missio Dei: Falcon

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

Sermon Outline: Rejoice amidst your pain (1 Peter 4:12-13).Be faithful in your pain (1 Peter 4:14-16).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.

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.

Sermon Outline: A picture of God's people thriving (1 Peter 3:8-12).What God's people should expect as they thrive (1 Peter 3:13-17).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.

This is the 9th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Sermon Outline: Honorable wives in exile (1 Peter 3:1-6).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.

Sermon Outline: Servants and suffering (18-20).Christ's Example  (21-23).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.

Sermon Outline: Honorable exiles (1 Peter 2:11-12).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.

Discussion Questions *This sermon was preached by Mark Oshman.

Sermon Outline: Our individual responsibility (1 Peter 2:1-3).Our corporate identity (1 Peter 2:4-6).A universal reality (1 Peter 2:7-8).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.

Sermon Outline: *This sermon was preached by Andy Beams.

Sermon Outline: Command #1— Set your hope (1 Peter 1:13).Command #2— Be holy (1 Peter 1:14-21).Command #3—Love earnestly (1 Peter 1:22-25). 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 4th sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Sermon Outline: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ… (1 Peter 1:1a)To those who are elect exiles… (1 Peter 1:1b)Know that… (1 Peter 1:2) Discussion Questions: What are some examples of how the American church has struggled to remember we are exiles? How does living as if this is our home negatively impact our ability to live for Jesus?What does it feel like to not belong in a culture you are immersed in? How does knowing God chose you change those feelings?Are there any areas of your life that you might be living as if you belong in this world, rather than you are an exile? This is the 2nd sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Sermon Outline: A confusing theme in 1 Peter…Evil is real, God is good, and that's not a contradiction.It turns out, we aren't the first ones to suffer…Could something bigger be going on behind our suffering? Discussion Questions: When in your life did you grow the most as a follower of Christ? How did God grow you?Have you ever felt that the existence of evil is a barrier to trusting Jesus? How do the verses we read today about Jesus suffering help deal with that barrier?What is hard in your life right now? What would it look/feel like to experience Jesus' presence in that? This is the 1st sermon of the series 1 Peter: Thriving In Exile.

Sermon Outline: Longing for home (Psalm 90:1-2).Remembering we are dust (Psalm 90:3-6).The origin of our problem (Psalm 90:7-11).Finding our way home (Psalm 90:12-17). Notable Quote: “Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter. Wordsworth's expedient was to identify it with certain moments in his own past. But all this is a cheat. If Wordsworth had gone back to those moments in the past, he would not have found the thing itself, but only the reminder of it; what he remembered would turn out to be itself a remembering. The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.” —C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory Discussion Questions: In what ways do you feel “homeless?” What longings do you have? How is God your dwelling place?How does your heart respond to the Psalm's reminder that we are temporary, that death is inevitable? How does Jesus tasting death for us change your heart's response?Which of the 6 prayers in Vv. 12-17 stand out to you the most? Why? How will you pray each of those this coming week?

Discussion Questions

Sermon Outline: In Christ the impossible is possible (John 1:14).4 implications of the impossible becoming possible (John 1:15-18). Helpful Quotes: “The Gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Tim Keller“For the solidarity of mankind is such that, by virtue of the Word's indwelling in a single human body, the corruption which goes with death has lost its power over all. You know how it is when some great king enters a large city and dwells in one of its houses; because of his dwelling in that single house, the whole city is honored, and enemies and robbers cease to molest it. Even so is it with the King of all; He has come into our country and dwelt in one body amidst the many, and in consequence the designs of the enemy against mankind have been foiled and the corruption of death, which formerly held them in its power, has simply ceased to be. For the human race would have perished utterly had not the Lord and Savior of all the Son of God, come among us to put an end to death.” St. Athanasius, 318 AD Discussion Questions: Which aspect of John 1:1-18 (what we've studied the past four weeks) stands out as the most encouraging thing for you personally?Why do we typically view grace and truth as existing in opposition? How does Jesus coming full of grace and truth change how you view their relationship?Faithful Christianity embodies many “dichotomies” similar to what John outlines in v. 14. E.g. loving our enemies, finding peace amidst trials, etc. What other dichotomies are we called to embody as Christians? How does God becoming man help us with that? **This is week four of Advent 2022.

Sermon Outline: The nature of Jesus (John 1:9).The natural response to Jesus (John 1:10-11).The unnatural grace of Jesus (John 1:12-13). Discussion Questions: Have you ever wondered if you would have chosen to follow Jesus if you lived in the 1st Century? What does this passage do to your opinion of yourself?Read verse 12, what part of this is the most astonishing to you? Why?Verse 9 hints at the fact that people are always looking for “light,” or people to look up to/worship. Where do you see this in our day? Why are we prone to fall for this temptation? **This is week three of Advent 2022.

