A song for the Sabbath

Guest Speaker - Darren Miller

It is GOOD to give THANKS to the Lord. (Ps 92:1)

Our worship absolutely must be EMOTIONAL.

It is by God's WORKS in our lives that we joyfully worship. (Ps 92:4)

It is "STUPID" to not acknowledge God's worthiness. (Ps 92:6)

Worshipping God with all our emotions is REVITALIZING. (Ps 92:12-14)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 92

1. What are some opportunities you find or make throughout the week to worship outside church? How can you make more opportunities for yourself?
    
2. What are some ways you can (and do!) personally worship without the use of music?
    
3. How can you worship God even when you are in a season of discouragement?
    
4. What are some of the ways you’ve seen God move in your life as a result of emotional worship?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

The Church on Display

Guest Speaker - Pastor Robert Huber

The Church on Display

Some things Jesus said . . .

Church
EKKLESIA
Acts 2:42

"Let the church BE the church!"
When the church is being the church, people will discover:

1. Authentic RELATIONSHIPS
   
   Fellowship
   KOINONIA
   
   John 13:34,35


2. A "SIRIT and TRUTH" kind of worship
   John 4


3. BELIEVING prayer
   
   • Obedience
   • Discipline
   • Ministry
   • Worship
   
   Prayer as WRESTLING


4. The LIFE-ALTERING message of the cross
   1 Corinthians 1:18
   
   FOOLISHNESS or POWER ?
   The MESSAGE of the cross must be central
   The power of the cross must be EXPERIENCED

JESUS

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

1. Discuss the organic roots of the church found in the idea that the church is the "gathering of the called out ones."
    
2. When observing the popularized evangelical church, what might one assume that church is about?
    
3. What church demographics (size, location, income, staff, programs etc.) would be necessary in order to find authentic relationships, a "spirit and truth" kind of worship, believing prayer and the life-altering message of the cross?
    
4. Read Acts 2:42 - What are the four marks of the early church?
   Discuss the terms:
   postles Doctrine -
   Fellowship -
   Breaking of Bread -
   Prayer -
    
5. Read John 13:34,35 - What is the defining mark of Christ's disciples? Discuss koinonia.
    
6. When you think of great worship, what comes to your mind? Read Romans 12:1,2 - what is this "spiritual act of worship?" (NIV) "reasonable service?" (NKJV) "your spiritual worship?" (ESV)
    
7. Read Hebrews 13:15,16 - What does the Hebrew writer say about our "good words" and our "good works"?
    
8. How important is the message of the cross to the "church being the church"?
    
9. Read I Corinthians 1:18. Discuss - Why wouldn't Paul have said that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but reasonable to those who are being saved?
    
10. Discuss, "the message of the cross must be central". What kind of gospel (good news) would we have if the message of the cross were eliminated? How is the power of the cross experienced?

Breakout Questions:
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your prayer life? (0 being nil and 10 being "without ceasing".)

Describe a time when you "wrestled" in prayer. Can you "wrestle in prayer" over every matter? What kind of need would cause you to "wrestle with God"?

Pray for one another!

Highly to Be Praised

Guest Speaker: Mark Ort

Effects of Psalm 145:

1. We gain a PROPER VIEW of God.



2. God receives glory through our PRAISE .



3. Our PRAYER LIFE is enhanced.



4. We become EFFECTIVE WITNESSES of His greatness.

Mark Ort - HBCPN Elder

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 145

1. What did you learn about the character of God in this passage that you did not know before?
    
2. What aspects of your prayer life need to change in light of Psalm 145?
    
3. Is it important or necessary to recite God's attributes back to Him in our prayers?
    
4. How does Psalm 145 affect your evangelism? Who do you need to talk to specifically and what will you tell them?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Homework:
Write your own four or five sentence prayer of exultation and post it on the refrigerator as a reminder to praise God! Maybe even start your own prayer and praise journal.
Read 1 Kings 8 (prayer for the temple)

Glory: A Glimpse of Majesty

How to Recognize a Real Mountaintop Experience:

1. Jesus is highly EXALTED , and I am HUMBLED by his presence. (Mk 9:1-6)



2. God clearly SPEAKS to me, and I am CHALLENGED by His Word. (Mk 9:7-13)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 9:1-13

1. Do you come prepared to encounter the Lord on Sunday? How would you tell someone to prepare themselves for Sunday service?
    
2. For what purpose did Jesus become transfigured before the 3 disciples? Why was it Moses and Elijah who showed up? Why did Jesus' death keep becoming the focus of the conversation (Mk 9:9-10, 12, cf. Luke 9:31)

Breakout Questions:
Pray for our church - we would be a place where God continues (increasingly so!) to show up and show us His glory.

Commitment: All or Nothing

Following Jesus Requires

1. You must DENY yourself. (Mk 8:34)



2. You must APPRAISE your soul. (Mk 8:35-37)



3. You must consider the COST of NOT following Jesus. (Mk 8:38)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:34-38

1. What would you say to someone who says, "I would like to come to church, but I don't want to give up my party lifestyle." What would Jesus say in light of Mark 8:34-38?
    
2. Why would someone be ashamed of Jesus and His words (Mark 8:38)? What does that mean? Do you ever feel ashamed to speak up for Jesus?

Breakout Questions:
Is there any area in which I am not "dead to self"? Any area I have resisted giving up that I know I need to? Pray for one another!