Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, January 5, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 14:1-12 Disagreement Categories: Essentials 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Preferences Non-essential convictions Dietary Restrictions Keeping the Sabbath Alcohol consumption “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.” -Augustine “Paul was a reed in nonessentials, an iron pillar in essentials.” -John Newton How should we deal with disagreements over non-essential convictions? Follow your convictions. Refrain from judgment. “The frown of the legalist is just as inappropriate for the realm of Christ as the disdainful smile of the liberated.” -R. Jewett How do we get there? Remember your position. Trust others’ intentions. Recognize your need for grace. 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 body 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— Remember that God has welcomed them. If you either despise or condemn him, you reject him whom God has embraced.” - John Calvin How dare we reject a person whom God has accepted -John Stott Discipleship Questions: Part of handling disagreements well is knowing the difference in essentials and non-essentials. List some things in each of these three categories: Essentials Preferences Non-essential convictions How can something (like eating meat) be wrong for some but okay for others? Is there room for different beliefs within the same faith? Why or why not? In this passage, do you identify with those who are told not to judge people who are less morally conservative or those who are told not to disdain those who are more morally conservative? How do we not just tolerate but welcome those whose convictions differ from our own?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Sermon text: Haggai 2:20-23 God points to the past to give us confidence in the present God points to the future to give us hope in the present Revelation 16:17–21 [17] The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” [18] And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. [19] The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. [21] And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. Jeremiah 22:24-25 [24] “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “I will abandon you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Even if you were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off. [25] I will hand you over to those who seek to kill you, those you so desperately fear—to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the mighty Babylonian army. 2 Samuel 7:16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever. God calls us to present faithfulness in light of the past and future “One of the great disservices we have done the church is to let people think that getting married, having children, staying married, taking those children to church, teaching those children about the faith, buying shoes, and training those children to be kind and courageous Christian adults is something other than radical discipleship. When we follow Jesus by loving others, discipling our children, getting involved in a good church, and sharing with others our faith and our resources—when we do all that, we are most definitely doing something.” —Kevin DeYoung, Impossible Christianity ”Consider your ways” - we should give priority to God’s Kingdom ”Work, for I am with you” - we get to join God in advancing His Kingdom The significance of the renewal of the promise through Zerubbabel for us is that it reminds us that God will never abandon or forsake his people. God will not give up on us. Though frequently we fail him and let him down, he will never be unfaithful and leave us to our fate. Our small acts of obedience, whether or not they seem to bear any fruit in the world’s eyes, have a significance that stretches far beyond the visible. Our labors will not be in vain. The efforts we expend to restore broken relationships, or to be faithful to God in the face of difficult circumstances, or to put to death our besetting sins, will never be wasted. We will surely receive our reward. –Iain M. Duguid, Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi Discipleship Questions: In what ways have God’s actions in the past given you confidence in the present? How does the future promised to God’s children give you hope in the present? Why is it hard to remember our future hope in the midst of the present? What are some practical ways you can be faithful in the present? How have the central messages of Haggai challenged, encouraged, or inspired you to consider your ways and work faithfully knowing God is with you? How can advancing for the future actually give us more reasons to be faithful today?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Sermon text: Haggai 2:10-19 Defilement spreads naturally - Allsups photo Holiness only comes from God Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. Luke 5:12-13 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. When a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead… death itself would start working backward. C.S. Lewis Romans 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Zechariah 3:3–5 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by. When our hearts are unsubmissive, our sacrifices are offensive. 1 Samuel 15:13-15 And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” 14 And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” 15 Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God. And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. We often must wait for God’s promises Discipleship Questions: Haggai 2 explains that an unclean thing defiles what it touches, while a holy thing does not make holy what it touches. So defilement spreads naturally and easily but holiness does not. What examples do you see in everyday life of this? Just for fun… Come up with your own illustration of how things that are unclean infect or ruin things that touch it. While good things do not necessarily clean or redeem things that touch it. For 16 years, Israelites were neglecting to rebuild the temple while still offering sacrifices. Why was this dishonoring to God? What are some examples of how we try to offer sacrifices to God without hearts that are yielded to him? 

