The Promise of Advent

Catalina Foothills Church

The Promise of Advent

December 10, 2023 • Pastor Chad Turner • Isaiah 9:1–7

1. The first 8 chapters of Isaiah reveal that judgement is coming upon God’s people…. But judgement is not the final word! How does this dark background change how you see the wonder of Isaiah 9:1-7

2. What is the difference between joy and happiness?

“All men seek happiness. There are no exceptions. However different the means they may employ, they all strive towards this goal. The reason why some go to war and some do not is the same desire in both, but interpreted in two different ways. The will never takes the least step except to that end. This is the motive of every act of every man, including those who go and hang themselves.” — Blaise Pascal

3. Every pursuit of happiness outside of Jesus is fleeting, temporary, and doomed to fail. How did you originally see this? How are you currently seeing that:

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!

Love of ev'ry love the best:

'Tis an ocean vast of blessing,

'Tis a haven sweet of rest.

4. “Jesus is stable. Life is chaotic.” Discuss.

5. Something we often forget is that the gift of salvation that Jesus gives us, and we receive by faith alone is BOTH:

-- REMOVAL of the guilt of our sin

-- PROVISION of perfect righteousness in our account

Why are BOTH so important?

6. Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The Cross Kills Fear and Restores Hospitality

March 3, 2024 • Pastor John Stone • Leviticus 19:33–34, Titus 1:7–8, Hebrews 13:1–3

Sermon Questions for 3/3/24: The Cross kills fear and brings hospitality How do we see God practicing hospitality in creation? How did Israel experience hospitality from God? How have we experienced hospitality? How do we see it in the new heavens and new earth? If God is hospitable how does that shape our call to follow Jesus? How do we see Jesus do hospitality? How does a church become hospitable? How is hospitality to shape the official leaders in a church? What is a good definition of hospitality? What are the things that promote fear of hospitality in us? How does love drive out fear? How does loving our neighbor reflect our love for God? What does it mean to be normally hospitable? Name a place where you experienced hospitality and how does that help you think about its practice?

How the Cross Kills Exhaustion and Restores Rest

February 25, 2024 • Pastor John Stone • Psalm 62

What are some things that assault you into exhaustion? What is the difference between physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion? What is a potential source of spiritual exhaustion? How is the writer of this Psalm experiencing all three? Why does the Psalmist describe the people doing the assaulting as breath and nothing? Why is it so hard to see the truth about assaulters? What is the perspective he is asking us to embrace about the assaults to us? How does rest come to this writer? How can he be certain he is OK when he never speaks a word about himself? What is revealed in the lack of his not speaking of his own works and life? How are verses 11 & 12 bring hope and rest to the writer? Why might some evangelicals misread verse 12?

Wrestling with God

February 11, 2024 • Pastor John Stone • Jonah 4

Questions for Jonah 4 – 2/11/24 Why is Jonah struggling with God? How does Jonah represent both Israel and the church today? What is God teaching both groups? How do we try to make God in our image and not vice versa? How is Jonah frustrated and against God’s call on his life? Where does Jonah’s anger come from? How is Jonah being arrogant in this anger? How is Jonah’s desire for death an avoidance of a harder death? Why is Jonah sad about God’s grace? How is this about justice for Jonah? How was Jonah missing the grace he received? Why do none of us want grace.