A Father to the Fatherless (Psalm 68:1-6a)

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Stand Alone Sermon
Stand Alone Sermon
A Father to the Fatherless (Psalm 68:1-6a)
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Discussion Questions

  • What has your experience with the fatherless and the orphan been?
  • Have you had a specific role in the life of a fatherless or orphaned child?  If so, what has that been?
  • How does it affect your view of God the Father to know that He cares so much for the “least of these”?

*This sermon was preached by Jay Dangers of New Hope Uganda.

Surprised By Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Surprised By Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19)
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Sermon Outline:

  1. Rejoice amidst your pain (1 Peter 4:12-13).
  2. Be faithful in your pain (1 Peter 4:14-16).
  3. Keep an eternal perspective on your pain (1 Peter 4:17-19).

Discussion Questions:

  • Why are we so caught off guard when we suffer? How will this passage prepare you for future trials?
  • How has God matured you through difficult situations? Share some examples to encourage those at your table. 
  • When do you most struggle to genuinely trust God? How does this passage (and 2 Cor. 4:17-18) help?

This is the 12th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Two Mindsets (1 Peter 4:1-11)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Two Mindsets (1 Peter 4:1-11)
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Discussion Questions:

  • What are some actions we take to avoid suffering in our life?  Which of those are legitmate?  Which of those may go too far into taking us out of what God wants for us? 
  • How does having an eternal perspective help us with disappointment and unmet desires?
  • How can living in community with other believers help us step into difficult things? 

This is the 11th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

A Picture of Thriving in Exile (1 Peter 3:8-22)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
A Picture of Thriving in Exile (1 Peter 3:8-22)
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Sermon Outline:

  1. A picture of God’s people thriving (1 Peter 3:8-12).
  2. What God’s people should expect as they thrive (1 Peter 3:13-17).
  3. The reason God’s people will always thrive (1 Peter 3:18-22).

Discussion Questions:

  •  How would you describe “the good life?” What first comes to mind with that phrase? How might your mental picture be different from Peter’s?  
  • When have you grown through pain? How does that build trust for God’s will in your life amidst suffering?
  • What types of things are Christians reviled for in our culture? How can we bless those who attack us?

This is the 10th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Easter and Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-5)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Easter and Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-5)
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This is the 9th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Honorable Exiles and Marriage (1 Peter 3:1-7)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Honorable Exiles and Marriage (1 Peter 3:1-7)
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Sermon Outline:

  1. Honorable wives in exile (1 Peter 3:1-6).
  2. Honorable husbands in exile (1 Peter 3:7).

Discussion Questions:

  • Women, which of the three attributes discussed today is most challenging? Which is most appealing? (1-2: Missional Submission; 3-4: Authentic Beauty; 5-6: Communal Calling); 
  • Men, which of the four attributes discussed today is the most needed exhortation? (7a, live in an understanding way; 7b, show honor; 7c, remember we are co-heirs; 7d, prayers can be hindered);
  • What would a church culture that embodied these attributes feel like? How can you help cultivate that culture?  

This is the 8th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Entrusting Ourselves to Christ (1 Peter 2:18-25)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Entrusting Ourselves to Christ (1 Peter 2:18-25)
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Sermon Outline:

  1. Servants and suffering (18-20).
  2. Christ’s Example  (21-23).
  3. Christ’s work on our behalf  (23-25).

Discussion Questions:

  • How Can the truths in verses 23-25 help us in our daily work? 
  • What are some ways we can practically entrust ourselves to Christ and ground ourselves in Him?
  • Pray for anyone at your table who may be experiencing a suffering season at work or in other places God has placed them.   

This is the 7th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Honorable Exiles (1 Peter 2:11-17)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Honorable Exiles (1 Peter 2:11-17)
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Sermon Outline:

  1. Honorable exiles (1 Peter 2:11-12).
  2. Honorable exiles and government (1 Peter 2:13-17).

Discussion Questions:

  • What is your flesh passionate about? What does the war feel like? How does God enable you to abstain? 
  • When people think of you, what comes to mind? When people think of the American church, what comes to mind? How is Jesus different and better? How can we help people think of Jesus instead of us? 
  • What good deeds (Verse 12) would you like our church to be known for as a way of bringing glory to God? What beautiful behavior would direct attention to our beautiful Savior?

This is the 6th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

I AM (Exodus 3:10-22)

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Stand Alone Sermon
Stand Alone Sermon
I AM (Exodus 3:10-22)
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Discussion Questions

  • How does the idea that we are not self-defined challenge your thinking about your life and identity? How does it comfort you?
  • When God reveals his divine and personal name to us, it is an invitation to rest in Him. How might meditating on this truth help you in practical ways this week?

*This sermon was preached by Mark Oshman.

Living Stones and a Spiritual House (1 Peter 2:1-10)

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1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
1 Peter: Thriving In Exile
Living Stones and a Spiritual House (1 Peter 2:1-10)
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Sermon Outline:

  1. Our individual responsibility (1 Peter 2:1-3).
  2. Our corporate identity (1 Peter 2:4-6).
  3. A universal reality (1 Peter 2:7-8).
  4. An overwhelming beauty (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Discussion Questions:

  • What are the things that narrow your gaze or focus? What desires/hopes cloud your mind from seeing Jesus? How does hope in the Gospel broaden your gaze? Or, how is Jesus better? 
  • God’s kindness leads to repentance (not the reverse) and our salvation fuels our obedience (not the reverse). Why are we so tempted to switch the order of those statements? 
  • Finish the sentence: In my life, greater holiness looks like… (Hint: It looks more like Jesus!)

This is the 5th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.