Falls Church

The family tree of Jesus leads up to the birth of the long-expected Christ, and the eternal Trinity. 1. Obey the Son, for He is the King. (v.1,6) 2. Trust the Father, for His promises were fulfilled. (v.1) 3. Receive the Spirit, for He anointed the Son, and keeps adding to the family tree. (v.16) What does a genealogy have to do with Christmas? Who is it who has all authority? Matthew 28:18 For whom did Jesus come? Matthew 9:13 Who has mercy? Matthew 12:7

Philemon shows the Power of the Gospel to... 1. Transform the Human Heart. (v.8-11) 2. Transform Relationships & Community. (v.12-17) 3. Bless the Guilty with Grace. (v.17-22) 4. Restore Hope and a Future. (v.20-22)

Luke's Gospel begins with great hope in the birth narratives. But that hope is threatened by the events surrounding the cross, as exemplified by these 2 disciples who have lost hope. This message is about how Jesus transforms them, from wandering to witness, from sorrow to joy, and from despair to renewed hope and service. Jesus shows them how the entire Old Testament points to Him, and how everything happened just as it had to according to God's plan. 1. Jesus pursue his wandering disciples 2. Jesus opens their eyes with Scripture 3. Jesus rekindles their hearts with living hope

Why sing the songs of ascent, why even go up to Jerusalem? Because it was God's desired dwelling place, and from there, God's King will come! 1. David vowed to establish a dwelling place for God. (v.1-10) 2. God vowed to keep David's sons on the throne. (v.11-12) 3. God chose Zion as His home; blessed it abundantly. (v.13-17) What does this Psalm have to do with Christians today? What was the ark (v.8)…the horn (v.17)? 2 Sam. 6:1-4, Luke 1:69 Did God 'go to His resting place'v.8? Num.10:33-36, Heb. 8:1-6 Who chose God's 'home'? Deut. 12:5, Josh. 21:43-45

While we wait, we must constantly join together in prayer, because it is the way Jesus reigns over us. 1. We wait and pray for what God promised. (v.12) 2, We wait and pray in unity with other Christians. (v.13) 3. We wait and pray constantly, until we prevail. (v.14) How can we learn to wait and pray? How can we maintain unity? Acts 2:42,46; 6:4,7 Eph.4:3 What must we do while we wait and work? Col. 4:2 When will we prevail? Acts 12:5,11-17

The way to calm ourselves is to renounce our own pride and to keep on lowering ourselves until we have re-discovered how to intentionally become fully contented and quietly at rest with our LORD, trusting in Him to provide for us, even in the context of a very long wait. 1. Whenever we elevate ourselves to a God-like position with a prideful heart attitude and we look down at others, we end up stirring up our own souls. (v.1) 2. Whenever we take a humble heart attitude and look up to God, we end up calming our own souls with true peace. (v.2) 3. Lesson: less playing God, more trusting God. (v.3) What is the surprising root cause if we are very upset? Who is lowly? Dt. 29:29, Mt 11:29;18:1-4, Phil. 2:3,7-8. How can we be quieted? Lk 14:11, Rom. 12:3, 1 Pet. 5:5-11. What does it look like to trust God? Jn. 4:34, Jms. 4:6.

1. Welcome your covenant Lord 2. Behold the Lamb of God 3. Rejoice in the Giver of the Spirit

In the ascension of Jesus, we learn about our King. 1. His timing. (v.6-7) 2. His witnesses. (v.8) 3. His plans. (v.9-11) What is it like to have Jesus as our king? When does the Lord do things? Rom 5:6 and 2 Peter 3:9 Where must we bear witness? Matthew 10:18 What does God have in store for us? Jeremiah 29:11-13

Because of the mercy of The LORD, we pray, marvel, wait, and hope. 1. From rock bottom, we cry to The LORD for mercy. (v.1-2) 2. God lifts us up by forgiving us in Christ; so, we marvel! (v.3-4) 3. We, the church, wait for The LORD's return. (v.5-6) 4. We, the church, hope in The LORD's love. (v.7-8) How are we redeemed from our iniquities? Who takes away the sin of the world? John 1:29 Heb. 9:7-10 Why do we call His name Jesus? Mt. 1:21; 9:6; 26:28, 1 Jn 1:8-10 How did He redeem us? Heb. 10:17, Titus 2:14

Because The LORD is righteous, the church maintains great hope by expecting a) persecution, and b) preservation. 1. Preserved through great hostility. (v.1-4) 2. Preserved to the great disappointment of haters. (v.5) 3. Preserved through all ages. (v.6-8) When people hate us, who are they ultimately hating? Why is hostility to Christ/church inseparable? Ps. 2:1-3, John 15:18 Was the violence in Jesus' parable brief or long? Mt.21:33-41 How did Paul describe being afflicted? 2 Cor. 1:10 and 4:8-9