Sermon Outline: The temptation to see God as uninterested and uninvolved (John 1:6).The temptation to see ourselves as self-sufficient and capable (John 1:7).The temptation to see the world as chiefly about us and our story (John 1:8). Discussion Questions: How often do you honestly feel that God is involved in your life? What does forgetting that fact produce in your heart?When are you most tempted to feel self-reliant? When are you most tempted to see yourself as the center of the universe? How does John the Baptist help us find humility?How can you bear witness about the Light this season? Be specific! **This is week two of Advent 2022.

Sermon Outline: We are the furthest thing from God… (John 1:1-3)…but God is no longer the furthest thing from us (John 1:4-5). Discussion Questions: What aspects of the Christmas season personally distract you from Jesus? What plans do you have to keep Jesus first in your heart this Christmas? Do you have an Advent devotional you are going to do? Who will you process it with?Where else, besides Jesus, do you look for life? How is that thing time-bound and finite/limited? How is Jesus better? **This is week one of Advent 2022.

Sermon Outline: Why do we sing?What do we sing?Who is our worship leader? Discussion Questions: What stuck out to you in the passage or in the sermon today? Was there anything new that stretches you in how you think about singing?In your own words, what does it mean to follow Paul's instruction to "be filled with the Spirit"?Why is singing so important to our spiritual growth? How does recognizing Jesus as our worship leader shape how you worship? *This sermon was preached by Andy Beams of The Oaks Church in Denver, Colorado.

Sermon Outline From Hypocrisy to HumilityFrom Works to FaithFrom Death to Life Table Discussion Have you ever had a conversation about not walking in line with the truth of the gospel? How did it go?What do you think is your "plus" to the gospel?What does it mean to you that Jesus not only took away your sins, but gave you his righteousness? **This sermon was preached by Lucas Turner, a former partner of missio Dei: Falcon, currently on mission in Central Texas as a College and Young Adult Minister at a Baptist church.

This is the 40th and final sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Paul (finally) arrives in Rome (Acts 28:11-14).God continually provides means of encouragement (28:15-16).Paul faithfully continues his mission (Acts 28:17-31). Helpful Quote: “Acts provides the foundations of the newborn church through which we hope that the church in ruins will be reborn.”    —Erasmus Discussion Questions: If you have been with us throughout our study of Acts, what have you learned? What themes stand out? How has this book encouraged you?Do you ever feel hindered in sharing the Gospel? Read Acts 28:31. How does Paul's bold proclamation and teaching “without hindrance” (while in prison!) encourage/challenge you?

This is the 39th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: The storms of life: Our best plans and most strenuous efforts (27:1-20).The sovereignty of God: His provision and salvation (27:21-44).The mission of God: Using the storms to bring salvation (28:1-10). Helpful Quote: “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”    —C.S. Lewis Discussion Questions: Can you think of a “storm” in your life where you could see after the fact how God used it for your good? How does that change your perception of other storms?Are you more likely to doubt that God has determined your destination, or that He is trustworthy with how you get there? How does this passage speak to you?Do you have an example in your life of how God has used your experience with pain (like Paul's snakebite) to minister to others?

Helpful Quotes: In the kingdom, we receive comfort in a very different way than we're taught to in American culture. We receive comfort not by, on the one hand, whining in our sense of entitlement or, on the other hand, pretending as though we're happy. We are comforted when we see our sin, our brokenness, our desperate circumstances, and we grieve, we weep, we cry out for deliverance. —Russell Moore— Four Parts of Lament (Mark Vroegop) Turning to GodBringing your complaintAsking boldlyChoosing to trust Until Jesus returns, the world will be marked by tears. Children will continue to be born and their first cry will announce their arrival into a broken world. To cry is human, but to lament is Christian. —Mark Vroegop— Table Discussion Questions: Why do you think it is difficult for us to Lament? What is the big difference between lamenting and complaining? (Hebrews 4:16)What are some harmful things that can happen when we always try to edit our lives (internally or externally) towards the positive? Pray for anyone at your table who is facing a difficult circumstance right now.

This is the 38th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Discussion Questions: Does it feel to you like God is ruling and reigning over the circumstances of your life? When have you been tempted towards discouragement with the circumstances of your life? How did God make himself known to you? How has God used those things in your life? Have you ever made a decision (like Paul appealing to Caesar) that you only realized later was part of God's plan in your life?

This is the 37th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: An unfair trial with an unjust judge (24:1-9).The right confession in the midst of unfairness (24:10-21).Faithfulness amidst the unfair is an opportunity for mission (24:22-27). Discussion Questions: How do you typically respond when something feels unfair? How does the Gospel compel you to respond differently?What are some things Christians in America feel are unfair? In light of this passage, how do you think Paul would respond? The Gospel is unfair. How does your heart respond to that sentence? How does 1 Pet. 2:19-24 impact your response?

