Greatness: Last is First

Greatness is Demonstrated in the Way I Treat Others

1. Great people LIFT others, not themselves (Mk 9:33-34)



2. Great people SERVE others, not themselves (Mk 9:35)



3. Great people BLESS others, not themselves (Mk 9:36-37)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 9:30-37

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

Help for your Unbelief

The Way Faith Grows

1. Q: WHERE does my faith grow?
   A: Off the MOUNTAIN TOP (Mk 9:14-15)


2. Q: WHEN does my faith grow?
   A: In a difficult TRIAL (Mk 9:16-18)


3. Q: HOW does my faith grow?
   A: By ASKING Jesus for HELP (Mk 9:19-27)


4. Q: WHY does my faith need to grow?
   A: So I learn who to TRUST (Mk 9:28-29)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 9:14-29

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

The Pieces of Peace

Guest Speaker - Daniel Thompson

The Cure for Fear: 1 John 4:18


The Replacement for Fear: PEACE

FEAR		REALITY IN CHRIST
PAST MISTAKES	(Rom 5:1)	JUSTIFIED BY FAITH
LACK OF BLESSINGS	(Rom 5:2a)	ACCESS INTO GRACE
FUTURE	(Rom 5:2b)	HOPE OF GLORY
STRUGGLES OF TODAY	(Rom 5:3-5)	PURPOSE IN SUFFERING
UNCERTAINTY	(Rom 5:6-11)	DEATH FOR AN ENEMY

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Romans 5:1-11

1. In your own words, describe what peace from God is. It may also be helpful to describe what peace is not.
    
2. It has been said (but apparently not by Einstein) that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". In any case, insanity is definitely a loss of touch with reality. In what ways have you lost touch with the realities discussed in this portion of Romans 5? In light of these realities, what things do you need to do differently in order to expect different results for handling the fears in your life?
    
3. What fear (in the list from Sunday or any other fear) has any control in your life? Why is this so? What truth do you need to remind yourself of to have peace instead of this fear?
    
4. List some people in your life who you would be willing die for or at least risk death for. Assuming that none of your enemies were on that list, how much more grateful should we be for what Christ has done for us: dying for His enemies?
    
5. These fears, and many others (including completely irrational ones), are very much a reality for those that don't know Christ as their Savior and Lord. Describe how this motivates you to share the gospel with the lost. Provide examples of things you can say to explain true peace to those who do not have it.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

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!