Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Attempting Something for God
Guest Preacher
January 3/4, 2009
Matt 6:19-21, Luke 12:47-48, John 15:8

Outline
1. An opportunity to invest
2. A responsibility to share our blessings
3. A demonstration that we believe

Content
1. Moths and rust eat away at material possessions and investments are declining, but Jesus offers an opportunity to invest in something that has a guaranteed return.
2. We have neighbors and people we meet who don’t know Jesus; we need to share our Jesus story with them.
3. It’s costly to share and we don’t always know the outcome.
4. We should only attempt things that are impossible for us to achieve with our own strength and resources.
5. We don’t know how people will respond, but God calls us to obedience and love.
6. We have many blessings.  Jesus said that to him whom much has been given, much will be demanded.
7. God holds us accountable to share His love with others.
8. We are responsible as individuals and as a church to be faithful with what God gives us by serving and helping others.
9. We need to persevere, continue to be faithful, do it again, not grow weary.
10. We need to show the world that we’re different from pre-Christians.
11. Jesus said many times that we need to bear fruit.
12. Jesus wants us to join Him on His team and change the world by doing small things for Him.

Aim
God commands us to bear fruit by sharing His love and our blessings with others.

Application Questions
1. Who is someone you could share Jesus with?
2. How do you feel about sharing Jesus with others?
3. What is in your basket of blessings you can share with others?
4. What do you do in your life/schedule that is different from others?
5. What is Jesus calling you to do to serve on His team?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders

The Peace of God

Pastor Brian Brooks, Marysville Pastor

December 27-28

Philippians 4:4-9

Outline

 I. Peace begins with prayer. (Philippians 4:6,7; Luke 12:25-26; John 14:27; Matthew 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:16)

 II. I must have an attitude of gratitude. (Philippians 4:7)

 III. I must dwell on the positive. (Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 26:3)

IV. I must purpose to obey the Lord. (Philippians 4:9; Psalms 119:165, Proverbs 3:1-2, Acts24:16; Galatians 6:2)

Content

1. God’s peace is not naturally possible or rational, but can banish worry and keep it away (Philippians 4:7). The only way to true, supernatural peace is through Jesus, not the world (John 14:27).

2. We can take every concern to God in prayer and he will answer us with what is good for us- Go, Slow or No (Matthew 7:7-11).

3. We are to be thankful because he is always blessing us.

4. God promises us that His peace will guard our hearts (Philippians 4:7) despite our circumstances.

5. Dwell on the positive, not as the world instructs but as God directs (Isaiah 26:3).

6. Paul instructed others to follow him in his obedience to God so that they could have God’s peace (Philippians 4:9).

7. Obedience helps us avoid problems and struggles as we apply Christ’s teachings (Psalms 119:165; Proverbs 3:1-2).

8. Obedience brings a clear and clean conscience (Acts 24:16).

9. Obedience helps us take the focus off of ourselves and focus on God and others (Galations 6:2).

10. Benediction-2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Aim

God desires that we have His true, supernatural peace, and He has provided a way a way for us to receive it.

Application Questions

 I. What changes would you like to see in your circumstances or in the circumstances of others? What would you like God to do? Is there anything we cannot bring before God? 

 II. What blessings have you experienced this year? How has being thankful in difficult circumstances made a difference in your attitude and in your life (or how could being thankful make a difference)?

III. Why do you think it is so difficult to dwell on the positive? What would it look like if one carried out Paul’s directions in Philippians 4:9?

 IV. In what areas of your life are you obeying God? In what ways is lack of obedience keeping you from experiencing peace?  

