A Messiah Who Specializes in New Beginnings

EFCCL A Messiah Who Specializes in New Beginnings
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 3:13-4:34
Series: The Gospel of Mark

Sermon Notes

  1. A New Nation (vv. 3:13-19)
  2. A New Family (vv. 3:20-35)
  3. A New Kingdom (vv. 4:1-34)

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Did someone ever give you a second chance? Who was it, and why?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. What exactly is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Read Matthew 12:31-37.
  2. Why is this sin unforgivable?
  3. Read Ezekiel 8:6 and John 19:8-11. In light of these verses and Mark 3:29, discuss whether or not there are degrees of sin. Use Scripture to support your answer.
  4. Will there be degrees of punishment in Hell? Why or why not, biblically?
  5. Read Mark 3:13-34 out loud together, dividing up sections among the group.
  6. What were the main points of the sermon?
  7. Read Mark 4:10, Isaiah 6:8-13, and Romans 9:16-18.
    • Why did Jesus use parables? How does this differ from many people’s perception?
    • Why does God sovereignly “close” the ears and eyes of some people?
    • Is it fair that God has mercy on some and hardens others? Why or why not?
  8. Why is community such a big deal? Why is it so difficult to find in Western culture?
  9. Read Mark 4:10-12. Discussion how God uses preaching to soften some to the gospel—and to harden others.
  10. Read Mark 4:1-34. From these stories, discuss what the Kingdom of God is like. How does Jesus describe it? What kinds of metaphors does He use?

APPLICATION

Are you saved? If so, what do you look forward to most on the New Earth? 

Posted on January 18, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under The Gospel of Mark and tagged Jay Childs.

You Can Be Set Free

EFCCL You Can Be Set Free
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Mark 2:1-3:12
Series: The Gospel of Mark

Sermon Notes

  1. Forgiveness from Sin (vv. 2:1-17)
  2. Freedom from Legalism (vv. 2:18-3:12)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Did you take up the Tithing Challenge? Why or why not?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Mark 2:1-3:12 out loud together, dividing up sections among the group.
  2. What were the main points of the sermon?
  3. Read Mark 2:7. How was their reason correct here? Who was Jesus claiming to be?
  4. Jesus often made extreme claims. Look at a few others and describe what He is claiming in each text. Read John 5:22-24, 8:48-58, and 14:1-6. Read Mark 2:10 and Daniel 7:13-14 (what title does Jesus claim; what does it mean?).
  5. Why are the claims of Jesus a big deal? (Read John 8:24.) What’s at stake?
  6. Discuss how people misunderstand the doctrine of justification: declared forgiven of all sins—past, present, and future—and forever secure in God’s love and grace.
  7. In Mark 2:23-3:6, Jesus refers to the Sabbath several times. What is this? (Read Exodus 20:8-11.)
    • What parts of the Jewish Sabbath no longer apply?
    • What aspect still applies to all Christians? Why? How?

APPLICATION

What is an area where you’ve struggled with legalism? How did you break free?  

Posted on January 11, 2015 by EFCCL and filed under The Gospel of Mark and tagged Jay Childs.

Why People Reject Jesus

Why People Reject Jesus
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: —
Series: —

  1. Because of the Worries of Life
  2. Ignorance of the Scriptures
  3. Pride
  4. Too Familiar with Him
  5. A Refusal to Change Their Lifestyle
  6. God Is Not Actively Drawing a Person
Posted on December 21, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Jay Childs.

Roots

Roots
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
Series: —

  1. Protected Roots
  2. Unexpected Roots
  3. Rejected Roots
Posted on December 14, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Special Services and tagged Jay Childs.

A Call to Take Inventory

A Call to Take Inventory
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 4:1-6
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love

  1. A Reminder about God's Coming Judgment (vv. 1, 5-6)
  2. A Reminder about God's Offer of Forgiveness (vv. 2-6)
Posted on December 7, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Malachi and tagged Jay Childs.

