Grace Community

Outline

God is sovereign over every powerful enemy.​ (1) 

The believer waits patiently, trusting God’s strength and power to save.​ (2-3) 

When God exalts himself to judge some are saved others are condemned.​ (5-9) 

The fullness of God’s judgement will come.​ (10-12) 

When Jesus was lifted up, He took God’s judgement for us to give us salvation.

Home Group questions:

1. Verse 1 speaks of God’s sovereignty over powerful enemies. This truth is used by some to teach that God will overcome our financial, emotional, and physical ‘enemies’. Why is it important that we are careful not to make that the focus of the text? What are the enemies of people, even believers, that we really must ask God to deliver us from, and how does this text help us in our daily struggles? (Consider Ephesians 6:10–18 and 1 Corinthians 10:12–14.)
2. Verses 2–3 contain Isaiah’s prayer. How is it a good model for us to adopt, especially in times of uncertainty and suffering? (Note: verse 4 describes the blessing that comes to God’s people after He has acted.)
3. Verses 5–6 end with, "The fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure." (Taking Zion to mean the dwelling place of God, which in the present age is the church of true believers) How is the fear of the Lord the treasure of His people, especially in times of uncertainty? How does the fear of the Lord bring stability, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge?
4. Verses 7–12 speak about the fate of those who trust in salvation by their own means. How should knowing their outcome make us feel and act toward those who do not fear the Lord? How does our passage help us understand why God allows believers and unbelievers to experience the same earthly struggles?
5. According to Isaiah 33:1–12, God’s solution to the uncertainty and struggles of life is His exaltation. Discuss how His exaltation can be both good and bad for people. How should that affect your life today?

 Text Outline

• God is worthy (the Creator) — verses 1–2
  
  
• We are not worthy (the one who ascends) — verses 3–6
  
  
• Jesus is worthy (the King of glory) — verses 7–10 

Home group questions:

1. The Psalm says "everything is the Lord's". How can that make a difference to you in your everyday life? How can it change how you think? How you act?
2. In Acts 4:24, Peter and the church pray to the "Sovereign God." Read 24 and 25. How can you pray knowing God is Sovereign? How can you pray using Psalms that apply to your situation? 
3. What areas of your life do you try to maintain sovereignty and withhold from God? How might you be blessed by giving those areas to God?
4. You are God's because he made you.  You are also his because he redeemed you. How should this encourage you? How should it challenge you?
5. How might you be blessed, and bless others by cultivating a "stewardship mentality" rather than an "ownership mentality"?
6. What are the characteristics of the one who "ascends the hill of the Lord"? How is the gospel significant to these characteristics?
7. Look at Deuteronomy 6:4. How does that famous command relate to those characteristics?
8. Read Luke 19:28-40, and Matt 21:1-11. Can you see any similarities with Ps 24? Now look at Rev 19:11-16. What stands out to you?
9. How is the fact that Jesus is the perfect High Priest, and that he can "stand in God's holy place a comfort to us? Heb 4:14-16.

Outline:

The Spirit filled church is a church of devoted people.

The Spirit filled church is devoted to correct teaching.

The Spirit filled church is devoted to caring for the congregation.

The Spirit filled church is devoted to communion with God and man.

The Spirit filled church is devoted to the commission. 

Jesus is the centre of the Spirit filled church’s devotion.

Home group questions

Acts 2 really emphasises the community aspect of church. Where do you think the current Western evangelical church may be lacking compared to how we understand the beginnings of the church? Why do you think that is the case?

How should we reconcile the fact that the believers “devoted themselves” and yet it is the Spirit’s filling that motivates us? (Consider Philippians 1:6; 2:13–14; 2 Timothy 1:5–7; Romans 12:1–2.) What would you say is the difference between devotion and attendance?

Why do you think the apostles’ teaching is listed first? (Consider Ephesians 2:19–20.) Practically speaking, how can a church drift away from being centred on God’s Word and onto other things? How would you sum up what the church’s preaching and teaching should be focused on? (Consider Colossians 1:9–14.) How can this kind of teaching remain relevant for every generation?

Verses 44–45 show believers holding possessions lightly and meeting needs within the church family. Without becoming “Christian socialism,” what would it look like for our church to take Acts 2-style responsibility for one another’s needs?

What are some modern practices in the church that may negatively affect the deepening of community? How could we practically encourage community across genders, ages, and socio-economic differences? How could a strong community encourage members to be missional and effective in evangelism?

Verse 46 encourages both the large gathering and smaller gatherings of believers. Why is it important that believers are involved in both?

Knowing that the church devoted themselves to prayer and praise, how could we encourage more of this in our own lives and in the life of the church?

How does devotion to Jesus in each individual Christian foster a church like the one in Acts 2?

Outline:

Jesus blesses His followers by His ascension. 

The ascension reveals Jesus’ ultimate glorification. 

Jesus' ascension empowers His people for a global task under His reign.

Jesus expects His people to get on with the work of witnessing until he comes again. 

The blessing from Jesus is the power of His Spirit and the privilege of proclaiming His name.

Home Group Questions:

Read Luke 24:50–53 and Acts 1:6–11

How would you respond to someone who says, “Why do you believe in the Ascension? There is no proof.” The Ascension often receives little attention, but why is it so crucial to understand and believe in it?

How should the understanding that Jesus possesses all authority shape our evangelism? How should the doctrine of Jesus ruling and reigning affect our daily lives in practical ways? How might a greater understanding of the ascended Christ affect the way you respond to opposition, criticism, or injustice?

Why is it important that believers do not know the times and seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority? Why do you think we are often more interested in knowing the future than in the task right in front of us? What does Jesus call His followers to focus on instead, and how should this shape the church’s ministry?

Jesus, in His glorified human body and displaying the scars of His sacrifice, is seated at the Father’s right hand, interceding on our behalf as our High Priest. Which part of that reality speaks to you most in times of suffering, fear, guilt, or doubt?

How should the knowledge that Jesus has commanded His followers to be witnesses and that He is coming again shape the way we think about our priorities and responsibilities?

 Outline: 

The godly wisdom of a Mother is valuable for a king. (1) 

The heart of a Mother is one of constant concern. (2) 

The godly wisdom of a Mother warns against sinful pleasures that harm. (3) 

The godly wisdom of a Mother warns against self-centred indulgence. (4-5) 

The godly wisdom of a Mother teaches care for those perishing and in misery. (6-7) 

The godly wisdom of a Mother teaches advocacy for the poor and needy. (8-9)  

Jesus is the godly King we need. 

Home group questions:

1.  As the sermon was about Mother’s Day, spend a bit of time, if you are comfortable doing so, discussing your relationship with your mother and how she influenced your life and faith. Has there been anyone else who has been a “spiritual mother” in your life? Why is it important that we foster the idea that the church is a family, as Jesus taught, and how could we do that better as a church? 
2.  In verse 2, there is a repeated plea. How does this reflect a mother’s heart? In what ways does this help you better understand God’s heart when we wander or ignore His Word? 
3.  In verses 3–5, Lemuel’s mother warns against self-centred, sinful indulgence that destroys, and she encourages self-control for the sake of obedience to the law and for the sake of the afflicted. What does this tell us about the believer’s mindset, and how can we encourage ourselves and young believers to live with this mindset? 
4.  In verses 6–9, Lemuel is told to use his resources to ease the suffering of those who are perishing and living in poverty, and to “open your mouth for the mute” and defend the poor and needy. What does this tell us about where believers should focus their ministry? Why do you think there is such an emphasis placed on kings and believers? What might that look like for you personally today, and how could we as a church do this? 
5.  How does Jesus fulfil the picture of the perfect king presented in this passage? 
6.  Many mothers feel guilt and regret over past mistakes, or feel that they should have done more or done better. How would you encourage a mum who expresses these feelings? More broadly, how do we hold together the responsibility to teach and model godly wisdom with the truth that we are not responsible for other people’s choices? Where does that tension appear in your own relationships?

