Hi Growth Group leaders,
I’m excited about reports of first-week victories! God is working and you have a front row seat to watch the Holy Spirit at work in His church!
Thanks for all you’re doing to advance the Kingdom and bless Jesus’ church!
Pastor Steve
1. Growth Group Discussion Guide
Week of September 18th
Q: What bold move are you considering? Dating someone new? Leading a group? Starting a new career? A major purchase?
Q: A football coach once said “We learn almost nothing in victory, but we learn much in defeat.” Do you agree with this?
READ FIRST: Acts 4:23-31
Q: How do the Sanhedrin (4:15-17) and the disciples each view themselves and God?
Q: Why would the disciples begin their prayer by declaring God’s Sovereignty? (vv. 24-28)
Q: Did God allow, direct, or anticipate Jesus’ crucifixion? (see 2:23; 3:17-18)
Q: How might Acts 1:8 be shaping the disciples prayer in verses 29-30?
Q: What is one purpose of the Holy Spirit (see 2:4; 4:8, 31)?
Q: How are your prayer like and unlike this prayer (vv. 24-30)? Why would it be helpful to recall God’s character and actions in history?
2. Sermon Meditation
Living in the Power of the Spirit, Part 19
“Your Eternal Plan”
Acts 4:23-31
As I prayerfully read Acts 4 through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, I feel like God allows me to experience the excitement in “real time.” The word is living and active! As of last reading, I think I understand a little better the source of the Apostle’s confidence and boldness - they understood the absolute Sovereignty of God over all human history.
In this moment, “all the believers” trusted fully in God’s plan of redemption which had been strategized in Heaven before the foundation of the world. God had been irresistibly working toward this moment. Every second spent in prison and every lash of the whip had been seen by God and every evil deed perpetrated by their persecutors “was determined beforehand according to (God’s) will.” Nothing happened without purpose and everything would be redeemed for our good and for God’s glory.
As they prayed, they expressed their faith by addressing God as “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David . . .” Everything that happened then, and everything that happens in our lives now is filled with great meaning and purpose - this we know by faith. We might not see the effect of our circumstances now, but in Heaven there is laid up for us “an eternal weight of glory.”
We can be confident and bold because God is in full control of every circumstance. As we faithfully follow and obey, God’s purposes are revealed and glory is stockpiled in Heaven. That’s why we can place our full trust in the Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth.
Hope to see you this Sunday,
Pastor Steve
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Living in the Power of the Spirit Part 19
Your Eternal Plan - Acts 4:23-31
September 16, 2018 • Pastor Steve Pope
Living in the Power of the Spirit - Part 26
November 4, 2018 • Pastor Steve Pope
“The Promise of Blessing” Living in the Power of the Spirit, Acts 7 “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” Colossians 1:27 (NLT) We can learn much about one another from our taste in movies. I have a few favorites. I try to stick with the classics, and prefer only excellent dialogue and profoundly impactful material with time-tested value. So, one of my favorite movies, of course, is “Wild Hogs.” My favorite movie theme is reconciliation, so when the Wild Hogs inadvertently blow up a biker gang’s favorite bar, the action begins. The satisfying end to the story comes when the team of “Extreme Makeover - Home Edition,”comes to rebuild and beautify the biker bar; the only home some of these hooligans have even known. Standing in front of their new “home,” everyone becomes friends amidst tearful embraces - a happy ending. The final scene leaves the viewer feeling more hopeful about “impossible” reconciliations and restored unity among formerly waring factions. When we first began to follow Jesus by grace through faith, we took the first steps on a most incredible journey with God; “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” By faith we embrace the seemingly impossible truth that Christ now lives in those of us who believe, and we have been made brand new - full reconciliation. Talk about an extreme makeover! God never lived in houses made with human hands, but in the hearts of His followers wherever they go (Acts 7:48). And, as we surrender to Jesus more each day, He is diligently working to complete the makeover (Phil. 1:6). This is the hope of glory we long for. See you Sunday! Pastor Steve Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of November 6th Q: Where did our ancestors come from? Do you have any heroes in your family? Any black sheep? READ FIRST: Acts 7 Q: From 6:13-14, how would you write up the formal charges against Stephen? Q: Why does Stephen spend the bulk of his history lesson talking about Moses? What parallels does he draw between Moses and Jesus? How does this relate to the charges against him in 6:13-14? How does the quote in Verse 37 begin to turn the tables on his accusers (regarding who is really rejecting Moses)? Q: From verses 44-50, what is the point about the temple and God’s presence? How is he turning the tables against his accusers once again? Q: Since the Sanhedrin knew religious history every bit as well as Stephen, how do you account for their radically different response to Jesus? Q: When Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin, He spoke not a word, yet Stephen spoke boldly. How do you decide when to speak and when to remain silent?
