Category: Exodus

Exodus - Who Do You Truly Love?

3/4/2018

Ice Breakers:

What are some things that you often use the word “love” to describe your relationship to.
What are some words you could use instead of “love”?

Questions:

What difference does it make to your view of your sin and yourself when you see sin as idolatry, and idolatry as adultery?
In what ways can we replace God in today’s culture? In what ways can we reduce him? Which is more attractive and why? As a case study, check out this article on the mall as a place of worship. http://www.remnantresource.org/the-temple-and-the-shopping-mall-worship/
Do you value leadership that leads where you need to go, or where you want to go? Would you appreciate Moses, or Aaron?
What goes wrong in our lives and faith if we either forget God’s mercy or downplay his holiness?
What compromises in obedience do you make yourself, or excuse in others? What about our church?
How does knowing that Jesus was blotted out in our place motivate you to do something about the compromises you identified in answer to the previous question?

Who Do You Truly Love?.mp3
File Size:	34401 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

0 Comments

Exodus: The Ten Commandments According to Calvin, Hobbes and Christ

2/4/2018

0 Comments

In this weeks sermon, Pastor Brennan unpacked the iconic 10 Commandments of Exodus from a few different perspectives.

As you open your Bible to Exodus 20, take a few minutes to chat about the word ‘law’. Have you ever had a brush with the law? Do you abide by the law? Do you find yourself reading or avoiding all the legal mumbo jumbo on your itunes account? What does law mean to you?

Read through the 10 commandments as a group, each taking turns to read one. Which of these commandments do you find yourself thinking about the most after reading through? Is there one in particular that catches your attention, or has occupied your thoughts in the past?
Pastor Brennan stated that the giving of the law was good news, both to the people of Israel as well as us. What are your thoughts on this? In what way have you experienced these laws as good news? If you haven’t experienced them that way, why do you think that is? Do you feel about them the way David did? Read Psalm 119:46-48 to get a picture of how he felt.
But there is also some bad news. If the conclusion of following God’s law is blessing, then the result of not following God’s law is the opposite of blessing, it is being cursed. Deuteronomy 28 lists the blessings for following the Lord, then follows this with the curse for not following. Interestingly, there are 14 verses of blessing and 58 verses of curse. Serious! Why do you think God puts so much into the description of the curse? Is this fair (Now that is a loaded question). Maybe skim some of these verses and give your thoughts.
It can be easy to feel like this promised curse for not following God’s law only applies to those who lived so long ago. Read through what Jesus says in his sermon on the Mount about this. Matthew 5:21-30
Do you feel like Christ is speaking in hyperbole (exaggerating to make a point) or is he speaking literally? What do you think his motivation is? What if he gave these two Commandments as examples for how he understands all of the commandments? How then do we understand things like covering, lying, building idols, and showing dishonour to our parents?
If you take an honest look at this last week, or even just yesterday, do Christ's words apply to you? How does this leave you feeling?
Hope! The really good news though is that we're not left in this state. Check out these verses together and take some time to meditate on them together. For each passage, how does it fuel hope for you? How does it fuel evangelism for you?
- Romans 5:1-11
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- Hebrews 8:12
- Revelation 21:5-7
- Are there any other verses you look to that speak to your salvation and security in Christ?
If you still have some time left, check out this song by Rend Collective. It’s pretty much awesome, theologically, lyrically, musically (in Pastor Brennan’s humble opinion). Nailed to the Cross

The Ten Commandments According to Calvin, Hobbes and Christ.mp3
File Size:	39818 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

