Northwest Gospel Church - Camas/Washougal

Philippians 1:1-11 | Ben Potloff | Paul has reasons to be sad, being separated from the Philippians. But, he has greater reasons to rejoice. Paul could grieve about being removed from brothers and sisters in Christ, but his confidence in Christ Jesus gives him a sure faith that at the very least, he will see these dear friends again on the Day of Jesus Christ. The Day of Jesus Christ is a day that we also look forward to with hope. Not only for the completion of our walk in this life and for the fulfilled righteousness of the Lord, but also for a similar reason as Paul. One day, all those in Christ will stand together before the throne, and generations of faithful men and women will rejoice together forever in Jesus who has saved us. What a day that will be!

MAIN IDEA

We grow in the grace that God begins and ends.

OUTLINE

I. Their partnership in the gospel created Christlike affection for one another. (vv. 1-5, 7-8)

II. Their participation in the gospel was started by God and will be finished by God. (v. 6)

III. Their preparation for the return of Christ was prayed for and expected. (vv. 9-11)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- What stood out to you from Sunday’s sermon?

- When someone believes in Jesus they are saved from their sin and have restored fellowship with God, but that is not all. Christians are also saved into fellowship with one another.

- Is this how you view your Christian life, and your fellowship with Jesus? Do you understand it as also including your fellowship with His people? Why or why not?

- Steven Lawson says this about Philippians 1:6 – “As a believer in Christ, you are as certain of heaven as though you have already been there ten thousand years. God finishes what he starts.” How should this affect your day-to-day Christian life? What are the signs in your own life that show you don’t always remember or believe this?

- Although we are secure in our salvation in Christ, we are called to grow and live out that salvation. Paul shows in the passage what that looks like:

- - That your love would abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent

- - Be pure and blameless for the day of Christ

- - Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ

Which of these is an area you want to grow in? Give specifics.

Acts 16:11-40 | Max Janusch | Before we begin our journey through Paul's letter to the Philippians, we first need to consider the establishment of the Church in Philippi. Throughout the book of Acts, the word of God takes root and spreads throughout the Mediterranean world as it is proclaimed. But what happens when the mission of the Apostles encounters uncharted and hostile territory? What happens when the gospel comes to Philippi? Here, we see that opposition cannot hinder God's mission.

MAIN IDEA

Opposition cannot hinder gospel mission.

OUTLINE

I. The gospel brings spiritual life where there once was none. (vv. 11-15)

II. The gospel clashes with the world, the flesh, and the devil. (vv. 16-24)

III. The gospel leads to complete transformation. (vv. 25-34)

IV. The gospel will be vindicated. (vv. 35-40)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- What stood out to you from Sunday’s sermon?

- What is the first thing that Paul and Silas do once they get to Philippi? How can we apply their behavior to our own lives?

- What are the key details about Lydia’s conversion? Who/what is responsible for her turning in faith to Jesus?

- What types of opposition do Paul and Silas face in Philippi? What types of opposition do we face today in our mission to spread the gospel?

- What do new Christians do?

- How does this passage challenge you to live and/or think differently?

Jude 17-25 | Ben Potloff | God's people stand apart from the false teachers and false believers who try and sneak into the community of the Church. But, God is not fooled, and neither are his people. Jude's letter concludes with a call to persevere and a reminder of the one who enables us to persevere. "[T]o the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Jude 5-16 | Ben Potloff | From one of the strangest and most difficult passages in the New Testament comes a message that is critical for the Church today: God judges the ungodly. But, who are these ungodly? To find this answer and to learn this important truth, we turn to the main body of Jude's letter. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Romans 3:9-26 | Ben Potloff | This week, we examine Romans 3:9-26. In this section of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul instructs the church on the reality that no one apart from Christ is righteous. And on top of that, no one is justified by his own works. But there is hope! Here, we see that sinners are made right with God through faith in Jesus. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Jude 1-4 | Ben Potloff | Sometime overlooked, the letter of Jude contains an important message for Christians throughout the ages, written by one of the brothers of Jesus. In the opening verses, Jude introduces himself, addresses his original audience, and identifies an urgent problem facing these Christians: the Christian faith is under attack by false teachers. Here, we meet Jude and are confronted with a danger that has faced every Christian since the establishment of the Church. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Psalm 39:1-13 | Gavin Hesse | "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" In this prayer, King David bows before God and contemplates his own life. Here, we see the truth of how a desperate person approaches a perfect God. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Psalm 87:1-7 | Dave Bertolini | "Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God." Written by the sons of Korah, this psalm testifies to the blessedness and glory of Zion, God's holy city. Here, we see the significance of Zion to Israel in the past and to all of God's people in the future. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Psalm 63:1-11 | Max Janusch | "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you..." Penned by King David, Psalm 63 reveals David's eagerly worshipful and humbly confident posture before God. Here, we are called to worship God as we remember our past, present, and future relationship with him. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.

Psalm 16:1-11 | Luke Hendrix | "Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge." There is great joy and hope and peace for the people of God. In Psalm 16, King David considers who God is and who we are as his people. Here, we are reminded that life is lived at its fullest when life in lived in God. Find sermon discussion questions at nwgospelcw.com/questions.