Questions from the Congregation - Part 4

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [01:33] - Q: Can you explain the meaning/symbolism of the new Harvest Vertical Church logo? Is there any military/militia inspiration or hidden meaning to its design?
    
2. [04:27] - Q: In Mark 3:17, Jesus calls James and John, sons of Zebedee, "Sons of Thunder". (BLB says Greek "Boanereges" comes from 2 Aramaic root words meaning "son, child | rage".) Was it     their zeal and passion for the Lord that earned them this nickname, a reference to fiery personalities given to hot-headedness, or both?
   A: Luke 9:51
    
3. [07:24] - Q: Some people feel it is important for all of us to use a supernatural language today. Please help us to understand this. Thank you.
   A: 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14
    
4. [08:58] - Q: What exactly is happening at the Lord’s supper? Real presence? Just remembrance?
   A: Hebrews 9:25-26, 1 Corinthians 11:25
    
5. [13:44] - Q: What are some Bible references for people who have made wrong decisions     but God continued to love and provide for them? I am looking for     some hope that all is not lost because of my wrong decisions. The Psalms seem to address when people are being persecuted for their faith. thank you.
   A: (David) - 2 Samuel 11, (Peter) - John 21, (Paul) - 1 Timothy 1:15-16
    
6. [22:33] - Q: What do you think about the “new perspective on Paul”?
   A: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:8-9
    
7. [27:10] - Q: What do you think about the documentary hypothesis? Like is it ok to believe or no?
   A: (Jesus) - Mark 12:28, (Peter) - Acts 3:22, (Paul) - Romans 10:5
    
8. [29:05] - Q: What is the lesson & significance of Jacob’s ladder?
   A: Genesis 28:10-22
    
9. [30:43] - Q: What is Satanism? How does it tie into the Bible?


10. Q: Does David seem to show signs of arrogance in some of the things he writes in the Psalms? For example, Ps. 18: 20-24, “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;, according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.” NIV I know David is known as the man after God’s own heart, but every time I read this passage, I feel like David is saying he DESERVED God’s blessing. Am I wrong?
    A: [Check Pastor Jeff's Blog soon for an answer]
     
11. [34:12] - Q: Did God know Adam and Eve would sin? Did God create hell before or after the first sin?
    A: Isaiah 46:9-10, Revelation 13:8, 1 Peter 1:18-20, Matthew 25:41-46

Note: Read Jeff's blog for the answer to this questions that he was unable to get to during this Q&A service.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

1. Discuss any of the questions (and answers) from Sunday outlined above. Reflect on the answers given. How would you answer these?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

How to Have the Best Christmas Ever, the Shepherd Way

1. LISTEN Up! Be ready to respond to God's Word. (Luke 2:8-16)

Three Levels of Belief:
• Knowing the information
• Agreeing with the information
• Acting on the information

How to Act Upon Your Faith:
• REPENT
• RECEIVE
• REACT


2. SPEAK Up! People need to hear what you know about Jesus. (Luke 2:17-18)


3. LOOK Up! Seeing God at work changes you! (Luke 2:19-20)

North Street Christian Church - Christmas Eve Service

Sermon Notes (PDF): (no notes)
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 2:8-20

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

God Was One of Us

God Was With Us...

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Matthew 1:18-23 - Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

1. ...to be my SUBSTITUTE . (Hebrews 2:9-10)



2. ...to be my SANCTIFIER . (Hebrews 2:11-13)



3. ...to be my SYMPATHIZER . (Hebrews 2:17-18)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Hebrews 2:9-18

1. Why is it necessary that Jesus be fully God AND fully human? Would he be able to be a substitute/sanctifier/sympathizer if He wasn't fully God AND fully human? Why or why not?
    
2. What have you done with this good news? Have you offered this gift to anyone else?

Breakout Questions:

Who do you know that needs to know the life of Christ? Pray for that person by name.

The Power to Heal

God Can Still Heal. And Here's What I Can Do:

1. I can STOP and show COMPASSION. (Acts 3:1-5)



2. I can MINISTER in the name of Jesus to people. (Acts 3:6-7)



3. I can BRING people to worship. (Acts 3:8-10)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 3:1-10

1. Why doesn’t God heal people today in the manner He did in the 1st Century?
    
2. What are some reasons God may choose to NOT heal someone?
    
3. What would you say to someone who is discouraged, “I have been praying for this for a long time, and God doesn’t seem to be answering my prayers…”

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

The Power of Fellowship

5 Things Said of a Church with a Godly Reputation:

1. "That church is UNIFIED !" (Acts 2:42)


2. "GOD is doing things in that church!"(Acts 2:43)


3. "That church is GENEROUS !" (Acts 2:44-45)


4. "That church is JOYFUL !" (Acts 2:46)


5. "I can't say anything BAD about that church!" (Acts 2:47)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Sermon Discussion with your Children:
What does it mean to be generous?
How can you and your family be generous in and with the church?

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 2:42-47

1. Why is unity so important to the reputation of the church? What does church membership say about unity?
    
2. Without Apostles, how does awe come upon souls today (Acts 2:43)?
3. How does God add to a church (Acts 2:47) that strives for excellence in these areas?

Breakout Questions:

Of these 5 areas, what is most lacking at HBCPN? How can we seek the Lord for better in that/those area(s)?