This is the 36th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Take courage from the presence of Jesus (22:30-23:11).Take courage from the sovereignty of Jesus (23:12-24).Take courage from our citizenship with Jesus (23:25-35). Discussion Questions: Are you most tempted to doubt that Jesus is with you, that He is for you, or that you belong to Him? When do those doubts typically come? How does this passage help?What would a person who is confident Jesus is with, for, and over them look like? If you were to fully believe this, what would tangibly change about your upcoming week? What about this passage most helps you believe that, “It's all going to be ok”?

This is the 35th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Our identity in three words: People, Law, Place (21:27-40a).Your testimony is the Gospel's opportunity (21:40b-22:21).Not every opportunity will be handled well (22:22-29). Discussion Questions: Who are the American church's “gentiles” (Outsiders that we often fail to love)? How does this passage challenge us to love better? Think about some times you have heard Christians share their testimony. What was the experience like? How did it impact your own faith? Why are stories like those so powerful? In your DC: Tell us your story. What is your testimony? Think in terms of the 4 steps discussed today (1. Brokenness, 2. Personal conversion, 3. New family identity in the Church/baptism, 4. A redeemed vocation/calling/ministry).

This is the 34th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Ministry often brings with it difficulty (21:1-16).That difficulty can be big or seemingly small (21:17-26).Jesus already endured difficulty on our behalf (Heb. 12:2-3). Discussion Questions: As we have asked throughout our study of Acts, what ministry(s) has Jesus called you to?What does an “off ramp” from that ministry look like? How have you been tempted to take the off ramp? What tools has Jesus used to enable you to endure in your ministry these past two years?

This is the 33rd sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: God's plan for leadership: A plurality of godly elders (20:17).Paul's example of godly leadership (20:18-27).Paul's encouragement to be godly leaders (20:28-35).Godly leaders and Gospel-goodbyes (20:36-38). Discussion Questions: As you think about the leaders you have respected most, what attributes have they had that were impactful? How do those attributes reflect the character of Jesus?Where have you seen the American church pursue worldly leadership instead of godly leadership? What have been the consequences?Where has God given you leadership influence? Which of the traits discussed today do you most need to grow in?

This is the 32nd sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Our future resurrection should be a source of current comfort for us.We will have an imperishable body.The resurrection will restore all that has been broken. Discussion Questions: What are you looking most forward to in the New Creation?What are some practical ways to remind ourselves of the reality of our Resurrection?Pray for encouragement and perseverance for others at your table, in whatever they are facing.

This is the 31st sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Individual calling and vocational faithfulness (19:21-22).Idols and Gospel-disruption (19:23-27).Confusion and defending our gods (19:28-34).Competing idols and a temporary truce (19:35-41). Discussion Questions: What is your vocation? How does viewing it as a calling from God for ministry tangibly change your actions?When are you most likely to become angry, anxious, or give in to despair? What might that show you about what your heart worships? How is Jesus better?What would Gospel-disruption in our city look like? What cultural idols would be challenged? How would we know the Gospel is what is causing the disruption?

This is the 30th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Apollos' discipleship journey (18:24-28).“Disciples” in Ephesus and their journey (19:1-10).Spiritual warfare, total surrender, and the discipleship journey (19:11-20). Discussion Questions: As you reflect on the past few months, how has Jesus worked in you? How has Jesus worked through you?Which of the discipleship journeys that we studied today most connects with you? Why?Why is the combination of gifting and humility (i.e. Apollos) so rare? How can we cultivate humility in our own lives?

This is the 29th sermon in our series Acts: Jesus Builds His Church. Sermon Outline: Presence in friendship (18:1-3).Presence in conversions (18:4-11).Presence in reminders of sovereignty (18:12-17).Presence in spiritual disciplines (18:18-23). Notable Quote: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled…let not one go unwarned and un-prayed for.” —C.H. Spurgeon Discussion Questions: Does evangelism/mission scare you? If so, why?Have you ever felt depleted in ministry or your walk with Jesus? How would experiencing the presence of Jesus impact that? What means of grace, or spiritual disciplines, has Jesus used to show you that He is with you?

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy (Titus 3:1–5a, ESV). SERMON OUTLINE: Who we are… for the world (3:1-2)Who we were... in the world (3:3)Who He is... that makes us new (3:4-5a) **This sermon was preached by Joey Parsons of The Town Church in Greeley, Colorado.

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31–33, ESV)

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:1–2, ESV) Sermon Outline Anxious Work: It is in vain that you rise up early… eating the bread of anxious toil Anxious Sleep: It is in vain that you go late to rest...eating the bread of anxious toil Sleep that Works: When the Lord builds the house and watches the city, he gives to his beloved sleep. **This sermon was preached by Justin Broady, Church Planting Resident at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas.