November 23, 2008 ~ Total Body Worship 4 ~ A Revived Heart

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Total Body Worship – A Revived Heart / Sermon Series 4 of 4
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay
November 23, 2008
Scripture Passage: Mark 7:6; Ezekiel 11:19; Psalm 139:23; Joel 2:13; Isaiah 57:15

Outline
I. Here’s my heart…Search it (Psalm 139:23)
II. Here’s my heart…Receive it (Joel 2:13)
III. Here’s my heart…Revive it (Isaiah 57:15)

Content
1. Jesus says that if our actions and words in worship are not an expression of what’s in our hearts, then we’re being hypocrites. (Mark 7:6)
2. The worship that God desires is for us to give him our heart – to delight in him.
3. The promise of the gospel is that God gives us a new heart that frees us to feel and love out of our whole heart. (Ezek. 11:19)
4. What do you do when you don’t feel that way? Step one is to admit it.
5. John Calvin: “True religion consists of two things: knowing God and knowing yourself.”
6. The God of the Bible is not a silent, emotionless, stoic type – he has emotions (grieves and laughs…knows joy and sorrow…anger and disappointment…compassion and wrath…jealousy and passion)
7. God has given us emotions as well, and we should not hide or suppress them.
8. We should give our heart to God for him to search it out and bring to the surface what we’re feeling. (Psa. 139:23)
9. Once he shows us our heart, whether there is sin, unbelief, indifference, clutter, division, etc - we should return it to him for healing. (Joel 2:13)
10. Once we empty our hearts to God, then he will fill the void with himself (Isaiah 57:15)

Aim
True worship comes from a revived heart, which we get by presenting to God our real thoughts, feelings, and emotions for him to search out, cleanse, and revive.

Application Questions
I. Have you ever found yourself suppressing your true emotions in a situation? Why might there be a temptation for Christians to put up a façade around other Christians?
II. How open are you about your emotions to those around you? To yourself? To God in prayer?
III. Has God used this message to reveal something in your heart that needs to be expressed?

November 16, 2008 ~ Total Body Worship – 3 “A Regenerated Spirit”

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Total Body Worship – 3 “A Regenerated Spirit”
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay
November 16, 2008
Scripture Passages: John 4:23-24; John 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Philippians 3:3
1 Corinthians 14:26, 14:1, 14:5, 14:18, 14:39, 14:25

Outline
I. Born of the Spirit - John 3:3-8
II. Taught by the Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
III. Worship in the Spirit - Philippians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 14:26, 14:1, 14:5, 14:18, 14:39, 14:25
Content
1. If we are going to have a spirit-filled relationship with God we must be born again.
2. Being born again requires a spiritual “rebirth” to both enter God’s kingdom as well as to be spirit led.
3. The spirit leads us like the wind. We do not know its direction nor its intensity until it is upon us.
4. We must first learn to know things because of divine revelation and not just human reason.
5. We must also learn to judge things based on spiritual discernment and not human opinion.
6. As spirit-filled Christians we should be expectant and be receptive.
7. Our objective as spirit filled Christians is to Worship in the Spirit.
8. To worship we should come prepared with a song or a hymn, a prophetic word, a tongue, or interpretation, a willingness to pray.
9. To be used by the Spirit we should come to participate, to give something to God or to something to some one else from God.

Aim
God wishes to find the lost, to save their souls, fill them with the Holy Spirit and lead them in spirit and in truth. We have the pleasure to worship the Lord through preparedness and obedience to the Holy Spirits leading.

Application Questions
I. Are you born again?
II. Have you ever experience the Holy Spirit leading you toward or away from something? Have you sensed His power?
III. In what ways has the Holy Spirit asked you to prepare to worship Him?

Notes on Main Heritage Page

We are hoping starting this weekend to post the notes directly to the Heritage Web Site under:Group Life:Weekend Notes.

