May 19th, 2013
Merciful Intrusions - The Gospel of Suffering Series
Sermon for Sunday May 19, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Discussion Guide
Job: 9:30-35; 16:16-21; 19:25-27; 29:2-6.
1. "There is nothing like suffering to show us that we need something bigger than our own abilities, our strength, and explanations. God is more concerned with our growth than our comfort, and he will do anything to make sure we grow." Many popular preachers today do not agree with that statement. They believe that God intends to only "prosper" us with good things and circumstances. Where do you stand?
2. Job faced "worst case scenarios" in his suffering. In the sermon Pastor Ken shared his own worst case scenario for suffering. What do you consider to be a worst case scenario for suffering in your own life? What help could you seek from God in this scenario?
3. The root of Job's pain was not the loss of his possessions; it was the perceived loss of God's presence (see Job 29:2-6). Are you aware when a "distance" occurs in your relationship with God? What are the signs?
4. The sermon noted that an important way to minister to believers in their suffering is to "remind them of what they already possess in Christ". How might you go about doing this with a friend? What specifically would you want to remind them of?
5. "Suffering is necessary in our lives to remind us that we are not in control, that God's mercies are available to us in Christ, to removes "idols" that had been locked in our grasp, to grow our spiritual strength and resolve to live with hope in a broken world", and to increase our dependence on a sovereign God who uses our suffering for a holy purpose---to be shaped in the image of His Son". What difference would it make in your life if you learned to see your afflictions as a merciful intrusion of divine love?
Category: Religious | Comments |
May 18th, 2013
How To Help The Suffering - The Gospel of Suffering Series
Sermon for Sunday May 12, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Discussion Guide
1. Job's three friends became sources of discouragement for him. Have you ever received bad advice from a well meaning friend when you were going through a difficult time?
2. The sermon noted that people often make unfortunate assumptions about those who are suffering, particularly regarding why they are suffering, what they are going through, and how to fix their problem. Why do we do this? Is it possible to identify with a person's pain without fully understanding it?
3. "All suffering has a purpose, but not necessarily a cause". Look back at a recent time when you went through a season of suffering. What is easier to discern---the cause, the purpose, or neither?
4. The sermon said that "hope is stronger than memory. Memory is strong but hope is stronger". Do you agree with this statement? Do you tend to be memory-driven or hope-driven?
5. "The best medicine for suffering is grace". Considering the kind of suffering that Job has gone through, what grace plan could your group devise to properly serve the needs of Job?
Category: Religious | Comments |
May 8th, 2013
Chaos, Comfort, and Confidence - The Gospel of Suffering Series
Sermon for Sunday May 5, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Discussion Guide
1. The sermon said that we should not change the way we respect or value others just because they are suffering. Yet sometimes we hide our suffering in fear that someone might judge us or see our weaknesses. Are you reluctant to share your suffering with others? Why?
2. "Suffering exposes where you place your confidence". The one thing that Job did not lose in his crisis was his confidence in God. However Satan's objective was to erode that confidence to prove that Job was only following God because God made it easy for him to follow. What part of your life do you feel Satan would likely attack to try to shake your confidence in God?
3. David Jackson says in his book on Job: "When our flesh is torn, the world sees what's inside of us." There is no better time to demonstrate the sufficiency of Jesus and our love for God than times of suffering. When we remain faithful to God in the midst of suffering, we demonstrate God's worth and value before the watching world. Have you ever had an experience where the suffering of another believer inspired you? Or have you ever been a source of inspiration to someone else as you sought to remain faithful through your own suffering?
4. In Job 2:11-13, Job receives a visit from his three friends. Their visit was notable in three ways: they traveled long distances to see him, they identified with his suffering with ashes, tears and torn robes, and they committed to being with him through his ordeal, beginning with seven days of silence. Are there lessons to be learned in these verses about caring for friends who are suffering?
5. In Job 3 we see Job's lament, his "dark night of the soul". The sermon noted the difference between lamenting and complaining: lamenting is the expression of a painful longing for the sense of God's presence, complaining is the expression of a painful longing for the return of comfort and convenience. Lamenting is God-centered, and complaining is self-centered. Lamenting is a cry for God; complaining is a cry against God. The Bible is filled with people who express their lamentation (Psalm 88:13-14). Are you a lamenter, or a complainer, or a silent sufferer? Are there advantages to being a lamenter?
Category: Religious | Comments |
May 8th, 2013
Transformed Through Trials - The Gospel of Suffering Series
Sermon for Sunday April 28, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Discussion Guide
1. The sermon said, "God never promises to save us from our suffering, but He does promise to save us in our suffering"? Has God ever saved you in the midst of suffering? How so?
2. The sermon described God's sovereignty (His absolute authority , power and control) as "Job's pillow", noting that "nothing brings comfort in the midst of suffering like a robust understanding of God's sovereignty". Do you consider God's sovereignty and control when you go through trials, or do you fix your thoughts moreso on the suffering itself?
3. Both God and Satan play powerful roles in the storyline of Job. Do an honest assessment of your heart. Whom do you fear the most---God or Satan? Why is this an important question?
4. The sermon spoke about the difference between God's secret will and God's revealed will. As a group, come up with some possible examples of things that might fall into each category. Which do you seek the most?
5 "In our suffering we must remember that God doesn't promise intellectual closure, but He does promise interpersonal communion". How might suffering deepen our relationship with, and knowledge of, God Himself?
