SERIES: ROMANS
MESSAGE: An Introduction
TEXT: Romans 1:1–7
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim Lewis

1. It is a letter. (Vv. 1, 7)

2. It is a theological statement.
- How to be made right with a Holy God.
- How to live right among people before Holy God.

3. It is significant.

4. An overview.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 1:1–17)
- The wrath of God. (Rom. 1:18–3:20)
- The grace of God. (Rom. 3:21–8:39)

- He justifies the unjust. (Rom. 3)
- He is just and He loves us.
- We must respond in faith. (Rom. 4)
- We have peace with God. (Rom. 5)
- We are free to live a new life. (Rom. 6)
- The struggle between the law and our sinful nature. (Rom. 7)

5. The life in the spirit. (Rom. 8)
- The elective plan of God and Israel. (Rom. 9–11)
- The will of God in our relationships. (Rom. 12:1–15:13)
- Paul’s travel plans and greetings. (Rom. 15:14–16:27)

6. The Gospel in Romans.
- All of us have sinned. (Rom. 3:10–12, 23)
- All of us are under God’s righteous judgement. (Rom. 3:19–20)
- The wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23a)
- You cannot save yourself. (Rom. 3:20, 28)
- God has demonstrated His love for us. (Rom. 5:6, 8)
- God has provided an atonement for our sin through Jesus’ death. (Rom. 3:24)
- God’s gift of grace is eternal life. (Rom. 6:23b; Rom. 5:15–17)
- You must believe in Jesus and confess Him as Lord. (Rom. 10:9–10)

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: Worship in the Garden-City
TEXT: Revelation 22:1-5
MESSAGE BY: Pastor J Carr

The Garden-City
- Eden (&Jerusalem) 2.0
- v. 3 “his servants will worship him”
- No temple (21:22)

Jesus on worship 
- Untethered from outward ritual/place
- Further emphasized the heart
- John 4:21-24

Worship is all of life
- So, why gather for “worship”?

Enacting our hope
- The Already-Not Yet
- We are Met, Marked, Centered, and Sustained

Met & Marked
- Rev. 22:4
- United by being his and being with him
- He really is among us but will be among us in even greater way
- Purely devoted (undiluted, undivided)

Centered
- Rev. 22:5
- The sun is a shadow, Christ is the substance
- Malachi 4:2; John 1:4-5; 9
- God’s first words: let there be light (double meaning!)
- v. 4 - see his face (1 Tim. 6:16 - unapproachable light?)

Sustained
- Rev. 22:2-3
- The tree of life
- Ezekiel 47:12
- From many to one, why?
- Acts 10:39; Galatians 3:13
- v.3 “no longer anything ACCURSED”
- Lord’s supper - eating of Christ’s life
- 1 Peter 2:24-25

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: Biblical Community
TEXT: Acts 2:41-47
MESSAGE BY: Pastor John Shaw

1. God calls all believers into Biblical Community
- Called to devotion
- Called to compassion
- Called to frequency

2. God works in and through His Community
- Through the Holy Spirit
- Through wonders and signs
- Through Generosity
- Through Love and Unity

3. God blesses His Community
- Community was and is life-giving
- Community met the needs of the people
- Community brought joy in Him and in each other
- Community was added to them daily
- Community was marked by unity
- Community overflowed with love, sincerity, and thanksgiving

Action Steps

1. Commit to “doing life together” with other Christ-followers

2. Seek out a Community Group in which to experience redemptive community

3. Find ways to use your gifts and talents to accomplish the mission of the church

Community Group Follow-Up Questions

1. Why did God give us the church community?

2. Why is it so important to be a participant in community and not just a spectator of community?

3. How has God used others to help you in your walk with God?

4. What is it about a close group of friends that makes you feel welcome and safe— with whom you can share anything?

5. How has Biblical community been “life-giving” for you?

6. How did God respond to the commitment level of these early Christians?

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: The Mission to Make Followers of Jesus (Pt. 2)
TEXT: Matthew 28:18–20
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim Lewis

