Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

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Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North episodes

  • Knowing Jesus - Knowing His Value
    Introduction:
    Knowing His Value: When Your Actions Reveal Your Heart (John 12:1-11):
    1. Three Marks That Jesus is Highly Valued By You. (John 12:1-3)
      1. You Serve Him. (John 12:2)
      2. You desire His Presence . (John 12:2)
      3. You Sacrifice for Him. (John 12:3)
        1. Three Marks Jesus is Not Valued By You. (John 12:4-11)
          1. You are quick to Criticize . (John 12:5)
          2. You are fixed more on Getting than giving. (John 12:6)
          3. You want to remove anything Associated with Jesus. (John 12:10-11)

            4. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
            Hint:             Highlight blanks above for answers!

            Small Group Discussion
            Read John 12:1-11

            1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

            2. If Jesus knew Judas was a thief (John 12:6, and see John 2:24-25), why did Jesus allow Judas to be the treasurer and steal from their funds?

            3. Explain Jesus’ statement in John 12:8. What was He saying about worship? What was He saying about taking care of the poor?

            4. Why did the chief priests want to kill Lazarus (John 12:10)? How is this like “cancel culture” in our day?

            5. How would you show an unbeliever Jesus’ worth?

            Breakout
            Pray for one another to demonstrate how you value Jesus, as Martha, Lazarus, and Mary did.

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          4. Build Yourself a Babel
            Introduction:
            What is a Babel?
            Build Yourself a Babel in 3 Easy Steps: (Genesis 11:1-9)
            1. Put God's Word Aside . (Gen 11:4,9:1,9:11)

              2. (Isaiah 30:1) - "Ah, stubborn children," declares the Lord , "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

              1. Make it all about Me . (Gen 11:4)

                2. Genesis 11:4 - Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth."

              2. Seek the approval of Other People (Gen 11:6).

                3. Genesis 11:6 - "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do."

                God's Response
                DON'T Build Yourself a Babel in 3 Easy Steps:
                1. Put God's Word First .

                  2. Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

                  Proverbs 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

                2. Make it all about Christ .

                  3. Romans 10:9 - "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

                  Acts 4:12 - "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

                3. Seek the approval of God Alone .

                  4. Matthew 25:21 - "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."

                  1 Peter 2:5 - "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

                  Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                  Hint:                   Highlight blanks above for answers!

                  Small Group Discussion
                  Read Genesis 11:1-9

                  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                  2. What babels have you built before? Are you building any now?

                  3. What is one thing that you learned from this passage? And how will this change you?

                  4. Applying the revised 3 steps, what practical and specific steps can you take to ensure that you don't build a babel?

                  Breakout
                  Pray for one another.

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                4. This is Who We Are: Pillar 4
                  Introduction:
                  The Two Motivations to Share the Good News of Jesus That Are Embraced by Every True Witness (2 Cor 5:14-21):
                  1. I'm controlled by Love . (2 Cor 5:14-15)
                  2. I'm defined by Identity . (2 Cor 5:18-21)
                    1. Trustee (2 Cor 5:18-19)
                    2. Ambassador (2 Cor 5:20a)
                    3. Spokesperson (2 Cor 5:20bc)

                      4. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                      Hint:                       Highlight blanks above for answers!

                      Small Group Discussion
                      Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

                      1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                      2. Explain how the love of Christ controls us (2 Cor 5:14-15). How does that motivate you to share the Good News of Jesus with others?

                      3. What is the difference between “I am commanded to witness” vs “I am a witness”? How does understanding your identity make you an effective witness for sharing the Good News of Jesus?

                      4. What would you say to someone who says, “Honestly - I don't really share Christ with others. It's just not my gift.”

                      Breakout
                      Pray for boldness – when opportunity comes to share Jesus with someone, you take that opportunity.

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                    4. This is Who We Are: Pillar 3
                      Introduction:

                      We Believe Firmly in the Power of Prayer.

