Woodland Christian Church Sermons | Biblical Teaching

Luke 8:7 and 14 Choking God Out of Our Lives

Note: Lessons 1 and 2 are from the previous sermon.

Lesson 1: The seed on the path pictures hard hearts (Luke 8:5, 12).

Lesson 2: The seed on rocky ground pictures shallow faith (Luke 8: 6, 13).

Lesson 3: The seed __________ ____________ pictures people who choke God out of their lives (Luke 8:7, 14):

(Part I) ______________ __________ (2 Tim 2:4; Luke 21:34; 1 Pet 5:7; Luke 12:22-25).

(Part II) ____________ ____________ (Luke 6:24, Mark 10:17-23).

(Part III) ________________ ________________ (Jam 4:4; 1 John 2:15; Col 4:7-15; Phile 1:23-24; 2 Tim 4:10). 

Lesson 4: God doesn’t have to be choked out by something sinful.

“Cares, riches, and pleasures of life are three of the greatest obstacles to fruitfulness.”

Family Worship Guide

Memory Verses: Isaiah 40:8 

Day 1: Read Luke 8:5-15 and discuss: What does the first seed represent? What about the second seed? Now, what does the third seed represent? Compare the 2nd & the 3rd seed: what similarities are there? What happens to the 3rd seed (what word is used in v.14 to describe this)?

Day 2: Read Luke 8:5-15 and discuss: List the three types of “weeds” that choke God from our lives. Give examples of each one. Read Luke 12:22-25, 2 Tim. 2:4, & 1 Peter 5:7 and discuss: Is all “worry” sinful? If not, explain your answer; use Scripture, if possible.

Day 3: Read Luke 8:5-15, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17, & 2 Tim. 4:10 and discuss: What was the third “weed”? Clearly, not all “pleasures of this life” are sinful. How, then, do we know whether or not a particular pleasure is sinful/idolatrous? What has God given to us so that we can get help in discerning whether a particular pleasure is sinful or not?

Pray for those who lead, feed, and care for the flock, and their families (Col. 4:3, 2 Thess. 3:1): Pastor Scott (Elder) and Steve Moeller

Pray for these church members/families (1 Tim. 2:1, Eph. 6:18, Col. 1:9): Steve & Tammy Martel, Andy & Wendy MacFarlane, Don & Sharee MacKay, DJ & Molly Malinowski, Peggy Mars

Pray for “kings” and those in authority (1 Tim. 2:2): Local – Woodland Mayor Will Finn; State - Governor Jay Inslee ; Nation – President Barack Obama

Pray for the Gospel to Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38): Those we directly support: India Evangelical Mission (IEM)

An Unreached People Group: Lahuli, Tinan (Buddhists, China)

Philippians 2:6-11 The Birth of Christ

Lesson 1: Jesus’ birth…

(Part I) Meant letting go of His ________________ with ______ (Phil 2:6; John 5:18, 8:58, 10:30, 33; Isa 14:13-14).

(Part II) Meant ________________ Himself (Phil 2:7a; 2 Sam 6:14; John 17:5; 2 Cor 8:9; Psa 22:6; Isa 53:3; John 1:11).

(Part III) Meant becoming a ______________ (Phil 2:7b; Matt 20:28; John 5:30, 6:38).

(Part IV) Looked forward to ______ __________ (Phil 2:8).

(Part V) Led to His ____________________ (Phil 2:9; Matt 23:12).

Lesson 2: Confess Jesus as Lord ________________ in this life or

________________________ in the next life (Phil 2:10-11; Isa 45:22-23).

This series is taken from a blog post Pastor Scott wrote: Am I saved? Seven tests to know!

There are some differences, but they will be reconciled when the class concludes.

While none of us enjoy trials (which is why James 1:2 commands us to “count” them as joy versus “feel” joy), one of the blessings from them is the greater confidence they can give us in our salvation:

James 1:3 says trials “[test] your faith.” In what sense? To see if it survives trials.

1 Peter 1:7 says trials “prove” or “reveal” the “genuineness of our faith.”

Here are the Greek and Hebrew words Pastor Scott discussed during the message. The hyperlinked words take you to Blue Letter Bible where you can see the greater details of each...

New Testament (Greek) words:

“Trials” in James 1:2 and 1 Peter 1:6 is peirasmos, occurring 21 times in the NT and it means: “a trial, proving: adversity, affliction, trouble sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness.”

“Testing” in James 1:3 and “genuineness” in 1 Peter 1:7 is dokimion, occurring only in these two verses and it means, “the proving; that by which something is tried or proved, a test.”

Old Testament (Hebrew) words:

“Tested” or “proved” is nacah, occurring 36 times in the OT and it means, “to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test.”

“Know” is yada’, occurring 947 times in the OT and it means, “to know”, but it describes a very intimate knowledge. For example, “Genesis 4:1 Adam knew (yada’) his wife, and she conceived.”

Luke 8:5-6 and 11-13 Hard Hearts and Shallow Faith

Lesson 1: This parable puts ______ ____________________________ on people’s hearts (Luke 8:12, 15, 17:20).

