Sermon Outline:

I. Putting Jesus to the Test

II. Rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars

III. Rendering to God the Things that are Gods.

Family Discussion Questions:

Why did the Pharisees and Herodians pay Jesus a compliment before asking their question? How does this help us to consider the compliments paid to us?

The last time Jesus was asked an insincere question he did not answer it. Why does he answer now?

Does Jesus dignify foolishness by answering the question? How does he make sure he is not doing that?

Why was the question should taxes be paid to Caesar such a hot-button issue?

What is the God-given role of government? How does this help us to determine what belongs to Caesar?

The evidence that the denarius belonged to Caesar was his image on it. Where has God placed His image?

What does it mean for us to render ourselves to God?

How does knowing what belongs to God help us to consider what ought to be rendered to Caesar or our government?

How were the Pharisees failing to properly render to God what was Gods and to Caesar what was Caesars?

What is your own relationship to our government? Would that reveal an unbiblical understanding of the role of government and its relationship to you?

Sermon Outline:

Tribute belongs to the owner and builder of the vineyard

Church leaders are to be undershepherds

The patience of the Lord in the face of rebellion

The killing of the Son demonstrates the problem

The wrath of the king restores the vineyard

Family discussion Questions:

What was the vineyard in the Parable?

Who is the owner?

Who are the tenants?

Who are the servants?

Who was the son?

What does this parable tell us about why we owe God worship and obedience?

What does this parable tell us about the proper role of pastors?

What are ways that a church or pastor can forget that the church does not belong to anyone but Christ?

Why was the rejection of Jesus not evidence against his claim to be the Son of God?

What does this parable teach us about the patience of God?

What does this parable teach us about the judgement of God on the church? The world?

How does the wrath of God restore the vineyard On the cross? When Christ returns?

What are ways that you can grow in enjoying the vineyard of God as something which belongs to Him?

Sermon Outline:

Jesus has authority to judge the church and the world

John the Baptists ministry declared that all must be washed by Jesus

Christ does not honour insincere questions

Christ redeems the insincere

Family Discussion Questions:1. What did Jesus do which the leaders questioned if he had authority to do?2. Why did Jesus' actions make these leaders look bad?3. How did Jesus already know they were being fake in their question?4. How had Jesus' authority already been proven by the Old Testament? His actions?5. What was John the Baptist's job?6. What did John the Baptist say about Jesus?7. What does Christianity think about "blind faith"?8. What does Jesus think about sincere honest questions?9. How can people, especially religious leaders, ask and suggest insincere questions? Why is this usually done?10. How does Jesus' answer show how to determine if a religious leader's suggestions and questions are sincere or not?11. How can asking a "teacher" a question about scripture which has nothing to do with their question help to determine if they can be trusted?12. Insincerity is something we all struggle with. How does the Gospel help us deal with this problem?13. What are the reasons why Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth? Why is this good news for the church and terrible news for those who deny Him?

Sermon Outline:

1. Have Faith in God2. Pray with Expectant Faith3. Pray with a Heart that loves forgiveness.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What was Peters response to the withering of the fig tree. What did that say about Peters faith?

2. What context helps us understand why Jesus talked about moving a mountain into the sea?

3. Jesus tells us to pray with expectant faith. Does this mean that we should expect every prayer for every desire to be positively answered?

4. In what ways will faith itself shape the expectant prayers we offer to God?

5. Do you still offer prayers to God with expectation that He will answer? What might be hindering your expectation?

6. Do you look to the future with rest and trust in God, or with anxiety and doubt?

7. What does our refusal to forgive others say about the posture of our prayers?

8. What was the cost of you being able to pray to God as your Father? How was that cost paid?

Sermon Outline:

The house of God is a place for the prayers of all ethnic groups

The house of God is to bear true fruit in all seasons

God will judge the whole world, beginning with His own household

Hide yourself in Christ Jesus, the living and eternal temple of God

Family Discussion questions

What did Jesus say to the fig tree when he saw no fruit on it?

What did Jesus see when he walked into the temple?

How were the temple leaders disobeying God in the temple?

What was the temple of God for?

What did the false teachers think the temple was for?

What did Jesus do in the temple?

Why was Jesus allowed to do this?

What happened to the fig tree?

What did God replace this stone temple with?

How is Jesus a better temple than the stone one?