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Sermon text: Haggai 2:1-9 So even though we are not exiled Jews once under the rule of the Babylonians but now under the rule of the Persians, this text is incredibly relatable and timely! When it comes to your faith, do you sometimes know the right thing to do and fail to do it? Do you sometimes start something like a Bible reading plan or study or prayer and not follow through with it? Do you struggle with a sense of futility and sometimes default to looking out only for your own interests? Do you know that nothing would be better for you than to reorder your life and die to yourself and live for God, but still, you struggle with getting after it? God's people have been given the green light to rebuild the temple, and 16 years have passed! Our setting this morning is that they have started the process of rebuilding, finally! But after only days they have slowed their working, coming nearly to a halt. In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? The Lord of hosts wants His people to deal with their baggage 1.) Deal with your baggage Apparently, the reason they have lost their zeal so quickly is their memories of the good old days. There were some Israelites who were now in their 70s who experienced the glory of Solomon's temple in the flesh. The dimensions of what they were building were actually the exact same, but the grandeur was not even close. Rudyard Kipling has a poem with a line about building something back up that you've lost, with worn out tools. Climb into the story. Imagine older men and women leading these younger generations. They are standing on a slab with a lot of work to do. With withered and calloused hands and worn out tools they begin to rebuild. And within moments their hearts become heavy because it just feels so futile. How could it compare to their previous experience? I think God is showing us the importance of dealing with our baggage and how to do it.  Be honest about your thoughts (previous church, people you did life with, a place you lived)  Take your thoughts captive (the wrong thoughts can lead to disobedience)  Reckon with reality (maybe you think now compared to then is “nothing”) 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 2.) Be Strong and Fearless Strength is needed because our burdens way us down. Weakness and loss of zeal can come in many ways. The language "be strong" can also be translated as "take courage". So this isn't just the physical strength to actually get something done, but also the mental fortitude of a transformed mind. Fearlessness is needed because fear never leads to productivity. It always leads to doubt and paralysis and excuses. Fear allows hurdles and unknowns to crush your spirit. So God calls His people to deal with their baggage, and then commands them to be strong and fearless. Have you ever told someone, "Hey, don't be fearful... don't be anxious... don't be depressed... don't be weak." For those in that headspace or that season of life, that can feel like being told, "Hey, don't be tall... don't be bald..." When you are struggling it doesn't feel like you are choosing to struggle. It feels like it is just the way you are. So God, in His mercy, gives us some reasons to be strong and fearless...  There is work to do  I am working with you  My Spirit remains in your midst 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’ ” God encourages us to deal with our baggage, be strong and courageous because there is work to do, and finally.... 3.) Battle for an eternal perspective The past is not meant to establish what you put your hand to now. The future does. The unrest we feel now will be replaced with peace eternally. No matter how futile your faithful actions seem, whether it is with your marriage, or your children, or your lack of those things, or a small ministry, or whatever and wherever God is calling you to serve, it serves a much bigger goal. And that goal is the glory of God. It is a battle because 2 Cor. 4 tells us that the god of this world wants to blind the minds of unbelievers from seeing the glory of God in the face of Christ. One way that the enemy does that is to weigh your spirit down... to steal your joy... to cripple you with fear and zap your strength. In the enemy's mind it goes like this, If I can keep them from serving in the Children's ministry... if I can isolate them and make them feel like nobody else struggles with the things they struggle with... If I can make them give way to the solicitations of the flesh and leave ministry... if I can divide the leadership so that the church is torn apart.... maybe then that child will be blinded to the glory of God... maybe that loner will be blinded to God's glory in community... maybe that addict will be blinded to God's glory in accountability and community... maybe that person who has experienced church hurt will be blinded to God's glory in church healing. I call it a battle for an eternal perspective because it takes some grit, and it is a battle for souls! Yours and others. As you deal with your baggage, strong and fearless, leaning into the work that God is calling you to, your work will, gradually now, and in a significant moment later, be met with a shaking. God shakes us now and nothing is left the way it was. We are not our own. Our resources and talents and time now belong to Him! And that is exactly what He will do on a much larger scale when Jesus comes back. He will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land and the nations, drawing people to Himself, a people for His own possession, laying hold of the silver, gold, and souls that are rightfully His! So keep working! Indeed, the latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former! Discipleship Questions: 1.) What baggage are you carrying around that might be keeping you from leaning into what God is calling you to? 2.) Where in your life are you allowing fear to steal your zeal? Confess your fears and pray for one another. 3.) How does the reality of God’s presence working with you impact your view of the work? 4.) If God’s eternal plans truly impacted your life, how would your life be different? What are some actions steps you can put in place today to lean into what God is calling you to? 5.) What does an eternal perspective look like? How can you help your children pursue this?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Sermon text: Haggai 1:5-11 Consider the futility of living only for yourself Yet such a strategy is counterproductive, as Haggai pointed out. For all their busyness in pursuit of their own ends, the people of God were not achieving the goals they had hoped to accomplish. What they got out of life was not what they were putting into it. They were not experiencing the fullness of God’s blessing but rather an inadequate, unfulfilling life in which every pleasure proved disappointingly incomplete and elusive. They had put their own interests before God’s interest, and as a result, they were reaping the consequences of that set of priorities: a life of futility. They were running faster and faster, like hamsters on a treadmill, getting precisely nowhere. —Iain M. Duguid Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi Matthew 6:19–21 [19] “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Consider the fulfillment of living primarily for God Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Reorder priorities —Realign purpose —Renew obedience 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 [14] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Discipleship Questions: How have you experienced the futility of living only for yourself? What is the difference between storing up treasure on earth vs in heaven? In what ways have you experienced the fulfillment of living primarily for God? How is God leading you to consider your ways when it comes to… reordering priorities realigning purposes renewing obedience How does the gospel inform us as we consider our ways and respond?