Notes from October 25/26, 2008 - We Shall All Be Changed

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
We Shall All Be Changed
Pastor Richard Johnson
October 26, 2008
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 8; 12:18-22

Outline
I. We shall all be changed when we limit our dependence on political solutions
II. We shall all be changed when we control our passion for national recognition
III. We shall all be changed when we turn our allegiance back to God

Content
1. As great and wise and spiritually mature as Samuel was, he was not able to pass on holy reverence, humble leadership or spiritual integrity to his sons.
2. We should pray to God for all of our leaders – our bosses and our politicians and our politicians need divine assistance.
3. When Israel saw a need, their response was not for more of God, but less of God and more of humanity and strategy
4. What the children of Israel saw in other nations was a political structure that brought about things they desired deep in their hearts
5. We were not meant to be like other nations, nor were we to be totally different either. Instead, we’re meant to be the holy other, a royal priesthood, ambassadors, or salt and light.
6. A human leader cannot bring the change that solves problem, only God can.
7. After coming to Christ, our identity cannot be found in a political party or ethnic group, but in Him alone.
8. We need to repent of our lack of prayer for leaders, of our lack of participation in the process, of our prejudice against race, age or gender, and of becoming more vocal and knowledgeable about politics than Jesus.
9. When you serve the Lord in ministry, care for the poor, look after orphans and widows, and seek justice for all then you are doing the name of God some good.

Aim
The only way to accomplish true change is by turning our allegiance to God, praying for our leaders, and actively doing good.

Application Questions
I. What are some problems at the community, state, national, and global levels that you’ve been made aware of that require real change to be solved? Take a moment to pray to God about those problems and for the leaders responsible for addressing them.
II. How does Israel’s approach to leadership and change compare with America’s approach today?
III. What are some things that we should do as individuals, small groups, and as a church to be “the holy other” in our community and city?

Restoring the Tent of David / I Chronicles 16 ~ October 18 & 19, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Restoring the Tent of David / I Chronicles 16
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay, Senior Pastor
Date of Teaching: October 18 & 19, 2008

Scripture Passages: I Chronicles 16, Acts 15:16-18, Matthew 13:52, Ps. 23, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 2 Chronicles 7:6, Ephesians 5:19, 1 Chronicles 16:4, Galatians 3:14, Proverbs 19:17, Isaiah 64:1, Galatians 3:14, Hebrews 13:15

Outline
I. New Songs, New Sounds and New Sacrifices – v. 1-12, Hebrews 13:15, Acts 15:16-18, Matthew 13:52, Ps. 23, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 2 Chronicles 7:6, Ephesians 5:19
II. Give thanks for what He’s done –v.12-22, Galatians 3:14
III. Sing Praise for who He is – v.23-33, Proverbs 19:17
IV. Make Petition for what He can do – v. 34-36, Isaiah 64:1

Content
1. The Tent of David was a place to sing, a place where new sounds and songs played out.
2. Thank God that He is a covenant keeper.
3. He is the Creator King worthy of praise from all people.
4. Faith in Christ will grow as you pray and worship expectantly for what He can do.

Aim
Worshipping and giving praise to God for all that He is, has done and will do brings pleasure to Him and as a bi-product, edifies our souls.

Application Questions
I. What covenant did God make with us that He kept that we should be thanking Him for?
II. Are you praying expectantly for God to work in a particular area in you life?
III. Can you praise Him now for who He is – in your own words, in your own way?

Notes from Oct 11/12

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“Return of the Ark” “Bringing it Back” series
Pastor Jim Zippay
Oct. 11/12, 2008
1 Chronicles 15

Outline
1. Preparing a place for the Ark
~ Establishing a sacred place
~ Understanding the correct approach
2. Preparing a people for the Ark
~ Prepare yourself by personal consecration
~ Prepare the congregation by musical instrumentation
3. Preparing for pushback about the Ark
~ Michal thought David was getting attention, but his attention was really on God.
~ Michal thought his actions were inappropriate; they were undignified and increasing.
~ Michal thought of herself as a princess; David knew he was a chosen, royal priest.

Content
1. If God is in control, what He does is what’s important. Worship shows we trust Him.
2. We need to restore God to a place of prominence in our worship and in our lives.
3. There are right and wrong ways to approach God and often we want to do it our way.
4. We prepare ourselves for worship by working out grudges we have against people before going to worship.
5. We also need to check our morals, relationships, values, priorities, promises and financial dealings.
6. We want to “let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”
7. The ark is a visible demonstration of the truth that God came to earth and desires to meet with us.
8. We all have a divided heart at some point when it comes to worship (with expressing emotion to God).
9. Worship should be a total body experience, renewed mind, re-dedicated body, re-generated spirit, and revived heart.
10. God calls us to learn to worship in heart.
11. Michal was critical – observed, evaluated and judged – and cynical.

