Rainier Valley Church - Seattle

Jude: Contending for the Faith
Week #4 “Victory in the Fight” (Jude 24-25)

• The Power of God  - God Will Preserve and Protect Us (24a)

Jude begins his doxology by praising God for what? Why is God's promise to keep us from stumbling or falling so precious and how does it impact the Christian life?

• The Promise of God - We Will See His Glory and Share His Joy (24b)

How is God able to present us blameless before His glory? Why is being in the presence of God the ultimate source of joy in all existence?

• The Person of God - He Is Our Sovereign and Our Savior (25a)

Why is significant that Jesus is both our Lord and Savior? If we only think of Jesus as our Savior or only as our Lord what difference does it make?

• The Praise of God - Praise Him for His Glory, Majesty, Sovereignty, Authority (25b)

What reasons do you have to praise God's glory and majesty? How can we rejoice in God's sovereignty and authority?
How can we be praying for one another and encouraging one another this week? What practical ways can we serve each other?Slides - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1D78ONuC8F3jpv1ApkMcD53XBbM7YAuqb4yRf_uzfW7A/edit?usp=sharing
Audio - https://rainiervalleychurch.com/latest-sermons
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vzeaMhIgUg&t=10s 

A Study in the Book of Jude "Jude: Contending for the Faith" 
Week 3: “The Fight for the Heart” (Jude v. 17-23)
Pastor Kyle begin his message by highlighting several celebrities who grew up as Christians but has since renounced their faith and walked away from Christianity. 
The statistics show that we are leaving in the middle of a cultural revolution where people are leaving the Christian faith in unprecedented numbers. How should we respond? Jude recommends looking back, looking up and looking around. 

Look Back - Remember (Jude 17-19) - Jude encourages God's people to look back and remember the predictions of the apostles to understand our current age. What sorts of things do the Apostles predict in Matthew 24:10-13, Acts 20:29-30, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and how do you seem of these predictions coming to fulfillment in the world around you? According to Jude 19, what sorts of characteristics do False Teachers have and what impact do False Teachers bring to a Christian community?  

Look Up - Worship (Jude 20-21) - There are four actions that Jude calls Christians to do in response to apostasy and false teaching - 1. Building Ourselves Up in the Faith, 2. Praying in the Holy Spirit, 3. Keeping Ourselves in the Love of God, 4. Waiting for the mercy of our Lord.  Jude encourages believers to build themselves up in the faith and Pastor Kyle recommending the importance of weekly worship, strengthening of the marriage/family, reading scripture and good books (Recommended for adults - Strange New World by Carl Truman, Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey, and The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener) What ways do you need to build yourself up in the faith? What ways might you need to repair your faith? 

Look Around - Serve (Jude 22-23) - Genuine love for God flows into a genuine love for our Christian brothers and sisters. What ways do Jude call us to love others in Jude 22-23? Who do we need to be merciful to and what does it look like to be merciful, compassionate and patient with others in our lives? Jude calls us to snatch others from the fires. Are there those in your life that you have seen backsliding, doubting or walking away from their faith and how can you "snatch" them out of the fire? Jude ends this section with a call to hate even the garment stained by the flesh, this means that we are to have a continued hatred of sin in the Christian life, how can we cultivate that hatred and not become indifferent or immune to the sinfulness of sin? 
What practical follow-up will you takeaway from this weekend's message? How can you have others hold you accountable to practice real change? What ways can we be praying for others this week? 

