Abounding Grace Church

Thinkers and Doers of the Word Philippians 4:8-9 -Why is thinking so important in the Christian life? How does the world, the flesh, and the devil war against Christians thinking godly? -Make a quick list of the things your mind has been focusing on over the last 24 hours? How does that compare to what the apostle Paul commands us to focus on? -How can the list in v8 serve as filters for your thoughts? What does it look like to take captive a thought and make it obedient to Christ? -How do you seek to apply the truths you are taught? Why does putting truth into practice bring peace? For further study: Ps 42:5; 19:14; 119:11,15,30,36; Mt 7:24-27; Jn 13:17; Rom 6:11; 12:2; 2 Cor 10:5; Eph 4:17; Col 3:2; Jam 1:22.

God's Peace through Prayer-Philippians 4:6-7 Call to Worship – Psalm 118:1-9,14,22-24,28-29 Scripture Reading – Matthew 6:25-34 -Why does God tell us not to be anxious? How is worry sinful? -What is your normal reaction to feeling anxious? Is it to pray? -How does thanksgiving help you overcome anxiety? -What obstacles to praying do you face? How can you overcome these obstacles? -What attributes of God and the Gospel do vv6-7 point to? What difference would the peace of God make in your life? For further study: Num 6:24-26; Ps 46:1; 121:1-5; 145:18; Mt 6:25-34; Jn 14:26-27; Phil 4:4-9; Heb 4:14-16; 1 Pt 5:7.

Marked by Christ-formed Joy and Gentleness - Philippians 4:4-5 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 1) Rejoice in the Lord always 2) Be known for gentle selflessness -What does it look like to "Rejoice in the Lord"? What daily habits will help you do that? -Why can Christians rejoice no matter their circumstances? How does God use trials to grow us in rejoicing in the Lord? -Why is gentle selflessness important to the health and unity of the church? -What impact can Christians displaying joy and gentleness have on unbelievers? For further study: Ps 16:11; Hab 3:17-19; Mt 10:29; Jn 15:11; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 4:1-6; 1 Tim 3:3; 6:11; 2 Tim 2:25; Jam 1:2-4; 1 Pt 1:3-9.

Call to worship – Revelation 5:6-14 Scripture Reading – John 13:21-14:6 Sermon – – Not My Home- Philippians 3:17-21 1) Identity (v20) – We are ___________________ and ______________ here. 2) Imitate (v17) – Imitate Paul and others who _____________________. 3) Influence (vv18-19) – Many (even some who profess to be Christians) do not ______________ and seek to steer you away from Him. 4) Inheritance (vv20b-21) – The Lord Jesus will return for us, transforming us to be __________ and ___________ in glory. -What does it mean to you to be a citizen of your country? What effect does it have on the way you think about yourself and the way you act? How should the reality that you are a citizen of heaven affect your daily life? -Where might you be loving the things of this world? How can you replace that with a pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom? -Who is influencing your life? Are they having a positive influence on you toward faithfulness to Christ? Or away from Him? -Who should you look to for godly models of living? How can you be a positive example to someone else? -How does rejoicing in my future help me live the Christian life now? For further study: Mt 6:19-33; Rom 8:5-6,18-25; 1 Co 11:1; Phil 1:27; 2:5-11; 3:7-14; Col 3:1-4; 1 Th 1:9-10; Heb 11:13-16; 1 Jn 2:15-17.

God's Covenant pt. 1: The Majesty of God pt. 2: Man Can't reach God pt. 3: God;s Covenant of Grace The LBCF Chapter 7, Paragraph 1, reads as follows: The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience to Him as their creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.