The starting point and ongoing focus of The Church is Jesus' work and teaching, which He continues to do now through His Spirit. 1. Jesus teaches us. (v.1-2) 2. Jesus reigns over us. (v.3) 3. Jesus gives us gifts. (v.4-5) What is the most basic thing about us? What should convince us of Jesus' teachings? 1 Cor.15:5-7 How are we able to accept truth? John 14:16 From whom did the Spirit come upon us? Acts 2:33

In worship, we envision and celebrate the blessings that God often gives in Christ. 1. God often blesses God-fearers with fruit from our work. (v.1-2) 2. God often blesses God-fearers with marriages and spiritual children. (v.3-4) 3. We pray for God to give grandchildren, and the good/peace of the church. (v.5-6) What pathway does a blessed life often take? For our daily work/jobs, how is God involved? Col. 3:23-24 Where are echoes of this Psalm? Eph. 1:3; 6:4, Gal. 4:26; 6:16 Those who fear God also do what? Acts 10:34-35

In mighty restoring power, God provides a fountain of grace. How? 1. The LORD our God came to dwell with us. (v.17) 2. Grace from God flows like a fountain to us through His house. (v.18-20) 3. Our LORD God pardons our guilt. (v. 21) How does this grace fountain apply to us? What comes out of the temple? Ezekiel 47:1-12 Eph. 2:20-22 Where will the water of life flow one day? Rev. 22:1-2 What is God faithful to do for us? 1 Jn. 1:9 Jn.7:37-38

The husband role in marriage pictures Christ's loving relationship to us! 1. How Christ loves us, His Bride. (v.25-31) 2. This profound mystery refers to Christ and His Church. (v.32) 3. We keep reforming marriage with true love and respect. (v.33) What does the Reformation have to do with marriage? What is a good thing to find, and what is its true origin? Prov.18:22. Who should respect marriage? Hebrews 13:4a When do people forbid marriage? 1 Timothy 4:1-5

1. Jesus: the Word of our God 2. Jesus: the Light of our World 3. Jesus: the Glory of our God

We are utterly dependent on The Lord Jesus for any of our endeavors, especially spiritual ones. 1. Our efforts to build a house/temple/church are worthless, if The LORD is not building. (v.1a) 2. Our efforts to protect a city/Jerusalem/citizens are a fiasco, if The LORD is not protecting. (v.1b-2) 3. Our efforts to fill our homes/churches with believing children/people are useless, if The LORD is not giving and blessing. (v.3-5) How well are we depending on God? Col. 3:23-24 How much can we do without Jesus? John 5:19; 15:5, Mt. 16:18 Who is greater than Solomon? Mt. 12:42, Mk.4:38, Prov. 10:22 Who is/are the offspring of Abraham? Gal. 3:16,26, Rom. 8:29

We have the only truly safe place within our LORD, by faith. 1. When the Judge is ready, He summons all the nations. (v.9-11) 2. God knows when the time is ripe for Him to swing the sickle. (v.12-13) 3. The LORD revealed the universal scope of the Day of Judgment. (v.14-16) How do we apply the Word to our minds? (Lk. 12:20) How do we respond to Jesus' tone of warning? Mt. 24:1-25:46 For what sort of things will God judge people? Mt. 12:36 Why has God waited so long to come? Romans 2:4-5

While we look back to God's great redeeming work in Christ, and while we struggle today, we constantly hope for and long for our future restoration. 1. We joyfully look back to the first coming of Christ in order to redeem us, since that gives meaning to every past moment of rejoicing. (v.1-3) 2. We pray for the future restoration of full blessings. (v.4) 3. We look forward with longing to the second coming of Christ, since it gives meaning to every present moment of suffering. (v.5-6) In what way does the metaphor of harvest fit our lives? In what do we abound more and more? Phil. 1:9-11 Why is patience an important piece of our lives? James 5:7-8 Who does the final harvesting? Revelation 14:14-16

When we return to the Lord, we gain sure hope of restoration. What can we expect from the Lord? 1. To the slavery, there will be an end. (v.1-3) 2. To the oppressors, there will be payback. (v.4-6) 3. Against all logic, there will be a full reversal. (v.7-8) How does returning to the Lord change so many things? How do trouble and mercy get dished out? Prov. 11:8 Jam. 2:12-13 What happens to those who troubled us? 2 Thess. 1:5-10 Who will be destroyed, and who will be saved? Phil.1:27-30

The portrayal of God encircling His threatened people shows that He gives such security, stability, and peace that we sing songs of trust! 1. Security is found in trusting that we are as safe as God is invincible. (v.1-2) 2. Stability is found in knowing that God will not let us be tested beyond our ability, and so we are realistic as we learn to patiently wait for God to remove wicked powers. (v.3) 3. Peace is found in learning to pray with the awareness that good and bad are mixed – for now. (v.4-5) How are we encouraged by the image of encircling? Why are we immovable? Mt. 16:18, 1 Cor.15:58, Heb. 12:26-29 When does patience become necessary? Rom. 13:1 1 Cor. 10:13 How can we learn to pray with assurance? Eph. 2:14, 1 John 2:19