Category: Religious | Comments |
May 8th, 2013
To Be Found Faithful
Sermon for Sunday April 21, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Guest Speaker Rev. David Baynes
Category: Religious | Comments |
April 14th, 2013
Behind the Curtain - The Gospel of Suffering Series
Sermon for Sunday April 14, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Discussion Guide
1. How would you interpret the following quote from the sermon: "Jesus + nothing = everything".
2. The sermon discussed the sovereignty of God ("all things are appointed and approved by God") as a mystery now, only to be revealed in heavenly realms later. Does the mystery of God disturb your understanding of the world and how it should be, or do you find it easy to embrace and accept?
3. The sermon noted that "the presence of sin and evil in this world has allowed us to see attributes of God that we likely would never have known otherwise". What have we learned about God's character and attributes as a consequence of the sin of Adam and Eve?
4. Here is a sermon quote: "I don't know the cause behind our suffering, but I do know there is a cause for our suffering". If you could peak behind the "curtain", what are some of the reasons why God may allow suffering in your life? (share examples if possible).
5. What might you say to the grieving Christian friend who has just lost their job and asks "why me"?
Category: Religious | Comments |
April 8th, 2013
Grief, Grace, and Growth - The Gospel of Suffering Series
Sermon for Sunday April 7, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Discussion Guide
1. Today's sermon noted that spiritual growth and personal transparency often go hand in hand, yet we still often work hard at hiding our suffering from others. What are some of the reasons why Christians (perhaps even you) may hide their suffering -- even from fellow-Christians?
2. Job responded to these waves of suffering in three ways: emotionally (1:20a), worshipfully (1:20b), and theologically (1:21). Have your ever considered grief as an act of worship (bringing the reality of your emotional pain into the center of your relationship with God), or are you tempted to withdraw and suffer alone?
3. "Suffering exposes who you really are" (tea bag illustration). In Job's case, its notable that his beliefs quickly emerged as an anchor to help keep him grounded in the midst of his emotional storm (1:21). Do your spiritual beliefs assist you in the midst of crisis, or do you find that a crisis more likely creates some spiritual doubts?
4. The sermon made a controversial point: the root cause of our deepest emotional suffering is idolatry. We struggle the most when we lose that which we have idolized equal to, or above, God Himself (even our relationships). Do you agree or disagree? Is there a difference between love and idolizing?
5. "You won't know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you've got". Pain might be the necessary tool to pry open our hands to let go of our idols. Is suffering the first step toward freedom?
Category: Religious | Comments |
March 31st, 2013
Easter Sunday - Are You An Easter Person?
Sermon for Easter Sunday March 31, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
March 25th, 2013
Mission Month - Why Did Jesus Weep?
Sermon for Palm Sunday March 24, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Sermon Discussion Guide
1. Please react to the following statement: "The gospel is good news only if it arrives in time".
2. Today's sermon addressed the question, "What happens to those who have not heard?" It was said that many Christians believe Jesus is the only way to heaven and missionaries must be sent to the world, but many of them still wrestle with the "lostness" of man and privately believe that God is somehow going to save them nonetheless. Where do you stand on this issue? Is there hope without the knowledge of Christ?
3. The sermon noted the difference between nationalism ( exalting one nation above all others) and patriotism (a devotion to one's country). Prejudice toward people from other races and ethnicities is often justified under the guise of nationalism (America first and America only). In your opinion, how common is prejudice in America's churches and is this a stumbling block to world mission? Have you had to deal with prejudice in your own life?
4. The sermon described hell as "suffering the hopeless, eternal agony of separation from God". What words or phrases would you use to describe hell to someone? Does the reality of hell affect your motivation to help others to avoid it?
5. What is one step you can take to help the gospel reach everyone on earth? Will you take it?
Category: Religious | Comments |
March 20th, 2013
Mission Month - The Boldness Factor
Sermon for March 17, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
The Boldness Factor - Sermon Discussion Guide
Today's sermon spoke about our privilege and opportunity to live as bold believers. It was mentioned that our boldness is a by-product of certain choices that we make, and our boldness grows as we daily recommit to those choices. Lets review and apply them to our lives.
1. Boldness flows out of your Humility. The world often thinks of boldness as a consequence of arrogance or over-confidence. Can a believer be bold and humble at the same time? What are some of the actions that a humble, yet bold believer, might take?
2. Boldness flows out of your Righteousness. Proverbs 28:31 describes the righteous as "bold as a lion". Are you as bold as a lion or as a lamb in your life right now? What might be hindering your boldness?
3. Boldness flows out of your Hope. What are the greatest hopes of your life, and how do they affect the "boldness factor" in your life?
4. Boldness flows out of your Certainty. There is a difference between knowing the truth and be certain about it. What certainties do you have about heaven and hell, and how does this affect your boldness in mission?
5. Boldness flows out of your Filling. The sermon described the Spirit-filled life as a yielded life where you cooperate with the Spirit's agenda within you and through you. In Acts 4:29-31 their passion to speak truth to people was made possible by God filling them with His Spirit to give them boldness and effectiveness to do so. What bold thing do you want to do for God that would require the Spirit's filling to make happen? (Be sure to ask God for the filling).
Category: Religious | Comments |
March 13th, 2013
Mission Month - Reflections from Lydia
Sermon for March 10, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Missionary Becki Steiner
Category: Religious | Comments |
March 6th, 2013
Mission Month - Mission: Possible!
Sermon for March 3, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 25th, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series - Americas Greatest Problem
Sermon for February 24, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series - Praying with Punch
Sermon for February 17, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series - How to Hear God
Sermon for February 10, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series - Praying on the Promises
Sermon for February 3, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series - Think Long
Sermon for January 27, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series - Pray Through!
Sermon for January 20, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series -God is Able
Sermon for January 13, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
February 22nd, 2013
Be A Circle Maker Series -Dream Big
Sermon for January 6, 2013 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath
Category: Religious | Comments |
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