Aim
When we worship, we should make much of God and less of us by worshipping God with our whole heart, focusing on Him and not ourselves.

Application Questions
1. What are some things that have kept you away from God?
2. What are some right and wrong ways to approach God?
3. In what ways have you sometimes not been prepared for worship, and how did that affect your worship experience?
4. Describe a time when you experienced pushback when your relationship with God was especially good.
5. When you worship, is God the prominent focus? What are some things that take our minds off Him?

Notes from October 4/5, 2008

The Tabernacle: Learning to Meet with God/Bringing It Back
Pastor Jim Zippay
Exodus 25:1-9, Exodus 33:12-17

Outline

1. The Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting, was a place to meet with God.
2. The Most Holy Place, inside the Tabernacle, resembled the Garden of Eden.
3. The Tabernacle was built to look like something eternal, heaven (Hebrews 8:5).
4. The Tabernacle provided a pattern for meeting with God
5. The Outer Court – spoke to our need for forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9)
   i. The altar of burnt offering
   ii. The bronze laver
6. The Holy Place
   i. The lampstand – symbolizes the tree of life (it displayed the stages of life through almond buds, blossoms and almonds)
   ii. The bread of presence – is like food for the soul
   iii. The altar of incense – reflects the prayers of God’s people (Revelations 5:8)
7. The Most Holy Place
   i. The ark of the covenant
8. The Tabernacle was not just a place to meet with God or just a pattern for meeting with God; it was for a people to know how to meet with God.
9. Priests:
   a. Come dressed for worship
   b. Come to the Outer Court and Holy Place
   c. Come to meet with God

Content

1. Meeting and dwelling with His people has been God’s desire since the beginning of time. The Tabernacle was intended to help us get back to what we lost in the garden.
2. The Tabernacle was a shadow, a copy, of heaven (Hebrews 8:5).
3. The Tabernacle, and everything in it, was designed to bring us into God’s presence both spiritually (that we would be acceptable before God) and symbolically (with all the sights, sounds and smells).
4. The Outer Court spoke to our need for forgiveness and cleansing. Ever since the Garden we learned that without the shedding of blood (alter of burn offering) there could be no reconciliation or restoration of our relationship with God.
5. The lampstand depicts spiritual light, discernment, wisdom and insight. It is a depiction of the ministry of the Holy Spirit who explains and reveals the hidden things of God.
6. The Most Holy Place depicts the throne room of God, our presence can only happen through another presenting us, mediating on our behalf, Christ. (Hebrews 9:11-12)
7. God wants us in the priesthood, he wants us to not only meet with him but bring others to him, like the priests of the Tabernacle.
   

Aim
The Tabernacle provided a place and way for God’s people to meet with Him. Jesus Christ provides a way for us to meet with God today.

Application Questions

1. What is the significance of the Tabernacle resembling the Garden of Eden? Resembling heaven?
2. How do the different places within the Tabernacle speak to how we should meet with God? What acts/behavior can we do today that are similar to those in the tabernacle? (Pray, share our faith, seek forgiveness, read the Word, etc.)
3. God has called us to be his priests. Share a time when you were able to be a priest on God’s behalf.
4. Pastor Jim explained that as God’s priest we should be:
   a. Lampstands – share the word, bring the lost to the “food” that they need
   b. Bread of Presence – pray for others, bringing others to the Lord in prayer
   c. Altar of incense – corporate prayer
   
   How can we put these things into practice? What areas are easy/hard for you? What can you do this week to strengthen these areas in your life?

