The Refinery Church Sermon Podcast

Week 1 of Rooted invites us to rediscover what matters most: the presence of God. From the garden in Genesis to the promise of restoration in Revelation 21:1–4, Scripture reveals a consistent truth—God’s deepest desire is to be with His people. In Luke 10:38–42, we see this embodied in the choice of Mary to sit at Jesus’ feet, prioritizing His presence above all else. In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, this message calls us back to the one pursuit that gives life meaning and direction. What if the most important decision we make each day is simply to be with Jesus? As we begin this series, we’ll explore how choosing His presence first reshapes every other part of our lives.

Big Idea:

Nothing is more worthy of our pursuit than the presence of God. 

Scriptures:

Revelation 21:1-4; Luke 10:38-42

Questions:

1. Who are the people in your life that tend to “light up the room” for you—and what is it about being with them that feels life-giving?
2. When you hear the phrase “the presence of God”, what comes to mind for you personally (emotion, image, memory, or experience)?
3. In Revelation 21:1–4, what stands out to you about God’s ultimate desire to dwell with His people—and how does that shape your view of the story of Scripture
4. Throughout the sermon, we saw a consistent theme: God moving toward people. Where do you see that most clearly in the overall biblical story? How have you seen or sensed God move toward you in your life? 
5. In Luke 10:38–42 (Mary and Martha), Jesus says Mary chose “what is better.” How can it, at times, be difficult to choose "what is better" in our own lives? What are some of the “good things” in your life (responsibilities, distractions, routines) that quietly compete for your attention away from God’s presence?
6. Brother Lawrence suggested that even ordinary tasks can be lived in awareness of God. Have you found this to be true in your life? If not, what might it look like to consider the possibility that it could be true? 
7. The sermon said, “Where we spend our time says a great deal about what we value.” Where do you honestly see your time and attention going most often right now? Are there any adjustments that need to be made (perhaps you've already been trying to make them)? 
8. Jesus consistently invites people into closeness with Him (abiding, sitting at His feet, following Him). What makes that kind of closeness feel difficult—or inviting—for you?
9. What is one practical rhythm or spiritual discipline (prayer, silence, Scripture, slowing down, etc.) that could help you become more aware of God’s presence this week?

How do we overcome? 

1. By the blood the Lamb.

2. The word of our testimony. 

3. Not loving our lives until death. 

In Week 3 of our series, we explore how Jesus redefines the direction of our lives in Gospel of John 17—not as a series of spiritual milestones to achieve, but as an ongoing, lifelong relationship with God. Drawing from a personal shift in understanding education—not as chasing grades but becoming a learner—we see how faith works the same way: it’s not about reaching isolated moments like salvation or baptism, but about continually growing in knowing God and living on His mission. Jesus’ prayer reveals that eternal life is not just a future promise, but a present, ever-deepening relationship that shapes how we love God and others. With an “infinite mindset,” we’re invited to move beyond short-term spiritual goals and instead embrace a life of purpose, unity, and ongoing transformation that impacts not just us, but generations to come.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The phrase “Don’t mistake milestones for the mission” drives this message. Have you ever reached a life milestone (spiritually or otherwise) that you were tempted to treat like a finish line rather than just a key moment along the way? 
2. Why is it tempting to focus on the milestones? Why is it problematic? 
3. In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as “knowing” God. How is that different from simply believing certain truths about Him? How have you grown in "knowing" God through the years? 
4. Jesus prays in John 17:15 that His followers would not be taken out of the world but protected within it. What does that tell us about our role in the world?
5. In verse 18, Jesus says, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” What do you think it looks like, practically, to live as someone who is “sent”?
6. Jesus repeatedly prays for unity (John 17:21–23). Why do you think unity among believers is so closely tied to the credibility of the gospel?
7. The question was asked: “If nothing changed, where would my current direction take me?” How might you answer that question? Do you need any change in direction now, that you have been putting off until a later season? 
8. What does ongoing spiritual growth look like in this season of your life? Where do you sense God stretching or inviting you deeper?
9. What is one specific step you can take this week to focus on the mission — either by deepening your relationship with God or intentionally investing in someone else?

