River of Life Alliance Church
By River of Life Alliance Church
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Podcast Description
The Audio Sermons from River of Life Alliance Church in Grand Junction, Colorado
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On One Condition | May 6, 2012 “On One Condition” Read Hebrews 3:1-6 1. Our first questions on Sunday from this passage were what does “holy brothers and sisters” really mean and how does this description of you and I change our lives? a. If we are indeed holy, how do we live out that identity? b. What do you think the author means when he says that we “share in the heavenly calling?” 2. Since we are holy through Jesus, we are to fix our thoughts on Jesus. Again, how do we do this…really? a. What does it mean to you that we are to fix our thoughts on Him because He is our Apostle? b. What does it mean to you that we are to fix our thoughts on Him because He is our High Priest? 3. What do you take from verses 2-5 and the authors’ comparison on Jesus with Moses? 4. How do you respond to the conditional statement in verse 6? a. What does it mean to you personally when you read that we are the church, “if you hold onto your courage?” b. What does it mean to you personally when you read, “if you hold onto the hope of which we boast?” 5. This church was undergoing some severe adversity and many seemed to be turning from faith in Christ back to their old world views. Read the parable of the sower in Luke 8. The Hebrew church had a lot of rocky soil in it. What kind of soil are you? a. How is God using adversity in your life today to mature you spiritually? b. Do you believe that God uses adversity in your life? How effective is adversity in developing maturity? | 5/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Great Paradox | Read chapter 2 of Hebrews. 1. What do you think the author is saying in verse 9? a. Other verses to consider: Phil 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. 2. Look at and consider verse 10. In verse 9 the author points to the grace of God and then in verse 10 we read “it was fitting.” As we mentioned in church on Sunday, what does verse 11 tell us about the character of God? How should this verse impact the believer…you? 3. Think for a moment about an ideal family. Depending on your upbringing, this may be difficult, but imagine what an ideal family would look like? Read verse 11. Why is Jesus not ashamed of you and I? What is this verse telling you about your relationship with Jesus. 4. By death, Jesus destroyed the devil. True or false? Why does the world seem so dark if the devil is destroyed? a. Are you free from the slavery spoken about in verse 15? b. Do you fear death? What part of dying do you fear most? What is the author speaking about when he tells us that through the death of Jesus we are free from the fear of death? 5. What is your understanding of the role of the high priest in the Jewish religious system? What does it mean to you that Jesus is our High Priest? 6. Think for a moment…how are you tempted? Who does the tempting? a. How is Jesus able to help us when we are tempted? b. How can we live out this truth in the real world? 7. Write down and share one application from Hebrews 2. | 4/29/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Jesus is better than angels | Read chapter 1 of Hebrews. 1. What do we know about the church receiving this letter? 2. As you review this chapter, what does the author tell us about the superiority of Jesus over angels? 3. What does this chapter tell us about the roles and duties of angels? 4. Think for a moment on verse 14. What does that verse mean to you? How does it make you feel? 5. Now read Hebrews 2:1-4. a. What are we to pay more careful attention to? Why? b. Look at verse 3. How does your version read? What do you think the warning is here? c. “Drift away,” “escape,” “neglect.” These are all words that we need to begin to understand and apply to ourselves and our church. d. Dialogue for a while on the great salvation mentioned in this passage. How does chapter 1 highlight this salvation? How might we ignore or neglect our salvation? How did God confirm this salvation? Have you experienced confirmation of your salvation? Can you testify to any sign, wonder, miracle, gift of the Holy Spirit? 6. So, what kind of application do you make from this first chapter of Hebrews? What is your “take-a-way?” | 4/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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7 Reasons | -- | 4/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Pilate | 1. The text from Sunday is John 18:28-19:16. Go ahead and read this passage again. a. What do you know about Pilate? What role does he play in this passage? b. Any thoughts on why the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to turn this matter over to Pilate? 2. What is one of your favorite Bible passages that includes the cross? Read Colossians 2:13-15. What does this passage tell us about the cross? Why is the cross such an important symbol for Christ followers? 3. It seems as though Pilate recognized that Jesus was innocent. Why didn’t Pilate simply release Jesus? 4. We talked on Sunday about the dialogue between Pilate and Jesus. Any observations concerning this conversation? 5. What is Jesus telling Pilate in John 18:37? Use a concordance and read some of the verses in John that use the word “truth.” a. What does Jesus mean when he says that He is the truth? b. What do you think it means when Jesus testifies to the truth? 6. Where are people looking for truth today? 