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Sermon text: Exodus 3:7-12 God is advancing His mission Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. God chooses to use His people to advance His mission God: I’m sending you to lead my people out of Egypt Moses: Who am I to do something like that? God: God: But I will be with you 1 Chronicles 29:5-13 5 Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?” 6 Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army, and the king’s administrative officers all gave willingly. 7 For the construction of the Temple of God, they gave about 188 tons of gold, 375 tons of silver 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron. 8 They also contributed numerous precious stones, which were deposited in the treasury of the house of the Lord under the care of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon. 9 The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy. 10 Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. 13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! Discipleship Questions: What are some things God has taught you through this Advance series? How do you think the commitment you made will help strengthen or grow your faith? In what ways do you see that how we view and use money is a discipleship issue? In what ways do you relate to the conversation between Moses and God? What are you most excited about right now when it comes to Crosspoint? Prayer Prompts Pray that our leaders will have wisdom and discernment to move us forward. Pray that our people will be encouraged and filled with joy in response to the commitment they made. Read through 1 Chronicles 29:5-13 as a group. Talk about what this verse teaches us. Pray that we will trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Sermon text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 We should give gladly and willingly. Not out of pressure. (2 Cor. 9:6-7) Our gifts are merited not by amount, but by ability. (2 Cor. 8:12) “The rich, on the one hand, owe to God a larger offering. And the poor, on the other hand, ought not to be ashamed of their slender resources.” - John Calvin We should be encouraged to give generously: By our ability (2 Cor. 8:13-14) By others’ examples (2 Cor. 9:2, 4) By the example of Jesus (2 Cor. 8:9) By God’s provision (2 Cor. 8:15) Discipleship Questions: In this passage, Paul cautions against giving because we are pressured by others to do so… Do you ever struggle with giving that is done “reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Cor. 9:7)? In that same passage, he says each should instead give what he “has decided in his own heart to give.” Explain, in your own words, the difference between these two approaches or motivations. What’s the difference in someone encouraging others to give in a godly way and someone who’s pressuring or manipulating others in that way? At least four things were listed in this text that should encourage us to be generous (our ability, others’ examples, the example of Jesus, and God’ provision). Which of those is the most significant motivator for you in your giving? How does giving generously and regularly help you grow as a Christian?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Sermon text: Matthew 6:19-21 Our treasure only lasts when we store it in heaven “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” —Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle Our hearts are directly connected to our treasure God wants your heart. He isn’t looking just for “donors” for His kingdom, those who stand outside the cause and dispassionately consider acts of philanthropy. He’s looking for disciples immersed in the causes they give to. He wants people so filled with a vision for eternity that they wouldn’t dream of not investing their money, time, and prayers where they will matter most.” —Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle His kingdom is the ultimate treasure Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “We don’t have a budget problem; we have a treasure problem. We don’t have a financial problem; we have a kingship problem. We don’t have a things problem; we have a heart problem.” –-Paul Tripp, Redeeming Money 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Discipleship Questions: Why is it hard for us to fully embrace the idea that treasures on earth do not last? What are your thoughts regarding storing treasure in heaven instead of on earth? In what ways do you find the subject of money to be a spiritual issue? According to the way you spend your time and money, where are your treasures? If God doesn’t need your money, why is giving so important? What needs to change in your life in order for you to treasure the kingdom? (Seek first…) How does the gospel help us treasure the right things and store up treasure in heaven? Prayer Prompts: That God would prepare the hearts of our people to give generously as we Advance. That God would help us as a people to trust Him completely as we step out in faith. That God would guide our leaders as they make decisions regarding details of this project. That God would prepare the way for this whole process to go smoothly (city leaders, contractors, etc.). That God would help us to be a people who trust in Him and treasure His kingdom above all else.

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Sermon text: Luke 9:23-25 Following Jesus requires extreme self-denial. Jesus is not an app that you add on; He’s a new operating system for your life. If you’re not denying yourself, you’re not following Jesus. Self-denial applies to all parts of life: Sin Galatians 5:17 “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” “This means saying no to sin, no to ungodly attitudes, no to unhealthy relationships, no to self-indulgent acquisitions, no to things that waste our time, and no to physical pleasures that sap our spiritual strength…” -Philip Ryken Good things “…It also means saying no to many things that are good in themselves, but are not God’s will for us, at least at the present time” -Philip Graham Ryken Time Money Self-denial is not ultimate for the Christian. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot Philippians 2:8–9 “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” Jesus is not to be pitied for what He lost but admired for what He gained. Discipleship Questions: What are some areas where it’s difficult to exercise self-denial? Consider the following categories: Sins Good things Time Money Are you poised to receive input from people in this group if they see a lack of self-denial in these areas? Consider page 22 in the Advance Guide Book. Which category of giving would you put yourself in? What would it take for you to take the next step forward in that journey? John Piper said that for the Christian, there is no such thing as ultimate self-denial. Discuss this statement in light of Luke 9:24-25