Gripped By Glory
The Gospel Part 2
April 14, 2019
April 14, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13 Theme: The Approach to Helping Others Thrive 1. Those helping others sincerely desire to see others grow in their faith. a. They see passed their own situation to the need of weaker siblings. b. They go to the necessary lengths to strengthen them for the trials ahead. 2. Those helping others find joy in life in the faith of their fellow believers (6–10). a. They gain strength in their spiritual life through God’s work in those to whom they minister (6–8). b. They rejoice and thank God for his work in other’s lives (9). 3. Those helping others continually pray that God will use them to bring others to spiritual maturity (10–13). a. They pray that God will give them time together for spiritual impact (11). b. They pray that God will bring about greater love within those to whom they minister (12). c. They pray that God will bring his work of sanctification to completion in the lives of his holy ones (13). Main Idea: God calls us as believers to invest our time and prayers to help others grow to maturity in faith. Application questions: • Describe Paul's attitude toward the Thessalonian believers in chapter 3. Do you possess this same attitude toward your fellow believers? How do we cultivate such an attitude? • What are the actions that Paul takes toward these believers to help them mature in the faith? How can you go about doing these same things with those to whom you minister? • From their description in this passage, how do trials contribute to the process of helping others thrive? • How does this passage impact the way we should pray?
April 7, 2019
April 7, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Theme: Developing others to thrive Conviction #4: Members of this community seek to develop others to thrive according to God’s design. Paul presents us here with a model to develop others through biblical leadership that results in faithful imitation. I. Church Leaders fulfill their God-given role (2:1-12). How do we fulfill this role? A. Present a message centered on God (1-4). Why? because: 1. Only this message can overcome difficulty and hardship (2). 2. Only this message truly “stays on track” (3). 3. God has approved you to deliver this specific message (4a). 4. Ultimately, you are accountable only to Him (4b). B. Avoid the tendency to elevate self (5-6). This manifests itself in 1. Flattering speech (5a) 2. greedy motives (5b) 3. seeking man’s approval (6) C. Care for others through service (7-9). How? 1. Handle the various situations that arise with gentleness (7). 2. Genuinely get involved in others’ lives (8). 3. Do the work of ministry regardless of the financial and material gain (9). D. Maintain godly integrity (10-12). 1. We maintain integrity through exemlary and fatherly behavior (10-11). 2. We maintain integrity so that others will follow our example and walk worthy of God (12). II. Church members must heed this message (2:13-16). How? A. Recognize the message as God’s (13). B. Listen to and imitate the message (14a). C. Persevere in the message regardless of life’s circumstances (14b-16). Point of the Passage: We must pursue a model of developing others—biblical leadership resulting in faithful imitation—to accomplish our mission and bring Christ glory (1:8–10; 2:19–20). Application Questions: • What progression do you see in the impact of the gospel that took place among the Thessalonians in 1:4–10 (Indicate each of the steps)? How long did Paul actually minister in this church according to Acts 17:1–9? What might this indicate about present strategies of ministry and discipleship? • According to 2:1–7, how did Paul present the gospel message and disciple these new believers? What did he do and didn’t he do? What do these actions look like in our ministry today? • What would it look like for you to share your life with other believers (2:8)? • What does Paul mean by imitation (1:6; 2:14)? According to this passage whom should we imitate and what would this look like today? • What implications can be drawn from this passage in your current ministry concerning developing others?