Lesson 2: The seed on the path pictures ________ ____________ (Luke 8:5, 12; Matt 7:6; Heb 10:29; Matt 13:19; 2 Cor 4:3; Rom 10:17; Rev 12:9, 20:3, 8, 10; Gen 3:1-4).

Lesson 3: The seed on rocky ground pictures ______________ __________ (Luke 8:6, 13; John 6:66-68; Eze 33:32; 1 John 2:19).

Lesson 4: People ______ ______________ and NOT be saved (Luke 8:13; Jam 2:19; John 2:23-24).

Lesson 5: Trials reveal whether faith ____ ______________ (Luke 8:13; Jam 1:2; 1 Pet 1:6; Matt 13:21; Mark 4:17).

 

Family Worship Guide

Memory Verses: Psalm 23:3-4

Day 1: Read Luke 8:4-15 and discuss: What does the seed represent? What does the soil represent? Why is it fitting the seed and soil represent these? Did Jesus fail in his teaching or preaching about the kingdom of God? Explain your answer.

Day 2: Read Luke 8:4-15 and discuss: What does the first soil represent? How does Matt. 7:6 and Heb. 10:29 provide further explanation?

Day 3: Read Luke 8:4-15 and John 6:53-71 discuss: What does the rocky ground represent? Regarding the people who were following Jesus after he miraculously fed them, why did they end up leaving? Regarding those whose hearts are like rocky ground, what do they look like? What actions might represent someone whose heart was rocky ground? What is the purpose of trials regarding the genuine nature of faith? Support your answer with Scripture.

Pray for those who lead, feed, and care for the flock, and their families (Col. 4:3, 2 Thess. 3:1): Jim Donald (Elder) and Steve Moeller (Deacon) 

Pray for these church members/families (1 Tim. 2:1, Eph. 6:18, Col. 1:9): Jerry & Julie Kiekow, John & Donna LaPierre, Scott & Katie LaPierre, Danny & Jill Lee, Robby & Shelly Lehtonen

Pray for “kings” and those in authority (1 Tim. 2:2): Local – Cowlitz Co. Board of Commissioners; State - State Rep. Richard Debolt; Nation – Senator Patty Murray

Pray for the Gospel to Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38): Those we directly support: Those we directly support: Sarah Kane An Unreached People Group: Bhuiya (Hindu, India)

This series is taken from a blog post Pastor Scott wrote: Am I saved? Seven tests to know!

There are some differences, but they will be reconciled when the class concludes.

While none of us enjoy trials (which is why James 1:2 commands us to “count” them as joy versus “feel” joy), one of the blessings from them is the greater confidence they can give us in our salvation:

James 1:3 says trials “[test] your faith.” In what sense? To see if it survives trials.

1 Peter 1:7 says trials “prove” or “reveal” the “genuineness of our faith.”

Here are the Greek and Hebrew words Pastor Scott discussed during the message. The hyperlinked words take you to Blue Letter Bible where you can see the greater details of each...

New Testament (Greek) words:

“Trials” in James 1:2 and 1 Peter 1:6 is peirasmos, occurring 21 times in the NT and it means: “a trial, proving: adversity, affliction, trouble sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness.”

“Testing” in James 1:3 and “genuineness” in 1 Peter 1:7 is dokimion, occurring only in these two verses and it means, “the proving; that by which something is tried or proved, a test.”

Old Testament (Hebrew) words:

“Tested” or “proved” is nacah, occurring 36 times in the OT and it means, “to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test.”

“Know” is yada’, occurring 947 times in the OT and it means, “to know”, but it describes a very intimate knowledge. For example, “Genesis 4:1 Adam knew (yada’) his wife, and she conceived.”

Lesson 1: (Part I) __________________ was the priority of Jesus’ ministry (Part II) and it should be the same with ______ ____________ (Luke 4:15, 31, 43-44, 5:3, 17, 6:6, 8:1; Mark 1:44-45; Eph 4:11-12; 2 Tim 3:16-17).

Lesson 2: Jesus’ parables are meant to:

(Part I) ____________ truth to __________________ (Luke 8:10a).

(Part II) ______________ truth from ______________________ (Luke 8:10b; 1 Cor 2:9-10).

Lesson 3: New Testament writers chose Old Testament verses BECAUSE of __________ ______________:

Example I: __________ and __________ giving gifts to men (Eph 4:7-8 cf. Psa 68:18; 2 Sam 6:19).

Example II: ____________ and __________ in the wilderness (Luke 4:3-4 cf. Deut 8:3).

Example III: The Jews didn’t understand ____________ and __________ (Isa 6:8-9 cf. Luke 8:10; John 6:26).

 

Family Worship Guide

Memory Verses: Psalm 23:1-2

Day 1: Read Luke 8:1 & Mark 1:44 and discuss: Why did Jesus not want those who were healed to tell others about him? Which was more important to Jesus’ ministry: healing or teaching? Explain your answer. How should this answer influence our own church’s ministries, events, and activities?

