To Be Known and to Fully Know
1 Corinthians 13:12
Week 8 - Easter Sunday 2019
April 21, 2019 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of April 21st Q: If you were laid off from work today or your job was terminated, where would you go to get yourself together? READ FIRST: Luke 24:13-35 Q: What are the two disciples talking about as they walk (vv. 19-24)? What tones of voice do you hear? What hopes are dashed? What plans might they be making? How do they react to the “stranger?” Q: From your knowledge of Old Testament prophecy, what passages might the “stranger” have discussed with them in verses 25-27? Why did Jesus do a roundabout Bible study rather than just reveal His identity immediately and directly? Q: Why did Jesus act as if He was going further? Q: What has happened to the other disciples that has caused them to change their minds from verse 11? Why a special appearance to Peter? Q: Where is your “road to Emmaus” - the place were Jesus surprised you recently? What happened? Sermon Meditation for Easter 2019 Open Eyes, Burning Hearts Luke 24:13-35 Each year several new words are added to the Oxford dictionary. A small sample of these new words include “worstest, fungivorous, hangry and corporation pop.” I’m not sure what they mean, but now I can look them up! Of all the new words produced by popular culture, the one I find the most interesting is “woke.” Merriam Webster defines this word as “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues.” Media voices such as NPR, SNL, and MTV have already declared this word to be passé, and are calling for its removal from American usage. Words now come and go faster than juicy bits from a small town gossip. But, before we put “woke” to bed, I’d like to repurpose it for use in theology. When a spiritually sleeping man is “woke” to the Truth of Jesus Christ, a relationship with God begins. The Holy Spirit is tasked with opening the eyes of all who seek to know God. Those who put their trust in Jesus are truly and permanently awakened to the eternal truth that saves people’s souls. Through the power of the resurrection, those who were once dead in trespasses and sin are born again to new life. And they are truly “woke;” aware of and actively attentive to the importance of Jesus Christ. That’s the power of the resurrection! Happy Easter! Pastor Steve
Week 7 - Thy Will Be Done
April 14, 2019 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of April 14th Q: In times of crisis, do you stay cool, get hot, panic or dig in? READ FIRST: Luke 22:39-46 Q: What strikes you about Jesus’ prayer? In saying, “your will be done,” is Jesus: (a) hopelessly submitting to fate? (b) Admitting defeat before a power that beat him? (c) Bitterly resigning Himself to the inevitable, or (d) Quietly trusting in God’s love? Q: What temptation do you think the disciples were likely to fall in to in this setting? (v. 40 & 46) Could this be a general principle for overcoming temptation? Q: What do you think Jesus was most concerned about in His prayer? The pain of crucifixion? Or the “cup.” What were the contents of this cup? Q: Although Jesus had to “drink the cup,” how did the Father support Him at this crisis moment? (v. 43) Is there “a principle to live by" here for those who suffer? Announce Good Friday service and encourage folks to invite friends for Easter worship! Sermon Meditation for Sunday, April 14th To Know and Be Fully Known, Part 7 Thy Will be Done Luke 22:39-46 " . . . take this cup from me . . .” What’s the worst beverage you’ve ever had? Was it too sweet? Too bitter? To bland? I promise that it was nothing compared to the cup Jesus refers to in His garden prayer. That cup was filled with the undiluted wrath of God toward all the sin and rebellion of mankind. Drinking of that cup was sure to bring about a certain and violent death. Little wonder that Jesus asked for escape from this particular torture. From Jesus’ prayer, however, we learn two important lessons. First, that we are safe asking anything of our loving Father, trusting that He wants only good gifts for us. And, second, any request we bring must be from a heart of full submission to the plans and purposes of God in our lives. A fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ wants the will of God to be done, no matter what the personal cost. The hope in this prayer is seen in the strength provided by a visiting angel. All who suffer in submission to God have all the resources of Heaven available. The Lord will strengthen and attend to those who suffer. And, the ultimate message is that submission to God’s purposes will always result in a resurrection. See you on Palm Sunday! Pastor Steve
Week Five - Lord, Teach Us to Pray
March 31, 2019 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of April 2nd Q: When was the last time a friend let you borrow something of value? A drill, a truck, a cup of sugar? How did it make you feel to ask? How did you express your gratitude? Is asking hard or easy for you? READ FIRST: Luke 11:1-13 Q: Have a volunteer in your group retell the story of the friend’s request. Q: What do you think about Jesus’ promise that “everyone who asks, receives?” Have you received everything you’ve asked for? How do you think this promise works out practically? Q: Have you ever struggled with disappointment with God’s response to your prayers? How does this passage help you understand God’s ways? Pray, Seeking God for a few of the requests outlined this week in Seek God for the City. Sermon Meditation for Sunday, March 31st To Know and be Fully Known Part Five: Lord, Teach us to Pray READ: Luke 11:1-13 According to the apostle Paul, planet earth is a battlefield and Jesus’ followers are “soldiers.” In II Timothy 2:3-5, Paul tells us to “endure hardship” like battle-hardened soldiers, known for absolute loyalty and sacrificial readiness to die in service to the King of Kings. Unquestioning obedience is the hallmark of the good soldier’s life. That’s where the imperatives of the Christian life come in. For a faithful Christian soldier, an imperative in the greek is the same as the order of a commanding officer. When commanded to jump, the only question a good soldier asks is “how often and how high?” Jesus’ command to the Christian soldier is to pray. This is an imperative and so is non-optional. Neglecting prayer brings serious warnings. We are commanded to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. When Jesus commands us to pray, our only questions should be “how often and how high?” Our persistence in prayer should be “shameless;” less focused on our personal desires than on the glory of God. Hope to see you Sunday, Pastor Steve
Week Four - Don't Lose Heart!
