Veritas Columbus Sermons

A sermon based on Matthew 5:9 by Joe Byler, preached on May 28, 2017 at Veritas Short North as part of the "Blessed" series.

Discussion Questions:

1. Every culture, society, and kingdom has values that shape and define it. The Beatitudes put on display the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. Which kingdom is on display in your values? Which kingdom is at work in your life?

2. What is peace biblically (shalom)? How is this different than the peace we often seek and settle for in our own lives, relationships, and communities?

3. How is peacemaking connected to our reconciliation to God through Christ? In what ways are we compelled as believers to participate in the divine work of peacemaking?

4. What is the difference between peacemaking and mere peacekeeping? Where is peace (shalom) missing in your Community Group and in your neighborhood? What does peacemaking look like in these areas?

A sermon by Rob Meyers, preached on May 21, 2017 at Veritas West as part of the "Blessed" series.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:8 by Brad Snyder, preached on May 21, 2017 at Veritas Tri-Village as part of the "Blessed" series.

Discussion Questions:

1. Defining our terms: In the sermon, Brad defined having a “pure heart” as not having a divided heart or will. How does the Bible conceptually speak of the "heart”? In other words, what things are included in the definition of what the heart is. Similarly, what is the kind of purity Jesus is talking about? What do you think of when you hear the word purity? (Leaders: the "heart" is more than simply the seat of emotions, it is the core of who we are, the will, and includes our deepest motivations. Purity is what is right,100% unmixed and thoroughly clean or in this case righteous. Purity is the lack of division - think of gold that is not mixed with anything else and free from all impurities).

2. We are all seeking some kind of fulfillment, or "awe" as Brad mentioned. What are some indicators or things we do that substitute for that which only God can give? (Leaders: one example from the Sermon is that Often times it is what we put before our eyes that indicates that which we are seeking fulfillment in. TV, pornography, talk radio, etc - follow up question for digestion might be "what do you put before your eyes?")

3. How do we gain a pure heart? What must happen? (Leaders: In an important sense, God must first act in our lives in order for us to “see God.” There is this initial reaching out of God into our hearts to call us to Himself, that begins the relationship, the communion with Himself.)

4. Now, once a believer has been born again, what does it look like for a believer to have a “pure heart”? How do we keep a pure heart? (Leaders: in an ultimate sense, we are pure before God because we have the final and finished atonement of Jesus, and God will keep that purity before his eyes because of the finality and perfection of Jesus. Yet in this life in the process of sanctification, We can draw near the Lord in assurance despite our stumbling (Hebrews 4) We are welcomed in as sons and daughters.)

5. Read Exodus 34:5-9 and 2 Corinthians 3. What did it mean in Exodus for Moses to want to behold the face of God? What happened as a result to his face? What happens to the believer when He beholds Christ in His Word? What Member of the Godhead is working these things out in our lives day-to-day? (Leaders: Brad mentioned that we become what we behold. We must put the word of God and His gospel before our eyes. This will transform us. It will change our hearts and minds and purify us. That is the promise Paul conveys in 2 Corinthians).

6. If beholding God in His word has a transformative effect, what are some of the things in our lives keeping us from being pure in heart? How can we weave into the liturgy of our lives the things that help us walk in purity?

7. How can we help encourage each other in the context of the church toward purity in heart? (Leaders: our community groups and fellow believers

8. Read 1 John 3. What is the great hope of the future as described and how does it relate back to what we "behold"?

Takeaway: The concept of the “heart”, like so much of Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God sees a part of us - the essential part - that others don’t see. It begs the question: Who are you when no one is looking? If God sees what is unseen, what impurities is He looking at? What do we have to confess? It’s also a great reminder that despite what He sees, He has set His love upon us and saved us - he Has made us pure in Christ and invited us into communion with Him! This week remember the God who sees you for who you are and yet doesn’t let you stay that way, but redeems and rescues you for relationship and mission to reconcile others.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:8 by Aaron Lockhart, preached on May 21, 2017 at Veritas East as part of the "Blessed" series.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:7-8 by Joe Byler, preached on May 21, 2017 at Veritas Short North as part of the "Blessed" series.

Discussion Questions:

1. At the beginning of the sermon, Joe talked about how scripture can shape us, challenge us, and change us. When we come to the bible, do we view it in this way? Why or why not? … How else are we tempted to view scripture?

2. What did you think of the differentiation presented between the “worldly” mercy/philanthropy and the biblical definition of mercy? … If you truly look at your motives, what really propels you to show mercy to others?

3. What are some specific ways that God might be calling you to show mercy to those around you in your life, community, and in our city? … How can your community group join you in this, or encourage you in this?

4. When somebody talks about the idea of “seeing God”, describe some thoughts, feelings, ideas, that come to your mind… What stood out from the sermon in regards to the condition of our hearts, and our ability or inability to “see God”?

5. Pastor Joe preached what the bible says, that we are deathly sick, headed away from God, our hearts are deceitful, and we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Where does Jesus fit into all of this? … How does the gospel impact us, both in regards to our interaction with mercy and purity?

A sermon based on Matthew 5:7 by Brad Snyder, preached on May 14, 2017 at Veritas Tri-Village as part of the "Blessed" series.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:7 by Aaron Lockhart, preached on May 14, 2017 at Veritas East as part of the "Blessed" series.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:6 by Joe Byler, preached on May 14, 2017 at Veritas Short North as part of the "Blessed" series.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:6 by Brad Snyder, preached on May 7, 2017 at Veritas Tri-Village as part of the "Blessed" series.

A sermon based on Matthew 5:6 by Wes Thompson, preached on May 7, 2017 at Veritas West as part of the "Blessed" series.

Reflection:

1. Reflect on popular God substitutes in our context [love, money, power].

2. What do you think righteousness looks like?

3. What are some ways we can better conform to Jesus instead of the world around us?