                      Matthew 7:7 - Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

                      James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

                      The Testimony of Hezekiah and Literally Everyone Else Who Believes Firmly in the Power of Prayer (Isaiah 38):
                      1. Desperation leads me to prayer. (Isaiah 38:10-14)
                      2. Prayer leads me to Provision . (Isaiah 38:15-17)
                        3. The Testimony of Hezekiah and Literally Everyone Else Who Believes Firmly in the Power of Prayer (Isaiah 38):
                        1. New Perspective
                        2. Your Answer
                        3. Forgiveness
                        4. God's provision leads me to Worship . (Isaiah 38:18-20)

                          5. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                          Hint:                           Highlight blanks above for answers!

                          Small Group Discussion
                          Read                           Isaiah 38

                          1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                          2. Tell of a time you experienced a clear and direct answer to prayer.

                          3. Why does God often employ “medical means” to bring about healing (Isaiah 38:21)?

                          4. Why did Hezekiah pray as he did, recounting his good works (praying “in his own name”)? Explain what it means to “pray in Jesus’ name” (See John 14:13-14)?

                          Breakout
                          Pray for one another to grow as pray-ers.

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                        5. This is Who We Are: Pillar 2
                          Introduction:

                          We Lift High the Name of Jesus Through Worship.

                          "I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation…the delight is incomplete till it is expressed." - C.S. Lewis

                          3 Things to Say on Your Way to Church (Psalm 146):
                          1. I am Choosing to worship. (Ps 146:1-2)
                          2. I am done trusting Man . (Ps 146:3-6)
                          3. I am making worship Personal . (Ps 146:7-10)

                            4. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                            Hint:                             Highlight blanks above for answers!

                            Small Group Discussion
                            Read                             Psalm 146

                            1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                            2. Why is music important for congregational worship?

                            3. How - specifically - can you choose to worship when you don’t “feel like it” (Psalm 146:1-2)?

                            4. How does trusting man (Psalm 146:3-4) keep a person from worshiping God?

                            5. Name one of God’s works or promises for which you are especially thankful for right now.

                            Breakout
                            Pray for Harvest to be a worshiping church - and for YOU to be prepared to come and worship on Sundays.

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                          4. This is Who We Are: Pillar 1
                            Introduction:

                            We proclaim the authority of God's Word without apology.

                            Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but sit shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

                            Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

                            Psalm 19:7-9 - The law of the LORD is perfect, previving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

                            The Life Stages of the One Who Receives God's Word (Psalm 19:7-9):
                            1. New Life . (Ps 19:7)
                            2. Wisdom for living. (Ps 19:7)
                            3. Joy . (Ps 19:8)
                            4. Light for my path. (Ps 19:8)
                            5. Clear Conscience . (Ps 19:9)
                            6. Confidence . (Ps 19:9)
                              7. How to Let the Word Rain on You (Psalm 19:10-14):
                              1. Want it. (Ps 19:10)
                              2. Apply it. (Ps 19:11)

                                3. John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

                              3. Ask for God's help with it. (Ps 19:12-14)

                                4. 1 Corinthians 1:24 - but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

                                Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

                                Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                Hint:                                 Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                Small Group Discussion
                                Read                                 Isaiah 55:10-11 and Psalm 19:7-14

                                1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                                2. In Isaiah 55:10-11, God's Word is compared to rain. How is God's Word like rain?

                                3. Suppose someone asks you, “Why does HBC only do expository (verse-by-verse) preaching?” How would you respond?

                                4. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you desire the Word of God? (1 = not at all, 10 = I constantly want it). Specifically, how can you want it more?

                                Breakout
                                Pray for one another to grow in your hunger and application of God's Word.

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                              4. Both God and Money

                                With over a decade of Real Estate experience, Alex began as an investor and at the market's peak in 2006 owned 11 properties including his personal residence. The bubble burst and hit his family hard, but they regrouped and carried on with a No Debt Philosophy thanks to discovering the teachings of Dave Ramsey. Alex and his wife, Stacie, began teaching Dave's course, Financial Peace University and to date have helped hundreds of people to pay off over a million dollars in debt. Alex and Stacie are members of Harvest Bible Chapel with their two college-age boys, Christian and Samuel.