Day 2: Read Eph. 4:11 & 2 Tim. 3:16-17 and discuss: Why did Jesus give pastors to the Church? Which members of a church should be the ones who are ministering? Is it only the pastors? Describe the specific ways you are ministering to the needs in our church at the moment. If you are not, what do you need to do to change that? Do you need more equipping? Do you need to learn what your particular spiritual gifts are? Do you need to learn more about the specific needs in our church (by getting to know other members, more personally)?

Day 3: Read Luke 8:9-14 and discuss: Why did Jesus teach in parables? Who were meant to understand parables? Who were not meant to understand?

Pray for those who lead, feed, and care for the flock, and their families (Col. 4:3, 2 Thess. 3:1): Pastor Doug (Elder) and Tim Zumstein (Deacon)

Pray for these church members/families (1 Tim. 2:1, Eph. 6:18, Col. 1:9): Jeff & Tamy Hicks, Steve & Keri Johnson, Randi Johnson, Cary & Vennessia Johnson, Pat Knecht

Pray for “kings” and those in authority (1 Tim. 2:2): Local – Cowlitz Co. Sheriff Mark S. Nelson; State: State Rep. Brian Blake; Nation – Senator Maria Cantwell

Pray for the Gospel to Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38): Those we directly support: Rick Terrazas (Rock of Ages)

An Unreached People Group: Arab Bedouin (Muslim, in Saudi Arabia)

Luke 7:42b-50 Faith Working Through Love

Lesson 1: Love is demonstrated ______________ ______________ (Luke 7:44-46; Gal 5:6).

Lesson 2: Our ________ ______ __________ is related to our awareness of the sins He’s forgiven (Luke 7:47).

Lesson 3: God __________ ________ ______ sins when He forgives us (Luke 7:48 cf. Luke 4:39, 5:11, 6:42; Isa 53:6, 12 cf. Lev 1:4, 3:2; John 1:29; 1 John 3:5; Micah 7:19; Psa 103:12; 2 Sam 12:13).

Lesson 4: Sometimes we need to ____ __________________ (Luke 7:50).

 

Family Worship Guide

Memory Verses: Psalm 141:3-4

Day 1: Read Luke 7:40-50 and discuss: Why does Jesus rebuke the Pharisee? What could a guest (at this point in history) have expected of his host? Why did Simon not do these things? Why did the woman do these things?

Day 2: Read Luke 7:40-50 and 1 John 4:19 discuss: Why are we even able to love people in a way that honors God? How do know what love is? Consider your own life; what was the last thing you did that demonstrated love to someone in your life? What is something you can do to demonstrate love to someone else in your life? Pray together with family or friends to demonstrate Christ-like love.

Day 3: Read Luke 7:40-50 and Luke 4:39, 5:11, 6:42 and discuss: How is God’s forgiveness different than the type of forgiveness we can give to each other? How did the woman receive forgiveness – was it because of her works? Or something else? Explain your answer.

Pray for those who lead, feed, and care for the flock, and their families (Col. 4:3, 2 Thess. 3:1): Gary Sprague (Elder) and Randy Hanson (Deacon)

Pray for these church members/families (1 Tim. 2:1, Eph. 6:18, Col. 1:9): Dan Donald, Jimmy & Becca Donald, Ricardo & Tanya Duarte, John & Stacey Durrah, Jamison & Rachel Dye

Pray for “kings” and those in authority (1 Tim. 2:2): Local – Woodland City Council; State State Rep. Brandon P. Vick; Nation –President Barack Obama

Pray for the Gospel to Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38): Those we directly support: James & Christina Pose (Wycliffe)

An Unreached People Group: Lohana (Hindu in India)

This series is taken from a blog post Pastor Scott wrote: Am I saved? Seven tests to know!

Ephesians 2:9-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Even though we aren't saved by works, they  are one of the strongest evidences of being saved. I’m amazed by the number of people confident in salvation that lacks fruit. Could be the salvation of a parent, child, sibling, or even their own. Three times James said, “faith without works is dead” (2:17, 20, 26).

2016 Thanksgiving Message

A study of Israel’s history of complaining, God’s sovereignty and the application this has in each of our lives.

This series is taken from a blog post Pastor Scott wrote: Am I saved? Seven tests to know!

Repentance is required for salvation, and it comes from godly sorrow over our sin:

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly sorrow produces death.

Worldly sorrow is the sorrow in:

Courtrooms across the country when the verdict is read

Children when they find out they’re going to be punished

Adults when they find out they’re going to suffer because of something they’ve done

Basically, worldly sorrow is regret or shame, not because of the sin itself, but because of the consequences. It has no redemptive value.

Godly sorrow on the other hand involves sorrow over the sin, because there's understanding the sin was committed against a holy, loving God. Godly sorrow desires victory over sin, and as a result it produces a change of mind about the sin; a turning from it. Repentance.

"Sorrow" is synonymous with regret, and Paul says godly sorrow won’t later cause regret; it won't later cause more sorrow. Why? Because it "produces repentance that leads to salvation."