In the second message from John 18, we step into a tension-filled moment where power seems to shift from soldiers to priests to governors—but beneath it all, a deeper reality is unfolding. As we continue working backward from the resurrection, we’re challenged to reconsider what power באמת looks like in light of eternity. While the world operates on a finite mindset—grasping for control, status, and security—Jesus reveals an entirely different way, willingly submitting to the Father not out of weakness, but מתוך ultimate authority and trust. In contrast, Peter’s denials expose how fear drives us to cling to temporary power when we forget who truly holds it. This sermon invites us to wrestle with a defining question: will we rest in the goodness and sovereignty of God, or will we exhaust ourselves chasing fleeting power in a broken world?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. When you hear the word power, what’s the first image or situation that comes to mind?
2. Have you ever seen someone handle power really well? What made it stand out On the flip side, have you ever seen power “go to someone’s head”? What changed in them?
3. In everyday life (work, family, friendships), where do you most often see power struggles show up?
4. When Jesus says, “I am he” (John 18:5-6) and the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground, what do you see in that moment? Do you think of God's power in such a tangible way? 
5. Why do you think Peter moved so quickly from drawing a sword in the garden to denying Jesus around the fire? Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt like Peter—bold in theory but fearful in practice? What did that reveal to you?
6. When are you most tempted to “reach for the sword” — to grasp for control, defend yourself, or assert power?
7. What might it look like in a real-life situation you’re facing right now to “choose submission to a good God” instead of wrestling for fleeting power?
8. The sermon defines biblical power as “the ability and authority to accomplish God’s will." How is that different from how our culture typically defines power?
9. Where do you see examples today of “finite game” power — power that looks strong in the moment but doesn’t last?
10. Jesus remains calm and composed when struck. What does His response teach us about strength under pressure?

Today we begin a new series in the Gospel of John—working backward to see how the resurrection of Jesus reframes everything. In John 20, we watch as the risen Christ turns a finite, grief-bound perspective into an invitation to infinite life. Twice Mary hears the strangely pointed question, “Why are you crying?” and three times the disciples hear the not-wishful but authoritative declaration, “Peace be with you,” because the One they thought they lost was never lost at all. And John tells us plainly why this story is written: that we may believe Jesus is the Messiah and, in believing, have life in His name. Resurrection changes the game—shifting us from scarcity to abundance, from endings to eternal beginnings—and calls us to live with an infinite mindset shaped by the victory of Jesus.

Lifegroup Questions: 

1. Sunday's message described the resurrection as a “game-changing event."In what ways has the resurrection personally changed—or challenged—your perspective on life and death?
2. Mary Magdalene initially failed to recognize Jesus (John 20:11–18). What might this reveal about grief, expectations, and our ability to recognize God’s work in difficult seasons?
3. Jesus repeatedly says, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19–23). How have you experienced the peace that Jesus brings during difficult or challenging seasons?
4. Thomas struggled with doubt until he encountered Jesus personally (John 20:24–29). How does his story encourage those who wrestle with doubt or questions about faith?
5. The sermon suggests that if life is an “infinite game,” everything changes—how we live, spend, and relate to others. Can you think of examples in your life where you have lived or are living with a "finite" game perspective? What are some practical examples of living with an "infinite game" mindset? 
6. John 20:30–31 explains the purpose of the Gospel: that we may believe and have life in Jesus’ name. How should the resurrection motivate and empower believers to live on mission today?
7. How might God challenge, stir, or encourage you in the coming weeks as we consider together looking at the world through a finite or inifinte game mindset?

This Palm Sunday, Pastor Jay closes our Isaiah series by looking at Isaiah 62 and the call to be bound by and for purpose. Isaiah paints a picture of a people fully surrendered to the coming Savior—a bride joyfully preparing for her Bridegroom—reminding us that saying yes to Jesus binds us to His mission. Through a personal moment of conviction, we’re challenged to stop treating the Great Commission like someone else’s assignment and instead let Scripture be a mirror that exposes whether our lives actually make room for those far from Jesus. Isaiah’s prophetic vision urges us to “prepare the way,” clearing every stone and raising a banner so people can meet the Savior of the world. In Christ, heaven is coming to earth, and we are invited into this union—called to do all we can and give all we have so others may know the love that has transformed us.

Questions:

• To begin service you were asked to picture someone you’d love to see baptized.
   Who came to mind for you and why?
• Do you relate more to having too many people to reach—or not enough proximity to people who don’t know Jesus? Why?
• Read Isaiah 61:1-3.
  Isaiah 61 describes Jesus coming for the broken, hurting, and lost.
  In what ways can churches (or we personally) unintentionally keep “broken people” at a distance? How can we change that?
• Jesus calls those who follow Him “Oaks of Righteousness.”
  We learned that Oak Trees can stand 100ft tall, have a canopy of 120ft wide, live 1,000 years, and home to over 2,300 species of wildlife. Most importantly, we learned that out of the 10,000 acorns an oak tree can drop in a year, on average 1 in 10,000 becomes trees.

