Sermon Discussion

Sermon: The Race

Text: Philippians 3:12-14

Introduction

The Christian growth process is a race that God calls each and every one of his children to run. It is a race that will bring us into a deeper relationship with Him and allow us to have true joy in all circumstances. However, as with any race, it requires us to be focused and have the right attitude in running. This means we need to forget what is behind and strain forward towards the prize.

Discussion Questions

1. How can a Christian know how much (if any) to delve into the past? Do we need to work through “repressed” memories, etc.? Why or why not?
2. Should every Christian have clearly defined written goals? Do you suppose Paul did? How can goals help? Can they hinder?
3. What are some practical goals that you have for your spiritual growth in 2011? What are some ways the community can help you achieve these goals?

Moving Forward

If you want grow as a Christian, make sure you’re in the race--that Christ has laid hold of your life and saved you from sin. Make sure you have the right attitude--that you haven’t arrived, but you’re in the lifelong process of moving ahead. And along the way, you will be able to experience joy in all circumstances because you know what God’s will is for your life.

Meditate

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13

Sermon Discussion

Sermon: Why Jesus Came

Text: Luke 2:1-7

Introduction

Each year as Christmas comes around, we are bombarded with new marketing campaigns designed to sell us on the meaning of Christmas according to corporate America. We are told that Christmas is the time to consume and be consumed by materialism. Yet, this is far from the true meaning of Christmas according to the Scriptures. In this message, Pastor Charlton revisits the important ideas of the reason for the season.

Discussion Questions

1.  Share some of your Christmas experiences in the past. How did these experiences help you to understand the Biblical meaning of Christmas?
2. PC listed six reasons for Christ’s birth:

•   He came as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
•   He came to call us to repentance (Luke 5:31-32)
•  He came to give us a new way to see (John 9:39)
• He came to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34-36)
•  He came to remove condemnation (John 3:17-18)
• He came to give us eternal life. (John 3:16)
  Of these reasons, which ones you find most easy to accept? Why? Which ones you find most difficult to accept? Why?

1. Reflect and share one thing you can do to help you refocus on the true meaning of Christmas during the rest of this month.

Moving Forward

During the Christmas season, we can easily get swept up in the busyness of life and forget the real meaning of Christ’s birth. Or we get excited over the festivities of the season and forget the excitement of Christ’s birth. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying family, friends, the presents, and the parties during this time of year. But Christmas is much simpler but deeper in meaning than that. It is about God coming into the human world as a helpless baby to save us all.

Meditate

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  – Luke 2:10-12

Sermon Discussion

Sermon: Ecclesiastes – The Desert

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Introduction

For many Christians, there is nothing worse than experiencing “the desert” in your spiritual life. It is a time when you feel God is most distant and that nothing you do or not do really matters. The sins of the past seem to haunt the doorsteps of your life. In this message, Pastor Charlton offers some practical approaches in guarding yourself in these times. These including guarding your steps, listen to God, authentic prayer, and do what God has called you to do in your life.

Discussion Questions

1. Describe an experience when you got lost as a child. What happened? How were you found?
2. Read Eccl. 5:1. What does it mean to “guard your steps”? How do you do it practically?
3. What are the difficulties or excuses that we use not to listen to God?
4. What is authentic prayer? Why is it important to have authenticity in our prayers?
5. Consider your spiritual life. What is one thing that you wish you could change or improve about it? What are some ways the group can help you make this a reality?

Moving Forward

In Eccl. 5:7 says that “much dreaming and many words are meaningless.” Many times in church in small groups we come together and talk about our good intentions. However, as a community, let us find practical ways to spur each other on in living these truths. It will take a lot of commitment from not only the individual but also the community to encourage each person to apply these truths. Honestly, many of these principles are extremely difficult to follow during tough times. However, with an authentic and loving community that rallies around each other, we are able to live out fully God’s intentions for our lives.

Meditate

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.  – Eccl. 5:7

The Troubles of Life

A Chinese pharmaceutical company named Kunming was determined to make a childproof aspirin bottle. So it created one that had thirteen moving parts and took thirty-nine steps to open. For added safety, the company changed the design every six months. Many people bought the bottles, but not for the medicine. Instead parents were buying them for their children to play with as puzzles.

Challenges can be fun when we are looking for something to fill our time. They are enjoyable when we are able to overcome them. But they become a headache when they turn into something that seems unsolvable. Albert Einstein said that “In the midst of difficulties lies opportunity.”  As Christians, in the midst of difficulties lies the opportunity to turn to God and trust in Him.

Jesus says to his disciples and to us “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He acknowledges that difficulties and troubles that surround and invade our lives. Jesus doesn’t give us false reassurance that when you become a Christian, your troubles will go away. In fact, you will experience more troubles and difficulties because you choose to follow someone that the world had rejected and nailed to the cross. So if Christ had to suffer, we, as his disciples, are called to walk along the similar path.

But the dark realities of suffering, pain, and difficulties is met by another reality. The reality that Christ has “overcome the world.” This means that the problems and troubles that we face in this world have been solved by Christ through His death. The root of all our problems and difficulties have been dealt with by Christ. We no longer have to worry about it. It has been done for us through Jesus’ blood on the cross.

So it comes down to this, which reality do we choose to live in? The reality that dooms humankind to suffering and bondage to the sins, addictions, pain, and difficulties of life? Or the reality that Christ has won victory over sin and death and we are called to live with true freedom?

If you look at your life, you may see that the problems and burdens that you carry are too much for you to handle alone, and you’re right. You need God’s help. Ask God to walk with you through your troubles. His strength will comfort and support you. 

Questions for Thought:

1) What are some difficulties that are you facing in your life? How have you seek to solve these problems?

2) What makes it difficult for you to come and present these problems to God?

3) What are some ways that God is calling you to be a help or answer to someone's problems or need?

Sermon Discussion

Sermon: Ecclesiastes – Confessions of A Cynic

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

Introduction

Each time we turn on the TV or listen to the news on the radio, we hear stories after stories of pain and suffering caused by injustice throughout our world. From the back alleys of any inner city in America to the remote deserts of Africa, people suffer at the hands of their fellow mankind. We, personally, don’t seem to escape this injustice. We look at the world and wonder “Is there any hope?” The reality is as long as we are sinful beings; our world will continue to exist in this state of chaos and injustice. But God wants us to have a different perspective amidst these problems. We can significantly be used by God if we refuse to let our disadvantages turn us into a cynic.

Discussion Questions

1. When was the last time you saw “injustice”? At work, school, out and about? How did you did you react? What did you do or not do? Would you do anything different if that situation came up again?
2. “Cynicism mentally confuses us, it angers us emotionally, numbs us spiritually, leaves us scarred, bitter, disillusioned and feeling distant from God.” Evaluate this statement. Do you relate to it? Why or why not?
3. What areas in your life that you struggle with in terms of cynicism, insecurities, or anger?
4. There’s a quote that says: “Individuals can resist injustices, but only a community can do justice.” Also, in Micah 6:8  it says “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” What is the responsibility of an individual? What is the responsibility of a community?

Moving Forward

People say they have a “backlog” when they are behind in their work. The term “backlog” stands for something that is left over or not completed. Sometime we carry a backlog of guilty feelings or hurts for things that happened in the past. It seems as if our bad feelings will never leave us – as if we’ll be stuck with them forever. But God doesn’t want us to bear that burden. Jesus comes to bring us freedom by giving us a new identity in Him. This is only way we can see our advantages in times of disadvantage. Because we know that Christ has already won victory over all the things that prevent us from living a full and complete life in Him.

Meditate

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  – Psalm 94:18-19