Acts 17:22-30

Doctrine of Creation

-Seeking to Worship is a Reflection of Creation (v. 23a)

-Able to Know the Creator (v. 23b)

=General Revelation- creation; morality; dreams

Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-20

=Specific Revelation- Word of God; Jesus

John 1:1-3, 14; Romans 10:13-15

-Everyone/Everything Created to Worship (vv. 24-26)

-Created in God’s Image to Know and Worship Him (vv. 27-30)

How does God’s Design (Creation) impact our lives?

1. God’s Design (Creation) focuses us UP in worship

So we learn to Trust Him as God

Because otherwise we give our lives to lesser things

-Engage people on the question of worship/life purpose

2. God’s Design (Creation) shapes us IN through discipleship

So we learn to Give Ourselves fully to His Way of Life

Because otherwise we live in sin apart from true life

-Engage people on how worship shapes our life choices

3. God’s Design (Creation) sends us OUT on mission

So we learn to find Joy in Pursuing His Will

Because otherwise we chase after meaningless pursuits

-Engage people on what we’re aiming for in the future

Acts 17:22-30

Doctrine of Creation

-Seeking to Worship is a Reflection of Creation (v. 23a)

-Able to Know the Creator (v. 23b)

=General Revelation- creation; morality; dreams

Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-20

=Specific Revelation- Word of God; Jesus

John 1:1-3, 14; Romans 10:13-15

-Everyone/Everything Created to Worship (vv. 24-26)

-Created in God’s Image to Know and Worship Him (vv. 27-30)

How does God’s Design (Creation) impact our lives?

1. God’s Design (Creation) focuses us UP in worship

So we learn to Trust Him as God

Because otherwise we give our lives to lesser things

-Engage people on the question of worship/life purpose

2. God’s Design (Creation) shapes us IN through discipleship

So we learn to Give Ourselves fully to His Way of Life

Because otherwise we live in sin apart from true life

-Engage people on how worship shapes our life choices

3. God’s Design (Creation) sends us OUT on mission

So we learn to find Joy in Pursuing His Will

Because otherwise we chase after meaningless pursuits

-Engage people on what we’re aiming for in the future

Acts 17:16-23

1. Understanding Pluralism in Athens and America

Idols

Ideas

Interests

2. Engaging Pluralism with the Good News of Jesus

Meet people where they are

Keep your eyes and ears open

Share what makes Christianity distinct

'3 Circles' Model for Proclaiming Jesus

-Explore this tool over the next 3 weeks

-Info and App at: lifeonmissionbook.com/conversation-guide

*Do i understand and celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ?

*This week, how can I engage my culture with the Good News?

Acts 17:16-23

1. Understanding Pluralism in Athens and America

Idols

Ideas

Interests

2. Engaging Pluralism with the Good News of Jesus

Meet people where they are

Keep your eyes and ears open

Share what makes Christianity distinct

'3 Circles' Model for Proclaiming Jesus

-Explore this tool over the next 3 weeks

-Info and App at: lifeonmissionbook.com/conversation-guide

*Do i understand and celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ?

*This week, how can I engage my culture with the Good News?

Psalm 51: 1-19

David is convinced that God’s mercy is his only hope. (v.1-2)

How has he become convinced? (v.3-6)

David has a keen awareness of his sin and more importantly who his sin has offended. (v.3-4)

In sinning against the Lord David knows he deserves God’s judgment and it would be fair of God to condemn him forever. (v.4)

David knows that his sins aren’t the only problem, but are symptoms of a greater problem…his sinfulness. (v.5-6)

God’s mercy makes the impossible possible. (v.7-12)

Psalm 51 Gospel Observations

#1 This isn’t so much a Psalm about David finding the mercy of God

but about the mercy of God finding David. (Psalm 32:1-5)

#2 David’s sins were not swept under a rug to be left unpunished. (Romans 3:21-26)

God’s mercy is not a dead end. (v.13-19)

Those blessed with the mercy of God are especially positioned to share God’s mercy with others (v.13).

Those blessed with the mercy of God understand the need to boast in God alone and worship Him only. (v.14-15).

Those blessed with the mercy of God fight to resist the temptation to improve upon the mercy of God with good deeds, religious activity, or the like. (v.16-17).

Those blessed with the mercy of God have a renewed concern for the

people of God. (v.18-19).