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2019 • Pastor Josh Kee
Passage: 1 Corinthians 14 Title: A Community Built on Love Summary: If we are to be the kind of community God intends, we must help one another identify, use, and celebrate our various gifts, recognizing that each has been given by God's sovereign choosing as an expression of his grace to his church. God's glory and the good of the church body ought to be the aim of every exercised gift. The most beneficial gifts are not those that build us up individually, but those that build up the community of faith in love. Outline: 1. Prophecy better than tongues (14:1-5) 2. The priority of clarity (14:6-19) 3. The gauge of maturity (14:20-25) 4. Worship that represents God (14:26-35) 5. Humility and submission (14:36-40) Main Point: In regards to the gathered church, corporate edification is more valuable than individual edification, and building up the body is more important that having intense spiritual experiences personally. Discussion Questions: 1. Why does Paul emphasize prophecy so strongly in 1 Corinthians 14? 2. When you gather with other believers, either on Sunday morning or in small groups, are you more concerned with what you will receive or with how you might be able to build up and encourage others? How might your perspective and motivation shift away from yourself and toward others? 3. How do you gauge spiritual maturity? Are there areas in your life where you are "a child in your thinking" (immature)? 4. On what basis do you evaluate the "success" or "value" of a worship service or small group/ ABF gathering? (I.e. What determines whether it was "good" or not in your mind?) 5. Why does Paul stress the importance of how the church worships when it's together? 6. How has our western emphasis on individualism affected the church?
March 17, 2019
March 17, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12–13 Theme: Marks of a Holy Spirit-Indwelt Community Conviction: #3: The Holy Spirit creates a new kind of community that reflects Christ to the world. In 1 Corinthians 12–13, Paul provides us with the following marks of a Holy Spirit-Indwelt Community: 1. Speech consisting of confession rather than cursing (12:1–3). 2. Diverse manifestations of the Spirit’s gifts within the unified body of Christ (12:4–31). a. Our church reflects God as his Spirit has uniquely brought this body of believers together (4–11). b. Just like the human body, our church is diversely unified through the work of the Spirit (12–14). c. Diversity: God has placed each different member of this body in its rightful place (15–20). d. Unity: We as individual members cannot function properly without the rest of the members of the body (21–26). e. Conclusion: God has created this body to picture his Son through its diverse members (27–31). 3. Actions done out of love rather than self-interest (13:1–13). a. Without love, my use of my gifts produces nothing (1–3). b. Love acts in the interests of others rather than reacts to please self (4–7). c. Love endures from the present through eternity while the gifts are only for the here and now (8–13). Main Idea: We as a Spirit-indwelt community reflect Christ to the world by the diverse ways that we serve and love rather than promote self. Application Questions: • In what ways is your speech still characterized by life apart from the Spirit? How does your confession that Jesus is Lord affect the way that you speak to and about others? • According to 12:4–26, what indicates diversity within the church? What indicates unity within the church? How can you individually and we as a church promote unity but also diversity? • How does this type of unified yet diverse body reflect Christ to the world (12:27)? • Why is that our actions need to be characterized by love more than any of the Spirit’s giftings (13:1–3 and 8–13)? What does love in action look like according to 13:4–7? How can you live this out in your service within the church?
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:1–17 Theme: The Spirit’s Unified Community Conviction #3: The Holy Spirit creates a new kind of community that reflects Christ to the world. Four truths concerning God’s work within his church: 1. The Spirit produces unity, not division (3:1–4). 2. The Spirit causes growth through the unified work of his servants (3:5–9). 3. God holds his ministers responsible for building the church people well (3:10–15). 4. The Spirit resides in a unified, set-apart people (3:16–17). Main Idea: The Spirit expects the leaders and members here to pursue unity so that he can build a church that displays his presence, power, and wisdom. Application Questions: • Where do you see unity within the church? Where do you see division? How are you contributing to both the unification and division within this body? How can we ensure that we as a church are promoting unity rather than division? • What are the two analogies that Paul uses to describe the church in vv. 5–9 and 10–15? Identify and discuss the different elements within these two analogies. How has this text, especially vv. 10–15 been misinterpreted and misapplied? What part do you play or piece do you represent in God’s building? How do we as a church build with materials that will last on judgment day? • How may a person destroy God’s temple (v. 17)? According to v. 17, what characterizes God’s temple? What can you do to pursue the things God desires to be displayed in his people?