                                Guest Speaker - Alex Giannetti
                                alexgiannetti.com

                                Introduction:

                                Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

                                1. God wants you to be a Giver .

                                  2. See: Proverbs 11:23-24

                                  Malachi 3:8-10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

                                  1. Be Content . (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

                                    2. Live the life that God is calling you to live and be grateful for that which he has given you.

                                    See: Proverbs 12:9

                                  2. There is no such thing as Good Debt.

                                    3. Proverbs 22:7 - "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."

                                    See: James 4:3-4 |
                                    Proverbs 21:20

                                    Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                    Hint:                                     Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                    Small Group Discussion
                                    Read Matthew 6:24

                                    1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                                    2. Have‌ ‌you‌ ‌ever‌ ‌experienced‌ ‌first‌ ‌hand‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌borrower‌ ‌is‌ ‌slave‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌lender?‌ ‌(Proverbs‌ ‌22:7)‌

                                    3. When‌ ‌was‌ ‌the‌ ‌last‌ ‌time‌ ‌that‌ ‌you‌ ‌wanted‌ ‌to‌ ‌give‌ ‌but‌ ‌didn’t?‌ ‌How‌ ‌did‌ ‌that‌ ‌make‌ ‌you‌ ‌feel?

                                    4. Do‌ ‌you‌ ‌feel‌ ‌pressure‌ ‌to‌ ‌”keep‌ ‌up‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌Jones’?”‌ ‌Do‌ ‌you‌ ‌cave‌ ‌in?‌ ‌If‌ ‌not,‌ ‌how‌ ‌do‌ ‌you‌ ‌fight‌ ‌the‌ ‌urge?‌

                                    5. Is‌ ‌it‌ ‌ok‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌follower‌ ‌of‌ ‌Christ‌ ‌to‌ ‌have‌ ‌abundant‌ ‌wealth?‌

                                    6. Tell‌ ‌us‌ ‌about‌ ‌a‌ ‌time‌ ‌when‌ ‌you‌ ‌received‌ ‌a‌ ‌perfectly‌ ‌timed‌ ‌blessing‌ ‌that‌ ‌could‌ ‌only‌ ‌have‌ ‌come‌ ‌from‌ ‌God.‌

                                    Breakout
                                    Pray for one another.

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                                  3. Questions from the Congregation - Part 14

                                    Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

                                    1. [00:09] - Q: Are the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost the same thing?
                                      A: TBD

                                    2. [00:54] - Q: What is a spirit/soul and how do they interact with our mind and body?

                                      A: TBD

                                    3. [03:08] - Q: Since Genesis mentions God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply prior to the fall, and part of the curse was to increase pain of childbirth... will babies be born in heaven?
                                      A: See Matthew 22:30 - For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

                                    4. [04:32] - Q: Did God make hell? If you go to the first book of the Bible it says God made heaven and earth so where does hell come into play?
                                      A: See Matthew 25:41 - Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’

                                    5. [05:57] - Q: In the old testament God refers to Lucifer as "the morning star" (Isaiah 14:12?), in Revelation Jesus says "He is the bright morning star." (Rev 22:16) How would you explain the differences in these 2 passages to someone who believes they are the same and therefore; Jesus = Lucifer?
                                      A: See 2 Corinthians 4:4 - In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

                                    6. [10:03] - Q: Are prophesies still a way that God communicates? How does God communicate to masses of people in today's world?
                                      A: See Romans 10:14-17

                                    7. [13:48] - Q: We know that God is outside of time. We believe that old testament saints did not have to wait for Jesus's sacrifice to enter into Heaven (bc it was as if it already happened). We believe that absent from the body = present with God. And yet, Jesus's return will signal a new heaven and new earth, and the reception of our glorified bodies. That indicates that there is some element of time in Heaven. How is it both? How is God outside of time, but also waiting on the right time?
                                      A: See Galatians 4:4-5 - … fullness of time had come

                                      Revelation 6:10 (5th Seal) - …how long before you will judge

                                      Revelation 22:2 - …yielding its fruit each month.

