Glorifying God by Embracing His Design 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Glorifying God in our Corporate Gatherings Foundational values for all God's people as we gather: -Desiring to see God glorified -Holiness with self-control -Considerate of the needs of others Gender specific applications: Men: Women: -What kind of heart preparation should one do before coming to worship? Why? -Why is it vital to bathe the services and ministries of the church in prayer? How can men lead in this? -How does unresolved anger hinder worship? Why were men specifically called to put off anger? -What is the difference between dressing attractively and dressing to get noticed? What harm comes from the latter? -Why is inner beauty much more valuable than outer beauty? How can one cultivate inner beauty? For further study: Prov 31:30; Mt 5:23-24; Eph 2:10; 4:31-32; 1 Tim 5:5,11; 2 Tim 3:6; Jam 1:19-20; 1 Pet 3:3-4.

Ephesians 4:15-16 The Growth of the Church

Ephesians 4:11-14 – The Growth of the Church 1) The Process of Growth – vv11-12 2) The Final Goal of Growth – v13 3) The Result of Growth – v14 -Where did the church's initial life come from? How does Christ provide for the church's ongoing growth? -Who does the work of ministry? What does the work of ministry involve? How is one prepared to serve this way? -What does church growth look like? What is it contrasted with in this passage? -How is Christ central to the growth and focus of the church? For further study: Matt 16:13-18; Jn 15:1-17; 1 Cor 12:12-13:7; Eph 3:14-4:7; Col 2:6-10; 1 Th 5:8-11; Heb 3:13.

Purpose for Each Day – Gen 1:26/1 Cor 6:20,10:31/Ps 16:11 -What does it mean to glorify God? While all creation declares God's glory, how are humans especially able to glorify God? -What does it look like to enjoy God? What is the connection between glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? -How does the Gospel enable us to glorify God and enjoy Him forever? -How does knowing that my purpose is "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever" give meaning to all that I do? How does this purpose shape how I approach each day? -As Christians, how should we respond to the reality that we often fail of glorifying God and enjoying Him? -Does enjoying God mean that I can't enjoy other things too? How do I know when this becomes idolatry? For further study: Gen 1:26; Ps 16:11; 19:1-4; 73:25-26; Isa 43:6-7; Jn 17:3; Acts 17:25; Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 10:31; Phil 3:7-8; 4:4; Col 1:16; 1 Pet 3:18.

You Need God's Word to Survive and Thrive Deuteronomy 8:3

Lord of All - Philippians 2:9-11

Consider Christ's Humility - Philippians 2:3-8 -What changes did God the Son experience by becoming man? -How did the incarnation affect the Son's relationship with God the Father? What was their relationship like while Jesus suffered on the cross? -Why did Jesus subject Himself to the humiliation of the incarnation and crucifixion? How does this serve as an example to us? -Why is humility vital to our relationships? In what areas is God calling you to consider the interests of others? -Further study: Mt 1:20-23; Mk 10:45; Lk 1:31-35; Jn 1:1,14; 8:29,58; 17:5; 2 Cor 8:9; Col 1:15-17; 2:9; Heb 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 10:7-8.

The Glory of Christ in His Sacrifice 1 Timothy 2:5-7 Reasons to pray for all kinds of people to be saved (embrace the gospel): 1) Glory of God (v2b) – Praying this way sanctifies the Church. 2) Pleasure of God (v3) – Praying this way pleases God. 3) Desire of God (v4) – God's heart and plan is to save all kinds of people. 4) Death of Christ (v5-6) – Praying this way aligns with the purpose and value of Christ's sacrifice a. Exclusive – Christ is the to reconcile people to the one God. b. Love – Christ suffered and died of sinners c. Power – Christ's death His people from their sins d. Scope – Christ died of people. 5) Ministry of Paul (v7) – God appointed Paul to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. How is Jesus uniquely qualified to reconcile people to their Creator? In what ways does the sacrifice of Christ declare His glory? What attributes of Christ shine forth from His sacrifice? How does failing to pray for all kinds of people to be saved demean Christ's sacrifice? Why are the singularity of God and the exclusivity of Christ not welcome news to the popular culture? How can we explain that the singularity of God and the exclusivity of Christ are truly good news? For Further study: Dt 6:4; Mk 10:45; Acts 4:12; Rom 3:29-30; 5:6; 8:32; Gal 1:4; 2:20; 4:4; Eph 5:2; Phil 2:5-7; Heb 2:14-17; Rev 5:9.

Call to Worship – Psalm 100 Scripture Reading – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 Sermon – Pray for people everywhere to be saved – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Result – ____________ · · · Reason ____________ -How does the command of prayer "for all people" challenge the way we normally pray? -In what way would our corporate worship be transformed if we focused on pleasing God rather than the preferences of man? -Do our corporate and personal prayers mark God's priorities? If not, what changed need to be made? -Develop an extensive evangelistic prayer list. What routine/method could you employ to consistently pray through this list? Further study: Gen 12:1-3; Hab 2:14; Mt 6:5-15; Acts 4:23-31; Rom 13:1-7; Col 4:2-6; 1 Th 4:11-12; 5:17; 2 Th 3:1-5; Rev 7:9-10.