Notes from June 14-15, 2008

Paul/The Jesus Way
Past Pavi Thomas
June 14-15, 2008
Acts 26:9-16

Outline/Content

1. Characteristics of Paul:

• Raised in a wealthy and elite Jewish family
• Studied under a famous Jewish Rabbi
• Member of the Pharisee sect of Judaism, a conservative reform movement that attempted to live out every aspect of the Mosaic law
• Part of a sect of the Pharisees that relied on mystical experiences, they sought to fully grasp God and his law through mystical experiences, visions and epiphanies fueled by disciplined study of God’s Word
  

2. Paul was present during Stephen’s trial and stoning. Paul was convinced that stoning Stephen was the right thing to do because the Sanhedrin (the Jewish court) believed Stephen was proclaiming a false messiah. (Deut. 13:1-10)

3. The three things about Stephen that moved Paul into action were:

• The power and irrefutable wisdom with which he spoke of Jesus
• The signs and wonders that accompanied Stephen’s message
• He was willing to die for his faith
  

4. Paul was convinced that he needed to devote his time to discovering and arresting those, like Stephen, who were propagating these false beliefs.

5. On the road to Damascus Paul had an encounter with Jesus similar to those he would have studied in Isaiah 6:1-5 and Ezekiel 1.

6. Paul’s sect of Pharisees longed to see the glory of the Lord, just as others had, in the Scriptures, in visions and in direct revelation.

7. During Paul’s encounter he learns that the Lord is Jesus, the very man whose followers he had been persecuting and even murdering.

8. Paul had encountered God; he had tasted what he had always longed for but everything he thought was wrong turned out to be God’s own truth.

9. Paul’s life was completely changed as a result of this encounter with Jesus. He dedicated his life to telling others about the true Messiah, Jesus. (2 Corinthians 4:6, Philippians 3, 2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Aim
Paul encountered Jesus, and he was forever changed. Jesus also desires to forever change you for his glory.

Application Questions
1. How has your background or upbringing affected your view of Jesus? What needs to change about your view of Jesus?

2. Share a time when you were convinced of one thing but the Lord instructed you in another direction. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?

3. What are some ways that God speaks? (His Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, other believers, circumstances) What way do you hear God the best? What ways do you need to practice so you can hear God better?

4. Paul’s life was completely changed by the gospel. How has the gospel changed your life? How do you want it to change your future?

June 7 & 8, 2008 | The Jesus Way ~ How to Live Naturally Supernatural!

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Jesus Way ~ How to Live Naturally Supernatural! /Sermon Series: Acts
Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay
June 8, 2008
Scripture Passage: Acts 16

Outline
I. Recognizing the Spirit's leading.
II. Respond to God's working.
III. Engage in Jesus stuff.

Content
1. God is not just a creator who is listlessly indifferent to our struggles.
2. God is a personal God, who through the Holy Spirit guides and directs our efforts.
3. Act 15:6-11 are examples of how God directs individuals in specific directions.
4. Pastor Jim described how his own child came to him through the specific direction of God.
5. Responding to God’s leading requires obedience and at times periods of frustration because it is not always clear what He is doing.
6. To the diligent worker, God does often make His plan vividly clear, but not always.
7. It is important to know that the timing of God’s plans revealed rarely coincides with our plans. We often operate on a need-to-know basis.
8. Warfare, struggle, push-back, confrontation, and demonic powers are all part of the engaging as a Spirit-led believer.
9. We need to know there is another team playing against us, who has as its chief objective to neutralize, destroy and otherwise discredit the cause and plan of Christ in the individual follower.

Aim
Our aim as believers is to recognize the truth of the leading of the Holy Spirit, obey His leading, and prepare to engage in warfare with the help of the Holy Spirit to overcome said battles.

Application Questions
I. Do you recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit in your own life? Can you give a testimony to that fact?
II. Why do you think God considers it is important for believers to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit?
III. Does the fear of aversion scare you? Do you think God actually is there to help you if a battle comes your way?
IV. What does spiritual victory in Christ look like? How has He helped you win over the enemy?

Notes from May 31/June 1, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“Learning to Draw Lines DiFfeRentLY” “The Jesus Way” series
Pastor Jim Zippay
May 31/June 1, 2008
Acts 15:1-21

Outline
1. Some lines need to be drawn straight and unchanging.
2. Some lines need to be drawn differently. Three guiding questions:
1. What is God doing?
2. What does grace look like?
3. What good will result?