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders

Is There still Mystery in your Christmas? / Sermon Series: Carols of Worship

Teaching Pastor, Jim Zippay

Date of Teaching: December 21, 2008

Scripture Passages: 1 Timothy 3:16; I Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:1; Luke 1:34-35; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Peter 1:12; Romans 10:14; Revelation 5:9

Outline

I. Who is this Child?

II. Why did He come?

III. To what end?

Content

1. Jesus Christ was and is the full incarnate “God-Man,” stemming from the divine birth from the Virgin Mary. ~ Luke 1:34-35

2. His humanness permits us to be aware of the temptations He faced and that He is able to help us face. ~ Hebrews 4:15-16

3. Jesus came to tell the world and to have angels admire. ~ 1 Peter 1:12

4. Jesus came so that people might hear the truth about Himself. ~ Romans 10:14

5. Every tribe, tongue, nation and language around the throne of God will give praise and worship to the One who died that they might live.  ~ Revelation 5:9

Aim

The purpose of the mystery of Christmas is directly tied to the mystery and wonder of the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Application Questions

I. Who is the Christ to you?

II. How has Christ’s work impacted your life?

III. Tell how the message of Christ is integrated into your Christmas season.

Series: Carols of Worship

Jim Zippay

December 13/14, 2008

Colossians 1:13-20

Outline

I. Jesus is first in Creation (Colossians 1:15-17)

II. Jesus is first in the New Creation (Colossians 1:18-20)

III. First in all things means He can fix all things (Colossians 1:13-14)

Content

1. Jesus is over all things: he is supreme and preeminent in everything.

2. If you see Jesus you see God, only Jesus depicts the exact image of the Father.

3. Jesus was not created; He’s the creator and sustainer of all things and holds everything together.

4. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest statement that this world has a future and a hope.

5. He is able to restore, reconcile and make right all that is wrong in our world. (verses 19-20)

6. Reconciliation happens at the cross because that is where our sin and separation was paid.

Aim

Jesus is supreme over all creation and therefore able to reconcile all things.

Application Questions

I. If you see Jesus you see the Father. What are some of the characteristics of Jesus? How can you exemplify these characteristic in your own life?

II. How do you see Jesus this Christmas? (As a baby in a manger? As the author of reconciliation?)

III. How does the resurrection of Jesus give you hope?

IV. What areas of your life need reconciliation? What steps can you take to begin that process?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“Jesus Unwrapped”
Richard Johnson, Children’s Pastor
Dec. 6/7, 2008
Philippians 2:5-11

Outline
1. Jesus unwrapped the nature of God (v. 6-7).
2. Jesus unwrapped the nature of humanity (v. 7-8).
3. Worshipping Jesus unwrapped is to bow down (v. 9-11).

Content
1.  Our attitude should be the same as Christ’s —  think about life like Him, love others, serve the poor — like Jesus.
2.  Jesus and God are the same, a perfect match, so Jesus can reveal the mystery of Who God is.
3.  Jesus existed before He was on earth; there was never a time that He was not.
4.  Jesus didn’t grasp equality with God, but made Himself nothing, emptied Himself of God’s powerful attributes; He didn’t claim His right as God to use it to His advantage or abuse His position for selfish gain.
5.  We don’t have to get it all together before coming to God.
6.  Jesus took the nature of a servant and obeyed God.
7.  We have the Holy Spirit Who can help us obey God and find direction for our lives.
8.  We should love by serving others, which goes against our natural “me first” tendencies.
9.  Many people have addictions they can’t imagine living without, but we’re supposed to be totally dependent on God, not on any thing or habit.
10. Jesus became obedient to death; there’s no Christmas without the cross.  Jesus endured the worst curse there was:  crucifixion.
11. At some time, every knee will bow to Jesus in reverence to say that He is Lord of all.
12. We must bow before Him voluntarily and give Him all areas of our lives:  relationships, job, what consumes our thinking, areas of the heart, etc.

Aim
Jesus is fully God and showed us how to give up ourselves and be a servant, obey God, be totally dependent on Him, and give Him all areas of our lives.

Application Questions
1. Are the things on your wish list things that will benefit others?
2. How does your wish list point you toward Jesus or does it keep you from thinking about Him?
3. Do we have privileges and rights we use for our benefit that we could be using to help others?
4. What are some ways you are a servant?
5. What are some things you think you can’t live without?
6. Is there an area of your life where you’re fighting for your own way rather than turning it over to God?       If so, describe.