Sermons

Paul tells the Church at Colossae that he is striving and struggling for their edification in the knowledge of the Mystery of God revealed.  He also explains that his suffering is helping to complete a part lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

 Discussion Questions

1. In what ways do we take for granted the gospel-serving suffering of the saints on whose shoulders we stand?  How can we honor their legacy through our faith put into action?

2. Jesus is the Mystery of God revealed, the Savior of the World!  Who in my life or circle of influence needs to see this mystery revealed before them through my bold and consistent witness?

3. What Kingdom fruit do I see from my own present or past times of suffering for the gospel?  How can I catch a vision of God’s work in order to stay motivated to persevere in striving to proclaim the Gospel?

4. In what ways do you give up on Gospel efforts when you encounter challenges beyond your own strength?  How can you grow toward greater dependence on God’s power to work through you?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God will create in us an abiding and compelling passion for proclaiming the mystery of Christ to the world near and far.

2. Pray for the Persecuted Church and the saints around the world who are currently pouring out  their lives for the Gospel and the Church.   

For Further Reading

• John G Paton biographical sermon   https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/you-will-be-eaten-by-cannibals-lessons-from-the-life-of-john-g-paton

• John G Paton downloadable book https://www.desiringgod.org/books/john-g-paton   

• Pray for the Persecuted Church prayer guide https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayer-resources/  

Before Paul and Timothy begin to address the false teaching that threatens to harm the Colossian church, they want to firmly establish their teaching about the gospel. In this passage of Colossians, we see that while the gospel is for us, it is primarily not about us, but about Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. What are the implications of the truth that Christ is both fully human and fully God? Where do untruths creep into our modern thinking, and how can we address them with the truth of Scripture?

2. What other things might contend for primacy over the gospel in the life of a church? What about in your own life?

3. The gospel requires honesty, change, and grit. Which of these is God most stirring in your heart as something that needs to be addressed? How does his grace empower you to make the necessary changes?

4. As you consider the quote from Elliot Clark (and the long list of NT verses), how might you need to shift from “sharing” the gospel to “proclaiming” the gospel?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would help us and individuals and as a church community to be all about the gospel of Jesus.

2. Pray for boldness to “proclaim” the gospel of Jesus in both word and deed with those in your life who have yet to believe in him.

For Further Reading

• Evangelism as Exiles by Elliot Clark | There are still free copies available if you don’t have one, inquire at the connect desk.

Sermon Description

Paul and Timothy have deep affection for the church in the city of Colossae. This affection is not arbitrary, but it is a direct reflection of the kind of love that Jesus has for his church. This leaves us with the question: do we love the church that Jesus loves?

Discussion Questions

1. Read John 15:1-17. How does this teaching from Jesus undergird everything we see from Paul and Timothy in Colossians ch. 1? What words or phrases strike you as similar? How does this contribute to Paul and Timothy’s joy over the church in Colossae?

2. Share with your group if there have been times where you’ve been hurt by “the church.” If appropriate, make it more specific and less general (e.g. this specific person hurt me). Is there follow up that should happen so you can experience healing and grace? How can your group or the elders of Sound City help you in that process?

3. Similarly, share with your group if there have been times where you’ve been loved well by “the church.” Again, be specific and give thanks to God for those people.

4. How does God want you to grow as an individual so that Sound City can be the most loving, fruitful, and Christ-like church that we can be? 

Prayer Points

1. Pray that we would be deeply connected to God’s love as individuals and as a local church. Pray that this love would help us to love each other better.

2. Pray that we would be a fruitful church, one that is compelled by the love of Jesus to proclaim the gospel with people in our lives who don’t yet know his love.

Sermon Description

As we pause to celebrate five years as a church family, we look back on his grace to us and look ahead as to where God is leading us. The words of Daniel 11:32 serve to remind us that we are to walk closely with our God, to stand firm on the truth of his Word, and take action toward the goals God has called us to.

Discussion Questions

1. How can you see God’s hand of grace upon Sound City Bible Church? Share what you are thankful for with others in your group?

2. Are you more of a “hold firm” person or a “take action” person? How does God want to grow you in both? Who in your life is stronger in the opposite side than you?

3. What practical steps do you need to take in order to more closely “know” your God? What needs to give? What habits or practices do you need to commit to?

4. What are you excited about as we head into this next year as a church? What are you excited about as an individual or a family? What area of ministry is God calling you to?

Prayer Points

1. Pray and give thanks to God for his faithfulness on us as a church family. 

2. Pray that he would increase our dependence upon him, as we seek to hold firm and take action.

3. Pray that many people would come to know Jesus and that many lives would be changed through God’s work in us as a church community.

When Mary receives the news that she will give birth to the promised Messiah, she breaks out in joyous song. Through this song, we see that her deepest joy is found in God’s plan of salvation. We also see that God is a God who keeps his promises, including one very unique promise to use “the woman” in a special way to usher in the plan of salvation.