Sermon Archives - EFCCL

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 16
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. The Reality of Death
2. The Reality of Resurrection

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

What most scares you about death? What most excites you about dying?

1. Read Mark 15:21-32. Describe the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. Note specific details.
2. Do you believe in reincarnation? Why? Why not?
3. Read Mark 15:33-41. Why did Jesus cry out, quoting Psalm 22? Why did the temple curtain rip?
4. Read Mark 16:1-8. What were the main points of the sermon?
5. Does the existence of several endings to Mark shake our confidence in scripture? (cf. a commentary on Mark; see blog post from January 2 for suggestions: http://goo.gl/MxCQ9o)
6. Read John 20:1-18. Note some additional information John adds about the resurrection.
7. Read John 20:24-31. Why is this section so important? What is John’s point here?
8. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. What is of “first importance”? Why is this so?
9. Read Revelation 21:1-14. Describe the New Earth. How can we be sure to inherit eternal life?

Who can summarize the gospel in 30 words or fewer? Offer loving critique of one another’s definitions.

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 14-15
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. Worship (vv. 14:1-9)
2. Betrayal (vv. 14:10-26)
3. Desertion (vv. 14:27-52)
4. Rejection (vv. 14:53-15:47)

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

Describe some of the responses you’ve seen people have to Jesus.

1. What were the main points of the sermon? Discuss the different responses.

• Discuss the disciples’ surprise at Jesus’ statement.

• Have you known someone who professed faith in Jesus but was later proved to be a “false disciple”?

Have you asked your own children the question, “What is your response to Jesus?”
When is the last time you presented the gospel to someone? Discuss what happened.

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 14-15
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. Worship (vv. 14:1-9)
2. Betrayal (vv. 14:10-26)
3. Desertion (vv. 14:27-52)
4. Rejection (vv. 14:53-15:47)

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

Describe some of the responses you’ve seen people have to Jesus.

1. What were the main points of the sermon? Discuss the different responses.

• Discuss the disciples’ surprise at Jesus’ statement.

• Have you known someone who professed faith in Jesus but was later proved to be a “false disciple”?

Have you asked your own children the question, “What is your response to Jesus?”
When is the last time you presented the gospel to someone? Discuss what happened.

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 13
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. A Prediction (vv. 1-2)
2. An Explanation (vv. 3:31)
3. A Warning (vv. 32-37)

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 13
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. A Prediction (vv. 1-2)
2. An Explanation (vv. 3:31)
3. A Warning (vv. 32-37)

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9
Series: —

1. Celebrating with the Lord's Supper
2. Celebrating with Baptism

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

Share your baptism experience or a memorable communion celebration.

The following two articles are from our church’s Statement of Faith; read them as a group.

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

1. Spiritual baptism: At conversion, we believe that the Holy Spirit baptizes/immerses/places a person into union with Christ or into the body of Christ. Read the following verses: Romans 8:9-11, 14-15; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; Colossians 1:9-12, 2:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5. Describe the work of the Spirit in these passages and discuss the help and encouragement these truths can bring to a Christian’s life.
2. Water baptism: Our church believes that people—specifically those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross as their only hope of salvation—should be obedient to what the Bible says and be baptized. Read the following verses: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:34-48; Romans 6:3-5. Discuss how these passages answer the why and when of water baptism and what this ordinance symbolizes. 

3. Communion: When Jesus inaugurated communion, He and the disciples were celebrating the Passover (see Luke 22:14-16; compare to Exodus 12:1-14). That feast began hundreds of years earlier when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. Jesus infused new meaning by taking the bread and the cup and tying it to His body and blood. How does the picture of Passover find fulfillment in Christ? See 1 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 9:11-15, 10:10-14. Lastly, read 1 Corinthians 11:26. According to the Apostle Paul, what are we doing as we partake of communion? 

We have focused on two ordinances (practices) that followers of Christ hold dear out of reverence and obedience to the Lord. They are powerful symbols of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. But as we read earlier, they are not a means of salvation. The Bible makes clear that there is bad news for every person: all are sinners deserving of condemnation. No ordinance, religious practice, or good work can change our hopeless situation. But it also says there is good news for every person: Jesus is the way, truth, and life (John 3:16-18, 14:6). The Philippian jailer asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?” and the Apostle Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). Are you asking the same question today? If so, talk to your Community Group leader, contact one of the church pastors, or visit the church website and read the “How Do We Get to Heaven?” article: www.efccl.org/heaven.