1. The identifying marks of Christ followers.
- Obedience (Luke 6:46)
- Love (Matt. 22:37, 39; John 13:34–35)
- Serving (Mark 10:45)
- Witnessing (Acts 1:8)

2. The values for a healthy church.
- Abiding in Christ. (John 15:1–5)
- Praising God. (1 Pet. 2:5, 9–10)
- Belonging in community. (Rom. 12:4–8, 10)
- Equipping believers. (Eph. 4:11–16)
- Fighting for unity. (John 17:11, 20–23)
- Living on mission. (Matt. 28:18–20; 1 Cor. 9:16–23)

Take-Away Questions:

1. Do others see the identifying characteristics of Jesus in your relationships?

2. What are the marks of a healthy church?

3. In what ways are you serving in Christ’s church?

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: The Mission to Make Followers of Jesus
TEXT: Luke 5:1–11; Matthew 28:18–20
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim Lewis

1. The call to follow Jesus. (V. 10)
(Luke 5:27; Matt. 4:19; 11:28)
- Requires leaving.
- Requires learning.

2. The cost to follow Jesus.
(Luke 9:23; Mark 10:21; Matt. 10:37–39)
- Denial of self.
- Take up your cross.
- Allegiance to Jesus.

3. The consequences of following Jesus.
(Matt. 10:39; Matt. 4:19)
- You find real life.
- Your life is changed.
- You will have an eternal reward. (Eph. 6:8)

"“A disciple is a person who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus and is on mission with Jesus.”

4. The identifying marks of Christ followers.
- Obedience (Luke 6:46)
- Love (Matt. 22:37, 39; John 13:34–35)
- Serving (Mark 10:45)
- Witnessing (Acts 1:8)

Take-Away Questions:

1. Am I following Jesus?

2. What is the evidence that you are following Jesus?

3. Is your life being changed by Jesus?

4. Are you on mission with Jesus?

5. How is Jesus leading you today?

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: The Foundation of the Church (Pt. 2), The Authority & Mission of the Church
TEXT: Matthew 16:13–20
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim Lewis

1. The authority of Christ. (V. 19)
(Matt. 28:18)
- Announced
(Luke 2:11)
- Demonstrated
(Matt. 7:29; 8:9–11; 9:18–26)
- Declared
(Matt. 9:1–8, 12:1–8; Acts 2:36; Rev. 1:12–18)

2. The authority of the church. (V. 19)
(Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 6:7; Eph. 6:10–11)
- In Revelation
- In the Gospel
- In the Holy Spirit

3. The triumph of the church. (Vv. 18b–19)
(Ps. 34:7; Ps. 125:2; 1 Cor. 15:23–28; Rev. 17:14; Rev. 22:1–5)

Take-Aways: 

In light of these truths, how shall we live our lives? 
(Eph. 6:12–20)

1. Confidently trusting

2. Boldly proclaiming

3. Purposefully serving

4. Expectantly believing

5. Faithfully abiding

6. Fervently praying

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: The Foundation of the Church
TEXT: Matthew 16:13–20
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim Lewis

1. The founder of the church. (V. 18)
(Matt. 7:26–27)

2. The foundation of the church. (V. 18)
(Isa. 28:16; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20; Matt. 21:42)

3. The people of the church. (V. 18)
(1 Cor. 3:9, 16)
- You are His building.
- You are His temple.
- You are His precious bride.
(2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7; Isa. 62:5)
- You are His body.
(Eph. 1:22–23; Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 1:18–19)
- You are His flock.
(1 Pet. 5:2)
- You are His family.
(John 1:12; Rom. 8:15)
4. The authority and mission of the church. (V. 19)
(Matt. 28:18–20; Rom. 1:16; Rev. 1:12–18)
5. The triumph of the church. (Vv. 18b–19)

SERIES: BEING THE CHURCH
MESSAGE: The Mission of the Church
TEXT: Matthew 20:18-20
MESSAGE BY: Pastor Drew Askew

1. I’ve been given a mission to make disciples.

2. I’ve been given a mission to mark disciples.

3. I’ve been given a mission to mature disciples.

4. I’ve been given a mission to multiply disciples.

SERIES: WISDOM FROM ABOVE
MESSAGE: Open to Reason, Impartial, and Sincere
TEXT: James 3:13-18
MESSAGE BY: Pastor J Carr