0 Comments

Exodus: Preparing To Meet God

1/28/2018

0 Comments

Exodus 19:1-6

Read Exodus 19:1-14
As God called His people to prepare for Him to come down “in the sight of all the people” (verse 11), he told them they were to wash their garments. Have you ever had a time in your life when you weren’t able to dress yourself? If so, how did that make you feel?
God “dressing” His people is a theme that we see all through scripture. Take a look at the following passages and discuss their meaning in the original context and their meaning to us today. Genesis 3:7, 21. Isaiah 61:10, 64:6, Zechariah 3:1-5, Matthew 22:1-14 (if you have time), and Galatians 3:27
In what ways could we be tempted to “dress ourselves?”
One of the reasons that God was giving the Hebrews all of these laws and commands was so they could become a distinct people. You could say that the Israelites were God’s prototype, his working model, his proof of concept. Pastor Jeremy mentioned in the message that what will attract people to our message is not our similarities to the world but rather our distinctives. In what ways is this possible? What are our distinctives? Have you seen this work? See 1 Peter 2:9-12 for Peter’s call to the church in regards to this idea.
God affirms the Israelites in three ways so that they will be able to grab a hold of this idea of becoming a distinct people for His glory. Take a look at these three things and discuss their application to us today.
- God affirms that they are a treasured possession. This is a term used of the Kings royal treasury. Verses 4-5
- God affirms that they are a Kingdom of Priests. We represent God to the world through mission and we represent the world to God through prayer. Verse 6.
- God affirms that they are a Holy Nation. They were to be a distinct people group, not a people that simply blended in. Verse 6.
What is one way you could show your “kingdom distinctness” in the week ahead?

january_28_2018.mp3
File Size:	25261 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

0 Comments

Exodus: The Rest Of God

1/14/2018

0 Comments

The title for this week’s sermon may have misled you. We haven’t talked about a bunch of God, and now this week we’re looking at the rest of him. No, Pastor Jeremy took us back to Exodus 16 to look at the divinely ordained rest, called the Sabbath rest.
To begin with, talk about your relationship with rest? What type of rest do you crave the most? Mental, physical, emotional? Why?
Where do you look for rest and is rest a synonym for relaxation? Or do they mean different things to you?
Do you feel like resting is more now difficult as than it used to be? Why do you think that is?
Sabbath, an ordinance established in creation, is not limited to any particular people or any particular period in history. Look at Genesis 2:1-2 to explore this. What do you think it means when the Bible says that God rested from his work?
Sabbath is anticipation. Exodus 31:12-18 contains a retitteration of the Sabbath law by God. Read it over and take note of the anticipatory remarks. What is this sign pointing to?
And what does the Sabbath point to in an ultimate way? How does it point to this? Read Hebrews 3 for some clues. How do you understand this? Is this passage in Hebrews something which should have an impact on your daily/weekly life? Why? How?
Sabbath is a gift from God. Pastor Jeremy said that the Sabbath is also a gift from God. It benefits us, it is for us to enjoy, it keeps us grounded. Talk about what each of these points mean to you? What if you had to explain to a non-christian that there’s this gift called the Sabbath. How would you describe its benefits?
Ultimately, Jesus is our Sabbath rest. Hebrews 4:8-10 talks clearly about this. How can we, through observing the Sabbath, cultivate a longing for the ultimate rest we’re promised? (Think of it like that new, tool or kitchen gadget that will save you all that time. You just have to have it! Life will be so much better when it’s doing the work for you instead of you striving. Or perhaps it’s like finding your soul mate after countless dates and seemingly endless small talk. Futile striving. Then you find the one who completes you and you are free to just enjoy that relationship. This is the kind of longing for a release from striving we are talking about.
Finally, in practicing Sabbath intentionally, you will be enjoying experiences which you can share with others. How can you, this week, give an answer for the hope that is within you to those how are caught up in toil and striving still? Who will you share this with?

The Rest Of God.mp3
File Size:	36284 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

0 Comments

"Daily Dependence" God's Grace & Our Grumbling

1/7/2018

0 Comments

They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. In this message Pastor Jeremy talked about some of the reasons why, but have you personally ever experienced this to be true? Why do you think it’s the case?
In Exodus 16, the people grumble against Moses for bringing them out into the wilderness to die. What is Moses response? Does he take this personally? Does Moses’ response to the people have implications for how grumbling or complaining works in your life?
Pastor Jeremy laid out some way that complaining erodes our connection to God and others. Which of these punched you the hardest?
- Grumbling spreads to others. Misery loves company.
- Grumbling hardens our hearts
- The complaints of others becon us to join in.
What, in your life, do you most easily complain about? …… be honest!
As a way of combating grumbling, we are called to fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our salvation. Pastor Jeremy called us to consider Jesus. He said that eternity is the measure of His (Christ’s) gift. John 6:47-51. How does this steer your eyes away from yourself and onto Jesus? How can your Life Group pray for you to see Christ more clearly this week?

