Is Christ Enough?

Introduction:

The Path to Significance: Three Questions to Answer With Christ. (Philippians 3:7-16):

1. What's important to me? Knowing Christ. (Phil 3:7-8)
2. Who am I? Righteous in Christ. (Phil 3:9-11)
3. What's my purpose in life? Becoming Like Christ. (Phil 3:12-16)

John 17:17 - Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Romans 15:16 - ...sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Philippians 3

1. Honesty time: for you, what would you naturally want to find your significance (sense of self-worth) in?
   How does that compare with knowing Christ, according to Paul (Phil 3:8)?

2. According to Phil 3:15 (and previous the 3 verses Phil 3:11-14), what is "mature thinking" regarding pursuing Christ-likeness? What specifically would be "immature thinking"?

3. You can't make yourself grow, but you can do things to put yourself in a position to maximize your growth. What are the things you can do to help your growth?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be full of God, not full of ourselves. 

Grace in the Garden

Introduction / Context:

Romans 1:21-22 - "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools..."

Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."

5 Examples of Grace Displayed at the Fall (Genesis 3):

1. Grace is Exclusively for Humans. (Gen 3:14)
2. Grace promises Ultimate Victory. (Gen 3:15)

1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

3. Grace permits Continued Creation. (Gen 3:16)
4. Grace leaves us Frustratingly Fallen. (Gen 3:17-19)
5. Grace gives Accessible Life. (Gen 3:22-24)

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Revelation 22:14 - "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates."

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Genesis 3

1. The Fall is possibly one of the most basic and well known stories in the Bible, and yet there's so much depth here. Discuss some of the complex concepts you've learned from this story.

2. It has been said before that most people suffer from two problems: failing to see how big their sin is and failing to see how big God's grace is. Do you believe this? Why or why not?

3. Describe a time where you have experienced God's grace in your failures.

Breakout Questions:

What is causing you to be distant from God right now? How are you going to respond to His grace?

Sermon Series Highlights

Click on any of the series banners below to view all of the sermons for review and listening.

Harvest DNA – Part 4: Unafraid Witness.

Review / Introduction:

Your walk with Christ determines your witness for Christ!

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 3:15 - but in your hearts, regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

Proverbs 28:1 - ...the righteous are bold as a lion.

Three Things You Need to Know to Be a Bold Witness (1 Peter 2:11-12):

1. Know what you are: Alien. (1 Peter 2:11a)

Philippians 3:20 - But our citizenship is in heaven...

2. Know what to fight: Your Sin. (1 Peter 2:11b)
3. Know how to act: Honorable. (1 Peter 2:12)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Peter 2:11-12

1. What is the connection between your walk with Christ and your witness for Christ? Why?

2. How do passions wage war on your soul? Even though a believer cannot lose their salvation, how is sin still harmful to the soul?

3. How would you instruct someone wanting to fight their "besetting" sin? 
    

Breakout Questions:

How, specifically / personally, do you need to "put distance" between you and your sin? Pray for each other to apply wisdom in this war on sin. 

Harvest DNA – Part 3: Unceasing Prayer.

Review / Introduction:

James 4:2-3 - You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Three Powerless Prayers:

1. The "pray it Safe" prayer.
2. The "Santa Claus" prayer.
3. The "public Performance" prayer.

How to Have Your Prayers Answered, Every Time (Matthew 7:7-11):

1. Pray in Humility. (Matt 7:7-8)
1. I need your Provision.
2. I need your Wisdom.

Proverbs 2:4 - if you seek it like silver and search for it as hidden treasure

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

3. I need to Serve you.

Acts 14:7 - ...they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 16:9 - ...for a wide door for effective work has opened to me...

2. Receive like a Child. (Matt 7:9-11)

Psalm 62:11-12 - Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Matthew 7:7-11

1. Why do you think prayer is such a struggle for many sincere Christians?

2. How would you respond to someone who says, "I tried praying, and it didn't work."

3. State Jesus' teaching in Matt 7:7-8 in your own words, regarding "asking... seeking...  knocking".

4. How does Jesus' parent / child illustration help you understand prayer in a better way (Matt 7:9-11)?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for each other, using Jesus' instructions here!