September 28th, 2008 ~ The Altar: Where Sacrifices are Made / Bringing IT Back 4

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Altar: Where Sacrifices are Made / Bringing IT Back 4
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay
September 28, 2008
Scripture Passage: Genesis 22:1-14; Genesis 12:7-8; Genesis 15:17; Genesis 17:7-10; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 8:32; Hebrews 11:6, 17-19;

Outline
I. A Verbal Sacrifice – Words of Worship (Gen. 12:8)
II. A Tangible Sacrifice – Acts of Worship (Gen. 15:17)
III. A Personal Sacrifice – Faith of Worship (Gen 22:1-14)

Content
1. An altar is a place or space where you respond to God in worship, honoring Him above all else
2. The first thing Abraham did after encountering God was build an altar as a place to continue the relationship, making this a priority even when he moved.
3. Statements of faith, creeds, public confessions have always been a vital part of worship because that’s how people know what God you believe in, follow, and worship
4. Abraham followed up his words with actions (animal sacrifices, financial offerings, etc)
5. Knowing that everything you have is a gift, turns the act of giving into worship
6. God established His covenant with Abraham, committing Himself to Abraham and his descendants, and they had to make a commitment to him. The sign of this covenant was circumcision.
7. God established His covenant with us – Jesus died for our sins. Baptism is the sign of this new covenant, which marks us as one of His followers.
8. When we’ve made the step to follow God, He will often press His finger on what’s most precious to us and tell us to lay it down.
9. Never hold anything back from God as an offering of worship for you will never give more to Him than He has already given to you in Christ

Aim
We follow God with sacrifices of words, actions, and faith, honoring Him above and before everything, giving up anything that He requires – no matter how precious - because it’s all a gift and the Impossible Giver is always trustworthy.

Application Questions
I. Have you made honoring and acknowledging God above everything a priority in your life? If not, what are some steps you could take to make this a reality?
II. What are some gifts you have received from God that you consider precious?
III. What is God pressing you to give up or lay down?
IV. What confidence does Romans 8:32 give us in the face of tests and trials?

Sept. 21, 2008 ~ The Garden: What Did We Loose? / Bringing It Back 3

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Garden: What Did We Loose? / Bringing It Back 3
Teaching Pastor Jim Zippay, Senior Pastor
Date of Teaching: September 21, 2008
Scripture Passages: Genesis 2:8-15, Psalm 8:5, Revelation 22:1-3
Isaiah 51:3, Genesis 3:22-24, Genesis 3:6-9, Mark 14:32-36, Philippians 2:7-9

Outline
I. The Garden of Eden - Genesis 2:8-15; Psalm 8:5
II. The Eternal Garden - Revelation 22:1-3
III. The Lost Garden - Isaiah 51:3; Genesis 3:22-24; 3:6-9
IV. The Garden of Gethsemane - Philippians 2:7-9
Content
1. Humankind is the apex of God’s handiwork!
2. God gave Man a status, a standing that allowed them to be completely secure and yet vulnerable.
3. The eternal garden is the Paradise of God, the defeat of the Serpent of old, the removal of death and suffering.
4. In His presence we stand pure and unashamed.
5. The Lost Garden is like a desert, a wasteland or wilderness where the land is dry, the ground is hard and produce is scarce and the beasts of field are something to be feared.
6. It’s everything Eden is not. It offers no blessings, just the curse, no harvest - instead barrenness, life is overtaken by death and destruction.
7. Gethsemane means “olive press,” a place where you, by your lonesome, get squeezed, spiritually speaking.
8. Gethsemane is the garden that brings the glory back and a place where you go it alone
Aim
Our own Gethsemane is a place where God bring us to be with Himself, where we are made more like His son, Jesus.

Application Questions
I. Are you in Gethsemane? If so, what are going through?
II. In what sense are you prepared to surrender all to God in this process? Are you holding anything back?
III. Explain past history, if you can of God bringing you through a Gethsemane period?

Notes from September 13/14, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“bringing IT back” 2
Pastor Jim Zippay, Senior Pastor
September 13/14, 2008
1 Chronicles 13:5-14

Outline
I. Recognize the sacredness of symbols (1 Chronicles 13:5-14)
II. Realize the dangers of human ingenuity (1 Samuel 6:7, 2 Sam 6:3, 2 Timothy 2:21-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18)
III. Revere the mysteries of God

Content
1. David’s good intentions to bring the Ark back failed when Uzzah was killed by God as he tried to steady the Ark.
2. Symbols, signs and images are not relics to be worshiped, but they do help us understand and connect with God, who is spirit.
3. Symbols are sacred because of the reality they represent. Examples are the cross, the Bible, Communion, and God becoming Man in the person of Jesus.
4. Failure results when good intentions do not line up with God’s instruction.
5. What God says can’t be evaluated by the world’s wisdom. He is Holy. (“For the message of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing…” 1Cor 1:18)
6. Believers should show their maturity by their humility, not their ingenuity; instead of doing something different, just do what God says.
7. Worship involves all of you (“full body contact”): renewed mind, regenerated spirit, rededicated body, revived emotions.
8. Even though he was angry, David didn’t quit. He gave up on his own way and, in reverence, cried out to God for help.
9. Many quit on God because they had formulas and human wisdom instead of faith.