7. George Ladd writes about John 14:6, “Jesus is the disclosure of God’s faithfulness to his own character…making his saving will known to all men.” How do you respond to this quote in light of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate? 8. God initiates seeking the lost. He wants to save people who are unworthy. Jesus came to mediate life to men. Do you think this was his mission as he stood before Pilate? Why or why not. 9. As Jesus stands before men through the sharing of the gospel message, he demands a decision. We either believe and live in Him or we deny the truth. What is it in your life? 10. When was the last time you shared the gospel message or your testimony of grace with someone? What does Jesus model in the story we read today? | 4/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Two Tragedies | 1. When we speak of celebrating Easter, what comes to your mind? 2. Read John18:12-27; . These first questions look at the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin. · Read John 11:45-53. What are your observations from this passage? o Why does the Sanhedrin desire to kill Jesus? · Read Mark 14:60-65. Why does the High Priest respond so dramatically to the response of Jesus? · The tragedy we talked about on Sunday was that the Sanhedrin became the enemy of Jesus. Didn’t they seem so close to believing? Why did they ignore the miracles and claims? Could this story have ended differently? o Why do so many people today become enemies of God? What keeps people from believing that Jesus is the Savior and LORD of the world? (Romans 5:10) 3. Consider again the three denials of Peter. What motivations do you find in Scripture that might help us understand these denials? (John 13:28; Luke 22:54-62). · We called Peter a “false friend” on Sunday. Do you agree? · Have you ever been a false friend of Jesus? What did or does that look like? · We find Peter restored in John 21:15-19 4. Now consider Judas, another “false friend.” Read Luke 22:4-5; Matt 27:3-4. Both were remorseful, how might you explain the different outcomes; one restored and one destroyed? Could the story have ended differently for Judas? How so? 5. Read 1 Peter 1:17-21. Meditate for a moment on this passage and think about the denials and then Peter penning these words. This Easter season, what do these verses mean to you? How can these words keep us from behaving like false friends? | 3/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Coveting Makes Selfish People. Contentment in the Gospel Creates Loving People. | Read Romans 7:7-13. What do these verses say about the law? What do these verses say about Paul? How was Paul able to recognize that coveting was a sin? Do you think Paul was coveting before he knew the law? Read Matthew 19:16-22. What is the young rich man asking about? Jesus has two responses - What are they? Why does the young rich man walk away sad? In Matthew 19:18-19, Jesus lists specific commands that are part of the 10 commandments and deal with our interaction with our neighbor. However, Jesus leaves one out. Which one does he leave out and why do you think Jesus did that? Biblical coveting is desiring something and expecting that something to fulfill our deepest longings. What is the young man in the story coveting? How does his coveting effect his neighbor? Read Philippians 4:11-13. Why do you think Paul says learning to be content is a secret? How do you personally find contentment in Christ? Read Romans 13:8-10. What sums up all the commandments? What are some practical ways we can love our neighbor? Do you think contentment frees you up to love your neighbor? If so, how would that look in your small group? Do you think you can command love? How does God’s love help us love our neighbor well? Do you struggle in trying to follow the 10 commandments? What is your motive in following the 10 commandments? Do you think there are similarities in the following motives: trying to earn God’s love versus trying to maintain’s God’s love? Why do you think God gave the 10 commandments? Hint: He wasn’t bored one day and thought we needed good morals. | 3/18/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Lying Exposes Your Idol but Jesus Reveals Your Identity. | Read Genesis 3:4. What sin does the serpent commit in tempting Adam and Eve to sin? Hint: Read John 8:44. Read Proverbs 6:16. How many things listed in that verse relate with or can be associated with lying? Why do you think God “hates” lying? Pastor Tim Keller says in his book Counterfeit Gods that “..Idolatry is always the reason we ever do anything wrong...We would not lie unless we first had made something - human approval, reputation, power over others, financial advantage - more important and valuable to our hearts than the grace and favor of God.” Do you agree with that statement? Is the sin of Idolatry linked to the sin of lying? Read Acts 5:1-11. What stands out to you about Ananias and Sapphira? What stands out to you about Peter? What stands out to you about the Holy Spirit? Most lies originate in believing lies. What lie(s) were Ananias and Sapphira believing? What things do you personally lie about? Why do you lie? Hint: If you are having trouble answering those questions ask this question - What lies are you believing? Read Ephesians 4:22. What is the difference between the “New Self” and the “Old Self?” Do we create the “new self” or was the “new self” created for us? Read Ephesians 6:10-20. What is the very first piece of the armor that is mentioned? Do you think that is coincidence? Why or why not? How does that piece of armor help us fight the sin of lying? Name some things Jesus has done for you by his life, death and resurrection? How do those things characterize or impact your life right now? Justification essentially means that when God the Father looks at believers he sees Jesus. If you are a believer, how does that change your life? If you are not a Christian, how would that change your life? | 3/11/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Adultery and Lust and Redemption | Read Exodus 20:1-14 1. Talk for a while about the importance of marriage. What things are assaulting marriages today? 