Sermons

"How Then Shall We Live?" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/how-then-shall-we-live-1tpnoolo9l Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1.) As terrifying and devastating as it will be, why should we “look forward to the day of God…” (vs. 12a)? 2.) Why is the call to live “holy and godly lives” the only appropriate response to the day of the Lord (vs. 11)? 3.) Why must we “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” (vs. 14)? 4.) What might happen if we don't? (see verse 17) 5.) In regards to the Day of the Lord, how may we “speed its coming” (vs. 12b)? (see Matthew 24:14)

"What IS the Day of the Lord??" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/what-is-the-day-of-the-lord Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. It is clear from the Old Testament that the Day of the Lord is a Day of Yahweh's vengeance on the wicked. How does this picture of God's justice and wrath toward sin impact you? 2. In what ways have we overemphasized, or deemphasized, this aspect of God's character? 3. Jesus said there will be both a great falling away before He returns but ALSO that the Gospel will be preached to all lands. How should these two prophecies inspire us to live regardless of how difficult things may become?

"The Day of the Lord" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-day-of-the-lord Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. How does knowing that the world as we know it will be destroyed by fire change your perspective? 2. In what ways is Peter seeking to stir us up to “wholesome thinking” and righteous living? 3. Why? (think through the themes of the whole book)

Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/discerning-false-teachers-week-2 Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What fears or desires are in your heart that may soften you to listening to false prophecies? 2. What is the fruit of the pastors, teachers, and leaders I listen to? 3. How do they receive correction, do they accept it, or do I always feel like I'm in the wrong? 4. How can we remain in Truth as we live as “wheat among the tares?” (Matthew 13:24-30) 5. What is my attitude towards fellow brothers and sisters who disagree with me?

Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/discerning-false-teachers-week-1 Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In what ways are past and present Heresies/Heretics impacting the big “C” church today? How are they affecting our little “C” church? 2. Are there any areas that you struggle with about God, the Scriptures, or the Christian Faith? If so, how can you deal with them? 3. Consider the teachers you like to listen to. What is their motivation? Are they men of sincerity desiring to serve Christ? Or are they peddlers of God's word who desire to make money? 4. What “hard teachings” in Scripture do you wish were different? 5. Is a preacher's popularity a good sign, a warning sign, or no indication whatsoever? Why?

"Watch Out For Wolves" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/watch-out-for-wolves Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1.) Are you “planted” deeply in God's Word right now? (see Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) 2.) What are you tempted to go back to, like a dog to its vomit? What voices in your life may be encouraging you in that direction? 3.) Who are you listening to on a regular basis that holds influence over you? (e.g. blogger, musician, preacher, etc.) 4.) Evaluate them against the characteristics outlined by Peter in 2 Peter 2. 5.) If you are not sure, who may you talk to that may help you discern?

Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/faith-received-faith-perceived Discussion Questions: Are we knowing God through a working knowledge, or a walking knowledge? What are you furnishing your faith with? How can you help a neighbor build upon their faith to keep it increasing? Are you growing weary of the process of continuing to furnish the faith you have been given? Are you fighting any fears or doubts that you have been given what only God can provide?

Digital Bulletin https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-path-to-peace Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: • If the enemy of God could sneak around and take you out, how might he do it? • What lie or deception could he use to sneak up behind you? • What idea or belief has greatly influenced you but you've never really tested it? • What causes you to have less joy and peace, or more fears and worries?

"Three Appeals" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/three-appeals Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion What does Peter base his appeal to the elders on? Why do you think? Why is the role of elders to the church so important? What makes the role of elders uniquely difficult? Describe the relationship between the elders and congregation. What attribute does Peter command us to have toward one another? Why is this so important?

Digital Bulletin-- Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What attitude, perspective or expectation might you need to change in order to be ready to suffer well and even rejoice when you face suffering? 2. What changes in attitude and actions do you need to make in order to suffer well, remembering that God's judgment will bring perfect justice in the end? 3. What changes in attitude and actions do you need to make in order to help those who don't yet know Jesus come to know Him? Even those who cause you or your loved ones to suffer?

"This is Not the Time To..." Digital Bulletin-- Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In what ways are you living today light of the fact that we may very well be “in the last few sentences of the last chapter” of world history? 2. Why do you think Peter stated that we need to be sober, alert, clear-minded, etc. in order to pray well? What are those things that would dull the heart and mind spiritually, emotionally, and physically? 3. On a scale from 1-10, how “deep” would say your relationships with other believers are right now? What could you do that would take your relationships at least one step deeper? 4. Do you know what your spiritual gift is? If so, are you being FAITHFUL to use it? And if so, are you careful to be FILLED with the Spirit so that only God gains the glory? If not, what will you do moving forward? 5. Prayerfully consider signing on “The Hospitality Challenge”

"Suffering Like Jesus" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/suffering-like-jesus Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions. To what attitude or mindset should we align our minds? How does Paul model one who suffers well? How are you personally suffering in the body? How does Jesus demonstrate how we should prepare ourselves to suffer? How can the believer have peace about justice that seems presently unserved? What can the believer look forward to after a life of suffering?

