Living It Out – Message Notes and Discussion Questions for the weekend of 7.30.11

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Power of the Invite
Kyle Gray, i-Campus Pastor
July 30 & 31, 2011

The Need for Workers

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” MATTHEW 9:35-38

Notes:

 

 

 

 

All Scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Living It Out – Discussion Questions
(Discuss these questions in your LifeGroup and/or with your family and friends.)

Icebreaker Question: Talk about how you first found CedarCreek, share your story

1. What special things did God do, looking back, to prepare you to walk in these doors?

2. Who was your first contact at CedarCreek that built a relationship with you?

3. When is the last time you invited someone to Church?

4. What roadblocks are there that keep you from inviting people?

5. Who will you invite to the Big Push?

6. How will you invite them, what’s your plan?

7. Who can you be praying for that God can start the process in even today?

Living It Out – Scripture Memory
(Memorize this verse for the month of July.)
COLOSSIANS 4:5-6 (New Living Translation)
Live wisely among those who are not believers,
and make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be gracious and attractive so that
you will have the right response for everyone.

Living It Out – Message Notes and Discussion Questions for the weekend of 7.23.11

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Vintage Faith
Jeremiah – The Weeping, Complaining, Persevering Prophet
Lee Powell, Senior Pastor
July 23 & 24, 2011

What he “DIDN’T” have…

S______- C_____________________

…I knew you before I formed you in your Mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my Prophets to the Nations. JEREMIAH 1:4 & 5

O Sovereign Lord,…I can’t speak for you! I’m too young! JEREMIAH 1:6

A P________________ A________________

“What sorrow is mine…Oh that I had died at birth! I am hated everywhere I go. JEREMIAH 15:10

Why…does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry. JEREMIAH 15:18

…I curse the day I was born! May no one celebrate the day of my birth. I curse the messenger who told my father, Good news, you have a son!…Terrify him all day…because he did not kill me at birth. Oh, that I had died in my Mother’s womb…why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow and shame. JEREMIAH 20:14-18

What he “DID” have…

A H__________ for G_____

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins. JEREMIAH 15:16,17

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him… 2 CHRONICLES 16:9

C_____________________ in G_______

…Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost! The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for him. LAMENTATIONS 3:18-25

C______________________ to the C_____________ of God

Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”JEREMIAH 1:10

But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! JEREMIAH 20:9

All Scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Living It Out – Discussion Questions
(Discuss these questions in your LifeGroup and/or with your family and friends.)

1. Why do you think God chose to use someone like Jeremiah, who had so many flaws to carry His message to the people of Judah?

2. Read Jeremiah 1:4-6. Have you ever felt that God was calling you to do something but you doubted yourself? What was the result?

3. Read Jeremiah 20:14-18. Have you ever felt this down in the dumps? What promises of God or favorite scripture passages do you turn to during these tough times?

4. Read Jeremiah 15:16-17. What do you see in these passages that show the prophet’s heart for God? Do you believe your heart is in tune with God’s heart? Why or why not?

5. Read Jeremiah 20:7-9. Have you ever had a message from God you felt was like a “Fire in my bones?” Who in your life do you need to share the message of Christ with?

Living It Out – Scripture Memory
(Memorize this verse for the month of July.)
COLOSSIANS 4:5-6 (New Living Translation)
Live wisely among those who are not believers,
and make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be gracious and attractive so that
you will have the right response for everyone.

Living It Out – Message Notes and Discussion Questions for the weekend of 7.16.11

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Vintage Faith
Isaiah – Game Changer
Lee Powell, Senior Pastor
July 16 & 17, 2011

Game Changing E___________________

1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” ISAIAH 6:1-7

Game Changing A _________________

Then I heard the Lord asking…“Who will go for us?…” ISAIAH 6:8a

Game Changing R_________________

…“Here I am. Send me.” ISAIAH 6:8b

All Scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Living It Out – Discussion Questions
(Discuss these questions in your LifeGroup and/or with your family and friends.)