2. Have someone read Malachi 2:13-16. What does the prophet tell us about marriage? What does marriage have to do with our relationship with God? Why such a high value on marriage? 3. Read Gen 20:1-7 and Deut 22:22 and 1 Cor 6:18-20. Observations? How do you apply the lessons here to our marriages? To our Christian culture? 4. Read Rev 21:2-4 and Jeremiah 3:6-8. Any light shed on why God values fidelity in our marriages? 5. Now read Matthew 27-32. This is the “rest of the story.” Observations? What is lust? How does it show up today? TWO APPLICATIONS: 1. Read Gal 2:20 and Romans 6:1-4 and Galatians 5:16-25. What is Paul (the worst of sinners) telling us in these passages? a. Who are you? 2. Respond to this statement: “If my motive is trusting God, then my value will be living out of who God says I am, and my actions will be standing with God, with my sin in front of us, working on it together.” (TrueFaced by Bill Thrall) b. Read John 8:3-11. | 2/26/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Do Not Murder | 1. Reread Ex 20:13. What does murder mean to you? Look at Exodus 21:12-14 and discuss. 2. What is the cultural view of abortion? · Is abortion murder? How has our nation moved to the point of condoning this practice? (world-wide there are 115,000 abortions per day. In the US there are about 3,700 per day. · Read Exodus 21:22. Thoughts? · Read 2 Samuel 12:23. What is the story here. What conclusions can you come to from this passage concerning the premature death of a baby? 3. How should the church respond to abortion? How should the church respond to those who have had abortions? What can you do to help the pregnant mothers who are questioning and in crisis? 4. Read Matt 5:21-24. Write down three observations from this passage. · What is one application for you today concerning living out this passage? 5. Read Eph 4:32 and Col 3:13. Why is forgiveness so hard for us sometimes? How do we forgive and not place ourselves in another hurtful situation? 6. Read Ps 130:1-5. What does the psalmist tell us about someone who offends us? | 2/19/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Honor | 1. So often we read this command and substitute “obey” for “honor.” What is the difference? 2. You may not have grown up in a safe home or you may have had loving parents, but can you discuss for a moment what a safe and secure family and home would look like? 3. We talked on Sunday about being parents their children would want to honor. The roles of parents: a. Nurture. What does nurture mean to you? (Read Deuteronomy 6 to help get the discussion started.) · Provide · Protect · Encourage · Read Colossians 3:20, 21…how do we “embitter” our children? b. Direct. What does it mean that we are to direct your children? (Eph 6:1-4 and Heb 12:7-10 may help) · How do we direct and not break a child’s spirit? (What is the difference between a child’s spirit and her will?) c. Love. What does unconditional love towards your child look like? Read 1 Cor 13:4-7. Which aspects of this unfailing love is missing in your family life (marriage or parenting). 4. How do you honor your mother and/or father in your current stage of life? 5. How do you reconcile this command with our Christian lifestyle when the children have been abused or abandoned or unloved? What are some tensions in obeying this command in your child/parent relationship? 6. We talked about three actions and attitudes children need to have towards their parents. Visit about these and encourage one another with these three: · We must forgive. Matt 6:14-15. Why? How? · We must pray for and love. Matt 5:43-48. Why? How? · We must (as much as it depends on us) live at peace. Romans 12:17-21. Why? How? | 2/12/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Sabbath | Read Exodus 20:1-11 1. What is one impact the study of the first three commandments has had on your relationship or walk with the LORD? 2. As you read “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” what comes to your mind? For those who have grown up in the church, what did this mean to you and to your family? For those who did not grow up in the church, did you even consider the Sabbath? 3. What are some issues that have come up for you or for your friends and family concerning the Sabbath? 4. We began on Sunday with the truth that God sees work as good. Do you agree? Why or why not? a. Read Col 3:23-24 and Titus 3:13-14. What observations do you make from these passages about work? b. What does work have to do with the Sabbath? 5. Read Exodus 16:1-3; 21-30. What is happening here? How does the Sabbath play into the life of the nation of Israel? Why does God hold the Sabbath in such high regard? a. Read Matt 6:31-33. Observations? What is Jesus telling his would-be followers? What is the lesson for you and I concerning work and Sabbath? b. Read Mark 10:17-22. What has this young man done in his mind to deserve eternal life? What does Jesus tell him? How might this story play into the taking of a Sabbath? 