Daily Dependence-God's Grace & Our Grumbling.mp3
File Size:	25173 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

0 Comments

Passing Through The Waters – The God of Judgement & Salvation

11/20/2017

0 Comments

Passing Through The Waters – The God of Judgement & Salvation.mp3
File Size:	21265 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

In this message, Pastor Jeremy ‘dove’ back into an examination of the Red Sea crossing. To begin with, he had us try to re-conceive our love for the sea and look at things through the superstitious eyes of the ancients. One has only to skim the pages of Homer’s epic masterpiece, The Odyssey to realize that for the ancients, the sea was the symbol of untameable chaos. It was this widespread relationship with the sea which both the Israelites as well as the Egyptians carried with them to the very shore of the Red Sea. (Exodus 14)

In this one magnificent display of his power, God demonstrates his complete authority over the untameable depths. He shows the Egyptians that he is in fact the Lord, the one true God.
Pastor Jeremy mentioned some parallels between this story and some of the events which precede it in Exodus. What were some of these?
- _________________ (hint, babies)
- _________________ (hint, hungry staff)
Just as these things were pictures, or symbolic demonstrations of God’s power, the passing through the Red Sea was a picture of a much bigger truth. Death behind them, life and freedom in front. How do you understand this, or wrestle through it? Do you feel like we’re trying to read into it too much?
In 1 Corinthians 10:1, Paul brings up the story of the Red Sea crossing as a way of illustrating the reality of baptism. Read through vs. 1-13 and discuss how Paul explores the imagery. What do you come up with? How does his way of reading the Old Testament make you feel?
Paul says in vs. 6 Paul says that these very things took place as examples for us. So what does the Red Sea crossing teach us about Baptism?
Baptism is a picture of salvation. What do you think of this statement? How is it a clear picture of our salvation? Is it more than just a picture to you? Read Colossians 2:13-15 and explore how these verses relate to the act of baptism.
Baptism is an act of obedience. Is this an import point to you? How did the element of obedience affect your decision to be baptised? If you haven’t been baptised yet, how do you wrestle with this point? What does Jesus say about obedience? Read John 14:15
- Why do you think we don’t practice infant baptism at Ness? You can check out our statement on this issue here and here.
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith. It makes visible what is otherwise invisible. Why do you think giving public testimony is important for a believer?
Baptism is a beginning step. Pastor Jeremy mention that you don’t need to get your life fully in order to be baptized. Why? What steps did you feel you needed to take before being baptized? If you haven’t been baptized yet, why? What steps are you actively taking toward the obedient act of being baptized?

0 Comments

Which Side of the Sea Are you On?

11/12/2017

0 Comments

Exodus: Which Side of The Sea Are You On?.mp3
File Size:	30885 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

Which Side of the Sea Are You On?

Let’s think about freedom. What exactly does it mean to be free?
- Free from what?
- Free for what? If you are being held in bondage by something and then are released, what do you do with your freedom?
- How much freedom is enough for a person to be considered truly free? Is there a solid, objective line or is this a subject grey area? Is one person’s bondage another’s freedom?
“Tell the people of Israel to turn back…” God turns the people around and puts their back up against the wall. While we may be ok with thinking about this because we know how the story ends, how would you really feel if you were in this situation? Does God’s command here align with how you think God should act?
- Have you ever felt like God is calling you into a place of hopelessness.... Where he must act if deliverance is to come?
In verse 12 the people appear to be suffering from some type of delusion or memory corruption. What they say of their captivity experience is drastically different than what we’ve read of it previously in Exodus.
- What are the differences?
- Why do you think the people of Israel are speaking like this?
- Can you relate? How? When? Why? Was it resolved?
Each of us serve something. The people wanted to be free, but didn’t know what they would do with their freedom. In fact, they actually choose captivity again over death. Perhaps they felt death was the ultimate bondage? Yet Pastor Jeremy said that each of us serve something. His four points were:
- Your life is currently being lived for something.
- This thing is controlling you. It dictates what you do, how you do it and why you do it.
- It can be a good thing (it doesn’t have to just be a negative thing).
- If you fail it, it will come for you.
The truth is though, that God saves us from something as well as for something.
- What does God save us from?
- What does God save us for?
- How did he accomplish this through Christ?
God’s instructions to the people of Israel are found in Ex. 14:13. Talk about each of these and how you experience this in your own life through Christ?
- Fear not.
- Stand firm.
- See the salvation of the Lord.
How do the above 3 points motivate you to action in your daily life as a Christian? Which do you most often find the hardest to follow through on?
Being told to "fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord" can sound like big things to ask of us... but do these verses make it any easier to trust in God?
- Matthew 28:18
- Romans 8:28
- Romans 11:34-36
- Are there any other parts of the Bible which assert the complete authority and good providence of God over his creation and for his people?

