Falls Church

Because Jesus is The Wonderful Word, we are delighted to live in the light of His face, and we cannot get enough when He opens His Word to us. 1. The wonderful light of the Word. (v.129-130) 2. The wonderful light of The LORD. (v.131-135) 3. We share The LORD's grief about widespread darkness. (v.136) In what ways are God's Words wonderful? What is wonderful about God's actions? Ps.139:14 Who loves God's name? Mt. 23:37, Rom. 9:1-5 1Pet.2:2 How is The Word opened to us? Lk. 24:31,32,45, Ac.17:2-3

Since our every thought belongs to Christ, then our whole person belongs to Christ: every idea, motive, desire and decision. 1. Paul pointed to Christ's character. (v.1-2) 2. Paul taught about spiritual warfare. (v.3-4) 3. Paul aimed to take every thought captive to Christ. (v.5-6) What does it mean that we belong to Christ? What was the character of Moses? Numbers 12:3 What is the character of Jesus? Isaiah 42:2, Mt. 11:29 What must be the character of the Lord's servant? 2 Tim. 2:24-26

Because Jesus is the servant of The LORD, we have something better than gold – that we are walking with The LORD. 1. God pledged to save us from our oppressors. (v.121-123) 2. God gave us His loyal-covenant-love. (v.124-125) 3. God gave us a love for walking with Him. (v.126-128) What are daily advantages for us from God? How certain are we of God's favor? Dt. 6:24, Mt. 6:13, Heb. 7:22 What is a basic characteristic of God? Ezek. 44:6-7, 1 John 4:8 What happens when we fear God? Psalm 25:14, Gal. 4:4

God promised to rescue us, and provided 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 Christians, we have been rescued by grace, and now we live a supported life, which is continually supplied by God's grace. 1. To grip God, we need God to grip us. (v.113-115) 2. To hold up, we need to be held up. (v.116-117) 3. To weigh God heavily, we must feel the weight of His Word. (v.118-120) In what ways are we in desperate need of God's grace? What does it mean to halt between two opinions? 1 Kings 18:21 How did Jesus command us to relate to enemies? Luke 6:27-28 What is the caution about having two minds? James 1:8

Because Jesus went back up, it enabled the unusual way that we pray to God our Father. 1. Lord, save us, show Your power again, hurry! (v.1- 4) 2. Yes, we deserve anger and we were really bad. (v.5-7) 3. Lord save us anyway, because we are Your people! (v.8-12) What is uncommon about our prayer, and our God? What has God prepared for those who love Him? 1 Cor. 2:9-10. What is the source of our purity? Philippians 3:7-10 Why are we given mercy? 1 Peter 2:9-12

Our Savior clarifies our uncertainties with His Word and Spirit, like headlights on a dark road. What are some areas of uncertainty, and the questions they raise? 1. Confusion. (v.105-106) How do we live upright in our dark situation? 2. Suffering. (v.107-108) How do we praise God through pain? 3. Dangers. (v.109-110) How can we watch our walk when in danger? 4. Future. (v.111-112) What is the secret to having joy about tomorrow? How do we get through times and places of darkness? What is our best source of light? John 8:12 1 Cor. 2:6-16 What are some ways that God guides us? Ex. 40:6-8, Heb. 1:1-2 Who delights to keep the law of God, and why? Gal. 5:13-26

The Lord has revealed money principles for us that inform our giving. 1. Proportional. (v.6) 2. Personal. (v.7) 3. The Giver rewards givers. (v. 8-15) When do the principles apply? What happens when we give? Proverbs 11:24-25. How is God honored in giving? Luke 21:1-4. Who responds to our giving, and how? Luke 6:38.

Meditating on The Bible gives us valuable understanding. What is gained? (v.97) 1. We gain wisdom, insight, and understanding. (v.98-99) 2. We grow in obedience to God. (v.100-102) 3. We gain passion: for God's Word, against deception. (v.103-104) What is that true wisdom beyond what our teachers gave us? What sort of insights did the Bible give us? Eph. 1:8 How is our understanding shown through obeying? Luke 2:51-52 What things should a Christian hate? Is. 61:8 Rev. 2:6

Because Christ's giving is displayed in our giving, how we give is important. 1. Honorably. (v.16-21) 2. Carefully. (v.22-24) 3. Willingly. (ch.9, v.1-5) How do we know there is a wrong way to give? What is a good motive to give? Gal. 2:10. How much do we trust the handlers of our gifts? 1 Thess 2:5-8. What accreditation must there be for leaders? 1 Cor. 16:1-4.