God promised to rescue us, and described how we know that we are rescued. What is the evidence of our rescue? 1. The outpouring of The Spirit of The LORD. (v.28-29) 2. The coming of The Day of The LORD. (v.30-31) 3. The calling on The Name of The LORD. (v.32) What is the real benefit of being rescued? Of what day was Joel speaking? Acts 2:14-36 What does it mean for our future? 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13-14 In what way does our rescue come? Titus 3:3-7

As Joel saw, the Spirit is God's amazing gift to restore us. 1. Know about the grand event, and celebrate. (v.1-4) 2. Evaluate the mixed reactions, and keep them in mind. (v.5-13) 3. Understand Peter's explanation, and call on God. (v.14-21) How does this apply to us? What do you know about the power of the Spirit? Ezekiel 37:9-14 Who may call on the name of the Lord? Romans 10:9-13 Who says not to harden your heart? Hebrews 3:7-12

As Joel saw, the Spirit is God's amazing gift to restore us. 1. Know about the grand event, and celebrate. (v.1-4) 2. Evaluate the mixed reactions, and keep them in mind. (v.5-13) 3. Understand Peter's explanation, and call on God. (v.14-21) How does this apply to us? What do you know about the power of the Spirit? Ezekiel 37:9-14 Who may call on the name of the Lord? Romans 10:9-13 Who says not to harden your heart? Hebrews 3:7-12

The Lord is My Shepherd: In My Lord's House, part 3. 1. My Lord's house: the believer's incredible hope a. A meeting place b. A holy place 2. My dwelling place: the Lord's incredible grace a. Our claim b. Our assurance 3. My forever home: the believer's incredible life a. Our love song b. Our eternal song

Since we know that earthly armor fails, we are called to look to God alone for His supernatural help, which never fails. 1. God rescues us out of danger. (v.1-5) 2. God gives us a supernatural escape. (v.6-7) 3. God trains us to have great confidence in His help alone. (v.8) Upon what are we constantly relying? Luke 21:36 Why would King David win in battle? 2 Sam. 5:17-20 What one thing do we trust in for victory? Psalm 20:7, John 14:6 Why can we think of the Lord as being on our side? Rom. 8:31-39

In power, compassion, and grace, our Lord Jesus repays our losses. How? 1. The Lord in grace makes up for our sin and grief and loss. (v.25) 2. The Lord in grace removes our shame, supplies our need, and gives us every reason to praise Him. (v.26) 3. The Lord in grace protects us, and gives us certainty about His own presence. (v.27) How can we be sure, so that we can really start to hope? Over what do we grieve? Why? Isaiah 55:6-12 For what are we truly looking? Have we found it? Mt.1:21,23 What will happen to our shame? Ps. 27:1-6 Rev. 21:3-4

Only when we look to God do we learn to set our troubles into a context that is large enough to dwarf them. 1. As we pray in Christ's name, we look up to The LORD. (v.1-2) 2. We ask for God's mercy. (v.3) 3. God's mercy takes the sting out of contempt and scorn. (v.4) What is one type of honor for a believer? Acts 5:41 Where does it help us to look when facing troubles? Is. 55:9 In what direction does The Lord's Prayer have us look? Mt. 6:9 What is more murderous than anger? Mt. 5:22 Dn.12:2

Since the Spirit is in us, we have good reasons to hope. 1. We have hope, because of the Lord's compassion for us. (v.18) 2. We have hope, because the Lord turns barrenness into fruitfulness. (v.19-20) 3. We have hope, because the Lord turns grief into joy. (v.21-24) With what certainty can we begin again to hope? How important is the object of our hope? Psalm 25:3-5 Where is our hope placed? Psalm 39:7 What do we say to ourselves? Psalm 62:5-6

We rejoice that, through the grace of Christ, we now belong to His church and will enter His heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. 1. We rejoice whenever we are privileged to enter the presence of The LORD in worship. (v.1-2) 2. We marvel at the wonder of Christ's church and the New Jerusalem. (v.3-5) 3. We pray for Christ's church, and we long for the New Jerusalem. (v.6-9) Why do we long for true peace? 1 Tim. 2:2, Eph. 4:3 Where is gladness to be found for a believer? Ps.92:1-4, Heb. 7:2 What will our future gathering be like? John 4:20, Rev. 21:10 In the New Jerusalem, what is central? Heb. 11:10 and 12:22-24

When we hear the trumpet call to repent, God wants us to respond by returning to Him in repentance, faith, and worship. Why? 1. Because the coming day of judgment cannot be escaped or endured. (v.1-11) 2. Because the Lord's gracious character cannot be doubted. (v.12-13) 3. Because even the required repentance and faith are free gifts. (v.14-17) What should we be hearing now? How were the man's ears opened? What about us? Mark 7:35 What happened to the ears and minds of believers? Luke 24:31,45 When should we repent? Matthew 4:17