What are some "leaves which some people often treat as fruit?

How can someone join the temple of Jesus?

How are Christians to enjoy being part of the temple of Jesus?

What are ways that we act like the church is our house rather than Jesus?

How has Jesus marvellously already begun to fulfill the temple prophecy of Isaiah 56?

Sermon Outline:

Gods Sovereign use of all things to bring about His kingdom

A white war horse or a peaceful humble donkey?

The humble delight of being under the reign of Christ

The Lords wrath is not like ours

Family Discussion Questions:

What event brought Jesus to Jerusalem?

How did Jesus choose to arrive in Jerusalem?

What was Jesus announcing by his choice of ride into Jerusalem?

How did Israel respond to Jesus arrival?

What does Hosanna mean?

What is the difference between the donkey and the white war horse of Revelation 19?

What does the image of Christ on the donkey teach us about those who humbly come to him for help and forgiveness?

What does it mean that salvation belongs to the Lord?

What can we learn from the glad responses to Jesus entry into Jerusalem?

What does it mean to delight in God?

Considering that Christ publicly declared himself Lord with this action, how should the humility of Christs entry shape our own lives and attitudes toward others?

Sermon Outline:

1 - The strength God gives us is wonderful but not enough to save2 - We could not produce our own Redeemer even with Gods help3 - We cannot redeem the world even with Gods help

Family Discussion Questions:

1. A normal birth requires a father and mother. How was Jesus birth supernatural?2. How did the unique birth of Jesus display that the Savior didnt come from the world, but was sent to it?3. What are the ways which God helps us do good things?4. Why is salvation different than God helping us to save ourselves?5. How will Jesus to help us in the redemption of the world through the great commission?6. Even though the Great Commission will be successful, why is it not enough?7. What is the danger in hoping in the things we can accomplish with Gods supernatural help?8. What are the ways which we might put our ultimate hope other than the return of Christ?9. Imagine the best possible outcome in this world before the Return of Christ. Why will the return of Christ be infinitely better?10. How can we show that our hope is in what Christ will single-handedly do by eagerly working with Him in the things He calls us to do?

Family discussion questions:

1. Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple after he was born. Which two people does Luke mention that they met there?2. The people Luke mentions were part of a special group of people waiting properly for the coming Messiah. What were they waiting for the Messiah to do?3. Why did Gods people need to be comforted?4. How are we to think about the godlessness of the world around us?5. In 1 John 3 John speaks of the hope of believers as being like Jesus when He comes the second time. What does that mean?6. What are the works of the Devil that John mentions?7. How did Jesus first coming destroy the works of the Devil?8. How will Jesus second coming destroy the works of the Devil?9. How does our approach to holiness and sin show if we are actually waiting for Jesus the way that Simeon and Anna did?10. What does it mean to make a practice of sin?11. What three comforts does God give to a Christian who has sinned?

Sermon Outline:

The time of Christs Appearing is fixed in the eternal plan of God.

Not knowing the day of Christs Appearing does not change its certainty.

Wait For Christs Appearing with Patient Perseverance with Hope.

Family Discussion Questions:

What is the meaning of the phrase in the fullness of time?

Explain how some of the key events of the Old Testament were necessary to take place as a part of Gods unfolding plan to bring about the salvation of Jesus.

Why was it necessary that God sent forth his son, born of a woman?

Why was it important that Jesus was born under the law?

What would be wrong preoccupations as we wait for Jesus to come back?

Have you been drawn into hopelessness or trying to guess the seasons as you wait for Jesus?

What is God waiting for before Jesus second coming takes place in the fullness of time?

How can we be invited to hasten the return of Jesus when we do not know the day?

Sermon Outline:

The Coming of Christ Is Visible

The Coming of Christ is Glorious

The Coming of Christ is Royal

Family Discussion Questions:

From the Christmas Story, which people could say that they saw proof of Christ's coming?

What was the response of all the people who "saw" these proofs?

What does that teach us about the response of all people when Christ returns?

What does it mean that Jesus was born king?

How is Jesus acting like a king right now?

How will Jesus act as a king when he returns?

Why did Jesus come the first time?

How can a person be someone who looks forward to Jesus' coming rather than be afraid of it?

Why should Christians look forward to Jesus' second coming?

Why should we remember that it will be just as physical and real as His first coming?