St. Andrew's Church

Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: 1 Corinthians 1.26-31; Matthew 4.18-22

• God chooses and uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
• The major qualification for accomplishing great things for the Lord is spending time with Him (Acts 4:13).
• And the requirement for this work is our availability. Leaving behind those things that will hinder our effectiveness in the Lord’s service.

1. If Christ can accomplish His purpose through the lives of the apostles and other people, could we imagine what He has in store for us?
2. How could God use you (personally)? God has placed you in your school (especially young people), your job, family and neighborhood to do something special for the Lord. He is calling you at this very moment, all you have to do is say, yes Lord! Will you make yourself available to Him today?
3. Jesus has a plan, a work to do, a purpose to achieve in history and beyond. He invites us to join Him. Are we available?
4. What are the obstacles that are holding us back?

Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Anthony Kowbeidu (AKowbeidu@StAndrews.Church).

Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Psalm 98:1-9, Acts 4:5-14, Luke 8:22-25.

Jesus was raised on the "first day of the week" (Sunday).  It turned out to be the first day of a whole new world. A new creation with new possibilities and new power. From Acts 3-4, we see the power of the Risen Christ in two ways:

1. The Transformation of Peter
2. The Healing of the Lame Beggar

1. What kind of transformation does the power of the Resurrection make possible? How is this different from other kinds of personal transformation or improvements that a person might seek after?
2. Describe the difference between viewing a situation in light of the old creation vs. the new creation? Why is it difficult to see things according to the new creation?
3. God's power takes many forms.  Can you think of a time when God's power was at work in a situation but it looked different than you imagined?
4. Read 2 Cor 12:7-10. How is Paul's experience of Jesus' power similar and different to the power the lame beggar experienced?

Bible Study

Don’t just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Ephesians 2.14-18; John 20.19-23; Mark 16.8; Luke 24.11; Isaiah 41:10, 53.5

• The Gospels do not explain the resurrection; the resurrection explains the Gospel.
• Look at what Jesus did.
• Look at what Jesus says.
• Look at what Jesus gives.

1. When has the risen Jesus Christ come to you when you least expected?
2. How has the Lord been with you when you experience fear or challenges?
3. Into what current situation is Jesus speaking peace?
4. How often do you ask God for a fresh filling of the resource that He gives, the Holy Spirit?
5. Where are you stepping out to go where the Lord is sending you?

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email John Burley (JBurley@StAndrews.Church).

Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10

Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Steve Wood (SWood@StAndrews.Church).

Guest Preacher: The Very Rev'd Dr. Christopher Hancock

Chris Hancock spans the world of academia, pastoral ministry and diplomacy as a theologian, advisor, mentor and specialist on Asia. He taught theology, Anglicanism and spirituality at Virginia in his 30s, having previously taught at Cambridge University. Since then he has been Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, a Cathedral Dean, and for the last fifteen years Director of research institutions in Oxford and London.

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-48

Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Steve Wood (SWood@StAndrews.Church).

Bible StudyQuestions?

Bible Study Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: John 12:20-33, Matthew 25:14-30, Psalm 90. Sermon Notes What is a human life for? What is its purpose? Jesus defines the glory and purpose of his own life through his self sacrificial death. He indicates that his followers should do likewise. Jesus compares it with a seed. If planted, a seed becomes glorious. What it was meant to be. If held back, it remains alone. It bears no fruit. To live a truly glorious life - a purposeful life - we must plant the "seed packets" of our lives. Sermon Application

1. Read Matthew 25:14 – 30. Compare Jesus's teaching in that parable with his words from John 12 about planting seeds.
2. When you tear open the "seed packet" of your life, what kinds of seeds do you find inside? What might it look like to plant those in this current season of your life?
3. Why is the work of planting often painful? What makes it costly?
4. In what way can death be a motivation and source of strength? Read Psalm 90:12. How can death also be a source of wisdom?

Questions? Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (RForrester@StAndrews.Church). Audio & Video You can listen to the sermon by using the player below or via the St Andrew's Sermon Podcast on iTunes and Spotify.

Bible Study Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Ephesians 2.1-10. Sermon Outline

1. What is grace?
2. What has sin made me?
3. How does grace remake me?

Discussion Questions

• How would you define grace?
• How does the Christian doctrine of sin explain our (humankind's) current condition?
• In what ways does it matter to understand sin as a condition instead of a behavior?
• Steve said that grace unmakes you before it remakes you, what does that mean?
• What does it mean for grace to remake you?
• How has grace remade you?

Resources Cited/Consulted

• BST: The Message of Ephesians, John Stott
• NINCT: The Letter to the Ephesians, Lynn Cohick
• God's Way of Reconciliation: An Exposition of Ephesians 2, David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
• Gospel In Life Video Study: Grace Changes Everything, Timothy Keller
• Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, Thomas Brooks
• Les Miserables, Victor Hugo

Questions? Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Steve Wood (SWood@StAndrews.Church).

Bible Study Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Romans 7:7–25; John 2:13–22 Sermon Outline

• God is not at fault
• Sin is not your friend
• Hope is not within

Sermon Questions

1. What is the popular picture of the Christian life — fight or freedom?
2. Look at Romans 7:1–6. Why might Paul have been accused of antinomianism? How did he tackle that objection in 7:7–25?
3. What do Romans 7:15 and 7:22 indicate about the "wretched man" whose viewpoint Paul is expressing?
4. The sermon suggested that Paul was not describing abject moral failure, but the recognition of perfection not attained. Where can you find this in the text? (See 7:18, 21, 23.)
5. What are we to learn from the contrast between the "interior" focus of Romans 7:7–25 and the "exterior" focus of Romans 8:1–4?
6. What do you expect from the Christian life? Does this match your current experience?

Resources Consulted (* recommended for further study) Will Timmins, Romans 7 and Christian Identity: A Study of the 'I' in Its Literary Context (SNTSM) *Will Timmins, "What's Really Going on in Romans 7" *JI Packer, "The 'Wretched Man' Revisited: Another Look at Romans 7:14–25" Eckhard J. Schnabel, New Testament Theology *John RW Stott, The Message of Romans Douglas Moo, Romans (NICNT) Thomas Schreiner, Romans (BECNT) H.C.G. Moule, Romans (1879/1890) Questions? Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Sam Fornecker (sfornecker@standrews.church).

Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Romans 5.6-17; John 3.16-21.

1. What is the purpose of Lent?
2. How does Paul describe our condition apart from Christ?
3. How does Paul describe our condition in Christ?
4. What is my response?

 

• How can Lent be observed in a spiritually healthy manner?
• Why is it important to consider our natural condition?
• How does Paul's description of human life apart from Christ sit with you? Why?
• What do you think of the comment that God's anger toward our sin is actually and expression of his love for us?
• If you are in Christ, what change(s) has He wrought in your life?
• What do you make of Paul's description of our life in Christ?
• What is your response to these passages?

• BST: The Message of John: Bruce Milne
• TNTC: John: Colin Kruse
• BST: The Message of Romans: John R.W. Stott
• TNTC: Romans: David Garland
• Men Made New: John R.W. Stott

Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Steve Wood (SWood@StAndrews.Church).