Category: Pastor Jeremy

Judges 1-2 Half-Hearted Discipleship

4/11/2021

Judges is filled with many amazing stories; which one has been your favorite?

One of the elements pertaining to the setting of Judges is that the people of Israel were attempting to live out their faith within an idolatrous culture.

Can you think of times in your life when you have had to be brave because of your faith?
We also see that Israel’s obedience was only a “half obedience”. They didn’t wholly disobey God and they didn’t wholly disregard God. When do you find it the hardest to follow God’s commands instead of your own “common sense?”
Another theme of Judges is God’s grace. In what area of your life and thinking do you need to be reminded today that God is a God of grace?
Israel failed to pass on faithful faith to their children; as a result of this, the “Judges cycle” was able to continue. If you are a parent; how are you passing on your faith to your children? What has encouraged you and challenged you in hearing the story of Judges 1-2?
If you’re not a parent with children at home, how are you praying for and sharing your faith with younger generations in our church?
Have you noticed the “Judges cycle” in your own Christian life? How do you break out of it? What is it that causes renewal for you?
How does the description of sin as spiritual prostitution in Judges 2:17 make you take your own sin more seriously?
Do you see living among unbelievers as a problem, a possibility or both? How can you live a good life among non-believers today?

Half-hearted Discipleship.mp3
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John 6:1-21: Jesus, The Bread of Life

3/22/2021

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Apparently Pastor Jeremy really likes bread. What’s your “go to” bread product? What’s the best bread based food you have ever eaten?
When Jesus declared himself to be the bread of life, what two images did “Jesus as bread” evoke for the Jewish listeners? Why were these two images so powerful for them as a people?
How was Jesus the fulfillment of each of those images?
What did sharing a meal together mean for ancient people and what does it mean for us today?
Jesus is the bread of LIFE. What are the three types of “life” that are talked about in Scripture? Which one was Jesus using here?
Have you ever had the perfect day and at some point you said “this is living”. What was it and what did you mean by that?
In John 10:10, Jesus says that “I have come that you may have life and have life more abundantly.” How does our definition and understating of “ZOE life” add to our understanding of this phrase?
Something always has to die in order for us to live and be nourished. When Jesus broke the bread with his disciples he said, “This is my body broken for you.” And then Jesus goes to the cross and he dies. Jesus died so that he could become your strength and your life. How can Jesus practically become this for you this week?

2021-03-21_podcast.mp3
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John 5:30-47 - Jesus Calls His Witnesses

3/15/2021

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This passage plays out like a courtroom drama. What was Jesus being accused of? How would you summarize the way Jesus responded to the accusations?
On Sunday I gave the illustration of EV Rieu, who after translating the gospels went from being an agnostic to a Christ-follower. What has been the most dramatic effect Scripture has made on your life?
Who were the witnesses that Jesus called to the stand?
How did each of these witnesses support the claims that Jesus was making of his divinity?
Of all of these witnesses, which one is the most compelling to you and why?
Jesus pointed out what the Jew’s main problem was in verses 39-40. What was it? How might we be guilty of the same thing?
On Sunday I gave another illustration of looking out over the city from the top of the Commodity Exchange Building and having someone come up beside me and marvel at the beauty of the window and its frame. How can we ensure in the week ahead that this will not happen to us in the way we approach the bible? You may want to refer to Matthew 13:10-13.

2021-03-14_sermon.mp3
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John 5:1-18 - The Healing at the Pool

3/1/2021

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If you could imagine a truly perfect person, what would they be like? What would they do?
We have description after description of Jesus as the perfect man in Scripture. What is there that surprises you about Jesus when you read about him? What really strikes you about him?
What do you think the “backstory” was of this guy at the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years?
Why do you think Jesus chose to go to this place and heal this guy?
Jesus asks this guy if he wants to get well. Do you think he did?
The Jews are irate that Jesus healed on the sabbath and that he told this man to pick up his bed and walk. It’s interesting that Jesus must have known that everyone would see this guy carrying his mat on the sabbath. Why do you think Jesus made such a public display of healing on the sabbath?
When this man blames Jesus for making him work on the sabbath, Jesus tells him to “sin no more that nothing worse may happen to him.” Do you think Jesus was connecting this man's sin with physical illness? Cross reference this with John 9:1-3.
When the Jews begin to persecute Jesus for working on the sabbath, he tells them that “my Father is working until now, and I am working.” What do you think he meant by that?
Throughout scripture, sabbath rest did not refer to the absence of work but to a satisfaction of completion. What are some examples of this that you can think of from Scripture?
In his earthly ministry, Jesus was working to ensure a sabbath rest for his people. What is it about “sabbath rest’ that brings you hope, encouragement and strength?

2021-02-28_podcast.mp3
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John 4:46-54 - The Nature of True Faith

2/22/2021

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Have you ever had a traumatic event happen to one of your kids or someone you were really close to? Have your kids ever been hospitalized? How did you respond?
This official’s son was near death and he hears of a man who could heal him. Do you think this man believed Jesus could really do something? Or do you think he was just desperate and willing to try anything?
Why do you think Jesus responded the way that he did in verse 48?
Are you surprised at the way the official responded in verse 49 after Jesus’ statement in verse 48?
The sermon began by saying that faith starts with reason. This man heard true reports about Jesus and then went to see him. What role does “reason” have in your faith?
How much time do you spend looking into the reasonability of the Christian faith?
If you could know more about one aspect of the Christian faith what would it be? (The reliability of Scripture. The truth of the resurrection. The existence of God. Hell. Intelligent design...)
What are one or two ways you could learn more about the aspect of the Christian faith you are unsure about?
Faith also grows in trials. Has there been a time in your life when a trial has led to greater faith?
Faith results in trust. Everyone acts on their faith in one form or another no matter what your worldview is. The official in this story went home in faith and led his whole family to belief. In what area do you need to “exercise” your faith in so that it’s not just in your head but it’s in your “going”?

