Parting Words: after 25 years as Senior Pastor
Sermon Series from January 2024
Pastor and Church
January 28, 2024 • Mike Bullmore • 2 Timothy 4:1–2, Colossians 3:12–17
Discussion Questions: Sermon Overview: In this week’s sermon, Pastor Mike gave a charge to Brett & to us, the congregation. Digging Deeper: 1. In his charge to Pastor Brett to “be a pastor", Pastor Mike encouraged him to focus on two things. What were they? In what ways do we see the goodness and wisdom of God’s design for the church, that those who are called to roles of leadership in the church should be called to give the bulk of their time and energy to these two tasks? 2. In 1 Peter 5:2, Peter exhorts elders “the elders among you” to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you.” What are some of the things God is likely wanting to communicate to us through this metaphor of shepherding a flock? How does this metaphor strike you? 3. One of the chief tasks of a shepherd is to ensure the sheep are well fed (John 21:15-17). The (spiritual) food we need is God’s Word, and the way we will receive it (as a gathered people) is through the preaching of God’s Word. In what ways are you eagerly anticipating how God is going to feed you (and us as a flock) through Pastor Brett? How can we be more intentional about preparing our hearts to receive the food of the Word through Pastor Brett in the weeks and (Lord willing) years ahead? 4. Pastor Mike gave us a charge as well - to be the church. What are the 4 things he called us to from Heb. 10:24-25? In which of these areas do you feel you (or your GC) is the strongest? In which of these areas do you feel you (and/or your GC) has the most room for growth? How can we help each other grow in these areas? Take It Home: What does it look like for you to be a fully engaged, faithful member of a local body of believers like CrossWay? Are there ways you want to grow in your participation and contribution to this body? What would be a good next step in moving toward that? What is one thing you want to take away, remember, do, or change in light of this week’s sermon and discussion? Prayer Requests: _____________________________ Music and Lyrics Used by Permission CCLI# 1595532
God's Great Grace
January 21, 2024 • Mike Bullmore • Romans 8:31–32
Discussion Questions: Sermon Overview: This past week’s sermon highlighted 3 things: · The fact that God did not spare his own son · The logic of how will he not also... · The promise that God will graciously give us all things. Digging Deeper: 1. Genesis 22 is a moving story of a precious son being spared from death. How does Genesis 22 help us understand and appreciate more deeply the truth of Rom. 8:32? 2. Is the gospel truth of Rom. 8:32 that God "gave up" his Son for your sake, precious to you? What “cares of this life” distract you or dilute your joy in this core gospel truth? 3. Rom. 8:32 is calling us to trust God in the future because of the rock-solid foundation of what he has already done for us in the past. How does this logic help you? How can this be helpful in situations where emotions run high? 4. The promise of Rom. 8:32 is no small promise. God is promising to supply for you all you need to live a life pleasing to him. In what area of your life can you struggle to believe this promise? 5. As Rom. 8:32 is the text for Pastor Mike’s final sermon for us as our senior pastor, how does its promise give us confidence for the future of CrossWay moving forward? Take It Home: In what area of your life do you feel you most need the strengthening power of a promise like Rom. 8:32? Practically speaking, how can you put this promise to work in your heart and mind, to sustain and strengthen you through this challenge? What is one thing you want to take away, remember, do, or change in light of this week’s sermon and discussion? Prayer Requests: _____________________________ Music and Lyrics Used by Permission CCLI# 1595532
God's Great Faithfulness
January 14, 2024 • Mike Bullmore • Lamentations 3:21–24
Discussion Questions: Sermon Overview: This past week’s sermon focused on God’s unfailing, unceasing faithfulness to us, his people. Digging Deeper: 1. What are some of the ways God has shown his unfailing, unceasing love, mercy and covenant faithfulness to you personally? To us as a church? 2. We can at times wrongly think that we have experienced good from God (or have been kept from trouble by God), because of something we have or haven’t done. How does this passage (and Pastor Mike’s message on it), help correct such thinking? 3. We are told in Lam. 3:22 that “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases.” Have there been moments in your life when you have seriously questioned God’s love or faithfulness towards you? What did God use to help you work through that? 4. How has the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ displayed the faithfulness of our God? Take It Home: 1. How can we, as God’s people, show the world what God is like in this area of his faithfulness? What would that look like for you, in your specific context? 2. What is one thing you want to take away, remember, do, or change in light of this week’s sermon and discussion? Prayer Requests _____________________________ Music and Lyrics Used by Permission CCLI# 1595532
God's Great Compassion
January 7, 2024 • Mike Bullmore • Psalm 103:13–14
Discussion Questions: Sermon Overview: This past week’s sermon reminded us of God’s great compassion, namely that he (1) knows, (2) remembers, and (3) shows compassion. Digging Deeper: 1. Pastor Mike mentioned that joy and peace don’t come from a perfect life but come from believing in God. What do you think? How could this be true? 2. As our culture stresses self (self-made, self-defined, self-expressed), why is good for us to confess our need for God’s compassion? 3. Pastor Mike spoke of the connection between God’s compassion toward us and the fact that he “knows our frame” (v. 14). What is the connection here and how was this helpful to you? 4. God’s compassion leads him to forgive our sin. But it doesn’t mean our suffering comes to an end. If you had to choose between having your sin forgiven or some other suffering in your life taken away, what would you choose? How come? 5. Why is it better that God’s deals with our sin once and for all and not necessarily taking away our suffering? 6. God’s great heart of compassion toward is us mostly clearly revealed in the cross of Christ. How does considering the gospel through the lens of compassion, shine further light on the glory of what God in Christ has done for sinners like you and me? 7. How should reflecting on the compassion God has shown us, stir within us greater compassion toward those around us? Have you seen this happen in your own heart? If so, please share. Take It Home: What is one thing you want to take away, remember, do, or change in light of this week’s sermon and discussion? Prayer Requests: _____________________________ Music and Lyrics Used by Permission CCLI# 1595532