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Four Corners Church
Hosted by Four Corners Church · EN
Newnan, Georgia
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Like a Child
4d agoTap to summarizeSermon 76 in Series Luke 18:15-17 [15] Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [17] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How does this account highlight the value of children? How does it encourage you to lead the children in your life to Jesus? 2. Why is a passage like this so helpful as we prepare for VBS this week? How does it function as a reminder to avoid certain pitfalls as we go through each night? 3. Why do the disciples rebuke those who bring the children? What is Jesus’ response, and what does that say about his character and purposes? 4. In what ways do we sometimes relate to children with a “too busy” or “too petty” mindset? How does this passage correct that tendency and heighten our intentionality? 5. What reason does Jesus give for receiving the children? Where else in the New Testament do we see Jesus using children as a picture? 6. How do we lose sight of humility in the Christian life? How does this passage, along with the previous one, challenge you in that area? References: Matthew 18:1-14 (corporate reading); Philippians 2:1-11; Luke 17:11-12; Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:16; Luke 5:13; 6:19; Numbers 6:24-26; Ephesians 1:3; John 6:35; 4:10; 11:25; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Mark 3:9-10; 10:14; Luke 9:46-48; Matthew 18:3-4; James 4:10; 1 Peter 2:2; Matthew 5:3.
Transcribe →A Shock to the Self-Righteous
2w agoTap to summarizeSermon 75 in Series Luke 18:9-14 [9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How does this parable follow the theme and pattern of the one before? How does it move in a new direction? 2. What have we learned about the Pharisees so far in Luke? How does this passage contribute to that portrayal? 3. How does Jesus describe the Pharisee’s prayer? Where can this attitude, whether subtly or overtly, show up in the life of a Christian? 4. What does the tax collector teach us about prayer? What does he teach us about salvation? 5. Is pride a sin that you give much attention to in your life? In what ways does it tend to fly under the radar, and how does our contempt for others help us detect it? 6. How does Jesus’ application of the parable anticipate Paul’s emphatic proclamation of justification by faith? How does it lay down a guiding principle for the Christian life? References:Romans 3:9-26 (corporate reading); Luke 16:15; 5:30; 15:2; John 1:14; Matthew 21:31; Luke 3:13; 11:42; Romans 10:3; Isaiah 6:5; Matthew 6:5; Romans 3:25; Genesis 15:6; Romans 3:28; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 14:11.
Transcribe →Perseverance in Prayer
3w agoTap to summarizeSermon 74 in Series Luke 18:1-8 [1] And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. [2] He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. [3] And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ [4] For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” [6] And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. [7] And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? [8] I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How is this passage connected to the one before? What does it mean that Christians are a waiting people? 2. What is the purpose / main idea of the parable as Jesus describes it in v. 1? What does it look like for us to lose heart in our praying? 3. What comparison does Jesus draw between the widow and the Christian? How does he contrast God with the unrighteous judge? 4. How does God view us and our prayers according to this passage? How are you encouraged to pray more frequently, fervently, and persistently? 5. How much do you follow the template of the Lord’s Prayer with an emphasis on the coming of God’s kingdom? In what ways do we overlook or minimize the first few requests in order to quickly get to our earthly needs? 6. How does the end of v. 8 challenge the believer to be vigilant? How are faith and prayer inextricably linked? References: Luke 11:1-13 (corporate reading); 2 Corinthians 4:16; Galatians 6:9; Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 68:5; Deuteronomy 10:18; Ephesians 1:4-5; Luke 6:22; 2 Peter 3:8-9; Luke 21:31-36; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 3:2; Romans 12:12.
Transcribe →The Kingdom & the Returning King
4w agoTap to summarizeSermon 73 in Series Luke 17:20-37 [20] Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, [21] nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” [22] And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. [23] And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. [24] For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. [25] But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. [26] Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. [27] They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. [28] Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, [29] but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—[30] so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. [31] On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. [32] Remember Lot’s wife. [33] Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. [34] I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. [35] There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” [37] And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How do we tend to accentuate our differences when discussing eschatology? What does it look like to emphasize what we hold in common? 2. How is the kingdom presented as already and not yet? How have we seen this play out in Luke up to this point? 3. What does Romans 14:17 tell us about life in the kingdom? How should this direct our eschatological discussions with fellow believers? 4. How does Jesus describe his Return/Second Coming? What is he trying to protect his followers from doing? 5. How does this passage emphasize judgment? Where do we also see hope and salvation for the believer? 6. In what ways does this teaching warn the reader? How does it better equip us to persevere through trials and to bear offences without revenge? 7. How does this passage inform your eschatology? How does it correct it? References: 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – 2:12 (corporate reading); 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8; Luke 11:16, 29; 7:22; Isaiah 61:1-2; Psalm 147:7-8; Luke 11:20; Romans 14:17; Luke 11:2; 12:40; 9:26; Titus 2:13; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 9:22; Gen. 6:5; 13:13; 19:1-29; Matthew 24:15-18; Luke 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:3.