God gives us the strength to move forward, beyond our affliction.What are we supposed to do after our suffering? 1. Stand on the enduring foundation of The Word. (v.89-91)2. Be refreshed by the preserving power of The Word. (v.92-95)3. Rejoice in the freeing nature of God's commands. (v.96)How do we move forward from here?What is the one thing of which we can be sure? Is. 40:8 Mt 5:17-18Where do we find renewal? 2 Timothy 3:16-17Who is at work in us, and what is the plan? Philippians 1:6

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, so we will give ourselves to Him.1. Exemplary generosity. (v.1-7)2. Excelling in generosity. (v.8-12)3. Equalizing by generosity. (v.13-15)Where do we best see generosity displayed?What is the cure for being self-seeking? 1 Cor. 13:4.Who is the most generous giver? Phl.2:6-7.How do we respond if one has too little? Gal. 6:10.

God helps us to hang onto His promises, while we wait for Him to fulfill them.What should we do while waiting for God?1. Stay focused on God's promises. (v.81-82)2. Talk to God and state our case. (v.83-85) 3. Remember God's love for us, and act accordingly. (v.86-88)How can we keep on hoping while we are waiting?When are we tempted to think God is slow? 2 Peter 3:9How is our memory of God's promises? Prov. 31:5, John 6:63,68What is God's promise about our enemies? Romans 12:19

Our God gives us caring hearts, and then He comforts our caring hearts. 1. God gives us true repentance of heart. (v.8-10)2. God teaches us the clues and blessings of repentance. (v.11-13a)3. God comforts us, causing us to rejoice still more. (v.13b-16)Why do some people care so much?Who had bitter sorrow, but not true repentance? Hebrews 12:16-17What sort of mourning will be comforted? Matthew 5:4How many people must give an account to God? Hebrews 4:13

Since our Creator and Redeemer's love for us is deeper than our suffering, we are comforted.How does God comfort us?1. Our Creator comforts others by giving us hope in our suffering. (v.73-74)2. Our Redeemer shows us the source of comfort: His love. (v.75-77)3. Our covenant LORD comforts us when we: a) meditate on the Word, b) fellowship with believers, c) pray to respond well to suffering. (v.78-80)How can we receive comfort?When has God blessed us by seeing another suffer?/reverse? 2Cor.1:3-9How many other places have we tried to go for comfort? Psalm 23:5What are the simple things we need for comfort? Romans 15:3-5

Since our God comforts the downcast, we can move from turmoil to comfort and joy.1. Afflictions outside and inside. (v.5)2. God comforts His people. (v.6)3. Rejoicing still more. (v.7)What does being downcast look like?Where do we turn when the cares of our hearts are many? Ps. 94:19.Who has promised to comfort us? Isaiah 49:13How do we move from being low to rejoicing? James 1:9

Our affliction is good for us, for our God teaches us by faith to see that He is good and that He does good for us, even in our affliction.1. In the Lord's good hands, our affliction is corrective. (v. 65-68)2. Through God's goodness, our affliction is instructive. (v.69-71)3. When God is good to us, we place more value on His Word. (v.72)Why does it have to be so difficult?What suffering that we have had has been constructive? Romans 5:3-4How much suffering does it take before we are mature? Hebrews 5:14What do we hear when we are in affliction? Psalm 34:2-4

The resurrection of our King Jesus changed our outlook from dark sadness to bright joy.1. The miracles. (v.1-4)2. The message. (v.5-7)3. The meeting. (v.8-10)From dark sadness to bright joy:Jesus looked like lightning. Who is He? Daniel 7:9-10.In what ways did Christ help us? Hebrews 2:10-17.Why would Jesus want the brothers to be told? Romans 8:29

All that we need or want is The LORD God Himself.1. We seek His face with all our heart, and we have Him. (v. 57-58)2. We center our lives on God's Word. (v.59-62)3. We identify with others who seek God in the Word. (v.63-64)What do we need?Have we found God? Have we sought Him? Psalm 27:7-9What is the place of the Bible in our daily lives? John 8:31How do our friendships show our beliefs? 1Cor. 15:33 Jms. 4:4

We praise our King Jesus Christ for coming to rescue us.1. We praise Christ by obeying Him. (v.1-6)2. We praise Christ by admiring Him. (v.7-9)3. We praise Christ by trusting Him to do what He said. (v.10-11). Why should we praise Christ?What information do we have about Christ? Zech. 14:1-11How will His Second Coming differ from His First? Rev. 7:9-11How should we prepare? Revelation 22:17

