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Living Hope, Part 11
0 CommentsYesterday, Robin Boisvert preached part 11 of our Living Hope series in the first letter of Peter. What happened to part 10, you ask? Well, Joshua had planned to preach from 1 Peter 3:7 in sequence, following on the heels of his “A Word to Wives” message from 1 Peter 3:1-6, but because of his mother’s passing, he asked Robin to step in and preach the next passage, 1 Peter 3:8-22, out of sequence. Then Josh picked up with his message, “A Word to Husbands (And a Few More for Wives)” on July 18. Make sense?!
Here are options for reviewing and applying the message:
• Listen online or download an MP3.
• Download the summary outline (in PDF format).
• Use the questions below for further reflection and application to your life:
1. Robin shared that the atmosphere of the church should be one of unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly and sisterly love, tender-heartedness and humility (1 Peter 3:8). In which one of these character qualities do you desire to grow?
2. How are you tempted to respond when you are reviled or slandered or evil is done against you (e.g. fight fire with fire, insist on your rights, demand fairness, plot revenge)? According to Jesus’ example (1 Peter 2:21-23) and Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:9-10, how should believers respond to evil? How can you grow to emulate Christ’s example?
3. When you suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:13-15), how can believing that Christ is the reigning, sovereign and exalted Lord strengthen your faith and enable you to persevere?
4. Robin taught us that giving a “defense … for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15b) means being a relationship builder, not an argument winner. In sharing the good news, which do you tend to be? What does it look like to be a witness for the gospel with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:16)?
5. Robin shared that Jesus suffered once for sins, was resurrected from the dead, is exalted and seated at the right hand of God with angels, authorities and powers subjected to him (1 Peter 3:18-19, 21-22). Is all your hope in this good news or do other hopes compete for allegiance?
July 5 2010 at 4:00 am
Living Hope, Part 9
0 CommentsJosh resumed our series on the book of 1 Peter yesterday with a message titled, “A Word to Wives.” He preached from 1 Peter 3:1-7, in which the apostle Peter instructs wives on the issues of authority and submission from God’s perspective, and the “adornment” that catches God’s eye.
Here are options for reviewing and applying the message:
• Listen online or download an MP3.
• Download the summary outline (in PDF format).
• Use the questions below for further reflection and application to your life:
1. Josh drew our attention to pure conduct in the midst of unjust suffering (1 Peter 2:11-25). How do you typically respond when you are treated unfairly, when you are misunderstood or wrongly judged?
2. When treated unjustly or inconsiderately, how does entrusting yourself to God enable you to keep a quiet spirit and to glorify God in your conduct?
3. Wives, what did 1 Peter 3:1-6 teach you about the “honorable conduct” and “good deeds” (1 Peter 2:12) God calls you to in your marriage?
4. Wives, what aspects of submission are difficult for you? What is one area of submission in which you can begin to pursue God’s grace for growth and change?
5. Josh stated, “Clothing and style catch the eye of the world, but a quiet heart catches the eye of God.” In what ways do you see a preoccupation with clothing, style and outward adornment in your life? Why is the “imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:3) so much better for the believing wife?
June 27 2010 at 7:59 pm
Jeff Purswell: Strength for the Weary
1 CommentsJeff Purswell taught us today from Isaiah 40:27-31. Jeff has served as the Dean of the Pastors College of Sovereign Grace Ministries since 1998. He is also part of the teaching team here at Covenant Life and provides theological support to other pastors on staff.
Here are options for reviewing and applying the message:
• Listen online or download an MP3.
• Download the summary outline (in PDF format).
• Use the questions below for further reflection and application to your life:
1. Think of a time in your life when God led you into a season of waiting. As you recount it (or maybe it’s current), describe why was/is waiting so difficult? In what ways were you tempted to think accusing thoughts similar to those uttered in v. 27?
2. How does Isaiah address the despondent heart of the weary by painting a picture of the majestic God? What attributes in v. 28 show God as majestic? How should the contrasts between v. 28 and 30 shape our view of ourselves as well as the way we relate to God in the midst of trials?
