Sermon Podcast

Point: The pursuit of holiness begins with the grace of God, is lived by the Spirit, and results in a life that is changed Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16; Romans 8:5-6,9-11; Galatians 5:15-25 Questions:  1. Read 1 Peter 1:13-16. Why do you think that living a holy life by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit requires us to stand in God’s grace first? 2. Read Romans 8:5-6.9-11. What do you think it means to “Set your mind on the things of the Spirit”? 3. Read Galatians 5:16-25. How does living by the Spirit change who we are? Explain. 4. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change

Point: A life changed by Jesus Christ on the inside that makes a difference in life on the outside. Scripture: Acts 2:37-39; Matthew 5:14-16; Leviticus 20:22-26 1. What is holiness? How would you define it? 2. What does it look like to be holy rather than just do holy things? 3. What is repentance? How is repentance the beginning of holiness? 4. What needs to change in your life so that you can begin to lead the way forward as the church?  5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: When pleasure is your king, Christianity is nothing more than a feeling. Scripture: James 4:1-10; Ecclesiastes 2:1-11  1. In your life, what pleasures do you turn to for comfort? 2. Read James 4:1-5. What happens when something or someone gets in the way of your pleasure?  3. Read James 4:5-10. How can you personally replace worship of pleasure with the worship of Christ? 4. How can we rightly balance enjoying the pleasures God gives us with worshipping Christ? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: When power is your king, Christianity is only a tool to be leveraged. Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11; 1 John 2:15-17  1. What are some subtle ways people try to exercise their “power” over others? 2. How has the desire for power become a king (Idol) in your life? Explain. (Get personal with this question. Don’t just talk about what it might look like in someone else’s life. What does this look like for you personally?) 3. How does surrendering to Jesus Christ kill the idol of power? What does that look like practically? 4. Read Acts 1:6-8. How can we use our God given power to honor God? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: Point: When pride is your king, at its best, Christianity is only an accessory. Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17 Questions: 1. What is pride? How would you define it? 2. Why do you think pride is at the center of idolatry? Explain. 3. Why is it so hard to put God above ourselves? Explain. 4. In what ways do you struggle with pride? How can you put Christ first instead? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: If the whole gospel isn’t transforming your life, you are asleep. It’s time to wake up! Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:6-11; Genesis 1; Matthew 21 Questions: 1. Why do you think the return of Christ is so important to the gospel? Explain. 2. In what ways does the promise of eternity offer us hope and purpose? How does it move us to action? 3. In what ways are we guilty of sleeping and not staying awake and on guard? 4. Why is it important for us to put our faith into action? Explain. 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: We can’t grasp how good the good news is until we know how bad we need it. Scripture: Luke 24:1-9 Questions: 1. Why do you think Jesus had to die for our salvation? Explain. 2. Why do you think it can be hard to trust that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough? 3. How can you be assured that what you believe about Jesus is true? 4. What are some of YOUR apprehensions about sharing the gospel with others? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: We can’t grasp how good the good news is until we know how bad we need it. Scripture: Genesis 3 Questions: 1. What do you think the intent was behind Eve’s sin? What did she want that she didn’t have? 2. Read verses 14-24 again. What were the consequences of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God? 3. What is the gospel promise God makes in verse 15? Explain. 4. Why do you think the story of the fall of mankind is so important to the gospel? Explain. 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: Inspiration that doesn’t lead to transformation just becomes more information. Jesus taught for a response… He taught for life change… He didn’t come to just transfer information… but to challenge transformation… Scripture: Acts 17:1-9; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 Questions: 1. Read Acts 17:1-9. How does the gospel “turn the world upside down”? 2. Are you trying to turn the world rightside up while working upside down? What do you think needs to change? 3. Read Matthew 13:18-23. What type of soil best describes your walk with Jesus? (Be honest!) 4. How are you currently pursuing the mission to create a Jesus culture right here in the White Mountains? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: Stay humble. Stay engaged. Stay close. Scripture: 1 Peter 5-11 Questions: 1. Why do you think humility within the church is so important? Explain. 2. How do we humble ourselves? What do you think that looks like practically? 3. Read verses 8 and 9 again. What does it look like for us to engage in “spiritual warfare”? Explain your answer. 4. How can we know that God is restoring, confirming, strengthening, and establishing us? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: Inspiration that that does not lead the way forward will soon become wasted information. Scripture:  1 Peter 5:12-14 Questions: 1. How would you describe a faithful brother or sister in Christ? What would it take for you to own this position? 