its ministry.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Photo Stream