6. Read Deut 5:12-15. Why does God tell his people to take a Sabbath according to this passage? a. If the Sabbath is a day to “settle down” and cease from exertion, how should it be spent? Exodus 31:15-17; Lev 23:3 7. How did Jesus spend his Sabbaths? How did Paul spend his Sabbaths? You may want to do a word search for Sabbath in the NT to get some ideas here. Places to start: Mark 3:1-6; Acts 20:7,8. 8. So what? Should we spend a Sabbath? What gets in the way of our times of rest? What do we do during the Sabbath so that we keep it holy? In closing you may want to read Col 2:13-17. | 2/5/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Living in the Reality of the NAME | Read Exodus 20:1-7 We are looking at the third commandment in verse 7. In order to fully grasp this command, we must understand the Hebrew meanings for the words used in this verse. If you have time, use a concordance and find out where these words are used elsewhere in the Bible. Here is an important definition of the word misuse (NIV) or take in vain (KJV, ASV, NAS). Misuse: to empty of substance; a sense of desolating something; most often interpreted as vanity which means to be valueless 1. How do we misuse the LORD’s name in our culture? How do we refer to God or to Jesus Christ in ways that is irreverent? How much do you struggle with cursing? a. Read James 3:9-12. What does James tell us about our speech? Any applications for you today? 2. As we look more closely at this passage we find that we are not to empty God’s holy Name of its authority, holy character, and power. This is true for anyone who bears the name of Christ. (Phil 2:9, 10; Romans 10:9; 1 Cor 12:3) a. What does it mean to you when you declare that Jesus is LORD? (Share two things that come to your mind.) 3. Do a word search of “name” in the New Testament if you have time. Jot down what the Bible tells us about the name of Jesus. (For example: Matt 18:5, 20; Mark 9:41; John 15:21, 16:24….) a. What are the promises we have because we live in the name of Jesus? b. What are the difficulties we have and will face because we live in the name of Jesus? 4. If you bear the name of Christian and declare that Jesus is LORD, are you living in the reality of the Name of Jesus? (Darrin Patrick) a. Any behavior or speech that robs the name of Jesus of its power and authority and holy nature? b. Any situations in your day when you forget or ignore your position as a Christian? (Any time when you don’t want to be associated with Christ?) 5. Think for a moment how this third commandment is tied in with the first two. Any conviction to change the way you live in light of these commands? Read 2 Cor 5:16-21. Is the church living out this passage in this community? | 1/29/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Graven Images Aren't Nice | Read Exodus 20:1-6 1. What do you think of when the word idol us used in the Bible? 2. How does this second commandment tie in with the first commandment? 3. So, God invites this nation into a relationship with Him. He redeemed them from slavery and asks them to worship Him alone…Read Exodus 32:1-6. What just happened? 4. Have you ever made God little? Have you ever wanted God to act in ways that you understand? Have you ever wanted to control God and made Him into a golden calf? a. Have you ever asked why God does what He does? Have you ever asked, “What was God thinking?” When do these kind of thoughts change from questioning God to demanding God to act in a way we understand? b. When is it hard for you to accept God’s sovereignty? When do we want our change our all-powerful God into a golden calf that we can tame and control? 5. Joshua 24:14, 15 is a familiar passage. Does the choice laid out here still apply today? Tim Keller in his book, “Counterfeit Gods,” offers five ways of identifying when we choose idolatry over serving God: · Anything more important to you than God · Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God · Anything you seek to give you what only God can give · Whatever you look at and say in your heart of hearts, “If I have that, then I”ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.” · Anything that becomes more fundamental than God to your happiness, meaning in life and identity. Write down one or two idols in your life that compete for your affections and allegiance. Why are these idols bothersome to you? How long have these idols been competing for your affections? 6. Read Colossians 1:15-20. This passage speaks to a good image that is to be worshipped. a. Now read 2 Cor 3:17, 18. What does this passage say about us? What does it mean to you today that you are being transformed into the image of Jesus? What idols are keeping you from that transformation? What idols compete for your time and affections over and above living like Jesus? | 1/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Do we know God? | -- | 1/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Holy, Holy, Holy God | 1. Read Isaiah 6:1-5. Discuss for a moment what Isaiah saw and how it impacted him. What in this passage is personally convicting or challenging? 2. As we talk about obedience to the 10 Commandments, we must consider the holiness of God. What does it mean that God is holy? 3. Read Leviticus 20:26. Who is God speaking to? What is He commanding? Why is He commanding this thing? 4. Now read 1 Peter 1:13-16. In this passage, what does Peter tell us about what God has done? What does Peter challenge the church with? How do you respond to this passage? 5. Who is God in your sight? Read again the Isaiah 6 passage. 6. Who are you in God’s sight?…2 Cor 5:20; 1 John 3:1; Heb 2:11; Eph 3:18, 19; Gen 1:26. Look at 1 Pet 2:9, 10. 7. So, what does the 10 commandments have to do with the holiness of our God? | 1/8/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 16 Episodes |
