ARCC Sermons

This week we look at why it is such good news for us that God is ultimately about the glory of Jesus.

Was the Bible primarily written so that we could be “the man”? What if we are blessed because in our exhaustion we gladly stepped aside to acknowledge someone else as the Man? Who you think of when you read the first four words of the book of Psalms matters in a profound way.

The resolve to forgive is perhaps one of the greatest ties that bind a family together for its ability to flourish. In this text Jesus teaches us how to apply the gospel as our great motivation and power towards forgiveness.

God pursues His people with a tireless love and grace and mercy. This, of course, is made possible because He poured out His wrath on His Son, Jesus. Jesus gives His disciples a beautiful picture of the heart of the Father…THEIR FATHER and how His heart is to be manifested within the context of the family of believers.

The family is strengthened because it brings with it a certain sensibility. This sensibility flows from its ability to acquire and live out of a common belief and understanding. The family that comes together around the gospel knows that it is sensible to believe that where two or three are gathered (even in the name of Jesus) there in the midst of them will be an abundance of sin. Finding a new family won’t solve this problem.

Additional Scripture References:

Luke 17:1; Matthew 26:24; Romans 13:12-14; John 3:20-21; Colossians 2:23; Psalm 51:17; 1 Corinthians 13:7

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. If the body of believers is your family what does this mean for you? How does this change things in your life?

3. What does it mean to have a broken and contrite heart? Have you ever been broken over you?

When the disciples ask Jesus "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven," his response is the opposite of what they expected. He brings a child in their midst to help them see the true picture of humility. All throughout the New Testament, we see countercultural examples of humility, including servants and even slaves. Humility is ultimately a tie that binds the family by helping us receive others by thinking of ourselves as less than them, and more than that, as last.

Additional Scripture References:

Philippians 2:3-7; Matthew 25:23; Matthew 10:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Revelation 22:3-5; Mark 10:42-44; 1 Corinthians 9:19

For The Sake Of The Mission

Additional Scripture References:

2 Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 4:4

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. When was the last time you spontaneously thanked the Lord? What were the circumstances? If it has been a while why do you think that is?

3. Does the gospel drive the way you do life? How would you know?

For The Sake Of The Mission

Additional Scripture References:

Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 119:50, 148; 2 Peter 1:4; Jeremiah 29:11; Ecclesiastes 7:10; James 4:13-14; Ecclesiastes 3:9-13; Psalm 138; Psalm 86:15

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. Right now, where you are, do you believe that God is pleased with you?…disappointed?…annoyed? Why do you believe this? Is your belief consistent with the truth of the gospel?

3. Spend time seeking the connection between God’s sovereignty and God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises in your life.

Easter 2017

Additional Scripture References:

Ephesians 2:8-10

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. How is Jesus the better answer for your lack of rest today?

For The Sake Of The Mission

Additional Scripture References:

Matthew 21:34; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:13-17; Luke 23:41; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. When was the last time you experienced God in the midst of a storm?

3. Can you give testimony of being the calm for someone else within the storm? Why or why not? Is it possible you have a tendency to make things worse? Why might this be?

4. How does community within the body help prepare us to be the hope for someone out in the world?