Psalm 51: 1-19

David is convinced that God’s mercy is his only hope. (v.1-2)

How has he become convinced? (v.3-6)

David has a keen awareness of his sin and more importantly who his sin has offended. (v.3-4)

In sinning against the Lord David knows he deserves God’s judgment and it would be fair of God to condemn him forever. (v.4)

David knows that his sins aren’t the only problem, but are symptoms of a greater problem…his sinfulness. (v.5-6)

God’s mercy makes the impossible possible. (v.7-12)

Psalm 51 Gospel Observations

#1 This isn’t so much a Psalm about David finding the mercy of God

but about the mercy of God finding David. (Psalm 32:1-5)

#2 David’s sins were not swept under a rug to be left unpunished. (Romans 3:21-26)

God’s mercy is not a dead end. (v.13-19)

Those blessed with the mercy of God are especially positioned to share God’s mercy with others (v.13).

Those blessed with the mercy of God understand the need to boast in God alone and worship Him only. (v.14-15).

Those blessed with the mercy of God fight to resist the temptation to improve upon the mercy of God with good deeds, religious activity, or the like. (v.16-17).

Those blessed with the mercy of God have a renewed concern for the

people of God. (v.18-19).

Revelation 3:14-21

The Continuing Witness of the Church: “Jesus is Enough”

-Jesus as the Faithful/True Witness

-Laodicean Church as the Lukewarm/Useless Witness

What makes us lukewarm?

1. Think we’re great when we’re actually wretched and miserable

So we need to look to Jesus as the source of truth

2. Think we’re rich when we’re actually poor

So we need to look to Jesus for true wealth

3. Think we’re clothed when we’re actually naked

So we need to look to Jesus for white garments

4. Think we’re able to see when we’re actually blind

So we need to look to Jesus for eye salve

What’s the solution?

1. Recognize the love of Jesus’ correction and discipline

2. Become Zealous and Repent

What’s the result?

1. Fellowship with Jesus and His Church

2. Sharing in His Eternal Glory and Kingdom (when worldly riches and power will do no good)

Revelation 3:14-21

The Continuing Witness of the Church: “Jesus is Enough”

-Jesus as the Faithful/True Witness

-Laodicean Church as the Lukewarm/Useless Witness

What makes us lukewarm?

1. Think we’re great when we’re actually wretched and miserable

So we need to look to Jesus as the source of truth

2. Think we’re rich when we’re actually poor

So we need to look to Jesus for true wealth

3. Think we’re clothed when we’re actually naked

So we need to look to Jesus for white garments

4. Think we’re able to see when we’re actually blind

So we need to look to Jesus for eye salve

What’s the solution?

1. Recognize the love of Jesus’ correction and discipline

2. Become Zealous and Repent

What’s the result?

1. Fellowship with Jesus and His Church

2. Sharing in His Eternal Glory and Kingdom (when worldly riches and power will do no good)

Revelation 3:7-13

The Way of the Cross leads…

1. Through the door of perfect salvation (vv. 7-9)

Isaiah 22:22; 26:2; 45:1; 60:14

John 10:7-10; 14:6

2. Through the valley of temporary suffering (vv. 10-11)

John 17:12-19

How do we go through the valley?

-Presence of the Holy Spirit

-Example of Jesus

-Encouragement and Hope of God’s Word (Bible)

-Support from the Church/Body of Christ

Why does it matter that we go through, not around?

-Display a Clear/Accurate Picture of Jesus for others

-Build Courage and Faith

-Walk with others; give comfort/encouragement

-Deal with what really matters in life

3. Through the gates of eternal security (vv. 12-13)

Isaiah 62:2; 65:15-16

Revelation 21:1-4

Revelation 3:7-13

The Way of the Cross leads…

1. Through the door of perfect salvation (vv. 7-9)

Isaiah 22:22; 26:2; 45:1; 60:14

John 10:7-10; 14:6

2. Through the valley of temporary suffering (vv. 10-11)

John 17:12-19

How do we go through the valley?

-Presence of the Holy Spirit

-Example of Jesus

-Encouragement and Hope of God’s Word (Bible)

-Support from the Church/Body of Christ

Why does it matter that we go through, not around?

-Display a Clear/Accurate Picture of Jesus for others

-Build Courage and Faith

-Walk with others; give comfort/encouragement

-Deal with what really matters in life

3. Through the gates of eternal security (vv. 12-13)

Isaiah 62:2; 65:15-16

Revelation 21:1-4