2. The Fight (Ancient & Modern) (Jude 5-16)
Jude: Contending for the Faith

Contextual and Application Questions on Jude v. 5-16:
1. How does each of the Old Testament examples in v. 5-7 illustrate a rebellion of belief in the mind of the creature about the Creator and the status of the creature in relation to the Creator? (How did they deny the authority, morality, and glory of God?)
2. Where do the beliefs of false teachers originate? What will they ultimately result in? (v.8, 10)
3. Why can we not allow our beliefs to be shaped by our instincts (v. 10)? Where must we always turn instead for right belief and understanding?
a. What lies concerning God’s authority, morality, and glory do you think are common in today’s mindset, that we need to guard against? (For example, “I don’t need God in my life – I know what’s best for me” or “The morality of the Bible is outdated – things have changed” etc.)
b. Which of these lies are you contending with at the moment? Are there any that you should be contending with but have not been?
4. In the battle of the mind, what is your strategy going to be for defending your beliefs against false teaching and lies?  (How can you ensure that you do not fall prey to false teachers? What can you do to make sure that you are practicing discernment over purported revelations from God? How can you do this together as a Community Group?)
5. Using the surrounding context, explain whom Jude is referring to when he writes, “Woe to them!” in v. 11?
6. What sins have they allowed to take root in their hearts, as exemplified by Cain, Balaam, and Korah? (v. 11)
(Refer to Gen. 4: 3-8; Num. 16: 1-35, 22:7, 31:16 or look up these Old Testament examples in a Bible dictionary if you need to refresh your memory!)
7. How did the true disposition of their hearts show up in their speech and conduct? (v. 15-16)
8. Read v. 12-13 and consider the imagery Jude uses. In what ways do false teachers (and those living false lives) pose a danger to the spiritual safety and well-being of other believers?
9. Why do we need to be aware of the example we set as Christians to both our fellow-believers and to the world? If we are not pastors or teachers in the church, does our example matter any less? Why / why not?
10. As we seek to contend for the faith by the God-honoring example of our lives, why is it essential that we be willing to look honestly at our hearts and not just our behavior?

Jude: Contending for the Faith
For those of you who like to read ahead and prepare for Sunday worship, this week we will begin a new series in the book of Jude.
Author D.J. Rowston once wrote that Jude is the “most neglected book in the New Testament.” The little book of Jude is often neglected because of several factors.

1. The book of Jude is relatively short. In America, we are tempted to equate worth and importance with size. Since the book is short, many assume (wrongly) the book is unimportant.
2. The book is tucked away in the latter part of the Bible and easy to miss. People do not stumble into studying the book of Jude. They must go looking for it.
3. The message of the book is perceived as “negative.” Jude spends the majority of his time warning against false teachers and their impending destruction. The message of judgment and condemnation drives many readers away. For these reasons, Jude often gets overlooked by Christians and pastors alike.

We are convinced that the neglect of Jude is a serious mistake for our spiritual lives and the health of our church. Jude warns against false teachers, a reminder that is just as necessary now as it was when Jude originally penned his letter. Furthermore, Jude encourages Christians to remain in God’s love by building themselves up, praying in the Holy Spirit, and waiting for the mercy of the Lord Jesus. Jude’s message of warning and encouragement is needed in the church today.
We must pick up the book of Jude, study it, and live out it's truths for the glory of God!

Week 1 – “A Call to Fight” (v. 1-4)
Contextual Questions on Jude v. 1-4: 

1. Jude, along with the apostle James, was Jesus’s half-brother. How does he introduce himself in v.1? Why do you think he chose to introduce himself in this way?
2. What customary information is lacking about the recipients of Jude’s letter? How does he identify them instead? (v. 1)
3. What was Jude’s purpose in writing the letter? (v. 3) Why was it so urgent for Jude to write on this subject rather than on “our common salvation” as he had originally planned? (v. 3)
4. What is meant by “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”? (v. 3)
5. Was the threat to the integrity of the faith coming from inside or outside the church? (v. 4)
6. How were these “ungodly people” undermining the faith? What important tenets/aspects were they subverting? (v. 4)

Application Questions:
1. Just like the un-named Christians of Jude’s day, we too are being called to contend for the faith. This call to contend (meaning “to strenuously fight to defend”) implies that i) we are in a battle, and ii) the faith is being attacked.
• In what ways do you think that the faith is being attacked today? How do you think the true Christian faith is under attack or being undermined in some church movements or teachers in the world today?
• What weapons are at our disposal as we contend for the faith?  What are some of the things in life that you are willing to fight for? Why? Why is it important that we be willing to fight for the faith with the same (indeed, greater) passion and commitment as for these other things?

“Happy Monday after Easter/Resurrection Sunday"
We had an incredible Easter Sunday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus with record-breaking attendance and amazingly powerful testimonies of God's radically transformative grace.
I want to thank all the volunteers for helping to set-up the Kids Easter Egg Hunt (@Shelly Lischke, @Sarah Johnson, @Violet Lischke, @Crystal Van Tine) set-up and tear down the baptismal (@Ben Johnson, @Ken Sabalza @Erik G), and lead us in joyful praise and worship (@Ken Sabalza, @Helen Oh, @Jason Lischke, @Steve Pratt,@Riddick Lischke)
I hope you all are able to get some rest this evening after pouring yourselves out for the glory of God and the good of others yesterday. Your work in the local church matters!
I’m praying you are deeply aware of the Spirit’s presence this week as you step into the next season post-Easter. May you find God’s favor in all you do to build his Kingdom this week!