Lord Thompson’s Airship competition

Open to Reason:

- Proverbs 9:8

- Doubtful of self, undoubting of the Truth - Chesterton

- Greatness = Endure criticism without resentment - Swindoll

- James 5:19-20

Impartial:

- Partiality: letting irrelevant considerations determine how you treat people

- Audition screens and women in top orchestras

- James 2:1-9

- The depth and breadth of sin

- Ephesians 6:9; Galatians 3:28

Sincere:

- Two types of worthless religion:

- 1.) Removing God from center of religion

- Luke 18:9-12

- Taking what should be about God and making it about us

- Leads to inconsistencies

- God’s plea for hypocrites (The prodigal’s older brother)

- 2.) Confining God to religion only

- James 1:26

- God gives all of himself to us in Christ

Discussion Questions:

How do you handle criticism?

Have you ever learned from rebuke? (Even rebuke that was partially wrong/unfair?)

How can we grow in the wisdom that is open to reason?

Why is proverbs 9:8 true? (why would a wise man love you for rebuking him?)

Have you ever caught yourself (or been caught) practicing favoritism and partiality?

Are there particular irrelevant consideration that you are tempted to treat as relevant?

How can we grow in the wisdom that is impartial?

How does James 2:1-9 confront and correct this sin?

Are there areas of your religion that sometimes drift away from having God at the center?

What are some ways that we can recognize this happening?

What is wrong with the pharisee’s prayer in Luke 18?

Are there areas of your life where you don’t let God touch (are out of alignment with true [whole-life] religion?)

In particular (as James mentioned) are there environments/relationships/topics where the way you speak (or write) is not in line with the Character of Christ?

SERIES: WISDOM FROM ABOVE
MESSAGE: Peaceable, Gentle and Full of Mercy
TEXT: James 3:13-18
MESSAGE BY: Pastor J Carr

Worldly wisdom is used to demean and damage

Wisdom from above is used to help and heal

What does it mean to be gentle?
- 1 Timothy 3:3
- Titus 3:2
- 1 Peter 2:18
- Philippians 4:5
- Treat people like you would if Jesus is near (because he is)

What makes us act un-gently?
- Pragmatism
- Tied to selfish ambition
- Self-pity
- Tied to jealousy

Pragmatism is pervasive
- A default mode of thinking
- Results/happiness/blessings are all used to justify behavior

Pragmatism overestimates our foreknowledge and ability
- James 4:13-17
- Always looking to future (pre-eternity) makes you less focused on faithfulness in the present

Alternatives to pragmatism
- Three approaches to ethics:
- Duty/rules
- Consequences/outcomes
- Virtue/character
- The most in line with Jesus
- James 3:17 - “…full of mercy and good fruits…”

How is virtue/gentleness attained?
- Through faith in the source of all virtue and gentleness
- Matthew 12:19-21
- Gentle & Lowly
- The Iron Giant
- Galatians 5:20; 22-24

Peacemaking
- James 3:18
- God brings great things from small offerings of peacemaking

What keeps us from making peace?
- James 4:1
- The war within
- Faith and repentance toward our peacemaking God
- His cross and resurrection
- Give us peacemaking power

Discussion questions:

If you know any people who you think of as truly wise, what do you think of when you think of them? What are they like?

Are there any people in your life that you now think of as wise that you would have thought of as wise before?

What are some examples of acting un-gently in your life?

How do you try to justify it?

When do you act gently?

those times when you are gentle, what is going on in life? What is motivating you? How are you thinking? Can we learn from any of this?

What do we need to understand about God and ourselves to act Gently?

Do you think or act in pragmatic ways?

Where the ends justifies the means; or you assume that a desirable outcome means however you got there is okay

Do you see any problems with that way of thinking?

Have you seen it be a slippery slope?

Do you fall into duty/rules thinking of morality?

How might thinking in terms of virtue and character be better?

How do we develop virtue?

What do we need to understand about God, ourselves, and reality to be peacemakers?

Why is peacemaking so hard?