Controlling the Fire: Honoring God with our Speech

Some Types of Sinful Speech:

BOASTING

COMPLAINING

SLANDER (GOSSIP/BACKBITING)

PROFANITY

CARELESS WORDS / EMPTY CHATTER

LYING


Truths from the text to help control the fire:

1. We are ACCOUNTABLE for how we use our TONGUE. (Titus 3:1-2)


2. Control the TONGUE, control the BODY. (Titus 3:2-5)


3. Recognize that the TONGUE DEFILES us. (Titus 3:6)


4. Our TONGUE can be used for GOOD and EVIL . (Titus 3:9-10)


5. We are POWERLESS to tame the TONGUE without Christ. (Titus 3:7-8)

Mark Ort - HBCPN Elder

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 3:2

1. What does it mean to malign someone? Gossip and slander is vicious and damaging. How do you prevent this kind of evil communication from damaging your life and the lives of others?
    
2. What is profanity? Does the culture dictate what words we consider profane? What words or phrases should we stop using, and why?
    
3. If there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), will Christians really be held accountable for every careless or idle word (Matthew 12:36). How do you reconcile these two passages?
    
4. Reviewing 2 Peter 1:3-11, discuss "God's part" and "our part" in controlling the tongue.

  
Breakout Questions:

Have you been encouraging/exhorting other in their walk with Christ this week? In what circumstances? Pray for one another.

Everyday Evangelism

To be involved in the Kingdom of God, we must do Kingdom work.
To be effective in the Kingdom, we need the proper view of these two things:

1. COMPASSION - God is all about the heart (Matthew 9:36)


2. The COMMISSION - God brings purpose in life (Matthew 28:18-20)

- How do we see this lived out in the New Testament Church?
- What can we expect?

Three things that will show up while being at work in the Kingdom:

1. TENSION


2. TURNING


3. TRANSFORMATION

Acts 16
Lydia and the Bible Study
Tension (Acts 16:6)
Turning (Acts 16:14)
Transformation (Acts 16:15)

The Possessed Girl
Tension (Acts 16:16-18a)
Turning (Acts 16:18b)
Transformation (Acts 16:18c-19)

The Jailer
Tension (Acts 16:20-24)
Turning (Acts 16:25-26)
Transformation (Acts 16:26-34)

The Gospel reaches us no matter where we are...

Take home: We will have tension, when we trust God He will bring a turning and then a transformation.

Tom Lemmon - WORD FM Program Director

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 16


Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

The Great Commission: Go and Tell!

CONTROVERSY: What is up with Mark 16:9-20?


CONCLUSION: 4 Things Jesus Did After the Resurrection:

1. Jesus APPEARS . (Mk 16:9-14)



2. Jesus ASSIGNS . (Mk 16:15-16)



3. Jesus AUTHENTICATES . (Mk 16:17-18, 20)



4. Jesus ASCENDS . (Mk 16:19)

COMMISSION: How HBC Goes After Jesus' Mission:

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 16:9-20

1. Why was it necessary that Jesus appeared to His followers after His resurrection? (Mk 16:9-14)
    
2. Can you explain the reason there is "controversy" behind Mark 16:9-20?
    
3. Why is Jesus "seated" at the right hand of God (Mk 16:19)? What does this signify? What does this say about your sin and your salvation?

Breakout Questions:

Have you been patient, gentle, and forbearing in your relationships this week (spouse, children, friends, co-workers)? Where could you have done better? How will you improve? Pray for one another.

Resurrected: He Has Risen!

Review:



Why Did Jesus Resurrect from the Dead?

1. It's PROPHETIC . (Mk 16:7b)



2. It's PERFECTING . (Mk 16:6)



3. It's PERSONAL . (Mk 16:7a)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK (not available)
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Sermon Audio: MP3 (no recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 16:1-8

1. Explain why the angel said, "tell His disciples AND PETER..." Why was Peter mentioned by name? What does this tell you about Jesus?
    
2. Why was it important that Jesus resurrected? Why wasn't "dying on the cross" the end of His mission?

Breakout Questions:

Did you abide through prayer and Bible reading this week? What specifically are you moved to change or apply this week and how are you going to apply it? Pray for one another.

Buried: The Death of Jesus Christ

Review:

God is most ACTIVE when He seems most ABSENT .

1. He was PUNISHING sin. (Mk 15:33-34)



2. He was PROVIDING access. (Mk 15:38)



3. He was CHANGING lives. (Mk 15:39)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 15:33-47

1. Tell of a time that God seemed silent during a trial, but later on you saw how He was working during His 'silence'.
    
2. Why did Jesus feel forsaken (Mk 15:34)? What does that mean concerning you and your sin?
    
3. Explain the significance of the curtain being torn (Mk 15:38). What does this say about your access to God? Can anything change that? 

Breakout Questions:

Has your testimony this week been faithful to the love you have for Jesus Christ in both your words and actions? How? Pray for one another.