February 24, 2019 • Pastor Daniel Preston
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of March 26th Q: Briefly describe a situation or challenge that is discouraging you right now. READ FIRST: Luke 18:1-8 Q: What does Jesus mean when He says we should “pray always.” In practical terms, what does that look like? Q: How can prayer keep us from “losing heart?” The NLT translates the word in verse 1 as “never give up.” How important is it for Christ’s followers to persevere in trials? Why? (See James 1:2, 3) Q: Why is our Heavenly Father compared to a judge who “neither feared God nor respected man?” What is Jesus’ main point in this parable? Pray, Seeking God for a few of the requests outlined this week in Seek God for the City. For those in your group who are discouraged and need a special touch from God. Sermon Meditation for Sunday, March 24th (Daniel Preston) To Know and Be Fully Known Don’t Lose Heart! Luke 18:1-8 The problems we see are often not, in fact, the real problems we face. We witness the symptoms of our problems quite easily, but often fail to identify their root causes. So what is the most challenging obstacle of Christianity today? My Brothers and Sisters sold out for Christ, whose blessed assurance rests in Christ’s work on the Cross and His resurrection, what ails us as Christians? It truly is not the political climate in America, nor is it the decline of the American Church or the widening separation between Biblical Morality and Cultural mores. Those and much more are only symptoms of deeper roots. One of the roots of decay in the Christian life is our failure to be Heavenly minded. We are not looking forward to the return of our Lord and Savior as much as we should. For instance, the Apostle Paul was convinced that he would see the return of Christ before he went home. Even the Church in Thessalonica was wrought with despair because they were sure they had missed the return of the Lord Jesus. The early Church often used language that implied they would see Christ come soon. We are separated from those ancient brothers and sisters by two thousand years, and I know it’s easy to become discouraged or distracted with everyday life. But in our passage this Sunday, Jesus commands us to “pray and not lose heart.” He classifies God’s “elect” as those “who cry to him day and night” (v.7). Verse 8 contains a chilling question; Jesus asks “. . .when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” We ought to be praying fervently as if today we will see the Lord’s return. Our prayer should be continual and without ceasing! (1 Thess. 5:17) The unjust Judge in our parable would yield to a widow who he didn’t know and certainly didn’t care about. How much more will the Father in Heaven, the giver of perfect gifts, respond to his elect. He delights in our prayers! His desire is for us to ask and keep on asking, and to pray like there is no tomorrow. If we are eager for the Lord’s return and pray like we don't have much time left, then when He does return He will find faith on the earth. Read Luke 18:1-8 in preparation for what Christ has to say from his word this Sunday. And be in prayer with me that Jesus would return soon but, until he does, pray that He would revive us, His Bride. Love in Christ, Daniel Preston
Week Three - Prayers that Accomplish Much
March 17, 2019 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of March 19th Q: When have you felt the closest to God? When do you tend to “forget” or ignore Him? READ FIRST: Luke 18:9-14 Q: Name the five “I’s” of the Pharisee (vs. 11-12). What do they tell us about his view of himself? His view of God? Q: In what did the Pharisee put his trust? How did this affect his relationship with God? His attitude toward other people? Q: What were the Pharisee’s three brags before God? What do those three brags actually say about the quality of his character and walk with God? Q: Describe the tax collector’s location as he prayed, the direction of his gaze, and his action. Have you ever felt this humbled and desperate before God? What was happening? Pray, seeking God for a few of the requests outlined this week in Seek God for the City. Sermon Reflection for Sunday, March 17th “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else . . .” Luke 18:9 Our ten-month old Golden Retriever, Sunny, is always ready to play. Oftentimes, she’s ready when I’m feeling lazy. On these occasions, I throw the tennis ball down the hall from my seat on the couch - lazy man’s fetch. From this I’ve learned that my throwing arm ain’t what it used to be. Then I remembered; the ball doesn’t go where I hope it will go, it goes where I’m looking. Now, when I throw, I don’t look at my arm, or the dog, or at my lovely wife who is rolling her eyes. I keep my eyes on the target (just below the pictures of my kids in the hall). If there is a secret formula for effective prayer, it’s this: Great humility + full trust = an audience with Almighty God. This will require that I take my eyes off of myself and fix my eyes on Jesus. (Heb. 12:2) Jesus beautifully illustrates this in the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. The Pharisee prayed a prayer declaring his trust in his own righteousness and natural superiority to others. He assumed that his good deeds and law-keeping had earned him the right to be heard by God and the others in the temple. In contrast, due to the profound awareness of his own sin, the tax collector prayed from a place of broken need. Even his posture in prayer revealed his lack of entitlement before God. And he focused His full attention on the all sufficient, Almighty God. Jesus says, “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Hope to see you this Sunday, Pastor Steve