Content
1. Without lines we’d be disoriented and it would be hard to distinguish one category from another, but big black right angles might not be the only way.
2. Let people into your group who are different from you, who will change you.
3. The apostles were all Jews who obeyed the laws and customs of Moses.
4. As Christianity expanded further, throughout Samaria and beyond, people had to flex and bend.
5. Gentiles came to faith but didn’t follow the Jewish customs.
6. Every group has a set of standards.
7. People think they can say what God wants, what a committed follower should do; we think other Christians should be like us.
8. The straight and unchanging lines should be few and agreed on.
9. We are saved by grace, in God’s kingdom and family, if we trusted Christ to save us.
10. Following Jesus might look different to different people and different cultures.
11. Let Jesus build the church the way He wants it to be.
12. They were wise to restrict pagan worship and contact with idols, as we should do.
13. The good that will result is that people will know the one true God, will be ready to believe and follow Him.


Aim
The one clear line we should draw is coming to faith in Jesus; beyond that, accept others and welcome all whom God draws, helping them to continue to grow in Him.


Application Questions
1. What does being a part of a group look like?
2. Has there been a time you didn’t welcome someone who was different into your group/situation?
3. Describe a time you welcomed someone who was different and the good that resulted from it.
4. What are some lines you’ve drawn that you now realize were too rigid? Or should have been more rigid?
5. What is God doing in your life to help you make your lines more flexible?

A History we must hold on to!

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
A History we must hold on to! & Remembrance Weekend
Pastor Jim Zippay
24 & 25 May 2008
Acts 13.16-41


Outline
Salvation history is the recounting of events and occurrences that take place as part of the unfolding plan of God for the redemption of the world.
I. God is the Producer and Director of this History.
II. Jesus is the Star and Centerpiece of this History. (Acts 13.23)
III. Faith is the admission price and lens of this History.

Content
1. Awareness of the past helps us interpret the present and future.
2. We must evaluate history through a worldview that considers God’s plan.
3. God initiates the action of history; without His divine commentary, life wouldn’t make sense or have any meaning.
4. If God isn’t sovereign, man’s will and choices have the final say.
5. God has a hold on us individually and on human events for His eternal purposes.
6. Jesus is the famous One, bringing hope and healing to the nations.
7. Salvation history is not cyclical; there will be a culmination.
8. God is moving all of human history toward the day when all nations will realize that Jesus is Lord and Christ.
9. We must have faith to believe the Scripture and what the Holy Spirit is telling us.
10. God is working through the events of your life, so believe keeping God’s salvation His story in mind.

Aim
God is the director of human history, accomplishing His salvation history for our good and His eternal purposes.

Application Questions
1. When did you first realize that life isn’t all about you?
2. What comfort do you receive from knowing that God is sovereign over your current difficulties?
3. How are you trying to fit God into a box?

Remembrance Weekend 2008
 Losing a parent breaks our connection to the past.
 Losing a spouse or friend breaks our connection to the present.
 Losing a child breaks our connection to the future.
 The opposite of remembering is “dys”membering.


I AM A SOLDIER
I am a soldier in the Army of My God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer and the Word
are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,
trained by experience,
tried by adversity,
and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this Army,
and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army at the rapture
or die in this Army;
but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out,
I am faithful, capable, and dependable.
If My God needs me,
I am there.
If He needs me in Sunday school to teach children,
work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn.
He can use me,
because I am there!
I am a soldier.
I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered,
petted, primed up, pumped up,
picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier. No one has to call me,
remind me,
write me, visit me,
entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier.
I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King,
obeying His orders, praising His name,
and building His kingdom!
I am a soldier.
No one has to send me flowers,
gifts, food,
cards, candy,
or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled,
cared for, or catered to.
I am committed!
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army,
I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing,
I will still come out even.
I will win.
My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me,
and Hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain
and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.
I am a soldier in the Army,
and I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier,
marching Heaven bound.
Here I stand!
Will you stand with me?

May 18, 2008 Sermon Notes - Acts and Discrimination

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Destruction of Discrimination in Acts 10
Guest Speaker, Jeremy Sieberhagen, Missions Consultant

May 18, 2008
Scripture Passage Acts 10 - 11

Outline
I. A pivotal moment of the Church – Act 10: 1-6
II. All men of all nations are capable of discrimination. - Acts 10: 24-29
III. It is only God who can break the stronghold of discrimination. - Acts 10: 34, 35
IV. Counteracting institutionalized discrimination demands Gods people understand and obey His truth of all man’s equality under Christ. - Acts 11: 1-3
V. God changed their minds; they saw people as God did. - Acts 11: 18

Content
1. The early Christian Church was made up exclusively of converted Jews.
2. As Christianity grew, non-Jews, “unclean” gentiles had to be personally engaged to be converted.
3. Like any group that discriminated against another, Jews would not associate with Gentiles. They saw themselves as superior in the eyes of God, perhaps similarly to the so-called Christian South African government.
4. They view themselves to be separate based on a lack of understanding of Gods new order; they were no longer under the law.
5. Peter’s disobedience, God addresses. God says no food is unclean if God says so.
6. It is nothing short of the God intervention that causes a man to break the stronghold of discrimination.
7. It is nothing short of the God intervention that causes a man to break the stronghold of discrimination and most difficult, institutionalized discrimination, where society as whole thinks wrongly.
8. Once clearly explained, large numbers of people changed their minds of Gods new law of equality under Christ.
9. It began, however, with one man, Peter, obeying God and willing to see Gods way through the trial and change.
10. Through widespread obedience Jews spread the Good News to Gentiles and Christianity flourished.
11. For those of us of a non-Jewish heritage, we are benefactors of early Messianic obedient believers.