Maybe you are a follower of Christ but have not gone through water baptism, the public declaration that you have turned to God in repentance and have trusted in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Visit the church website for more information on the purpose of baptism and the process we have at EFCCL: www.efccl.org/baptism. 

Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9
Series: —

1. Celebrating with the Lord's Supper
2. Celebrating with Baptism

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

Share your baptism experience or a memorable communion celebration.

The following two articles are from our church’s Statement of Faith; read them as a group.

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

1. Spiritual baptism: At conversion, we believe that the Holy Spirit baptizes/immerses/places a person into union with Christ or into the body of Christ. Read the following verses: Romans 8:9-11, 14-15; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; Colossians 1:9-12, 2:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5. Describe the work of the Spirit in these passages and discuss the help and encouragement these truths can bring to a Christian’s life.
2. Water baptism: Our church believes that people—specifically those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross as their only hope of salvation—should be obedient to what the Bible says and be baptized. Read the following verses: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:34-48; Romans 6:3-5. Discuss how these passages answer the why and when of water baptism and what this ordinance symbolizes. 

3. Communion: When Jesus inaugurated communion, He and the disciples were celebrating the Passover (see Luke 22:14-16; compare to Exodus 12:1-14). That feast began hundreds of years earlier when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. Jesus infused new meaning by taking the bread and the cup and tying it to His body and blood. How does the picture of Passover find fulfillment in Christ? See 1 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 9:11-15, 10:10-14. Lastly, read 1 Corinthians 11:26. According to the Apostle Paul, what are we doing as we partake of communion? 

We have focused on two ordinances (practices) that followers of Christ hold dear out of reverence and obedience to the Lord. They are powerful symbols of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. But as we read earlier, they are not a means of salvation. The Bible makes clear that there is bad news for every person: all are sinners deserving of condemnation. No ordinance, religious practice, or good work can change our hopeless situation. But it also says there is good news for every person: Jesus is the way, truth, and life (John 3:16-18, 14:6). The Philippian jailer asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?” and the Apostle Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). Are you asking the same question today? If so, talk to your Community Group leader, contact one of the church pastors, or visit the church website and read the “How Do We Get to Heaven?” article: www.efccl.org/heaven.

Maybe you are a follower of Christ but have not gone through water baptism, the public declaration that you have turned to God in repentance and have trusted in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Visit the church website for more information on the purpose of baptism and the process we have at EFCCL: www.efccl.org/baptism. 

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 11:27-12:44
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. Disbelief (vv. 11:27-12:12)
2. Hypocrisy (vv. 12:13-17)
3. Ignorance (vv. 12:18-34)
4. Pride (vv. 12:38-44)

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

What kind of criticism of Jesus bothers you the most? Why?    

1. Read Mark 1:14-15.

• How do these verses capture the theme of Mark’s Gospel?

• What are the four ways people reject Jesus according to the message?

• Why is ignorance of the Bible so dangerous?

• Discuss the contrast Jesus draws here between the teachers and the poor widow.

What is a practical way to boost your biblical/theological knowledge?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 11:27-12:44
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. Disbelief (vv. 11:27-12:12)
2. Hypocrisy (vv. 12:13-17)
3. Ignorance (vv. 12:18-34)
4. Pride (vv. 12:38-44)

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

What kind of criticism of Jesus bothers you the most? Why?    

1. Read Mark 1:14-15.

• How do these verses capture the theme of Mark’s Gospel?

• What are the four ways people reject Jesus according to the message?

• Why is ignorance of the Bible so dangerous?

• Discuss the contrast Jesus draws here between the teachers and the poor widow.

What is a practical way to boost your biblical/theological knowledge?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 11:1-26
Series: The Gospel of Mark

1. Jesus as King (vv. 1-11)
2. Jesus as Judge (vv. 12-26)

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

What is one of your earliest misconceptions about Jesus?

1. Read Matthew’s version of Jesus’ triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-11).

• Read the background to this in Zechariah 9:9-13.

• Why would Jesus curse a tree? What was going on here?

• How does this passage reveal God’s missionary heart for all nations?

• How do you explain 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 in light of Mark 11:24? Why was Paul’s request refused?

Have each person (or couple) pray out loud for someone in their lives who is not saved.