How does the “1 in 10,000” idea challenge or encourage the way you think about sharing your faith?

What are practical ways you have found to share your faith in day-to-day life?

• Read Isaiah 62:1-5, 10-23

In the middle of Isaiah 62 we hear about marriage - reminding us that our relationships must be built on Christ, with him at the center of  it all. What competes (sports, work, business, finances, etc,) with being in the center of your relationships/marriage?

• If we truly adopt a kingdom mindset—hoping in God for both present challenges and future generations—how does that change how we pray, plan, and lead our families?

This week, our message from Isaiah 45:5–22 invites us into a powerful moment where God speaks to His people in exile, reminding them that He alone is Lord and there is no other. After generations of both deliverance and disobedience—from Isaiah’s initial call to Hezekiah’s rise, prayer, and eventual misplaced trust—the Israelites now find themselves in Babylon searching for hope. In the middle of their doubt, God challenges them: can the clay question the potter? He reestablishes both His authority and their purpose, declaring that He created the world to be inhabited and desires to partner with His people in restoring what has been broken. This passage ultimately calls us to recognize that our purpose is not something we achieve on our own, but something we step into through surrender. When we stop striving independently and instead trust the One who formed us, we discover that surrendering to the heavenly is what brings true redemption to our earthly lives.

Lifegroup Questions: 

1. When you hear the question, “What are you making?”, how does that connect with the idea of God shaping your life right now?
2. In Isaiah 40, Israel is in exile and feeling forgotten. Why do you think it’s easy to assume God has overlooked us in difficult seasons?
3. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” What does it practically look like to place your hope in God rather than in strategy, resources, or other people?
4. The sermon described idolatry as making a good thing into an ultimate thing. What are some “good things” that can subtly become ultimate things in our lives?
5. Read Isaiah 42:16. How does the image of God leading the blind along unfamiliar paths speak to seasons of uncertainty in your life?
6. In Isaiah 43:1–3, God reminds His people that they are created, formed, redeemed, and called by name. Which of those truths stands out most to you right now, and why?
7. Isaiah 45 uses the picture of clay questioning the potter. When have you questioned God? What led to that questioning? 
8. The phrase “Your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven” suggests hope changes life now, not just in eternity. Where do you long to see God bring redemption in your everyday world?
9. Landon encouraged people to pre-register for Big Serve Week in April. Did you participate in Big Serve last year? If so, how was your experience? Are you planning to serve this year with Big Serve? Could our group possibly find a way to serve together? 

In this episode, we look at the life of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 36–39—a story of desperate prayer, miraculous deliverance, and a subtle but costly shift in perspective. When Jerusalem is under attack, Hezekiah turns fully to God and experiences His saving power, reminding us that we are never too far gone for God to hear us. But soon after, Hezekiah begins to rely on political strategy instead of spiritual dependence, choosing short-term security over long-term faithfulness. His story challenges us to examine our own lives: are we seeking God only in moments of crisis, or allowing Him to be our constant source of life? True spiritual growth isn’t built on quick results, but on daily dependence that forms us over time.

Lifegroup Questions:

• In Isaiah 36–37, what stands out to you about the Assyrian threat and the psychological pressure they put on Judah? How does that compare to the kinds of pressures we experience today?
• Hezekiah’s first response to crisis was to seek the Lord through prayer and counsel (Isaiah 37:1–7). What does that reveal about where his hope was placed in that moment?
• Can you share a time when you faced a “hopeless” situation? Where did you instinctively turn for help or stability?
• Ecclesiastes 9:2–3 can sound discouraging at first glance. Why do you think Scripture includes passages that feel so honest—even bleak—about life? How do they prepare us to understand true hope?
• In Isaiah 38, Hezekiah responds to devastating news by turning his face to the wall and praying. What do you notice about his posture and tone? How is that different from complaining or despair?
• The sermon suggests that hope is not a strategy but a person. What does it practically look like to place hope in God rather than in outcomes, resources, or plans?
• In Isaiah 39, Hezekiah shifts from dependence on God to subtle self-reliance and diplomacy. Why do you think it can be easier to trust God in crisis than in comfort?
• The phrase “good is the enemy of great” was applied spiritually. Where might we be tempted to settle for a “good” life instead of pursuing a faithful, kingdom-centered life?
• How can we tell when our hope is slowly shifting from God to “lesser things”? What warning signs should we watch for in our own hearts?