Living in the Power of the Spirit - Part 25
October 28, 2018 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of October 30th Q: Which responsibility at home or work would you gladly give up? Never give up? Q: Are you more likely to “rock the boat,” or keep the peace at any price? READ FIRST: Acts 6 Q: What do you think Stephen was like? What do we know about him? Q: Immigrant Jews often formed their own synagogues in Jerusalem. How is their opposition to Stephen like and unlike the opposition the apostles faced from the Sanhedrin? (compare to 5:27-28) Q: What was the main accusation against Stephen? (Acts 6:11-14) Were these accusations true or false? Q: Read Exodus 34:35 and Matthew 17:1, 2. Do these appear to be the same manifestation as Acts 6:15? What was the source of this radiance? What is the significance of it? Q: What two adjectives best describe your spiritual life? What would be different if you were “full of grace and power?” Sermon Meditation for Sunday, October 28th “Face of an Angel” Acts 6 In 2003, ABC launched a reality series that was destined to raise a maelstrom of criticism. The series was called “Extreme Makeover.” In this series, participants who deemed themselves unattractive submitted to extensive plastic surgery in hopes of making themselves feel more beautiful. What’s worse is that some cooperated because friends and family considered them unattractive! Participants anticipated that their lives would become real-life “ugly duckling to swan” fairy tales. The participants, however, did not experience the increase in quality of life for which they had hoped. Painful recovery periods, complications and swelling, along with rejection at work and home were all reported. Worse than that, in the first two seasons of the show, the rate of plastic surgery procedures showed a drastic uptick that coincided with Extreme Makeover’s first and second season, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The show was successful at causing some viewers to become desperate to change bodies that were not perfect. Needless to say, this show became a shame and embarrassment to its producers at ABC - and rightfully so. What makes a man or woman truly beautiful? According to the apostle Peter, “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful.” I Peter 3:4, 5 The most attractive extreme makeover is born in the heart of a person who loves God and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Stephen, moments before his martyrdom, attracted the startled stares of everyone on the Jewish High Counsel, as “his face became as bright as an angel’s.” There is a radiant countenance of godliness on the faces of those who love Jesus with their whole heart. A little of God’s glory on display. Now that is true beauty. See you on Sunday, Pastor Steve
Living in the Power of the Spirit Part 24
October 21, 2018 • Pastor Steve Pope
Sermon Meditation for Sunday, October 21st Living in the Power of the Spirit, Part 24 “Not of This World” Acts 5:33-42 “ . . . when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” First world problems. This new slang term brings great insight. It is used to refer to issues we in America complain about because we have no more urgent concerns, such as hunger or threat of bodily harm. First world complainers may be heard to say things like “The service sure is slow in this restaurant - no tip today” or “my spotty cell service sure makes me mad,” and “Ugh, I get a little sick every time I travel to Hawaii.” Here we find our intrepid apostles with their backs and chest flayed open and bleeding by a tripled strip of calf's hide. They were probably struck with the whip 39 times, in a rotation of two lashes on the back, one of the front, until 39 were achieved. Pain beyond comparison. Their response? They rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer for Christ. Then they headed back to the streets and continued to preach the gospel. What a surprising response! The Bible is full of surprises. That’s because God’s Kingdom is a Kingdom of opposites. The world has it’s ways, but God’s wisdom is ultimate, eternal, and usually opposite from the way this world operates. For instance, the meek will inherit the earth; and Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us; and who can forget “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” Kingdom citizens always respond in an opposite spirit, forgiving, loving, praying. Whip an apostle, and he’ll rejoice at suffering. Imprison an apostle, and he’ll sing songs of praise in the night. Attempt to silence an apostle, and he’ll declare the Truth all the more. We are citizens of the Kingdom of opposites. Do you tend to retaliate like the world? Or do you respond as a citizen of the Kingdom? When challenges arise, do you question God or praise Him for His Sovereignty and kindness? Hope to see you Sunday, Pastor Steve Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of October 23rd Q: In the midst of your everyday life, what are you most likely to complain about? Politics? Finances? Relationships? Q: What person in your life has been the best example of love? Explain how. READ FIRST: Acts 5:33-42 Q: Prior to Jesus, there were many Jewish zealots who led rebellions against Rome. What is Gamaliel’s point in recalling two such leaders? What do you suppose his motive was in defending the lives of the apostles? Q: Flogging sometimes resulted in death. Why do you suppose the disciples considered it worth rejoicing that they suffered in Jesus’ name? Q: How might proclaiming Jesus as risen Lord and Savior in Jerusalem immediately after his crucifixion be different than proclaiming Him as Lord and Savior over 6000 miles and 2000 years later? Q: How do you explain why God sometimes delivers you out of hardships, but at other times He allows you to go through them?