Aim
Discrimination is a mindset that all men and nations a capable of, which only God Himself can break through with to a humble, obedient heart.

Application Questions
I. Have you either discriminated or been a recipient of discrimination?
II. How has God changed your mind in this area?
III. Following the early Church model, what people different than you is He calling you to bless?

Notes from May 10-11, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
A Miraculous Re-birth
Pastor Jim Zippay
May 10-11, 2008

Outline
Recipe of a re-birth

1. A divine conception (Acts 9:1-6, Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 1:21, Titus 3:3, I Timothy 1:15-16)
   
2. A Christian delivery (Acts 9:17-19)
   Three essentials for a Christian Delivery
   1. Be clear about your conversion
   2. Be demonstrative about your decision
   3. Begin to grow spiritually
   
3. A nurturing parent (Acts 9:26-28)
   

Content

1. Saul (Paul) was a Jew traveling to persecute the Christian in Damascus.
2. While traveling, Jesus suddenly intervened and gave instructions to Saul (Paul).
3. Everyone, like Saul, is sinful and separate from God prior to their divine conception.
4. Ananias, a Christian in Damascus, hosts Saul (Paul). Saul regains site, was baptized and spends several days with the believers in Damascus.
5. New believers should be clear about their conversion (believing in Christ’s death and resurrection for my sins), be demonstrative about their decision (baptism and sharing my testimony) and begin to grow spiritually (prayer, reading the Bible) to ensure a solid foundation in Christ.
6. Saul travels from Damascus to Jerusalem to meet the disciples but the disciples were afraid because of his previous reputation.
7. Barnabas accepts Saul and convinces the disciples of Saul’s true conversion and re-birth in Christ. Barnabas served as Saul’s nurturing parent.
   

Aim
A spiritual re-birth consists of a clear encounter with God, a change in behavior, growth and encouragement from fellow believers.

Application Questions

1. According to the Ephesians, Colossians and Titus versus mentioned above, describe who we were before knowing Christ. What were you like prior to knowing Christ?
2. Jesus intervened with Saul on the road to Damascus and Saul believed. How has Jesus intervened in your life?
3. God had the ability to change Saul’s heart. Whose heart is God unable to change? Who in your life to you think God is unable to change?
4. How do being baptized, sharing your faith, praying and reading your Bible build a solid Christian foundation?
5. Who was/is your nurturing parent? How have they helped you build a solid Christian foundation?
   

Extras

1. The story of Ruby Criger
2. The WWII story of Mitsuo Fuchida and Jake DeShazer

Notes from May 3/4, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders

“To What Length Will God Go?” “The Jesus Way” series

Pastor Jim Zippay

May 3/4, 2008

Acts 8:1-8, 26-38

Outline

1. God uses human suffering to push us out.

2. God uses divine promptings to send us out.

Content

1. God allowed the early believers’ surroundings to no longer be comfortable, which pushed them out into surrounding areas to spread the gospel. (Acts 1:8)

2. God is the Great Evangelist and desires that no one perish.

3. God uses setbacks to push us forward and have opportunities to share our faith.

4. We need to die to self and embrace God’s agenda. (John 12:24 – kernel of wheat)

5. Setbacks, pain and persecution are part of the price we pay when we follow God.

6. We all have stories of the length God went to for us.

7. The Ethiopian understood the pain of humiliation and knew the emptiness of success.

8. Some people have an important job but still feel empty inside; they reached their dream job/situation but don’t feel the satisfaction they expected, now know that success doesn’t satisfy.

9. Jesus understood humiliation, injustice, pain and rejection because He experienced it.

10. Jesus endured pain and separation from God so we don’t have to; He died so we can have eternal life.

11. Pray that God will open our eyes and mouth to people to tell them about Jesus

Aim

The only way to find true fulfillment in life is in Jesus.

Application Questions

1. Describe a time you were out of your comfort zone and saw God work through you.

2. When was a time you experienced hardship or suffering and as you looked back you saw how God had worked in your life?

3. What is your reaction to/opinion of the quote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”?

4. Describe when you had a dream/goal in life and reached it, but weren’t satisfied.

5. When is a time you prayed that God would give you an opportunity to tell about Him and you did? Or you remained silent?

6. Was there a time God went to great lengths to reach you?