ARCC Sermons

Study Questions:

1. What is Paul getting at when he tells the Ephesians “but that is not the way you learned Christ”?

2. What does it look like to put off your old self? When was the last time your mind was renewed by something you read or were taught in scripture?

3. Would you say that people experience “grace” when they talk to you? How would you know? How can you ensure this?

4. How can we practically “put away” all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander?

5. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

John 6:44; Colossians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:1; Psalm 119:37; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 15:11

Study Questions:

1. In verse 7 what does Paul mean when he says that grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift?

2. What does it look like for the saints to be building up the body of Christ?

3. According to Paul, what would “mature manhood” look like?

4. In reference to verse 16, how would we know if a “part” was working properly?

5. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Revelation 13:8; Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:33; John 10:11; Hebrews 5:12

Study Questions:

1. Read and meditate upon Acts 13:15-43. What keeps us from being as excited about the gospel as those in Antioch? What can we do about it?

2. What does it mean to continue in the grace of God? What does that look like?

3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Acts 13:34; Matt 11:28; Mark 2:17; Hebrews 3:4; 2 Cor 6:14; Ephesians 6:2; Proverbs 23:13; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Cor 9:6-7; Malachi 3:10; Colossians 3:23; 1 Cor 2:16; Ephesians 4:26; John 3:14; 12:32; 17:1; Revelation 5:9

Study Questions:

1. Read and meditate upon Isaiah 53. What part of this text resinates the most with you? Why?

2. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 5:20-6:2; Matthew 13:1-9; Acts 8:13-25; 2 Peter 1:10; Luke 14:25-33; Isaiah 53:5; Philippians 2:3; John 17:1; Revelation 13:8

Study Questions:

1. How would you know if your inner being was being strengthened by the Spirit? How do you know if Christ is “dwelling’ in your heart? Would those closest to you confirm this?

2. What does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love?

3. When do you best comprehend God’s love? What would help you better comprehend this?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Titus 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 4:16; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 13

Study Questions:

1. What does Paul mean in verse 6 that they are partakers of the promise in Christ? How does the gospel come into play?

2. How is the church displaying the manifold wisdom of God?

3. The first word in verse 13 “So…” implies that Paul has just given the reason why he is asking them not to lose heart. Finish this sentence: You should not lose heart while walking in darkness, uncertainty, suffering, mystery, etc. because….

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

2 Timothy 4:6; Galatians 6:16; Isaiah 11:6-9

Study Questions:

1. Who are those who are “far off”? Why are they considered far off? Who are those who are “near”? Why are they considered near? What was the message of peace? How does this situation in verse 17 relate to us in our generation, culture, and nation?

2. In what ways do we see the Holy Spirit working to ensure that we are built together?

3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Matthew 10:34; 15:21-28; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ezekiel 36:27; 2 Timothy 1:14; Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:1-3; Habakkuk 2:13-14

Study Questions:

1. Why does Paul have to spend so much time in his epistles reminding these churches that their salvation wasn’t their doing? Ex: In Eph. 2:8-13, Paul reminds them that they don’t get to take credit for their faith, works, or being “brought near.”

2. Take a few minutes to read Galatians 3. What are some things can we gather about God’s purpose for the law? (v19-24)

3. What are some of the “ordinances” Paul is referring to in verse 15? (Hint: Colossians 2:8-23) In what ways were they “abolished” or “nailed to the cross” in Christ?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 1:24; 1:28; 6:6; 7:18; 9:16; 3:11-2; 8:4; Hosea 1:9-2:1; 2:23; Matthew 5:17; Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 3

Study Questions:

1. What are the implications of being “dead in our trespasses and sins”?

2. Paul has given us the picture of what our fallen state (being outside of Christ) really looks like. Certainly we were all once in this state of deadness. How are we as the church supposed to respond to such a truth with regards to our relationship to the world around us? How might this truth, regarding our own children who don’t know Christ, effect the way we parent?

3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 6:16-18, 20; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Romans 8:7-9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; John 3:36; Romans 3:9-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 3:3-7

Study Questions:

1. What is Paul’s aim when he speaks of “knowledge” of God?

2. Read and meditate on Romans 8:28-39. What hope is linked to the “calling” of God?

3. If we have the power that raised Jesus working in us, what implications does that have on us moving forward? As the church, how do we picture Christ’s rule and reign to the rest of the world?

4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations.

Additional Scripture References:

John 17:3; Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 33:12-21; Job 23:10; Psalm 42:1-2; Hebrews 8:11; Acts 3:17-19; 4:12; 10:43; 17:30; 3:39, 47; 13:48; John 3:16; Romans 8:28-30; Romans 8:16