You Can't Outgive God

You Can't Outgive God
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 3:6-15
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love

Sermon Notes

  1. The People Were Robbing God (vv. 6-9)
  2. The People Were Robbing Themselves (vv. 10-15)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

What is your biggest fear when it comes to sacrificial giving?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Genesis 14:20 and 28:22. Why do you think Abram and Jacob chose to give the amount of “a tenth”?
  2. Tithing appears before the Mosaic Law, so is it for all time? Why? Why not?
  3. What were the main points of the sermon this week?
  4. Read Malachi 3:8-10. What does God promise to faithful tithers here? Why? Who is cursed?
  5. Read Malachi 19:21. What does it mean to have “treasure in Heaven”? How do we get this?
  6. In light of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, how is the New Testament even more radical than the Old Testament when it comes to sacrificial giving? Be specific.
  7. Should our tithe be directed to our local church? Why? Should we tithe gross or net?
  8. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. What does Paul mean: “they gave . . . beyond their ability”?
  9. Read Matthew 6:21. What does it mean: “wherever your treasure is—there is your heart also”?

APPLICATION

How did you make your decision about what amount of money to regularly give EFCCL?

Posted on November 30, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Malachi and tagged Jay Childs.

The Coming Wrath of God

The Coming Wrath of God
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 2:17-3:5
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love

Sermon Notes

  1.  Questioning God's Justice (2:17)
  2. A Reminder about God's Messiah (3:1)
  3. A Reminder about God's Justice (3:2-5) 

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

What do you think of when you think of God's wrath? Did you hear about this growing up?

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Matthew 25: Look over this passage in detail.
    • Who gains eternal life? Who does not?
    • What are the criteria for those welcomed into eternal life?
    • Is Jesus teaching that we earn our salvation by doing good deeds? Why? Why not?
    • Discuss details you learn in v. 41 about hell.
    • Why is a day of coming judgment so difficult for our culture to accept?
  2. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Describe this future day of judgment that Paul writes about.
    • Is the language of hell literal? Why? Why not?
    • How do you react to passages like this?
  3. Read Revelation 20:7-15.
    • What will happen to Satan? How long will it last? What is the nature of his punishment?
    • What is “the book” that is opened in v. 12? Are there any other references to it in the Bible?
    • Will those who go to hell be conscious or unconscious? Why?
    • How is hell described in these verses?
  4. Read Revelation 21:1-8.
    • Describe the scene here. What does John see? Describe what happens to death, pain, and sorrow.
    • Read v. 6 and note that God the Father is speaking. Who is speaking in Revelation 1:17-18?
    • How do these two texts establish that Jesus is God? Be specific.

APPLICATION

Discuss the following statement by theologian Miroslav Volf: “God is not loving in spite of His wrath; He is loving because of His wrath” (Free of Charge, Zondervan).

Posted on November 23, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Malachi and tagged Jay Childs.

The Sanctity of Marriage

The Sanctity of Marriage
EFCCL
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Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16
Series: Malachi: God's Unchanging Love

Sermon Notes

  1. The Problem of Marrying Unbelievers (vv. 10-12)
  2. The Problem of Divorce (vv. 13-16)

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

  • Did you listen to the sermon?
  • Describe a marriage that you admire.

INTO THE BIBLE

  1. Read Genesis 2:19-25. Discuss what you learn about marriage from these verses. Who is it for?
  2. Read Ephesians 5:22-23. What do we learn here about marriage? Be specific.
  3. Discuss the Bible’s description of marriage: one man and one woman for life. Any exceptions in the Bible?
  4. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14. What does it mean to be “unequally yoked”? Does this apply to marriage? Business relationships? Other relationships? Why? Why not?
  5. Read Deuteronomy 7:1-4. Why does God forbid His people to marry unbelievers? Discuss.
  6. Read Matthew 19:1-11. What does Jesus say about marriage in these verses?
    • Discuss how He clarifies Moses’ command in Deuteronomy 24.
    • What are the implications of what Jesus says here for gay marriage?
    • What are the implications for divorce?
    • When is divorce permitted according to Jesus? Not permitted?
  7. Read Malachi 2:10-16. Why does the Bible use such strong language about divorce? Why does the Bible call marriage a “covenant”? What does this mean?
  8. Look through 1 Corinthians 7. Under what circumstances, biblically, is someone free to remarry? Be specific.

APPLICATION

Spend time praying for marriages and singles.

Posted on November 16, 2014 by EFCCL and filed under Malachi and tagged Jay Childs.