2021-02-21_podcast.mp3
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John 4:16-45 - A Testimony of Grace

2/16/2021

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In my message on Sunday, I mentioned the RCMP officer that dealt graciously with Tanya (this wasn’t an isolated incident - I won’t mention the other time a Police Officer dealt graciously with her. You’ll have to ask her in person about that story:) Have you ever experienced grace personally? Has someone ever treated you better than you deserve? If so, how did that affect you?
According to verse 15, the Samaritan woman was looking for ultimate satisfaction in the living water and a freedom from her past shame. She says that she no longer would need to come to this place to draw water. In what ways did you experience these similar longings when you encountered Jesus?
The woman's testimony hit on two levels; subjective and objective. What is your subjective testimony (your personal experience) and what is the objective testimony (what all people need to understand) you believe others need to hear?
There was a simplicity to the woman's testimony, she simply said, “come see a man…” In what ways does this encourage / challenge you?
All other religions point people to a “way”. Only in Christianity do we point people to a person. Do you find that easier and encouraging or difficult and awkward?
As soon as she requested the gift Jesus was offering, he brought up her long list of sins. Why? Was he trying to embarrass her?
Imagine the incredible boldness that this woman had as she gives testimony in her town. She was a woman and an outcast, everyone knew her story and these were all strikes against her. In what venue do you need to exercise more boldness?
Jesus had a meaningful discussion with the Samaritan woman about true, authentic worship. He even said “the Father seeks'' worshippers who worship Him in spirit and truth. What do you think that type of worship looks like?

2021-02-14_podcast_1.mp3
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John 3:16-36 - God's Perfect Love

2/1/2021

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Did you grow up with the concept of God being a God of wrath or a God of love? Or did you feel like you had a good balance of both of those theological truths?
Has it been your experience in churches that God’s wrath and condemnation are downplayed or maybe not even talked about at all? If so, why do you think that is? What might be gained by not talking about this attribute of God?
Some people (particularly those who are opposed to God) struggle with God’s wrath because they view it through the lens of human anger. What is different between our anger and Gods? What does it mean to have “righteous anger? Have you ever experienced this?
When we experience anger or impatience, we are often embarrassed afterward. We use excuses like “that wasn’t like me.” Or, “there were a number of factors that played into me behaving like that because that’s not what I’m like.” But maybe, the reason we are embarrassed and feel the way we do is because that is exactly what we’re like, that’s what’s in our heart. For a moment the curtain was pulled back and a part of us we don’t like (for good reason) was exposed. Have you ever thought about your anger or impatience this way? Is it something you struggle with?
Interact with this statement - “Anger or impatience is usually the result of something getting in the way of our ego.”
In what way is God’s wrath an expression of his love for truth and standards?
In what way is God’s wrath an expression of his love for his creation? His people?
In what way did God’s wrath and his love come together at the cross?
Do you find that your sin drives you further from God or nearer to him in thankfulness and confession? John 3:20

2021-01-31_podcast.mp3
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Background on Nicodemus: Pharisees and the Sanhedrin New types of political and religious leaders arose because of all these changes. By Jesus' day, Pharisees were one of the leading groups. Pharisees were scholars who tried hard to obey the laws in the Old Testament and a dizzying array of man-made laws which they added to the Old Testament. The Jews respected them and gave them great social, religious and political influence. Pharisees usually took great pride in their positions. Nicodemus, (in this passage), is also called a "Ruler of the Jews." That means he was also one of the elite 70 members of the Sanhedrin, the political / religious body that ruled Israel. The Sanhedrin ruled under the supervision of Herod, who reported directly to the Roman emperor. A Roman governor and legion were also stationed in the area.

What do we know about Nicodemus according to these verses?
What did it mean that he was a Pharisee?
Why did he come to see Jesus? Why did he come at night?
How did Nicodemus address Jesus? Was he correct or not?
If you were to walk up to Jesus today, how would you greet him?
How might you summarize Jesus' response in verse 3? Does it seem weird at first? What does the image of birth convey?
How did Nicodemus respond in verses 4 and 9? Did he understand what Jesus said?
What did Jesus mean by verse 5?
Have you ever had a friend or family member who began a new relationship with God? How would you describe the difference God made in their life?
One of the marks of being born again is that you have a new identity and a new sight. How have you seen this evidenced in your own life? Did your priorities change? Do you see the bible differently now? etc.
We see from Nicodemus’ life at the end of the gospel that he had an incredible boldness and humility. He was no longer ashamed of his association with Jesus and he did the job of a servant even though he was of the highest standing in society. In what way can your life be more bold for Jesus this week? How can you exercise greater humility this week?

2021-01-24_podcast.mp3
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John 2:13-25 - Jesus Rearranges the Temple

1/17/2021

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What was your experience like the first step you stepped into a church? If you grew up in the church, have you ever talked to someone about their first experience?
In Jesus saying that he was the temple; what implications would that have for people that wanted to come and worship at the temple?
In what ways were things going to be different and in what ways would they be the same? In other words, how was Jesus like the Old Covenant temple and in what was he different?
The commotion of John 2 was happening in the Courts of the Gentiles; what were these courts used for and why was this location significant?
In what ways does the truth of this story transform your relationship with God? (hint - Jesus becomes the sacrifice rather than you bringing the sacrifice and it is all by grace.)