GCC Newton sermon audio

What’s True in the Bible?

1. We fear the unknown. (Matthew 14:25–26)

2. Jesus is greater than our fear. (Matthew 14:27–29)

3. When we take our eyes off Jesus, we sink. (Matthew 14:30)

4. When we call out to Jesus, we’re saved. (Matthew 14:30–31)

5. Jesus gets in the boat with us. (Matthew 14:32–33)

What’s Real in my life?

What am I currently afraid of? Why?

Has Jesus offered to calm my fears? How?

What circumstances cause me to doubt, even though I trust Him?

What’s Next?

What impossible thing has Jesus called me to right now?

How can I keep my eyes on Jesus and off of my circumstances?

What’s True in the Bible?

While We Await the Heavenly City

1. We praise God continually. (Hebrews 13:15)

2. We do good generously. (Hebrews 13:16)

3. We honor leaders submissively. (Hebrews 13:17)

Defiance leads to groaning.

Submission leads to joy.

What’s Real in my life?

• When was it painful or difficult for me to praise God? Why?

• How do my actions reflect my hope for Heaven?

• What does God’s leadership structure have to do with my preparation for Heaven (Hebrews 13:14, 17)?

What’s Next?

• How can I continue to praise God when life’s hard?

• How can I join Grace’s efforts to do good locally and globally? (gcc-online.org/service-opportunities)

• How can I encourage the Elders at Grace?

What’s True in the Bible?

Since...

we have confidence (vv. 19–20)

we have a great priest (v. 21)

Let us...

draw near (v. 22)

hold fast (v. 23)

stir up (vv. 24–25)

What’s Real in my life?

• I need others to help me grow in my faith. Who is the “us” in my life?

• How have I been stirred up through meeting with other believers?

• How does thinking about the Old Testament way of drawing near to God change our perspective on drawing near to Him now?

• What habits can we develop to stir others up to love and good works, and to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and a practical step in light of truth.

What’s True in the Bible?

“for his steadfast love endures forever”

1. Give thanks to the God who is good. (Psalm 136:1–3, 26)

2. Give thanks to the God who creates. (Psalm 136:4–9)

3. Give thanks to the God who delivers. (Psalm 136:10–22)

4. Give thanks to the God who remembers and provides. (Psalm 136:23–25)

What’s Real in my life?

• What inspires me to give thanks to the one true God?

• What rhythms interrupt my day and remind me to give thanks?

• How have I seen God’s steadfast love in my own life?

• How does God’s steadfast love impact the way I live and the way I interact with people around me?

What’s Next?

Write your own call to worship. List out the ways God has worked in your life. Add in “for his steadfast love endures” after every line. Read over it regularly and let it stir your heart to give thanks to God.

What’s True in the Bible?

Storing Up Treasure

1. Treasure on earth won’t last. (Matthew 6:19 / Luke 12:15–21 / Psalm 49:16–17 / Proverbs 23:4–5)

2. Treasure in heaven won’t fade. (Matthew 6:20, 19:21 / Romans 2:6 / 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, 9:24–25 / Ephesians 6:8 / Luke 6:35, 14:13–14)

You gain much more than you lose. (Matthew 19:29 / Psalm 16:11)

3. Treasure reveals your heart. (Matthew 6:21 / Luke 3:11–14, 19:8–9)

What’s Real in my life?

• What’s my perspective on saving for the future? Is it “wrong” to save up for myself? Why?

• How does the Bible convince Christians to seek treasure in Heaven?

• Am I trying to store up treasure in heaven? How so?

• If someone were to look into my life and my finances, what would they identify as my treasure?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and a practical step in light of truth.

What’s True in the Bible?

A Glimpse of the Present Heaven

1. What are the seals? (Revelation 5:1–8:1)

2. Who are the souls? (Revelation 6:9, 1:9, 18:24, 20:4 / Matthew 16:24-26 / Romans 8:36, 12:1-2 / Philippians 2:17)

3. What are they doing? (Revelation 6:10-11, 8:1)

4. Why are they waiting? (Revelation 6:10-11 / 2 Peter 3:8-14)

What’s Real in my life?

• How much of the book of Revelation do I understand?

• Does God’s unfolding of history in Revelation 5–8 bring me comfort? Why or why not?

• How can I be encouraged by what’s happening in heaven?

• How can I be challenged by what’s happening in heaven?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True in the Bible?

What Happens When We Die?

1. Christians don’t have to fear death. (1 Corinthians 15:25-26 / Hebrews 2:14-15 / 1 John 4:18 / Romans 8:1, 38-39 / 2 Corinthians 5:8 / Philippians 1:21-23 / Psalm 23:4; 115:17-18 / Luke 16:22-23; 23:43)

2. Christians should still mourn loss. (John 11:35 / Acts 8:2, 20:37-38 / Philippians 2:27 / 1 Thessalonians 4:13 / Romans 9:1-3 / 2 Samuel 1:11-27 / 1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

What’s Real in my life?

• Why does the “afterlife” matter to so many people?

• Do I fear death? How so?

• How can I mourn the loss of my loved ones; believers and nonbelievers?

• If I were to die today, do I know for certain that I would go to be with Jesus in Heaven? Why?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True in the Bible?

1. Heaven offers hope for your troubled heart. (John 14:1–4 / Revelation 7:9–17)

2. Heaven is a place designed specifically for you. (John 14:2–3)

3. Heaven is nothing without Jesus. (John 14:3–7)

What’s Real in my life?

• What will heaven be like? What Bible passages give me that impression?

• How often do I think about heaven when feeling sad or frustrated with life?

• Why would Jesus offer heaven as a hope for a troubled heart? What about heaven gives me hope?

• How can my hope of heaven be used in sharing my faith?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

1. Why Do Motives Matter?

• Impure Motives

− Praise from people
− Greed
− Guilt

• When we speak out of love and joy, it is contagious.

2. What Changes Our Motives?

• You reproduce what is IN you.

3. How to Receive New Motives?

• Ask for better heart vision.
• Look at the cross.

What’s True in the Bible?

God’s Plan for the Next Generation

1. What is our commitment? (Psalm 78:1–4)

2. What has God said? (Psalm 78:5 / Deuteronomy 6:4–9 / Ephesians 6:4 / Matthew 28:18–20)

3. What does God desire? (Psalm 78:6–7 / Deuteronomy 6:20–24 / John 10:9–10 / Acts 26:16–18)

4. What if we fail? (Psalm 78:8 / Romans 10:13–15)

What’s Real in my life?

• Am I committed to discipling the next generation? How so?

• Where do I see new opportunities to disciple younger people around me?

• What will happen if I do not pass on my faith to the next generation?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.