March 3, 2019
March 3, 2019 • Pastor Josh Kee
Passage: 1 Corinthians 1-2 Title: Conviction 3: A New Community Summary: Many Christians, especially those of us in the west, fail to grasp the incredible gift we have been given in the community of believers. Some see the local church as an optional add-on to their already busy lives. Community is valued so long as our felt needs are satisfied, but is easily discarded should we become dissatisfied. The gospel has caused us to be born into something so much more glorious than this! We have been richly blessed by God with a local community that is meant to serve his work of making us like Christ. God has chosen to glorify himself through the local church. This week we will begin our study on the new kind of community that the Holy Spirit creates when the gospel is believed. Outline: I. A Community Created by God (1:1-2) a. A local community (v. 2) b. A holy community (v. 2) c. A global community (v. 2) II. A Community Bound by Grace (1:3-9) a. Grace brings peace (v. 3) b. Grace enriches its recipients (vv. 4-5) c. Grace is sufficient (v. 7) d. Grace endures (vv. 8-9) III. A Community United in Christ (vv. 10-17) a. Appeal for unity (vv. 10-16) b. The power of the gospel (v. 17) IV. A Community that Boasts in Christ (vv. 18-31) a. The apparent foolishness of the cross (vv. 18-19) b. The wisdom of God (vv. 20-25) c. The boast of the Church (vv. 26-31) V. A Community of Power (2:1-5) a. The weakness of man (vv. 1-4) b. The power of the Spirit (vv. 4-5) VI. A Community Taught by the Holy Spirit (2:6-16) a. The nature of spiritual discernment (vv. 6-13) b. The natural person (v. 14) c. The spiritual person (vv. 15-16) Discussion Questions: 1. How much value do you currently place on the local church? (notice your attendance, your involvement, your attitude, your personal investment, etc.) 2. What are you thankful for in regards to your community of faith? 3. Are you preserving unity in the church with your speech, attitude, and conduct? How might your habits change to help build unity? 4. Is your life marked by humility (if you feel courageous, ask someone close to you)? Where are you quick to complain, slander, judge, etc.? 5. What are you prone to boast in other than God's grace toward you in Christ? 6. As you go to God's word, are you dependent on the Holy Spirit to teach you "the hidden wisdom of God" or on your own understanding? Thank God that he has given you his Spirit to give you spiritual discernment, and that he delights to lead us into truth!
February 24, 2108
February 24, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Theme: Transformed Living Passage: Ephesians 4:17–24 If we desire God’s transforming work in our lives, 1. We must no longer live according to empty thinking like we did as unbelievers (17–19). The unbeliever makes choices … a. … with a darkened mind b. … apart from the will of God c. …to indulge their sensual desires 2. We must live what we learn of Jesus Christ (20–24). a. How do we learn Christ? i. Hearing: Our response to the Gospel ii. Teaching: Continued instruction about the person, work, and commands of Jesus b. What do we “learn” of Christ and his ways? i. We are to no longer make decisions according to sensual desires. ii. We are to be made new in the thinking of our inner being. iii. We are to live the new life that God is creating. Main Idea: God transforms believers to mirror Jesus Christ as they come to know and obey him. Application Questions: • According to vv. 17–19, what characterizes the living of those apart from God? Describe the different elements of Paul’s description. • How do we come to learn Jesus Christ? What does this imply about the focus of what we should study in scripture? How might this change your approach to Bible study? • How did Jesus mirror the various actions that we are to emulate in vv. 22–24? • How can Paul call us a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and yet challenge us to put on the new self? Aren’t we already the new creation? How is it that we still need to put the new self on (v. 24)?
