September 5, 2021

Clearwater Community Church - FL

September 5, 2021

September 5, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 12:4–17

Theme: The way forward requires discipline
Hebrews 12:4–17

Main Idea: Running life’s race with endurance requires God’s discipline.

1. The Reality leading to this truth
a. We haven’t suffered as much as Christ or others (4).
b. We easily forget “God disciplines those he loves” (5–6).

2. The Rationale for this truth
a. Relationship: Fathers discipline their children (7–8).
b. Respect: Children submit to their Father’s discipline (9).
c. Benefit: Fathers discipline ultimately for their children’s good (10).
d. Experience: For those trained by it, the momentary pain of discipline produces a peaceful harvest of righteousness (11).

3. Our Response to this truth
a. Strengthen up that which is weak (12).
b. Stick to the straight path (13).
c. Pursue peace and holiness rather than turning aside for the pleasures of the present (14).

Application Questions:
• In your mind, what does the word discipline connote? Which understanding of discipline is prominent in this text? Does discipline in this text include punishment at all?
• How does suffering and pain function within God’s discipline process for his children? How have you experienced this in your own life? What did you learn through that process?
• Peace, holiness, and righteousness seem to be the goal or outcome of enduring through discipline (vv. 11 and 14). Can these be obtained or accomplished by us? How is it that holiness is required to see the Lord? How do we receive this holiness (as well as peace and righteousness)?
• What warning(s) are taught by the example of Esau? How does this motivate you to run life’s race with endurance?

October 3, 2021

October 3, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 13:18–25

Theme: Final Remarks for the Way Forward Passage: Hebrews 13:18–25 Three final calls to action as the book of Hebrews closes: 1. Pray for leaders to possess the conviction to powerfully display the Gospel (vv. 18–19). 2. Trust the work God is doing for you through Jesus (20–21). 3. Continue to persevere in the gospel (22). Main Idea: God’s has mapped out the way forward on life’s journey in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Application Questions: • What do vv. 18–19 teach us about the content of our prayers as well as how to pray? • How does the content of v. 20 serve as the basis for the request of equipping believers to do God’s will in v. 21? What does this indicate about God’s will in our lives? • What does it mean that God “works in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ” in v. 21? How should this impact the way that you live? • What has Hebrews taught you about perseverance in the gospel?

September 26, 2021

September 26, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 13:7–17

September 26, 2021 - The Way Forward Following Your Leaders Passage: Hebrews 13:7–17 Title: The Way Forward Following Your Leaders Main Idea: God provides us with guides for our spiritual journey. Thus, we must: 1. Imitate our spiritual mentors (7–8). a. Remember their teaching. b. Observe their life choices. 2. Trust Christ’s Sacrifice (9–16). a. Don’t follow faddish teaching (9). b. Follow Christ’s path (10–14). c. Offer God sacrifices that praise him (15–16): i. Speech that confesses his name ii. Service that benefits others 3. Submit to your church leaders (17). a. They watch over your souls. b. They will give account. c. The more joyous their task, the more benefit to you Application Questions: • Name the spiritual mentors that have impacted your life. What was it about them that made such an impact on you? • How are you vulnerable to false teaching today? • What does Christ’s path suggest about the way our lives should look (vv. 12–14)? How does this differ from your current reality? • What does submitting to your current church leaders mean and not mean? How can we make their work joyous and not a burden?

September 19, 2021

September 19, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 13:1–6

Theme: The Way Forward in Service Passage: Hebrews 13:1–6 How thankful service to God (12:28–29) acts toward the people in our lives: 1. Spiritual Siblings: Lovingly care for your spiritual brothers and sisters (1) 2. Strangers: Hospitably care for those you don’t know (2) 3. Suffering: Think about those suffering for Christ and act accordingly (3) 4. Spouse: Vigilantly remain sexually pure (4) 5. Self: Conduct your life free from the care of money (5–6) Main Idea: Service focuses on the situation and needs of others by deemphasizing the desires of self. Application Questions: • Are you connected with this body of believers so that you can lovingly care for your brother and sisters here? How can you connect more deeply to obey the command in v. 1? • Why might believers struggle showing hospitality to those they don’t know, even in the context of the church? What can be done to address a lack of hospitality in your life? • What can you do to empathize with and help those who are suffering for the cause of Christ? • Where are you weakest in the battle to remain sexually pure? What steps do you need to take to remain sexually pure in our current context? • What practical ways can you implement in your life to free yourself from the love of money?