Child Dedications on Easter Sunday
Congratulations to @Stormy Curtis on dedicating Grace and @Devin Simone Salinas on dedicating Rainstorm, River-Wynd and Storie this Easter Sunday. May these little ones come to know, love and follow Jesus all the days of their lives and may we, as a church family, care for and support these little ones and their parents.

Baptisms on Easter Sunday
Congratulations to Jeanelle Buntting, Faduma Abdi, @Helen Oh, and Adora Harris for getting baptized this Easter Sunday. May the Lord continue to bless and direct you as you walk with Jesus throughout this life. We thank God for each of you and rejoice in God's grace and love towards each of you. We love you all!

Discussion Questions from Sunday's Message

1. THERE IS HOPE FOR YOUR CONFUSION - “God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32) - The people in the city of Seattle have lots of different views on who/what God is but how does the resurrection of Jesus bring hope in the midst of spiritual confusion? How is Jesus the way, the truth and the life?
2. THERE IS HOPE IN YOUR SUFFERING -“...We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) - How does the resurrection of Jesus show God's ability to work all things together for our good? How can the resurrection of Jesus impact our perspective on our current sufferings and hardships?
3. THERE’S HOPE IN YOUR CHALLENGES - "We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead...we too may walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) - How does the power of Jesus' resurrection give us hope in the midst of our challenges right now? How have you experienced resurrection power in your own life by the Holy Spirit of God? What big takeaways did you have from Rainier Valley Church's Easter Celebration with child dedications, testimonies, baptisms, etc?

Video from the Resurrection Sunday 2023 worship service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spDBQeipniU

Pictures from the Easter Sunday Baptisms will be COMING SOON! Follow Rainier Valley Church on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. 

“Becoming Like Jesus Together"
Together: Building Relationships in a Broken World
Rainier Valley Church - Seattle, Washington - Sunday, April 2

7 Biblical Qualities of Christian Love

1. Genuine (12:9a)
2. Truthful (12:9b)
3. Family-Like (12:10a)
4. Honorable (12:10b)
5. Passionate (12:11)
6. Persistent (12:12)
7. Practical (12:13)

1.Genuine (12:9a)
1 John 4:19 “We love, because he first loved us”

• You’ll never have to love someone more annoying than you’ve been to God
• You’ll never have to forgive someone more than God has forgiven you
• You’ll never be as patient with someone as God has been patient with you.

Do you really love your Christian brothers and sisters?

• Do you say you’ll pray for them and actually pray for them?
• Do you talk one way when the person is there and another when they aren’t?

Is your love genuine? Are there areas of hypocrisy in your life where you’re more polite than godly?2.Truthful (12:9b)
Based on your closest friendship, who are you becoming? In this season, who is speaking truth into your life?

• Are you growing in hating sin and loving righteousness?
• What sins and evil do you abhor? How can you hold fast to what is good? 

3. Family-Like (12:10a)
Church is family, you look out for each other, you stick up for each other.We’re family.
What the difference between going to a restaurant as a customer and going to a family dinner as a member of the family?

• What does it look like to love other Christians like family?
• What would change in the way you see your time, treasure and talent?
• How can you personally grow in a warm love toward other believers?

4.Honorable (12:10b)
We show honor to others because they're made in the image of God so they have inherent value.
We show honor to those in authority because God created a world of hierarchy and responsibility.

• What does it look like to outdo one another in showing honor?
• How can you show honor to those in positions of authority in your life?
• What are some behaviors in your life that might actually be dishonoring?
• Are you a competitive person? Be competitive in showing honor.

5.Passionate (12:11)
To be Slothful is to be slow, lazy, dull, sluggish, drowsy, listless, careless, neglectful, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, careless, unconcerned.
to be Fervent is to be boiling, zealous, passionate, vigorous, energetic, spirited. God has called us to passionate service.
Stir one another up to love and good works… Encourage, strengthen, embolden.

• What books, people, music has God used to stir you up and increase your zeal?
• How can we stir one another up to love and good works practically?
• Where are their areas of sloth in our lives?

6.Persistent (12:12)
Christian life must be persistent through the good times and the hard times.

• What areas in your life do you need to rejoice in hope?
• What tribulations in your life do you need patience in?
• How can I cultivate a prayerful life over a complaining life?

7.Practical (12:13)
When someone needs a job, clothes, food, rent, direction, or help in some way, we don’t just pray for them, we HELP them!
God has given you a house, money, food, friends, opportunities not as an end in themselves but as the means to bless others.
We’re suppose to be a conduits, channels of God’s blessings through us to a needy world.

