GCC Newton sermon audio

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

What is Love?

Storgé:
Eros:
Phileō:
Agapé:

Beyond the Gifts

1. I do nothing without love. (1 Corinthians 13:1 / John 15:5-9 / Romans 5:5)

2. I am nothing without love. (1 Corinthians 13:2 / Matthew 17:20)

3. I gain nothing without love. (1 Corinthians 13:3 / Matthew 7:21-23)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• Have I ever tried to serve God or others without love? What happened?

• What purpose do I fulfill without love? How can I bring purpose in what I do at home, work, school, etc.?

• What do I gain when I act out of love? What do I gain when I don’t have love in my actions?

• God’s gifts are nothing without love...how can I pursue love in my actions this week?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

One Body, Many Members

1. The Body needs me. (1 Corinthians 12:15-20 / Psalm 139:13-16)

2. I need the Body. (1 Corinthians 12:20-24 / Titus 3:14)

A Unified Body:

1. Cares for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:25)

2. Suffers together. (1 Corinthians 12:26a / Romans 12:15b / Hebrews 13:1-3)

3. Rejoices together. (1 Corinthians 12:26b / Romans 12:15a)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• Do I really believe that my local church needs me? Why and how so?

• Do I treat other members at Grace as if I need them? Why and how so?

• How does God use me and my gifts to care for people at Grace, at home, at work, etc.?

• How can I create a joyful (not necessarily happy) environment around me when others are grieving?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Prophecy in the Early Church

What is prophecy? (1 Corinthians 14:1, 29–33 / Acts 2)

1. Prophecy built up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:3, 31)

2. Prophecy convicted non-believers. (1 Corinthians 14:24–25)

3. Prophecy needed structure in the church gathering. (1 Corinthians 14:29–40)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• What do I currently believe about “prophecy” in the church? Why?

• Has God ever used another believer to encourage me, build me up, or console me?

• Has God ever used me to share something with other believers that encouraged, uplifted, or consoled them?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Prophecy in the Old Testament

1. Prophets were sent to speak for God. (Deuteronomy 13:2-3, 18:20-22 / Exodus 4:12 / Jeremiah 1:9 / Ezekiel 2:7)

Prophecy in the time of Jesus

2. Jesus was sent to speak as God. (Hebrews 1:1-2 / John 1:1,14; 3:17,34-35 / Luke 24:27 / Matthew 17:4-8)

3. Apostles were sent to speak for Jesus. (Matthew 10:2-5 / Mark 3:14-15, 6:7 / 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:37-38, 15:4-8 / 1 Thessalonians 2:6,13 / Galatians 1:1 / 2 Peter 3:15-16)

Jesus sent Apostles, not prophets.

Next week, we’ll look at Prophecy in the Early Church

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• How do I trust the Bible as God’s Word to me?

− When has this been difficult?

− When has this been a blessing?

• How can I help others who are doubting God’s promises trust in His Word?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Trusting God, No Matter What

1. Great faith crosses cultural barriers. (Matthew 15:22 / Genesis 15:18-20, 24:2-4, 28:1 / Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20:16-18)

2. Great faith isn’t ruled by rejection. (Matthew 15:23-27)

3. Great faith believes when God is silent. (Matthew 15:23-28; 26:63; 27:12-14 / Isaiah 53:7)

When God is silent, remember the cross.

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• What can I celebrating in my life right now?

• What are some barriers to trusting God in my current season of life?

• When has God seemed distant or silent in my life? How did that affect my faith?

• Am I choosing to trust God with anything and everything? How can I use this in prayer?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Trusting God, No Matter What

1. Faith helps us endure temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 / James 1:12-18 / Matthew 4:1-11)

2. Faith helps us overcome our doubt. (1 Corinthians 12:9 / Mark 9:14-29 / Matthew 17:19-20)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• When has God given me faith to resist temptation?

• How often do I pray that God would lead me away from temptation?

• Since I have become a Christian, what doubts have I had?

• When has God seemed distant or silent in my life? How did that affect my faith?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Trusting God, No Matter What

1. Faith believes in the saving power of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 12:9 / Ephesians 2:8 / Romans 10:9, 17)

2. Faith believes in the healing power of God. (1 Corinthians 12:9 / Luke 5:17-26 / Mark 5:25-34 / James 5:14-16)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• When did I first come to faith in Jesus?

• Have I ever seen the healing power of God?

• When has God given me faith to resist temptation or work through my doubts?

• When has God seemed distant or silent in my life? How did that affect my faith?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

God’s Design for Spiritual Gifts

1. Receiving a “word of wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 12:8a / James 1:5-8 / Exodus 28:3 / Deuteronomy 34:9 / Daniel 5:11 / Acts 6:2-10, 15:19-22)

2. Receiving a “word of knowledge.” (1 Corinthians 12:8b / 2 Kings 5 & 6:9-12 / Matthew 10:16-20, 16:13-17 / Acts 5 / Ephesians 1:17)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• How is the “gift of wisdom” different than the human (natural) ability to grow in wisdom?

• How is the “gift of knowledge” different than acquiring knowledge naturally?

• When do I often need wisdom or knowledge? Where do I go to get it?

• When have I benefited from the gifts of wisdom and knowledge?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

God’s Design for Spiritual Gifts

1. We are all spiritual. (1 Corinthians 12:1-2)

2. Biblical spirituality points you to Jesus. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

3. There are varieties of gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4)

4. There are varieties of service. (1 Corinthians 12:5)

5. There are varieties of activities. (1 Corinthians 12:6 / 1 Timothy 4:14 / 1 Peter 4:10-11)

6. God expresses Himself through gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:6-7; 14:26 / Ephesians 4:12)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• What do I know about spiritual gifts? Is this from the teachings of others or from personal study of the scripture?

• When have I witnessed believers using their gifts to build up the church or minister to people?

• What hesitations do I have about spiritual gifts or “miraculous abilities?”

• Has God given me a gift to use? Am I using it?

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

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

God’s Design for Women

1. Designed for Modesty. (1 Timothy 2:9)

2. Designed for Good Works. (1 Timothy 2:10)

3. Not Designed for Eldership. (1 Timothy 2:11 – 3:1)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

• If your “good works” and the ways you serve others were clothes, what would your style be? (apron because you like cooking and hosting; jacket with elbow patches because you like teaching; skinny jeans, overalls, etc.)

• What misconceptions have I had about the role of women in the church and/or society? How have Titus 2:3-5 and 1 Timothy 2:9-15 brought clarity to God’s design for women?

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