4-20-08 Notes

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Heritage Missionary Weekend
Guest Teaching Pastor, Peter Nicoll, International Director, H.R., Operation Mobilization
April 20, 2008
Scripture Passages: Psalm 67, Jonah 3:10 - 4:11


Outline
I. The Condemned City
II. The Callous Believer
III. The Compassionate God

Content

1. A people will not walk in the ways of God.
2. A people with out the word of God
3. A people facing the wrath of God
4. We are without excuses.
5. Know God’s mind but did not have Gods heart
6. Idolatry – John 2:8
7. God provided a great wind – 1:4
8. God provided a fish – 1:17
9. God provided a vine – 4:6
10. God provided a worm – 4:8
11. God provided a scorching east wind – 4:8

Aim
God’s desire is for each individual believer to go into the world to share the gospel as the Spirit leads, whether it is next door or around the globe.

Application Questions
I. Who was is that God sent to share the Good News with you?
II. Where do you think you would be if that persons of a group of people never obeyed God’s call on their life to share His Truth with you?
III. Who, quite specifically, has God called you to share His truth with? Are you willing to do it?

Notes from April 12/13

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders

The Early Church Community in Acts

Pastor Pavi Thomas

April 12-13, 2008

Acts 2:22-3:19

Outline

1. The early believers devoted themselves to (Acts 2:42):
1. The apostles teaching
2. Fellowship
3. The breaking of bread
4. Prayer
2. Four words shape this communal practice of breaking bread (Acts 2:46, Luke 22:19-20):
1. Take
2. Bless
3. Break
4. Give

Content

1. Peter preaches that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the King of Kings and is the one whom God promised through the prophets (Acts 2:22-36).
2. Three thousand people repented and were baptized in response to Peter’s sermon. Everyone was filled with awe (Acts 2:37-41).
3. God raised up a community of believers that devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer.
4. They experienced a beautiful picture of community that caused them to do amazing things. (Acts 2:42-46).
5. As people “we give up what we value less to get what we value more”.
6. More people repented and turned to God daily (Acts 2:47-3:19).
7. In the middle of all these amazing things that God was doing, the believers took time to break bread together (Acts 2:46).
8. They broke bread because they saw the fulfillment of the promises of God in Jesus. They saw his body given for them, his blood shed for them on the cross (Luke 22:19-20).
9. Christ:
1. ‘Takes’ us as we are
2. ‘Blesses’ us by offering our gifts to the Father with thanksgiving
3. ‘Breaks’ us in gentleness and love
4. ‘Gives’ us back more than we gave

Aim

God is the author of true community. As a community we break bread together in remembrance and response to Christ.

Application Questions

1. What were the characteristics of the community found in Acts chapter two and three?
2. Share a time when you experienced true community. What was it that allowed for this true community to exist?
3. How does breaking bread together (communion) build community?
4. Jesus took, blessed, broke and gave Peter. How has he done this in your life?

Extras

• Isaiah 53 – how Jesus was taken, blessed, broken and given

Notes from April 5/6

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Jesus Way Part 10 – Something Strange is Happening
Pastor Jim Zippay
5 & 6 April 2008
Acts 2.2-12

Outline
I. The Kingdom is Coming
II. The Spirit is Moving
III. The Church is Emerging

Progression of the Book of Acts
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1.8)
Acts 2-7 – Jerusalem: Jerusalem is reached by contagious contact. (Acts 2.42)
Acts 8-12 – Judea and Samaria: Judea and Samaria are reached by intentional infection. (Acts 8.3-4)
Acts 13-28 – The Ends of the Earth: The ends of the earth are reached by ordained outbreak. (Acts 16.9-10)

Content
1. God is not beyond doing something strange or unorthodox to turn our attention toward Jesus.
2. God purposefully chose Pentecost, the Jewish feast of first fruits, for this strange occurrence because it was the beginning of the harvest yet to come.
3. The gathering of nations in a worldwide community is integral to the Kingdom, and one evidence of the Kingdom coming is diverse and distant people praising Jesus. (Jeremiah 3.7, Revelation 7.9)
4. As a church, let’s pray that God would continue to use us to bring one more voice, one more people group around the throne.
5. Communication is a spiritual thing. When you speak the language of the heart, the Spirit of God is there tearing down barriers so that we can hear and be healed.
6. When we connect with soul-level language spoken in geographic and circumstantial dialects, that communication can reach the remotest part of the world, the human heart.
7. The gift of tongues – speaking in known and unknown languages not previously learned – is real. We shouldn’t limit the Spirit’s power.
8. The gospel of reconciliation can bridge every divide, bringing united community under the banner of Christ.
9. “Jerusalem” represents the people closest to us. “Judea and Samaria” represent our associates and acquaintances. “The ends of the earth” represent a new frontier.
10. Mystery requires faith because it’s beyond our comprehension. Let’s not lessen what Jesus wants to do because we haven’t experienced it.


Aim
The Spirit of God enables us to speak the language of the heart so that others might hear and respond to the gospel of reconciliation.

Application Questions
1. When have you spoken the language of the heart? How were others affected?
2. Who are the people in your Jerusalem? In your Judea and Samaria?
3. What would it take to get you to extend yourself to the ends of the earth?
4. How can you more intentionally reach others with the gospel of reconciliation?
5. When have you allowed real or perceived differences exclude you from God’s people?
6. What has God done in your life that you need to share with others?

Upcoming Events
· Justice Revival – April 16-18, 2008, Columbus, OH www.sojo.net
· God’s Call to Bless the Nations, Heritage Missions Weekend 2008, April 18-20, 2008; register online http://www.heritagecc.org/calendarserviceuregister.php

Supplemental Resource
“Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels

Welcome to the Sermon Notes Page!

We will begin posting all weekly sermon notes on this page. Our goal will be to have them posted by Sunday @ 2pm. The easist way to print them out will be to copy and paste them into Word or something similar. Feel free to share this with your Life Group Members so they can check the notes also.