Through remembering His promises, our God comforts us in our suffering.1. Hope during our suffering. (v.49)2. Comfort during our suffering. (v.50-52)3. Enough cheerfulness to sing a song of praise during the nighttime of our suffering. (v.53-56)How can we endure times of suffering?What is the source of hope during suffering? Rom. 5:3-5Where is our comfort? Ex. 6:5-8, 2Cor. 1:3-4When could we not sing? Ps. 137:1-6, Acts 16:22-25

Since Jesus loved us and reconciled us to God, we believers have a committed love for each other. 1. love seeks truth, resulting in closer fellowship. (v.2)2. love does not condemn others, but goes through life together. (v.3)3. love bubbles up into joy, even during times of affliction. (v.4)When there is genuine love, what are the natural results?How long did Paul spend in the city of Corinth? Acts 18:1,11What is the true test for love? John 15:13Why might Paul boast about a church? 2 Thess. 1:4

God loves us so much that we actually need to pray for more ability to absorb His love, which is best displayed at the cross.What changes in us, when we better absorb God's love?1. We become willing to take action based on the promises of God, because we believe Him and hope in Him. (v.41-44.)2. We become convinced of the truth that freedom is only found in obeying God's law. (v.45)3. We develop a passion for God's Word. (v.46-48)How do we take in God's love? Ephesians 3:18Who taunts Christians? Do we have an answer? (see v.42) Is.14:1-5What would it take for us to see obedience as freeing? Rom. 8:20-22What propels us to speak of God's love? Acts 4:20 2Cor. 5:11-15

Because Christ brought us from darkness to light, we cannot be both a) the temple of the living God and b) idolaters. 1. What harmony exists between darkness and light? (v.14-16a)2. We have the living God inside of us, and He remains consistent with His own covenant blessings and commands! (v.16b-17)3. We keep bringing holiness to completion by cleansing ourselves in the fear of God. (v.18-ch.7:1)What are the outworkings of us being the temple of God?What are the 2 things that people serve? 1 Thess. 1:9, Col. 1:12-13Why are there only two choices? Rom 6:19 and 8:11Where is the covenantal blueprint? Lev. 26:12, Ezek. 37:27

The secret to daily strength is daily training in the words of life from Jesus our Savior.What is the secret?1. We train our hearts to delight in holiness as the pathway for the rest of our lives. (v.33-36) 2. We train our eyes to turn only to God's promises for fulfillment. (v.37-39) 3. We long for Jesus, who is the Word of life. (v.40)How do we unlock the secret for today?What is the right perspective on God's commands? 1 John 5:3Where do you turn for a source of strength? Nehemiah 8:10Who decides what your eyes will see? Acts 26:7, Luke 10:22-24

Since God's heart is open to us, He provides us with the ability to open our hearts to each other.1. Opening our words, opening our hearts. (v11)2. A limit is caused by our own withholding of affection. (v.12)3. An apt reply to an expanding heart, is to expand our hearts too. (v.13)How do we achieve uninhibited, frank conversations?When the mouth expresses it, where did it originate? Mt. 12:34Who predictably has a compassionate heart? Col. 3:12Where is loving reciprocity often seen? 1 Tim.1:2, Gal. 4:19

The Great Commandment: How's Your Love Life?I. Love God Completely – The Heartbeat of True DevotionII. Love Others Genuinely – The Evidence of a Changed Heart

1. The Law reveals God's holiness2. The Law reveals our sin3. The Law drives us to Christ for mercy

God gives us strength from The Word.What kind strength?1. The strength of reviving our lives. (v.25) 2. The strength of providing us with perspective. (v.26-28) 3. The strength of bridling us, to stay on the right road. (v.29-32) Drawing on God's strength:When we get tired out, what energizes us? Deuteronomy 8:3What teachings do we follow scrupulously? Joshua 23:6Who says no to us? Can we say no to ourselves? Titus 2:11

Christ calls each servant of God to keep on enduring multiple troubles.1. The credentialing of the servant of God for enduring. (v.3-4a)2. The arena of the servant of God for enduring. (v.4b-5)3. The equipping of the servant of God for enduring. (v.6-10)a. his character. (v.6)b. his resources. (v.7)c. his two-fold reaction from others. (v.8-9a)d. his life as a triumphal paradox. (v.9b-10)What is the role of the servant of God?In what various ways can offense be given? Mt. 17:24-27How is the greatness of a servant to be measured? Luke 22:37What is the heart and behavior of a servant? 2 Timothy 2:24-26