February 17, 2019
February 17, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Passage: Ephesians 2:1–10 Theme: The Gospel Believed Conviction #2: God is glorified through Christ as his gospel is proclaimed, believed, and obeyed, transforming the believer to become like Christ. The Gospel Believed: • We are/were dead in our trespasses and sins (1–3). o We walked in the way of this world. o We walked under the control of the ruler of this world. o We lived according to our own fleshly desires. o We deserved the wrath of God. • God made us alive with Jesus Christ (4–7). o Basis: He did this because of his mercy and love toward us. o Actions: He raised us from the dead and seated us with Christ in heaven. o Purpose: He will show his incomparable riches of grace to us in Jesus Christ. Implications: • We are saved by God’s grace through faith (8–9). • We are God’s new creation in Jesus Christ, transforming us to do good works (10). Main Idea: God graciously saves those of us who believe in what he has done for us in Jesus Christ in order to transform us to live like Christ. Application Questions: 1. How does Ephesians 2:1–3 describe us in our spiritual state apart from the work of God? Describe the different things that Paul indicates about people in this spiritual state. Is everyone truly this bad off? 2. According to this text, why did God choose to act toward us? 3. What is it that God has done for us? For what purpose did he do these things? 4. What does the phrase “by grace you are saved through faith” mean? What would happen if salvation came by any other means? 5. Where does “good works” fit into what God is doing in the life of the believer? Are they necessary?
February 3, 2019
February 3, 2019 • Pastor Josh Kee
Series: "Gripped by Glory" Passage: Ephesians 1 Title: Conviction #2: God's glory in Christ Summary: Acknowledging the worth of Jesus Christ comes easy for most of us who are familiar with the gospel. Beholding his glory and being gripped by it so that we are changed is something altogether different, but this is the goal of our salvation. God has chosen to glorify himself by transforming sinners who will believe on and obey Jesus. Without Christ, we are bankrupt. Join us this week as we stare into the Radiance of God's Glory. Outline: Main Point: Without Christ, everything else is utterly meaningless, but in Christ we possess the blessings of heaven. I. God's Delight in Christ (3-10) a. Chosen in Christ (v. 4) b. Adopted in Christ (v. 5) c. Grace through Christ (v. 6) d. Redeemed in Christ (v. 7) e. Forgiven through Christ's blood (v. 9) f. United in Christ (v. 10) II. Our Future in Christ (11-14) a. Heirs with Christ (v. 11) b. Hope in Christ (v. 12) c. Sealed in Christ (v. 13) III. Our Delight in Knowing Christ (15-23) a. Rejoicing in our Hope (v. 18) b. Rejoicing in Christ's Riches (v. 18) c. Rejoicing in Christ's Power (v. 19) d. Rejoicing in Christ's Authority (v. 20-23) Discussion Questions: 1. How does God glorify himself through his Son, Jesus? 2. Why is Jesus essential to God's glory on the earth? 3. How precious is Jesus to you currently? 4. How can you press in to grow in your knowledge of what God has given you in Christ this week? 5. Start with the list above and spend time meditating on how God has blessed you if you are in Christ. 6. Find a fresh way to express your praise for "God's glorious grace" each day this week.
February 10, 2019
February 10, 2019 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Passage: Ephesians 3:1–13 Theme: The Gospel Proclaimed Conviction #2: God is glorified through Christ as his gospel is proclaimed, believed, and obeyed, transforming the believer to become like Christ. What Ephesians 3:1–13 teaches us about the proclamation of the gospel: 1. Content: The Gospel enables Jew and Gentile alike to experience God’s grace (2–7). 2. Action: The recipient of God’s grace declares the gospel message and makes plain God’s plan (8–9). 3. Purpose: Through the carrying out of this mission, the church reveals God’s wisdom to all spiritual authorities (10–11). 4. Result: Believers in Christ possess boldness and confident access to God (12–13). Main Idea: Through the ministry of proclaiming the Gospel and their membership in the church, believers in Christ glorify God. Application Questions: • Write out a definition (your understanding) of the Gospel. What unique features of the gospel are discussed here in Ephesians 3:1–13. • Paul alludes to a mystery on a few occasions in this passage. What is this mystery? What details does 2:11–22 add to the understanding of this mystery? • Discuss the ways in which Paul’s mission in vv. 8–9 is similar to and distinct/different from our individual mission today. Are each and everyone one of else commissioned by God to carry out these same responsibilities? Why or Why not? • How does the church make known the wisdom of God to spiritual authorities (v. 10)? • What applications and motivations do you take away from Paul’s conclusion in vv. 12–13?