Sermon Outline

The Spirit filled message declares the life and death of Jesus (22-23)
The Spirit filled message declares the resurrection of Jesus (24-32)
The Spirit filled message declares the exaltation and reign of Jesus. (33-36)
The Spirit filled message brings repentance and salvation (37-41) 

Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and exaltation is the Spirit filled message we proclaim. 

Home Group questions: 

Peter begins by grounding his message in real, verifiable events about Jesus’ life and death (vv. 22–23). Why is it important that the gospel is rooted in history rather than personal experience or feelings? (Luke 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:16-20) How should this shape the way we share our faith today? (1 Peter 3:15)

Why is it so important to teach our kids and youth not only what we believe, but why we believe it? (2 Timothy 3:14-15) How can we grow in our own understanding of the “why”? 

Peter holds together two truths that seem to stand in tension: God’s sovereign plan and human responsibility. Jesus was “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”, and yet “you crucified and killed him” (vv. 23). How do you hold these truths together, and why does it matter for the way we preach the gospel? 

In vv. 25–36, Peter shows how Jesus fulfils Old Testament expectation and is greater than what the Jewish audience expected. How does seeing Jesus as the fulfilment of Scripture strengthen confidence in Him? How might this shape the way we speak to people with different beliefs or worldviews? 

How does keeping the focus on the person and work of Jesus help us avoid a gospel that is reduced to 'avoiding judgement' or 'getting to heaven' without loving Christ Himself? Why is that distinction important? 

Why must the exaltation and lordship of Jesus be central to our gospel message? (Romans 10:9; 1 John 5:2) 

Peter says the promise is “for you and for your children and for all who are far off” (v. 39). What does this teach us about our evangelism?  (Romans 10:12–15) 

Abraham prioritised spiritual faithfulness in seeking a wife for Isaac. Why is Abraham so determined that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman? What spiritual concerns are driving this? How does that challenge the priorities we (or our culture) often emphasise in relationships? 

What does it look like for you to act faithfully (like Abraham) while leaving the results in God’s hands? How does the servant balance responsibility and trust when he asks, “What if the woman is unwilling?” How would you evaluate your prayer life in light of the servant’s example—especially his dependence on God and alignment with His promises? 

The servant looked for godly character, not just outward attractiveness. What does this teach us about the important qualities to look for in a partner or even in friendships? Why is this so important? What does this mean for parents and friends of someone considering dating and marriage? What would be a good way to discern a person’s character before a relationship starts? 

How does Rebekah’s response demonstrate the qualities of a godly person? Can you think of ways we can cultivate those same qualities (humility, generosity, willingness to serve) in our own lives? 

What is the significance of the servant immediately worshipping after God answers his prayer? What practices could help you grow in gratitude and in recognising God’s work? 

The passage highlights passing faith to the next generation. What intentional steps are you taking (or could you take) to strengthen the faith of others? 

Outline:

The Spirit empowers weak mouths to proclaim God’s glory without fear, amongst all peoples. 

The Spirit helps believers interpret and explain life through the lens of scripture. (14-21) 

Jesus calls people to himself, by the power of the gospel, through Spirit filled Christians. 

Questions:

1) Acts 1:14 says “ All [the apostles] with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” What does this teach us about what we should do while we wait for God to act?  Why do Christians and churches often have weak prayer lives? How could we individually and as a church improve our prayer urgency and dependence? 

2) What do the wind (breath, which gives life), fire (the presence of God), and tongues, taken together, teach us about what it means to be ‘filled with the Spirit’? (See Romans 1:16; Acts 4:31.) How would you respond to someone who says that, after becoming a Christian and receiving the Holy Spirit, they expected to feel different? How does this passage challenge the idea that the Spirit’s power guarantees health, wealth, and prosperity? 

3) Only the apostles had their minds opened to the Scriptures, yet all 120 disciples went into the crowd declaring the mighty works of God. What does this show about who should evangelise? What should be the content of a Spirit-filled message? 

4) Why is it so important, when Christians face objections or are asked “What does this mean?” type questions, to answer from Scripture? (See Romans 10:17.) 

5) “When the Spirit grips the heart and we become more aware of the depth of God’s love, the bolder we become to speak.” Why is this true?