Icebreaker: Read Isaiah 6:1-8. What stands out to you in this passage? How would you respond if you saw God in heaven, in all his glory?

1. When was the last time you had a game changing experience from God? Could be a time you felt God speak to you or a big spiritual wake up call.

2. Think about a difficult time in your life. What spiritual revelations did God reveal to you through that experience?

3. Have you ever felt God’s call to do something? (could be big or small) If so, what was the result? Also, is there anything God is calling you to right now?

4. Are you a Missional member of CedarCreek? If so, what benefits have you seen in your spiritual life going through the process? If not, what is holding you back?

Living It Out – Scripture Memory
(Memorize this verse for the month of July.)
COLOSSIANS 4:5-6 (New Living Translation)
Live wisely among those who are not believers,
and make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be gracious and attractive so that
you will have the right response for everyone.

Living It Out – Message Notes and Discussion Questions for the weekend of 7.9.11

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Click here to download a printable version of the discussion questions for the weekend of 7.9.11.

Vintage Faith
Solomon – Wind Chaser
Lee Powell, Senior Pastor
July 9 & 10, 2011

Knowledge
I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven… and really, it is all meaningless — like chasing the wind. ECCLESIASTES 1:13-14

C _________________ the W __________

Pleasure
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life”… ECCLESIASTES 2:1

…many beautiful concubines… ECCLESIASTES 2:8

… I denied myself no pleasure… ECCLESIASTES 2:10

C _________________ the W __________

Possessions
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. ECCLESIASTES 2:4

…I had everything a man could desire! ECCLESIASTES 2:8

C _________________ the W __________

Greatness
…I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me… ECCLESIASTES 2:9

C _________________ the W __________

Security
I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces…ECCLESIASTES 2:8

C _________________ the W __________

Entertainment
…I hired wonderful singers, both men and women… ECCLESIASTES 2:8

C _________________ the W __________

… ALL so meaningless — like chasing the wind. ECCLESIASTES 2:11

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature…they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself… ROMANS 1:19-25

Life I___ Christ

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9

…I have learned the secret of living in every situation… plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. PHILIPPIANS 4:12,13

All Scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Living It Out – Discussion Questions
(Discuss these questions in your LifeGroup and/or with your family and friends.)

Icebreaker: What is the thing in life that brings you the most pleasure? Why?

1. Some might mistakenly think this weekend’s message was a “Don’t” talk warning us against enjoying pleasurable things in life. In fact, this weekend’s talk was actually a “Do” talk. God wants us to experience good things in life, but what does He want us to do more than anything?

2. One of the blessings about living in America is that we have so many opportunities to engage in many different things. What are some of the things you enjoy about life? Is it wrong for us to enjoy what this life has to offer?

3. Solomon was a man who had it all! He had smarts, money and women. Yet, Solomon struggled to find significance in his life. Describe a time in your life when you struggled to find satisfaction and contentment. What answers did you eventually discover?

4. Romans 1:25 says that men would turn from worshiping God toward worshiping created things. It is so easy for us to become captivated by the pursuit of stuff, recognition, status, security – so many different things. How can you know when your heart is turning from God in order to pursue things apart from God? What are the warning signs? How can you reverse and redirect?

5. The main point of this weekend’s message is that God wants us to experience the pleasure that flows out of Him being at the center of our lives. Solomon showed us that experiencing pleasure apart from God was as meaningless as chasing the wind. Is there an area of life where you are currently chasing the wind? What are you hoping for? If you inserted God into the center of that chase, what would change?

6. There is a difference between enjoying something and truly being satisfied. Often we pursue enjoyable things, but are never satisfied by them. Describe a time when you were truly satisfied with yourself.

7. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon sums up his quest in this final conclusion: “Fear God and obey his commands.” What have you learned during this weekend message that has challenged you to think about what you are chasing and whether or not you are finding satisfaction in God?

Living It Out – Scripture Memory
(Memorize this verse for the month of July.)
COLOSSIANS 4:5-6 (New Living Translation)
Live wisely among those who are not believers,
and make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be gracious and attractive so that
you will have the right response for everyone.