2. What is the “true grace of God” Peter is referring to? 3. What does it look like to “Stand Firm”? 4. How can we take what we’ve learned and allow it to prepare us to move into the next season with a purpose? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: When you have the same expectations from leadership that God has, know that those same expectations will be expected from you. Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5 Questions: 1. What should a church look for in a pastor/elder? 2. What do you think it means to “shepherd the flock of God”. Explain. 3. How is Jesus an example for pastors? 4. What can the whole church “aim to be the same” from this passage? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: God’s gift of Jesus is the only way to experience perfect peace in chaos. Scripture: Luke 2:1-14 Questions: 1. Why do you think God chose such a humble entrance? 2. Why do you think God chose to announce Jesus’ birth to shepherds? 3. What does it mean to call Jesus “Savior”? 4. How does the birth of Christ give YOU peace even in the midst of a chaotic world? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: You can’t expect to bear the name of Christ and not expect to bear any of the sufferings of Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19 Questions: 1. Why do you think God allows us to suffer as Christians? 2. What do you think it means to “share in Christ’s suffering? What are some examples of this? 3. What do you think it means that “judgement begins at the house of God”? What is this judgement referring to? 4. What are some practical ways we can “entrust our souls” to God daily? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Main Point: Are you living right now like today really matters? Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Questions: 1. Why do you think being “self-controlled and sober-minded” is an important prerequisite for prayer? 2. As Christians, how should we “love one another earnestly”? Explain. 3. How does love for one another “cover a multitude of sins”? 4. How can you personally be a better steward of the gifts God has given you? How can we keep you accountable in this? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Main Point: In the middle of our suffering, we need to know that there is a much bigger picture going on before, during, and after our suffering. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17-4:6 Questions: 1. Read 1 Peter 3:18-4:6. What is the gospel? Explain. How has the gospel impacted your life personally? 2. How is baptism and “the flood” similar? Explain. Why do you think it’s important to be baptized? 3. Peter commands us to live the rest of our lives pursuing God’s will instead of human desires. What does it mean to live for God’s will? 4. Peter assumes that as Christians we no longer join in on the “flood of debauchery” in 4:3-4. What are some things you need to change in your life in order to be more like Jesus? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: In the middle of our suffering, we need to know that there is a much bigger picture going on before, during, and after our suffering. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17-4:6 Questions: 1. Read 1 Peter 3:18-4:6. What is the gospel? Explain. How has the gospel impacted your life personally? 2. How is baptism and “the flood” similar? Explain. Why do you think it’s important to be baptized? 3. Peter commands us to live the rest of our lives pursuing God’s will instead of human desires. What does it mean to live for God’s will? 4. Peter assumes that as Christians we no longer join in on the “flood of debauchery” in 4:3-4. What are some things you need to change in your life in order to be more like Jesus? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: Jesus followers should remember that they are designed to do good, honor Christ, and share their hope. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Questions: 1. How do you think most people respond when their desire to do good is met with anger, hatred and animosity? How do you respond? According to the text, how should we respond as Christians? 2. Peter says we should be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in us, not necessarily to defend God or His Word. What do you think it means to defend your hope in Christ? 3. What is the danger when we choose not to honor Christ and defend our hope with gentleness and respect? 4. How will keeping Jesus the Lord of your heart prepare you for criticism, questions, and even suffering? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: If the church would own the position Jesus gave us it would change the world. Questions: 1. Read 1 Peter 3:8-12. Why do you think that unity in the church is so important? 2. How should our conduct inside the church set the tone for our conduct outside of the church? 3. What are some practical ways we can “keep our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking deceit”? 4. What do you think it looks like to seek and pursue peace in all of our interactions - inside and outside the church? (Permanent Question) What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?

Point: Let your being lead your doing. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Questions: 1. Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. In our culture today, what do you think it means to “act like a man”? What should it mean? 2. How should pursuing Jesus lead a man to be the greatest servant in his household? 3. What do you think it means for husbands to “live with your wives in an understanding way”? 4. How can a husband’s rocky or broken relationship with his wife “hinder his prayers”? 5. What is God teaching you through this sermon? Where is He convicting you to change?