April 8th, 2018

Clearwater Community Church - FL

April 8th, 2018

Do Not Steal

April 8, 2018 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Passage: Exodus 20:15
Theme: Do Not Steal

OT Understanding of Stealing:
1. Kidnapping (21:16)
2. Theft of property (22:1–9)
3. Any form of dishonest gain (Deut. 25:16)
4. Mistreatment of those in need (Ezek. 18:7)

Principles that must be kept in mind:
1. Stealing degrades God’s gift of work to humanity (Gen. 1:28–29; 2:15–16).
2. Stealing includes the amassing and hoarding of stuff when poverty is ever-present (Isa. 3:16–26; James 5:1–6).
3. God expects his people to love their neighbor by treating them and their possessions with respect (Exod. 23:4–5).
4. Our possessions belong to us by the grace of God, not by our own right or merit (Deut. 8:18).

Main Idea: God’s holy people must treat others and their possessions with the dignity that God has bestowed on them.

Application Questions:
• What practical applications can we draw from the commands and laws given in Exodus 22:1–15?
• How do the mandates that God gave to humanity at creation (Gen. 1:28–29; 2:15–16) inform our understanding of work and possessions?
• What picture is painted by the following OT passages: Isaiah 3:16–26; Amos 8:4–6; Micah 3:1–3)?
• What should change in our lives based on James 5:1–6?

June 3rd, 2018

June 3, 2018 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Passage: Exodus 40 Theme: God dwells with his holy people What we learn about God from the end of Exodus: • God immanently resides • God transcendently abides • God providentially guides What we learn about us in contrast to Israel from the end of Exodus: • We permanently display God’s glory. • We continually access God's presence. • We confidently walk by God’s guidance. Main Idea: As God’s holy people, we possess and reflect God’s presence individually and corporately. Application Questions: 1. How is it that one receives God’s presence in their lives today? Can we lose God’s presence in our lives? 2. Read Exodus 34:29–35 and 2 Corinthians 3:12-18. What contrast does Paul make between Moses’s display of God’s glory and the way God’s glory is displayed in the lives of believers? In what ways is this comforting to you? What applications does Paul make for us in 2 Cor. 4? 3. Compare and contrast the presence and worship of God in the tabernacle with his presence and worship in the church today. 4. How does the knowledge that God guides his children give you confidence to approach life?

May 27th, 2018

May 27, 2018 • Pastor Josh Kee

Passage: Exodus 34 Title: God’s Glory Revealed Through Mercy Summary: This week we will look at perhaps the most significant passage in Scripture in regards to God’s relationship with mankind. Join us as we stare into one of the most glorious statements ever made by God, asking ourselves where our hope finds its foundation and where our worship finds it source. Outline: I. Moses’s Request (33:18-23) — “Show me your glory" II. God Reveals His Glory (34:1-7) — Proclaims His name a) God’s Glory is His Character (vv. 6-7) b) God’s character is the basis of His covenant (vv. 1-5) c) God’s character is affirmed in five statements (vv. 6-7) d) God is holy and will not pardon the wicked (v. 7) III. Moses’s Prayer (34:8-9) — “Go with us and undergird a stiff-necked people" IV. God’s Response (34:10-28) — “I will make a covenant with you" V. Moses speaks to the people (34:29-35) — The glory of the word of the LORD Questions: 1. What do verses 6-7 reveal about God’s character? 2. What is the basis of your hope as a Christian? Are you experiencing hope? 3. What is the basis of your worship as a Christian? Do you struggle to worship God? Why? 4. Are you trusting anything besides God’s character, promises, and faithfulness for your security? What else are you trusting? 5. Is your joy rooted in God’s mercy toward you? Are you enjoying God’s mercy toward you? Are you assuming God will be merciful toward you without turning to him? 6. If you have received God‘s mercy, how quick are you to extend that mercy to others who need it in your life?

May 20th, 2018

May 20, 2018 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Passage: Exodus 32–33 Theme: The Golden Calf: Israel’s Rebellion and God’s Response Basic Movements of the Story: • Rebellion (32:1–29): People Create worship according to their own design rather than God’s plan • Mediation (32:30–33:17): An innocent one pleads on the people’s behalf for God to be merciful • Renewal (33:18–23): God chooses to act out of his goodness and grace to enter into relationship again. Main Idea: God responds to his mediator by demonstrating his goodness to rebels who deserve his wrath. Application Questions: 1. Look at Exodus 32:1–8. From the text, describe what sin(s) the people are committing. What commands are they breaking? What does this indicate about their relationship to God? 2. Why do we rebel against God when he has clearly worked to save us? 3. Compare and contrast the mediation that Moses accomplishes in this text with what Christ has done for those of us who have placed our faith and trust in him. What NT passages describe Christ’s work in this way? 4. What does this story teach us about God and how he relates to us?