Week Two - Pray Like Jesus
March 14, 2019 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of March 12th Q: What is one area of specialization for you? Something you excel at doing? How did you learn this skill or ability? READ FIRST: Luke 10:21-24 Q: Where do you see the Trinity in verse 21? In this verse, what is the function of each person of the trinity as it relates to prayer? Q: What is the attitude/spirit of Jesus’ prayer in verse 21? How should His example impact our prayer life? Q: From whom is the message concealed (verse 21)? Why was it “hidden?” To whom is it revealed? What does this tell us about the nature of our faith? Q: Why are we especially “blessed?” (v. 23, 24) Pray, seeking God for a few of the requests outlined this week in Seek God for the City. Sermon Meditation for Sunday, March 10th Imagine yourself at home all alone one night, when you hear suspicious noises within your home perimeter. You hide in a closet and need to call 911, but don’t want to alert anyone to your position. How do you call for help? Our Simi PD has innovated a silent text alert to 911. All you have to do is send a text to 911, alerting the police of your concerns. Make sure to keep your text short and simple, including your location. As we have come to expect, Simi PD will respond quickly and efficiently. God hears the cry of our hearts, whether in silent 911 prayers or cries for help shouted at the top of our lungs. The 911 He loves to hear from us the most is the longing to know Him more each day. In a state of full surrender, laying down all pride and approaching humbly on our knees, He will always respond with love, so that “we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) We did not reason our way to God. We did not earn our way to God through good deeds. We were chosen because of our child-like faith. You can keep your request short and simple. He already knows right where you are. And, as His children have come to trust, He will always respond immediately and perfectly. Seeking God for Simi Valley, Pastor Steve
Week One - Acts 3:20
March 3, 2019 • Pastor Steve Pope
Growth Group Discussion Guide Week of March 5th Q: A famous person you admire is coming to dine with you tomorrow. What would you do to get ready? READ FIRST: Luke 5:27-39 Q: Tax collectors lined their pockets with money they collected. How might the disciples (5:1-11) feel about Jesus’ choice? Q: Why chose Levi? What is the irony here (vv. 31-32)? Q: Why is Jesus questioned about fasting? Q: What is Jesus implying by the parable in verses 34-35? In verses 36-39? How does this relate to Levi’s call and to the disciples not fasting? Q: What is the new cloth? Old garment? New wine? Old wineskins? Q: In this story, what do you have to do to qualify to be a disciple? Sermon Meditation for Sunday, March 3rd “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, . . .” Acts 3:20 Mini Greek lesson: “refreshing” is anapsyxis and indicates “A recovery of breath; revival. A cooling and refreshing.” In his powerful sermon, Peter declared forgiveness and seasons of refreshment to those who repent and put their trust in Christ. You’ve come to the Lord and received complete forgiveness for sin, to the great glory of God! So then, when do the “times of refreshing” begin? And from where do they come? The answer? Only One source; our intimate, daily, personal love relationship with Jesus. Beginning on March 6th, we will enter a 40 day season of prayer together, inviting Jesus to revive our love for Him and the passion of our church. And we will seek the Lord’s mercy in pouring out His Holy Spirit on our city and nation. I’m sure we all agree that prayer is the greatest need of the hour in our nations’s history. Only God can bring new life. I’m praying that this season will bring about a powerful, personal revival of your first love for Jesus. When the folks in our church begin to experience this season of personal revival, our church will enjoy revival together. And if the churches of our city experience revival, Simi Valley will be awakened in faith. The only hope for life-restoring revival is the fervent prayers fo those who love Jesus. This Sunday, join us as we prepare our hearts for a season of fasting and seeking breakthroughs in His power. Our prayer emphasis will be drawn from the excellent prayer guide, “Seek God for the City.” Pick up your copy in worship this Sunday, or download the excellent app for 99 cents. Go to your smart phone app store and search “Seek God for the City, 2019.” May the Lord revive us again! Pastor Steve