Transcribe →Ten Lepers, One Worshiper
May 3Tap to summarizeSermon 72 in Series Luke 17:11-19 [11] On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance [13] and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” [14] When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. [15] Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; [16] and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. [17] Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? [18] Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” [19] And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How are Jesus’ miracles presented as teaching opportunities in Luke? How does this miracle continue that pattern? 2. How is Luke keeping the cross central as he traces Jesus’ steps? What does it look like for us to keep the cross at the center of our thinking? 3. Why was leprosy such a terrible condition? As with other miracles, how does this healing bring together Jesus’ power and compassion? 4. How does Jesus uphold the Law? How does this relate to what we have recently seen with the Pharisees? 5. How do the nine ungrateful lepers warn us about earthly mindedness and ingratitude? In what ways do we prioritize the gift over the Giver? 6. As Christians, why should our constant attitude be like the leper who returned? What does it look like to daily fight for praise and gratitude? 7. Why is it significant that the returning leper was a Samaritan? How does this reiterate themes we have repeatedly seen in Luke? References: Psalm 103 (corporate reading); Luke 5:23-24; 9:51; 13:33; 9:31; Leviticus 13-14; Luke 5:12-13; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Kings 5:1-14; Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Luke 10:30-37; John 1:11-13; Matthew 8:11-12.
Transcribe →Fundamentals for Followers
Apr 26Tap to summarizeSermon 71 in Series Luke 17:1-10 [1] And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! [2] It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. [3] Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, [4] and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” [5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” [6] And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. [7] “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? [8] Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? [9] Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? [10] So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. What are the sorts of enticements to sin that Jesus is talking about at the beginning of this passage? How can they involve doctrine or practice? 2. What warning does Jesus give? What effect should such warnings have on Christian readers? 3. Why is accountability so important within a church? What does it look like to hold others accountable with gentleness and humility? 4. What does Jesus say here about forgiveness? How is this both difficult and crucial in our relationships? 5. How does the progression of this passage appear to link forgiving others with faith? How do Jesus’ words encourage us to pray more often and expectantly? 6. How does this passage highlight our identity as “slaves of Christ”? What are some implications of vv. 7-10 for us References: Matthew 18:1-22 (corporate reading); Romans 14:13; 16:17; 1 John 2:10; Titus 1:1; Matthew 5:29-30; Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 13:24; Galatians 6:1; Matthew 7:5; 6:12; 21:21; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Romans 4:19-21; James 1:5-8; Matthew 6:10; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Romans 1:1; 11:35; Luke 12:37; John 13:5.
Transcribe →Riches Reversed
Apr 19Tap to summarizeSermon 70 in Series Luke 16:19-31 [19] “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21] who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, [23] and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. [24] And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ [25] But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ [27] And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—[28] for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ [29] But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ [30] And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ [31] He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How do the previous two sections in Luke 16 set the stage for this section? How does this parable rebuke the Pharisees? 2. What stark contrast is given between the rich man and Lazarus? How is this reversed after death? 3. What is wrong with the rich man’s attitude and actions? How does his character warn us and call us to action? 4. What does this passage teach us about the afterlife? Why is it a helpful evangelistic text? 5. How does Jesus highlight the sufficiency of Scripture? In what ways do people today look elsewhere for God’s revelation? 6. What does this parable show about the human heart? How does it remove excuses for unbelief? 7. What two events does v. 31 anticipate? How is it an illustration of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day? References: James 4:13 – 5:11 (corporate reading); Luke 16:13; 12:18-19, 21, 33; 6:20-21, 24-25; 9:25; Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 3:12; 5:22; 25:41; John 12:9-11; Matthew 28:11-14.
Transcribe →Silencing the Scoffers
Apr 12Tap to summarizeSermon 69 in Series Luke 16:14-18 [14] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. [15] And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. [16] “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. [17] But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. [18] “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. Why is it so helpful to be continually confronted with Jesus’ teaching on money/possessions? How does it protect us? 2. How do the Pharisees respond to Jesus’ teaching? How does their love of money serve as a warning to us? 3. How does the mockery of the Pharisees anticipate the crucifixion? What does it show about counting the cost? 4. In what ways does Jesus rebuke the Pharisees? How does he characterize their religious activity? 5. What contrast is Luke drawing between vv. 14-15 and 16-18? What is he communicating about Jesus? 6. How does Jesus explain the continuity between Old Testament Scripture and the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom? How does his teaching on divorce and remarriage provide an example? 7. What is God’s view of marriage and divorce according to this passage? How do other passages like Matthew 5:31-32 and 19:3-9 as well as 1 Corinthians 7:15 fill out Jesus’ teaching? References: Psalm 119:33-48 (corporate reading); Luke 15:2; 23:35; 14:27; 11:39; 20:47; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 23:5; 1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 1:17; John 1:31; Luke 14:23; 13:24; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 40:8; Luke 21:33; Matthew 19:3-9; 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 7:15.
Transcribe →Graciously Raised with the Risen Christ
Apr 5Tap to summarizeEphesians 2:1-10 [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—[3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. How does the Parable of the Prodigal Son draw us to Ephesians 2:1-10? What role has this passage played in your life? 2. What is the big idea of vv. 1-3, and how does Paul break this condition down into several parts/aspects? What did this look like for you prior to Christ? 3. Why are the opening words of v. 4 so significant? How does Paul go on to describe God’s attitude and actions towards us? 4. What is the purpose of God’s gracious salvation according to v. 7? How does the language magnify the extent of God’s love for his people? 5. How are vv. 8-9 logically/grammatically related to v. 7? How does this salvation remove all grounds for boasting? 6. What does Paul say about good works? What errors are corrected by vv. 8-10? 7. How does this passage deepen your love for the Lord and desire to serve him? How does it humble you and make you thankful? References: Luke 15:24; Romans 6:4; Galatians 1:4; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 1:29-31; Ephesians 4:22; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 5:8, 10; Colossians 3:1-4.
Transcribe →Christ Crucified, Freedom Found
Apr 3Tap to summarizeEphesians 1:7 [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (ESV) DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. References:
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