"Do Good... No Matter What" Digital Bulletin -https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/dont-stop-no-matter-what Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions 1. What are some of the traits that Peter highlights in the beginning of this section? What are some of the ways we apply these characteristics when faced with slander, persecution, etc? 2. How can we continue to express them when great trial and trouble comes? 3. For what reason have we been called to exhibit these characteristics and to keep showing them to the world? 4. Do we live such good lives by our own strength of character?  5. What is the Hope that we have that people should notice? How can we find confidence that we will definitely be able to bear up under trial? 6. What now saves us? How can we know we are saved?

"A Marriage That Honors" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/a-marriage-that-honors Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion 1. Why is the idea of women being submissive to their husbands so controversial in our larger culture today? How might a godly example of biblical submission and mutual honor be both worship and witness? 2. What does inner beauty for women look like according to this passage? 3. How do we discern what is immodest or “sexy” in our culture today? Why must we be careful to not project our personal standards too quickly? 4. What are the self-evident truths that should cause a husband to treat his wife “according to knowledge”? 5. In what ways may a husband treat his wife as “precious”?

"You Want Me to Do What?!?" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/you-want-me-to-do-what Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. How does it strike you that enduring unjust suffering is a part of your “call” as a follower of Jesus? 2. Why should we be willing to endure suffering for doing good? 3. In what ways are you suffering (big or small) because of your faith? In reflecting on the example of Christ, how well are you enduring that currently? 4. Take some time to pray for the persecuted church. You may find it helpful to go to opendoorsusa.org or persecution.com for more information and resources.

"Be a Good Citizen" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/be-a-good-citizen-63csz5k92z Personal Growth/Group Discussion Questions In your own words describe why God has established government on the earth. How are followers of Christ supposed to respond to those in authority? How do we respond when we are being governed by people who are not godly? How do we respond when our government is forbidding what God commands, commanding what God forbids, or going beyond their sphere of authority? Any current examples of this? How would do #4 in a godly, respectful way?

"Be a Good Citizen" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/be-a-good-citizen Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In your own words describe why God has established government on the earth. 2. How are followers of Christ supposed to respond to those in authority? 3. How do we respond when we are being governed by people who are not godly? 4. How do we respond when our government is forbidding what God commands, commanding what God forbids, or going beyond their sphere of authority? Any current examples of this? 5. How would do #4 in a godly, respectful way?

Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly. Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/act-justly-love-mercy-walk-humbly Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion What is one ongoing injustice that you are passionate about? If you're not sure then ask God to help you understand His heart for at least one ongoing injustice. Then prayerfully work through the following questions: Act Justly • In what ways do you need to speak up for truth in this situation? • In what ways do you need to advocate for the vulnerable in this situation? Love Mercy • In what ways do you need to show mercy to the vulnerable in this situation? • In what ways might you show mercy to even the guilty in this situation? Walk Humbly • How does the Gospel impact the way you do all of the above?

Spring Missions Conference Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/spring-missions-conference James and Morgan Tumwesiigye www.milandila.org Barry and Kimberly Horst and Matt Durkee www.fiaintl.org

"Reaching the Unreached in Thailand" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/travis-to-the-unreached-in-thailand Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What do you think about the Great Unbalance? 2. How would you explain to someone about why God judges everyone the same, even the people who are seemingly in the middle of nowhere, in distant countries, without access to Jesus? 3. What is the greatest hindrance stopping you from "going to all the nations?"

"Love One Another Deeply" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/love-one-another-deeply Personal Reflection/Discussion Questions 1.) Why do you think Scriptures call us to love one another deeply and daily? 2.) What do you think that might look for you to obey that more faithfully this week? 3.) Toward the end of the message, Pastor Jim outlined several different groups that may be present within the church. What group might you be apart of? Are there any steps of faith and obedience that you need to take?

"Love Your Enemy" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/love-your-enemy 1.) How is the example of God sending rain on the righteous and the unrighteous a powerful example of loving one's enemy (Matthew 5)? 2.) If it's true that we tend to hate (or strongly dislike/distrust) people in "groups", what are some groups that Evangelical Christians tend to consider their "enemy"? What groups tend to view Evangelicals as their enemy? 3.) Who are some people within your sphere of influence that may be categorized as belonging to one of these enemy "groups"? What would it look to intentionally pray for them, bless them, befriend them? 4.) Who is an "enemy" that you don't even know personally? How can you love them and pray for them still? 5.) This week, in addition to praying for the Church in Afghanistan, consider praying for the Taliban.

Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-priestly-duty-of-evangelism Personal Reflection/ Discussion Questions 1.) Why do you think Paul described evangelism as a "priestly duty"? 2.) Paul told Timothy that he was do the "work of evangelism". Do you think that exhortation is applicable to every believer? Why or why not? 3.) Why did God give the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to the Church (see Ephesians 4:11-13)? What implication does this have on the congregation in regards to evangelism? 4.) This week, let's pray that God would CONVICT our hearts, grant us COURAGE and even POWER for the work of evangelism.