Aim
The only way to experience the presence of God is to do it God’s way and with His help, not the world’s way under our own strength.

Application Questions
I. What Christian symbols have impacted you spiritually? How can symbols help us enter into God’s presence?
II. How do you react when God doesn’t come through for you the way you thought he would (or should)? In what areas of your life are you following the world’s wisdom rather than God’s instruction? What “good intentions” do you have that you are trying to accomplish in the world’s or your own strength?
III. What mysteries of God have you taken for granted, ignored, or tried to explain away? In what areas of your life are you wrestling with what God has or hasn’t done? Are you willing to do it God’s way, even if it hurts? What is God stirring up in you that he wants to remove (feelings, thoughts, attitudes)?

Notes from Sept. 6/7, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“Bringing it Back” – “Real History is His-story”
Pastor Jim Zippay
Sept. 6/7, 2008
1 Chron. 13:1-4

Outline

1. What is IT? (What are we talking about?)
2. Where was IT?
3. Why bring IT back?
4. Will you commit to bringing IT back?

Content

1. God made provision to meet with people, to be with the Israelites in a personal sense. (Ex 25:22)
2. God is always with us, but are we always with Him?
3. The God of the universe extended Himself to a select group of people, which was a privilege, a life-changing experience.
4. The Israelites lost the ark because they lost the presence of God. (1 Sam 4:5-21)
5. The presence of God was evident in King David’s life.
6. When men risked their lives to get David water, he poured it out because he didn’t deserve that kind of devotion. (1 Chron. 11:16-19) God must be the center of their (and our) devotion.
7. David brought back the ark to show God as the stabilizing center of Israel.
8. Only God deserves the place of prominence in our lives; the church should convey that.
9. The church needs to bring back the focus on God that David brought to the Israelites.
10. As Heritage embarks on this year of focusing on worship, we might go on an uncharted and uncomfortable path, but it will help us sense God’s presence in our midst and in our lives.
11. Do we need to make a confession and commitment to God:
* God, I confess that I have given supremacy to something/someone other than You.
* God, I confess that I have not made seeking You my focus in coming here each week.
* Lord, I commit to joining this journey to establish Your Presence as the place of prominence in this church and in my life.

Aim
We need to have God as the place of prominence in our lives, the center of our attention, affection and devotion.

Application Questions

1. Are there times you’ve wandered away from God?
2. What changes do you need to make so your heart will be a place where God meets with you?
3. In what areas of your life would you say there’s no glory or evidence of God’s presence?
4. How do you respond to people’s acts of kindness?
5. What people or things replace God as the center of your affection/devotion?
6. What is often your focus when you go to church?


For future study: A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place, by Beth Moore
Leviticus: Worshipping a Holy God, by Kay Arthur

Sermon Notes for August 30/31, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Livin’ for the City
Pastor Richard Johnson, Children’s Pastor
August 30/31, 2008
Jeremiah 29:4-7

Outline
I. God is sending us (Jer. 29:4; Psalms 137:1-4)
II. To serve in the city (Jer. 29:5-6)
III. So we can worship together (Jer. 29:7).

Content
1. The city has experienced the flight of the economically astute (businesses left), the relationally available (neighborhoods disintegrated), and the spiritually accessible (churches withdrew).
2. Jeremiah 29:5-6 encourages serving in the city by building houses, planting gardens, marrying and multiplying.
3. Jeremiah tells the people of God to serve rather than to teach or preach or plant a church.
4. Seek the peace (shalom) of the city, wherein shalom reflects love and peace within strong families, a safe and decent living environment, and spiritual peace.
5. Pray for the “enemy” by seeing them not as the enemy, but as the called ones of God acting in rejection and yourselves as givers of God’s grace.
6. When the city prospers, we prosper, because it brings us into repentance and it strengthens us for missions.
7. We should see our place in the city and become deeply involved in it, with our prosperity blessing the city.

Aim
We should love the city because God loves the city and wants to redeem that which is lost.

Application Questions
I. What is your attitude towards the city? How can you change any negative attitudes you may have?
II. How do we influence the city without being influenced by the city? How do your children view the city today?
III. How do you pray for the enemy? How does the suburb prosper with the city? Why should we love the city?

August 24th: It's Time to Send Someone

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
It’s Time to Send Someone / Sermon Series 3 of 3
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay
August 24, 2008
Scripture Passage: Acts 13:1-3

Outline
I. Establish a Kingdom Community (Diversity – 13:1)
II. Engage in a Heavenly Ministry (Worship – 13:2)
III. Embrace a Global Mission (Following the call – 13:2-3)

Content
1. God’s faithfulness in the past should give us faith in the present about the future
2. Christian community should reflect the kingdom of heaven in its diversity (“all tribes and peoples and languages” – Rev 7:9)
3. Diversity is not just racial, but spiritual and cultural
4. Worship should involve “wasting time” on God, because once God has the priority, things align themselves around Him.
5. God meets with His people and speaks to His people when we are worshipping.
6. We will spend the next year focusing on worship
7. John Piper – “…missions is not the ultimate goal of the church, worship is. Worship is ultimate, not missions because God is ultimate...Worship therefore is the fuel and goal of missions.”
8. Our mission is global, not just in location, but in scope (reaching into all areas of the community and life)
9. God’s call often has at the same time specificity and vagueness – specificity as to who (e.g. Barnabas and Saul), vagueness as to what (e.g. “the work to which I have called them”)
10. We will send as God calls (international missions, urban ministry, etc)

Aim
Worshipping God should be our focus, so that we will be ready to hear His call and send those whom He has appointed to do His work.

Application Questions
I. How diverse is your “circle”? What are some ways that you could increase this diversity?
II. Think about how much time we spend ooing and awing at things in life (Sunsets, babies, etc). What can we do to spend time on the Creator of all those things?
III. Is God saying something to you? What has He been calling you to?

August 17, 2008 ~ "It’s Time to Serve Somewhere"

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
It’s Time to Serve Somewhere / Sermon Series 2 of 3
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay
August 17, 2008
Scripture Passage: Acts 6:2-6

Outline
I. Conflict is part of change.
II. The Church is to be a place where reconciliation overrides the rift.
III. A greater value on discipleship

Content
1. Conflict was part of the early church.
2. Leaders must make the tough decision to delegate for the betterment of the body.
3. It was true then, as now, God does not intend Pastor to be involved in everything.
4. To swage the rift, another level of leadership needs to emerge.
5. 8 folks are being made deacons.
6. These people will act as in the book of Acts, leading, decision making, etc.
7. A heightened sense of ownership
8. Another level of leadership,
9. A greater value on discipleship.

Aim
As Heritage Church grows it must become Biblically in line with the God’s plan for church leadership.

Application Questions
I. Where are you planning to serve next weekend?
II. Do you know what needs exist to serve the church?
III. Tell how God blesses you when you serve. How do you feel?

We Need Help!!

We are currently looking for a few people to help write these sermon notes! You would be part of a rotation and would normally do one week a month. We will give you plenty of help getting started. Either leave a comment or email me at bhackworth @ heritagecc.org(take the spaces out)

It’s Time to Say Something

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
It’s Time to Say Something
Jim Zippay
August 9/10, 2008
II Corinthians 6:1-2, Several Passages from Acts mentioned below

Outline

1. Heritage Christian Church’s Mission Statement: Bring, Build, Bless
   
   Blessing people in our community, across the country and around the globe, to bring them into a personal relationship with Jesus and to build them up to be dedicated followers, all to the glory of God.
   
   
2. God prompts an Inspired Interest (Acts 10:1-5, John 6:44, Acts 10:21-22, Acts 10:42-43)
   
   
3. God prompts a Divine Disturbance (Acts 16:26-33, Acts 16:22-25)
   
   
4. God provides an Ordained Opportunity (Acts 26:1-3, Acts 26:12-18, Acts 26:24-29)
   

Content

1. Cornelius was a religious man, generous and had a great reputation but did not know God.
2. Cornelius received a message from God through an angel, stirring up his interest in faith in God. (Acts 10:1-5)
3. Ho one comes to God or expresses a curiosity in Him without the Father drawing him or her.
4. Paul was in prison when an earthquake occurred. As a result of the earthquake and the prisoners’ obedience, the jailor asked Paul how he could be saves. (Acts 16:26-33)
5. God uses difficult times to draw people to himself. He uses his people in these times to share the gospel.
6. Paul is before King Agrippa sharing his testimony on how he came to know Jesus Christ as his savior. (Acts 26:1-3, 12-18)
7. Your conversion story is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and greatness. This is a powerful tool when sharing the gospel.
8. God calls His people to step up and share their faith in Christ. Every opportunity to speak of Christ is a God ordained opportunity.
   

Aim
It’s time to say something, step up and tell others what God has done for all.

Application Questions

1. When you came to know Christ, how did God spark your curiosity in Him?
2. Who stepped up and share the gospel with you?
3. Are there difficult times God had brought you through that could be used to help others com to know Him? What are they?
4. Do you know of anyone who does not know Christ that is going through a difficult time? How could God use you in their life?
5. How is sharing your testimony to non-believers a great tool in sharing the gospel?
6. What areas in our lives can we step up in faith and obedience in order to see others come to know him?
   

Sermon Notes from August 2/3, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
August 2/3, 2008
Andy Sieberhagen, Guest Speaker
Matthew 5:13-16


Outline
1. Salt on its own is awful. The church doesn’t exist only for itself. Look to expand God’s kingdom.
2. We are God’s preservatives. When righteousness and peace prevail, we can stop the world from becoming rotten.
3. Salt lengthens life. We can help people find eternal life.
4. Salt gives flavor to food, as we are the flavor of life – God’s flavor.


Content
1. A church’s vision should include the whole world.
2. All men die, but not all men live. We should live for something way bigger than we are to be really
alive.
3. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.
4 God has equipped us to make a difference.
5. Ghandi said, “If all Christians were like Jesus, all India would be Christians.”
6. We need to be agents of God’s grace.
7. We were created for more than just looking forward to a next activity; we need to have a purpose and be involved in changing the world.
8. Focus on the purpose God created us for, not ourselves.
9. There are people out there who don’t know Jesus and are dying; we can show them Jesus, Who can give them life.
10. When people are around us, they watch us, and they should see that God is good.
11. Our homes should be filled with God’s grace.
12. We should reflect God’s glory; it should shine through us so that the world knows He lives.


Aim
We need to have a purpose in life, and that purpose should be to draw people to God. Live in such a way that we reflect God, so that others will be drawn to Him and His kingdom will be expanded.


Application Questions
1. What is something you’ve done to help spread God’s Word to the world?
2. When people leave your presence, what taste do they have in their mouth? Do they taste God?
3. Do you have God’s perspective or yours? Do you see people as problems or opportunities?

July 20, 2008 ~ Discipline from the Inside Out

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Pass It On: Discipline from the Inside Out
Teaching Pastor, Richard Johnson
July 20, 2008
Scripture Passage: 2 Timothy 1:14, Hebrews 12:5-11, Proverbs 3:1, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Romans 13:1, Ephesians 6:1,

Outline
I. Discipline is correction driven by love.
II. Discipline is God’s tool for teaching authority.
III. Discipline is short-term pain for long-term gain.

Content
1. Discipline is designed to be a close leveling relationship with betterment in mind.
2. Zig Ziglar said, “A child who has not been disciplined with love by his little world will be disciplined without love by the great big world.”
3. God uses authority like government to teach us submission.
4. Honor those in authority over you by:
5. Have an honest talk appealing for the relationship to be restored.
6. Choose to forgive, allowing God to help heal the relationship
7. Refuse to gossip by not encouraging or uplifting those who choose to do it.
8. Deny the urge to fight against them.

Aim
Discipline is something good and often difficult to go through that God ordains to help us ultimately become more like Himself.

Application Questions
I. Describe a time when God has taken you through a discipline process.
II. What was the outcome?
III. Recount how you felt at the time.
IV. How can you tangibly help someone who is going through discipline now or perhaps needs to go through it?

Notes from July 12/13, 2008 -- Parenting -- Character

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Parenting
July 12/13, 2008
Eric Wharton
Mark 4:26-29


Outline
1. Be there for our children – physically and emotionally.
2. Help our children develop the capacity to own their own life.
3. Parent with grace and make it safe to be real.

Content
1. We create conditions for God to shape His character in our children. We should reflect His heart and attitude to them.
2. The parable of the seed and how it grows is similar to character in children’s hearts: the growth is in God’s hands.
3. We need to be there for our children; in other words, be a safe and loving presence, respond to their needs, and not be pre-occupied with something else.
4. Support and delight in our children.
5. Move toward a relationship that comforts fears and addresses needs.
6. The crux of the gospel is to take what life throws at us and deal with it in relationship.
7. Prepare our children to embrace God Who is with us.
8. Children are overwhelmed with life when no one is there.
9. Children need to realize that their problems are their responsibility and not someone else’s.
10. They need to have the freedom to experience the consequences of their actions.
11. Getting angry gets results quickly but doesn’t change hearts.
12. Children’s job is to cross the boundary and keep pushing; our job is to be on the other side of the boundary and keep teaching.
13. Help children see themselves as loved, not good or bad. If they think they’re good, they might not see their need for a Savior.
14. Children need to know there’s grace to be who they are.

Aim
Parents’ job is to develop a relationship with their children and to co-operate with God and create conditions for God to work in them. The desired result is that children will have a heart to connect with God and His character will be shaped in them.

Application Questions
1. If you’re not a parent yet, what are some ideals you have that you’d like to institute in your family?
If you are a parent, what ideals did you have that haven’t happened in your children?
2. How do you deal with misbehavior in your children? How did your parents deal with your misbehavior, and was it good or bad?
3. Describe a time when your child took all of himself to you with a problem and tell how you reacted.
4. When you were a child, did you feel free to take all of yourself to your parents? Why or why not?
5. What are some things your parents could have done better? What did they do right?
6. If you are a parent, what are some things you did or are doing right? Some things you wish you’d done differently?

Passing it On

Rich Johnson, Heritage Children’s Pastor
July 5-6, 2008
Psalm 78:1-7

Outline

1. Four things to pass on to the next generation:
   a. Faith – week one
   b. Character – week two
   c. Boundaries – week three
   d. Relationships – week four


2. There are two questions that every generation must face (Psalm 87:1-3):
   a. Why do men and women continue to lack trust in God and turn from his ways?
   b. Why does God continue to be patient and merciful to men and women when they rebel?


3. We need to combine our influence: The “we” in verse four is primarily parents and secondarily “erbody” (everybody) else.


4. Purpose statement: My purpose as a parent is to create a place for my child to discover the things of God and encourage them to depend solely on Him.


5. We need to “show and tell” our faith to the next generation (vs. 4-7). Show and tell:
   a. The glory of God.
   b. The grace of God.
   c. The gift of God.

Content

1. Psalm 78 was commissioned by King David and reviews a brief history of Israel.


2. Parents should impress a biblical view of God to their children. (Psalm 78:4, Deut. 6:1-2)


3. Many times things, even good things, distract us from passing our faith on to our children.


4. We need to evaluate where we put our values; it is okay to say no to things in order to put our faith first.


5. Everybody (grandparents, neighbors, friends, teachers, etc.) needs to be involved in passing on faith to children. (Proverbs 22:6)


6. We need to pass on our faith by sharing the glory, grace and gift of God (Psalm 78:4-7)
   

Aim
It is the responsibility of parents and everyone alike to pass along our faith in Jesus Christ to the next generation.

Application Questions

1. Why do men and women continue to lack trust in God and turn from his ways?


2. Why does God continue to be patient and merciful to men and women when they rebel?


3. What is your biggest distraction that prevents you from passing your faith on to your children?


4. Discuss the following statement, “What is one generation's luxury becomes the next generation's necessity.”


5. Share the “erbody” (everybody) in your children’s lives and your own. How have they encouraged faith in your children and your own life?


6. How do you share the glory, grace and gift of God?