The Centrality of God in All Things
Weekly Reading
Monday: Genesis 12, Hebrews 4-5
Tuesday: Genesis 13, Hebrews 6
Wednesday: Genesis 14-15, Hebrews 7-8
Thursday: Genesis 16, Hebrews 9
Friday: Genesis 17, Hebrews 10
Saturday: Proverbs 27
Sunday: Ezekiel 41-47
Tuesday: Genesis 13, Hebrews 6
Wednesday: Genesis 14-15, Hebrews 7-8
Thursday: Genesis 16, Hebrews 9
Friday: Genesis 17, Hebrews 10
Saturday: Proverbs 27
Sunday: Ezekiel 41-47
Sermon Notes
Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
Acts 16:6-10
Acts 17:1-9
Our message = Gospel of God
Our motives = please God
Our manner = like God
Stories we here in our culture that are presented as good news:
Individualism - the story that “I” am the center of the universe
Consumerism - the story that I am what I own
Nationalism - the story that my nation is God’s nation
Moral relativism - the story that we can’t know what is universally good
Scientific naturalism - the story that all that matters is matter
New Age - the story that we are gods
Postmodern tribalism - the story that all that matters is what my small group thinks
Salvation by therapy - the story that I can come to my full human potential through inner exploration.
- Hidden Worldviews, by Steve Wilkens and Mark Sanford
“Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It's a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don't want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel.” - God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself, by John Piper
Acts 16:6-10
Acts 17:1-9
Our message = Gospel of God
Our motives = please God
Our manner = like God
Stories we here in our culture that are presented as good news:
Individualism - the story that “I” am the center of the universe
Consumerism - the story that I am what I own
Nationalism - the story that my nation is God’s nation
Moral relativism - the story that we can’t know what is universally good
Scientific naturalism - the story that all that matters is matter
New Age - the story that we are gods
Postmodern tribalism - the story that all that matters is what my small group thinks
Salvation by therapy - the story that I can come to my full human potential through inner exploration.
- Hidden Worldviews, by Steve Wilkens and Mark Sanford
“Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It's a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don't want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel.” - God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself, by John Piper
Discussion Questions
1. Any specific highlights from the passage or the sermon?
2. This sermon was wrapped around 3 M’s. The first being Our Message = Gospel of God.
How does the message of the gospel contrast with the list of all other messages of our culture?
3. Russ quoted John Piper saying, “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there.” What does it look like to love God above everything else?
4. The second “M” is Our Motive = to please God. Read verses 4-6 and talk about purity of motives. What does it look like to do the right thing with the right motive in God’s eyes?
5. The final “M” is Our Manner = like God. Read verses 7-12. What qualities stand out to you in the list? What areas do you feel God calling you to walk in a manner worthy of God? How can we help each other this way?
2. This sermon was wrapped around 3 M’s. The first being Our Message = Gospel of God.
How does the message of the gospel contrast with the list of all other messages of our culture?
3. Russ quoted John Piper saying, “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there.” What does it look like to love God above everything else?
4. The second “M” is Our Motive = to please God. Read verses 4-6 and talk about purity of motives. What does it look like to do the right thing with the right motive in God’s eyes?
5. The final “M” is Our Manner = like God. Read verses 7-12. What qualities stand out to you in the list? What areas do you feel God calling you to walk in a manner worthy of God? How can we help each other this way?
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