3. What things are you currently waiting or hoping for? How does waiting reveal what or who we are trusting in?
4. Jeff said, “Waiting is not God’s way to deprive us, it’s His way to change us.” As you re-read v. 31, describe what weary people receive as they wait on God. In light of this, how can you wait with hope in the midst of your trial?
June 16 2010 at 5:53 pm
Bob Donohue: The Realization of Righteous
0 CommentsOn Sunday Bob Donohue addressed us from Psalm 119:137-144. Bob is the senior pastor of our sister church, Grace Community Church, in Ashburn, Va.
Here are options for reviewing and applying the message:
• Listen online or download an MP3.
• Download the summary outline (in PDF format).
• Use the questions below for further reflection and application to your life:
1. Psalm 119:137 declares that the Lord is righteous. Take time to meditate on what that means. What examples from Scripture show the justice, truthfulness, faithfulness and righteousness of God and his ways?
2. Why is it critical for the Christian to believe that God never errs? How will a firm belief in God’s right ways protect you when you walk through suffering?
3. Why is God’s righteousness “bad news” for those separated from God?
4. Review 2 Corinthians 5:21. What does this verse teach us about the exchange of righteousness God made at Calvary? What did Christ take? What did we receive? What does this mean for our standing before God? Why should this verse provide great peace and joy for us?
5. The Psalmist defends, depends upon, and delights in the Scriptures. How do we know this from the text? Who has been an example of any one of these characteristics to you? In which of these three areas do you most want and need to grow?
June 7 2010 at 10:42 am
Dave Harvey: The Quest for Contentment
0 CommentsYesterday, we were blessed to have pastor and author Dave Harvey bring us God’s Word from Philippians 4:11-13. Dave has served as a member of the Sovereign Grace Ministries leadership team since 1995 and is responsible for church care, church planting, and international expansion.
Here are options for reviewing and applying the message:
• Listen online or download an MP3.
• Download the summary outline (in PDF format).
• Use the questions below for further reflection and application to your life:
1. In Philippians 4:13, Paul assured the Church that he had “learned to be content.” How does this theme of contentment complement Paul’s burden from the previous chapter, especially seen in 3:14?
2. Dave likened Paul’s experience to two end zones surrounding the field of contentment. Where are you facing the end zones of either “times of prosperity” or “times of difficulty”?
3. What has been the fruit of prosperity in your life? How are you, like Paul, learning to look to God when he blesses you with abundance?
4. What has been the fruit of adversity in your life? How are you, like Paul, learning how to trust God when he brings you low?
5. Who does Paul identify as the source of his strength in life (vs. 13)? How does the work of Christ on the cross correct and re-shape our thinking about what we deserve? What steps can you take this week to cultivate a deeper relationship and joy in Christ?
6. Time take in your care group to pray, giving thanks to God for the riches we have in Christ. Encourage the group to declare to God their desire to learn contentment, in plenty and in want.
May 31 2010 at 4:00 am
Living Hope, Part 8
0 CommentsYesterday, Ben Wikner brought us God’s Word from 1 Peter 2: 18-25. He taught us the uncomfortable truth that because Christ has suffered on our behalf, Christians are called to endure suffering and to entrust ourselves to the one who judges justly. God’s grace enables us to follow Christ’s example.
Here are options for reviewing and applying the message:
• Listen online or download an MP3.
• Download the summary outline (in PDF format).
• Use the questions below for further reflection and application to your life:
1. In the face of unjust treatment, where are you tempted to defend your rights? According to 1 Peter 2: 18-20, what response would glorify and honor the Lord?
2. How do you respond when another’s weaknesses, deficiencies or sin affects YOU— do you give them what you think they deserve, or extend grace and mercy? What specific ways can you grow in extending grace and mercy to those who are difficult to love?
3. How can being mindful of the amazing grace that the Lord has shown to you enable you to respond graciously to someone who has mistreated or sinned against you?
4. In what present trials or sufferings do you need to entrust yourself into the hands of a just Judge?
5. In his book The Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” In your relationships (at home, at work, at church or in the neighborhood) where is the Lord calling you to die to self?
6. Take time as a group to pray, repenting where there is conviction of selfishness and ungodly responses and asking the Lord to enable growth in responding with grace and mercy.