                                    8. [19:22] - Q: I really miss a lot of my friends that I have been very close to since childhood, but they live very sinful lifestyles and I have tried talking to them about how they act and talk, but they always say they like the way they live, so I have stopped talking to and spending time with them. I have spent a long time trying to fall out of the sinful habits they encourage and I don't want to fall back into those habits, but I have known those friends for so long and I have created such a connection to them that can't just be recreated. I know I shouldn't do anything that would encourage a Godless lifestyle but I also don't want to just abandon them. Do you have any tips or encouragement at all that could help me through this?
                                      A: TBD

                                    9. [23:07] - Q: If there is evidence or individual belief that the government was elected or established through fraud or corruption, are we still called to submit to their "power"?
                                      A: See Mark 12:17 - Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

                                    10. [27:43] - Q: If Christians are the majority who don't believe in wearing masks, are we chasing non-Christians away from the church by not wearing masks? Shouldn't we be the first to want to protect others and make them feel comfortable? Thank you in advance!
                                      A: TBD

                                    11. [38:27] - Q: Flat earth vs Round earth? Thoughts?
                                      A: See Isaiah 40:22 - It is he who sits above the circle of the earth…
                                      Revelation 7:1 - After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.

                                      Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer                                       on the blog.

                                    Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                    Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                    Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

                                    Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

                                    Breakout Questions:
                                    Pray for one another!

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                                  4. My Prince of Peace
                                    Introduction:

                                    For to us a child is born,
                                    to us a son is given;
                                    and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
                                    and his name shall be called
                                    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
                                    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
                                    ~Isaiah 9:6

                                    Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

                                    When Jesus is My Prince of Peace:
                                    1. I am at peace with God .

                                      2. Romans 5:1, 10 - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

                                    2. I am at peace in my Heart .

                                      3. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

                                      Philippians 4:6-7 - do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

                                    3. I am at peace with Others .

                                      4. Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

                                      Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

                                      Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                      Hint:                                       Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                      Small Group Discussion
                                      Read Isaiah 9:6

                                      1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                                      2. Give a Biblical definition of peace. What does the Bible mean when God speaks of peace?

                                      3. Explain how the peace Jesus gives is different from the peace the world gives (John 14:27).

                                      4. Tell of a time you experienced the “peace that passes understanding” during a personal crisis (Philippians 4:6-7). How would you encourage another believer to experience this during their crisis?

                                      Breakout
                                      Pray for one another.

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                                    4. My Everlasting Father
                                      Introduction:

                                      For to us a child is born,
                                      to us a son is given;
                                      and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
                                      and his name shall be called
                                      Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
                                      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
                                      ~Isaiah 9:6

                                      You Will Call Him... (Isaiah 9:6)
                                      How Can a Baby Be an Everlasting Father?
                                      1. Everlasting: Born , but without Beginning .

                                        2. Luke 2:25-32 - ...waiting for the consolation of Israel...
                                        ...revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
                                        ...my eyes have seen your salvation

                                        that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

                                        John 8:56-58 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

                                      2. Father: Unique , but Exactly Identical .

                                        3. Hebrews 1:2-3 - ...the exact imprint of his nature"

                                        Colossians 1:15-19 - in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell...

                                        ...you do know him and have seen him."

                                        John 14:6-10 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

                                        What Do We Need from a Father?
                                        • Provider (Luke 11:9-13)
                                        • Role Model (Eph 4:32-5:2)
                                        • Selflessness

                                          • Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                          Hint:                                           Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                          Small Group Discussion
                                          Read Isaiah 9:6

                                          1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                                          2. Do you think of Jesus as eternal? How has your understanding of Jesus’ eternality increased as you have matured in Him?

                                          3. If available, read different translations of Isaiah 9:6 (HBC uses the English Standard Version, or ESV). How do those translations differ, if at all? How does the present tense of the verb “to be” (used in the Hebrew text) affect your understanding of Jesus?

                                          4. In what ways are we helped by knowing Jesus is “the exact imprint” of God? How does that affect your understanding of God?

                                          5. What are ways Jesus models God the Father for us?

                                          6. If you do not or did not have a positive relationship with your earthly father, how can Jesus as your everlasting father transform and satisfy your need for that essential relationship?

                                          Breakout
                                          Pray that Jesus will reveal Himself to you as your everlasting father.

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                                        About Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

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                                        Weekly sermon notes and audio recording from Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North.