• Are you functioning as a river or a reservoir? Do God's blessings stop with you or move through you to others?
• What opportunities do you have to bless and serve those around you this week?
• How can we pray for each other this week?

“Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful – Christian community is the final apologetic.”  - Francis Schaeffer

“Making Jesus' Final Command Our First Priority”
Together: Building Relationships in a Broken World
Rainier Valley Church - Seattle, Washington - Sunday, March 26

The Mission  

• Profess (Matt 28:18-20)
• Proclaim (Mark 16:15-16)
• Participate (Luke 24:46-48)
• Peace (John 20:21-22)
• Power (Acts 1:8)

• Jesus gives the great commission 5 different times in 5 different ways. What are some of the similarities and differences in these texts? How can we make Jesus’ last command our first priority?

The Motivations
 

• Love (2 Corinthians 5:14)
• Compassion (Matthew 23:37)
• Sorrow (Romans 9:1-3)
• Power (Roman 1:16)
• Accountability (Acts 20:26-27)

• There are many biblical motivations for evangelism. What are some motives you have to share the Gospel with friends and family?

The Methods

• S.A.L.T. Method

• Start a Conversation
• Ask Questions
• Listen Closely 
• Tell The Story
• https://youtu.be/HdnOVw01Y0U

 

• Romans Road Method

• Stop #1 | Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
• Stop #2 | Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• Stop #3 | Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Stop #4 | Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ…”
• Stop #5 | Romans 10:9 “…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…”
• https://www.forthegospel.org/read/the-romans-road-to-salvation

 

• 4 Spiritual Laws Method

• 1. God loves you and created you to know Him personally.

• "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

• 2. Man is sinful and separated from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love.

• "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23)

• 3. Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him alone we can know God personally and experience God's love.

• "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

• 4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally and experience His love.

• "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12)

• You Can Receive Christ Right Now by Faith Through Prayer

• "Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."
• http://www.4laws.com/laws/englishkgp/default.htm

 

• 2 Ways to Live

• Our Way  God’s New Way
• Reject God as ruler Submit to Jesus as our Ruler
• Live our own way Rely on Jesus’ way
• Damaged by our Rebellion Forgiven by God’s grace 
• Facing death and judgment  Receive a new life that last forever
• https://twowaystolive.com/ 

 

• The Way of the Master

• W.D.J.D.
• W for Would - Would you consider yourself to be a good person?
• D for Do - Do you think you have kept the Ten Commandments?
• J for Judgment - If God were to judge you by the Ten Commandments, do you think you would be innocent or guilty?
• D for Destiny - Do you think you would go to heaven or hell?
• https://livingwaters.com/

 

• Christianity Explored Classes

• Christianity Explored is a way of sharing the best news ever heard, and gives people space and time to think about the big questions of life. Over 7 sessions in Mark's Gospel, find out more about the life of the person at the heart of the Christian faith - Jesus Christ. 
• https://www.christianityexplored.org/

Together: Building Relationships in a Broken World

Together #1 “You Need the Church and the Church Needs You” (1 Cor 12:12-26)

Rainier Valley Church - Seattle, Washington - Sunday, March 19th

Big Idea: “We’re saved into one body (unity) to use our gifts (diversity) to build one another up (Interdependence)” 

• Live in One Body - Unity (12:12-14)

• • The Apostle Paul says the Church is the body of Christ that is made up of every single Christian playing their unique part. What ways does the church, the body of Christ, reflect and represent Jesus to a hurting, broken and lost world? (1 John 4:12)  

  • What does it mean that Jews/Greeks, Slave/Free are all baptized and drinking from one Spirit together? What ways is the church unified in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How can we protect and cultivate the unity that we experience in the body of Christ? 

• Use Our Gifts - Diversity (12:15-20)

• • The Apostle Paul compares each Christian to a different part of the body. Each part of the body plays an important role and is connected to the rest of the body. What role do you play in the body of Christ? 

  • How are you meaningfully connected to other Christian in the body of Christ? How does Christianity create a community that has deep unity without total uniformity? 

• Build One Another Up - Interdependence  (12:21-26)

• • How is the difference between body parts being independent and being interdependent? What ways do we need other christians with other gifts, personalities, and backgrounds in our lives? 

  • How can we cultivate a community of interdependence with one another? What ways can we grieve with those who grieve and rejoice with those who rejoice? What ways can we be praying for each other and practically supporting each other this week?