In this week’s message, we explore Isaiah’s powerful encounter with God in Isaiah 6, where he sees the Lord seated on His throne while heavenly beings proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty.” Confronted with God’s holiness, Isaiah becomes painfully aware of his own unworthiness and the brokenness of his people, expecting judgment—but instead, God responds with grace, sending a burning coal from the altar to purify him and remove his guilt and shame. This moment reveals how time in God’s presence refines us; His holiness does not destroy us but transforms us, reminding us that availability matters more than impeccability. Immediately after being forgiven, Isaiah is sent on a difficult mission to warn Israel of coming judgment, a message that will often be rejected and may even harden hearts, requiring him to trust God even when the results seem discouraging. Yet God promises hope: though Israel will be like a tree cut down, a “holy seed” will spring forth and bring new life. As Isaiah begins to grasp the weight of his calling, he asks the relatable question, “For how long, Lord?”—a question many of us ask in seasons of exhaustion, grief, illness, unanswered prayers, or long waiting. But this message challenges us to consider that question in light of our calling from God, reminding us that following Jesus is a lifelong journey of refinement and growth; if we have breath, we still have purpose, and there is no spiritual milestone apart from death that releases us from God’s call, leaving us with the same daily response Isaiah gave: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

Questions:

“Right judgment from a good God is not the enemy of hope — it is the foundation of it.” What initial reactions do you have to that statement? Does judgment feel hopeful to you? Why or why not?

• Read Isaiah 6:1–4. What stands out to you about Isaiah’s vision of God? How might the holiness of God reshape the way we see ourselves?
• In Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah immediately says, “Woe to me… I am ruined.” Why do you think his awareness of sin intensified in God’s presence? Have you experienced something similar in your walk with God?
• Read Isaiah 6:6–7. The coal doesn’t destroy Isaiah — it purifies him. What does this teach us about God’s character? How does this moment connect to the idea that God’s judgment can lead to hope?
• Time in God’s presence can recalibrate our hearts. What practices (Scripture, prayer, worship, community, service) have helped you experience both conviction and grace?
• Read Isaiah 6:8. Isaiah moves quickly from cleansing to calling: “Here am I. Send me!” Why do you think forgiveness often precedes mission? How does grace fuel obedience?
• Read Isaiah 6:9–13. Isaiah is sent with a hard message that will not immediately produce results. How would you respond if God called you to faithfulness without visible success? Have you experienced something like this before? 
• Isaiah asks, “For how long, Lord?” (6:11). Where in your life are you asking that question right now? How does this passage speak into seasons of waiting or discouragement?
• When you think about judgment in everyday life (grades, evaluations, diagnoses), what makes the difference between a judgment that crushes hope and one that builds it?
• “Are we evaluating life through the lens of Christ or through some other lens?” What are some practical ways we can align our standards of good and evil with God’s revealed character?

Join us as our General Superintendent, Dr. Phili Chambo shares about living the Holy life - a life fully wholeheartedly devoted to Christ from Romans 6:11-13.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Identity: Dead to Sin, Alive to God

Romans 6:11 says to “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

What does it practically mean to “count” yourself dead to sin?

Where do you most need to live out being “alive to God” right now?

2. No Neutral Zone

Dr. Chambo said there is no neutral ground — it’s either the reign of sin or the reign of grace.

Where do we tend to believe we can stay neutral spiritually?

What does it look like for grace — not effort — to reign in those areas?

3. Grace Is Power, Not Just Kindness

Romans 5 teaches that where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

How have you experienced grace as more than forgiveness — as actual power over something?

Why is it important that the Giver and the gift can never be separated?

4. New Allegiance, New Belonging

If sin’s reign is broken (Romans 6:12), what does your new allegiance to Christ change about:

Your daily decisions? Your thought life? Your long-term ambitions?

5. Sin Dethroned, Not Sinless Perfection

The sermon distinguished between human weakness and deliberate rebellion.

Why is that distinction important?

How does understanding “sin dethroned” free us from both shame and complacency?

6. Resisting What No Longer Owns You

Sin no longer reigns, but it still tempts.

What are practical ways we resist something that no longer has authority over us?

How does remembering your identity in Christ strengthen resistance?

7. Offering Your Whole Self

Romans 6:13 uses "temple" language — presenting yourself on the altar.

What parts of your life are easiest to offer to God?

What parts are hardest (time, relationships, ambitions, body, future)? Why?

What would a “wholehearted offering” look like this week?