0 Comments

The Plagues & The One True God

10/22/2017

0 Comments

The One True God.mp3
File Size:	31172 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

Exodus 7-11

Each week we have included a few sermon related questions in the bulletin. This gives each of you the opportunity to jot down a thought or two that you can bring to your group for discussion. So what was something from the sermon this week that stuck with you? Is there something you would like to go deeper with or have other people’s input on?
Ice breaker: In your opinion, which of the first six plagues would be the hardest to endure?
What is the greatest physical discomfort you have had to endure? What did you learn from it?
How would the plagues have impacted the Egyptians economically? Practically? In their day to day lives?
For an overview of the plagues check out this chart:

In the sermon this week, Pastor Jeremy addressed the concept of God as not just one amongst the many of Egypt, but rather as the One True God. Now if this is in fact true, then it’s something that should matter today as well as thousands of years ago. In the age of post-modernism, it’s common to hear people say, “You believe what you want to believe and that’s ok. I’ll do the same… Just don’t push your beliefs on me.” How does the singular reality and authority of God speak to this? How do you discuss God with someone who holds this view? (This is an amazing resource for this discussion).
How did God prepare Moses and Aaron for their encounters with Pharaoh? Talk through the message God gave them to speak, and the material God gave them to work with. (Exodus 7:1-13)
What do you make of the statement God speaks to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.” (Exodus 7:1)
By the third plague, Pharaoh’s magicians draw a correct conclusion. What is it? (Exodus 8:18-19)
Knowing that seven more plagues are coming, what does this tell us about Pharaoh’s resolve? About his heart?
The first three plagues affect both the Egyptians and the Israelites, but the rest only affect the Egyptians. Why does God sometimes allow the just to suffer for the sins of the unjust? What should our attitude be in those times?
During the 8th and 9th plagues, Pharaoh’s verbal response takes an interesting turn. Read 9:27 and 10:16. Discuss this response in light of his refusal to let the Israelites go.
What is the difference between confession and repentance?
Pastor Jeremy highlighted that Pharaoh was actually fighting against God because he didn’t want to recognize God’s authority over him. This is a position we each find ourselves in depending on where we are in life. God is sovereign over all, even over those who do not know him. Pharaoh is the prime example of what this battle looks like. Talk about what area of your life you find it hardest to give God the control over, or to trust him in?
Yet God is not just sovereign, he is faithful! Think back over your relationship with God and talk about a time when you knew, felt, or saw, beyond any doubt, that God was the one true God.
God also demonstrated his faithfulness in allowing time between announcing each plague and putting it into effect in order to give Pharaoh the opportunity to comply. God is not without grace, even when it comes to the Egyptians. Why do you think that Pharaoh never gives in? In your group, wrestle through this issue of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.
In thinking through this, look up the following passages: Ex. 7:3; 7:13; 8:15; 8:32; 9:12; 9:35; 10:20; Romans 9:17-18
Does this impact your view of God? If so, in what way?
What attribute of God did you see in this week's passage that particularly struck you? How should it change the way you pray, speak, think or act this week?
Feel free to leave questions or comments below for us to follow up on as a church! Keep the discussion going!