A Charge to the Rich (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

Outline: A Charge to the Rich (1 Tim. 6:17-19): 

1. The dangers that come with being rich (v.17a)
2. The responsibilities that come with being rich (vv.17b-18)
3. The eternal perspective that defines what it means to be truly rich (v.19)

Summary:  We have learned about how contentment is cultivated when we humbly agree with God about what our real needs actually are, about the temporary and fleeting nature of money and possessions, and about the genuine gain that comes from living a godly life protected and purified by contentment (6:6-8).  But one thing is painfully obvious (especially in on our intensely materialistic culture): contentment will not be attained without a fight.  Therefore, Christians must engage in a life-long fight for contentment, a fight which calls for both offensive and defensive strategies (6:11-12).  And where shall we find such strategies? We find them in the very next passage, that is, in the charge to the rich in 6:17-19.  Here we are given an eternal perspective defining what it means to be truly rich.  This perspective warns us of the dangers and inspires us with the responsibilities that come with being rich. When the dangers are heeded and the responsibilities embraced, we are those who find real gain and a firm grip on what is truly life.

Main Point: Rich Christians must set their hope on God by imitating God's generosity.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the relationship between contentment (6:6-8), the fight of faith (6:11-12) and the charge to the rich (6:17-19)?
• What dangers come with being rich (v.17)? Why must we be on guard against such dangers?
• God is described as one "who richly provides us everything to enjoy."  What does this say about God?  How should this fact about God shape how we use our wealth?  
• Practically speaking, what might it look like to be ready to share?
• If rich Christians are not imitating God's generosity, what does that say about their hope?
• How does v.19 give us an eternal perspective on what it means to be truly rich? How should that perspective shape how we heed the dangers and embrace the responsibilities that come with being wealthy Christians?

Application Questions:

• How am I practically imitating God's generosity in the use of my wealth?
• What practical steps can I take to be more ready to share generously with others?

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the greatest display of His generosity--the gift of His own dear Son
• Praise Jesus for making an eternal investment by shedding His blood for us
• Ask God to help us flee the dangers of pride and false security that come with being rich 
• Ask God to help us imitate His generosity by being rich in good works and ready to share our wealth for the good of others

A Good Servant Part 1 (1 Tim. 4:6-10)

Outline: A Good Servant Part 1 (1 Tim. 4:6-10): 

1. The desire to be a good servant
2. The discipline it takes to be a good servant

Summary:  There is an assumption in v.6 that looms large over vv.6-16, namely, that Timothy  desires to be a "good servant" of the Lord Jesus.  In fact, God inspired this passage in order to stimulate and channel this desire in every genuine Christian.  In v.6 Paul seeks to stimulate the desire by essentially saying this: "you do desire to be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus, don't you?  Implied answer: "yes, most definitely!" Paul then channels this desire vv.7-10 by telling Timothy to discipline himself in order to make that desire become a reality.  Christians are commanded to discipline themselves spiritually for the purpose of growing in godliness.

Main Point: Self-discipline is essential to living a godly life

Discussion Questions:

• What part of this sermon was most helpful or instructive to you? Why?  
• How should we as Christians feel about the title "good servant"?  Why do you think Paul would include that phrase at the beginning of vv.6-16?
• What is the meaning of the word "godliness"? 
• What is valuable about bodily or physical training/discipline?  
• Why is godliness (i.e. the fruit of spiritual discipline) more valuable than physical discipline?
• What might it look like to exercise self-discipline for the purpose of growing in godliness?
• What fueled Paul to exert himself in terms of spiritual discipline? (v.10)

Application Questions:

• On a scale of 1-10, how strong is your desire to be a "good servant" of the Lord Jesus?
• In what ways do you currently discipline yourself for the purpose of growing in godliness?
• Do you exert yourself in spiritual discipline/training to the point that you can you say " I toil and strive"?  If not, this might suggest a misplaced hope (v.10).  Confess this to the Lord and ask him to help you re-focus on what is truly valuable in this life and the life to come.

Prayer Points:

• Praise the living God for saving us and using us to save others
• Praise Jesus for the privilege it is to be His servants 
• Ask God to help us grasp more deeply the value of living a godly life
• Ask God to empower us to discipline ourselves for the purpose of growing in godliness 

Good News for Great Sinners (1 Tim. 1:12-17)

Outline of 1 Tim. 1:12-17: The Gospel is meant to produce...

1. Gratitude
2. Conviction
3. Hope
4. Praise

Summary:   Even 30 years after his conversion, Paul seemed to have never lost his gospel awe.  In fact, Paul was continually filled with gratitude for Jesus' saving grace, confidence in Jesus' willingness to save sinners, hope for those who are still lost in sin, and praise to the God who designed so great a healing balm for the soul.  In short, Paul couldn't get over the privilege it was to be saved by and entrusted with the gospel.  Have we lost our gospel awe?  May Paul's testimony help revive our awe for the gospel such that the fruits of the gospel (gratitude, conviction, hope, and praise) may be freshly manifested in our lives.  

Main Point:  It is a marvelous privilege to be saved by and entrusted with the glorious gospel.

Discussion Questions:

• According to vv.12-14, why is Paul so grateful?
• With Paul's track record, how could Jesus judge him faithful (or consider him trustworthy)?
• What is the clear statement of the gospel set forth in v.15?
• What do you think contributed to Paul's confidence in this gospel? [hint: Consider Paul's testimony and what Paul has seen the gospel do over the past 30 years of his life in ministry]
• How should we understand Paul's claim to be the "foremost" or worst of sinners?
• What was Jesus' special agenda in saving Paul (v.16)?  How might Paul's example bring hope to those who think their sin has put them beyond salvation's grasp? 
• Read v.17.  Do you think this is a fitting way for Paul to end his testimony?  Explain.  

Application Questions:

• On a scale of 1-10 (10- I'm extremely grateful; 1-I hardly think about it), how grateful am I for the privilege of being saved by and entrusted with the gospel?  
• How evident in my life are the gospel effects Paul expressed (gratitude, conviction, hope, praise)? How might I grow in these areas?
• What hope is there in this passage for my current struggle with sin?
• Is there anyone in my life that I'm tempted to think is beyond Jesus' saving reach?  How has this passage helped produce hope?  Pray for an opportunity to share the good news with them.

Prayer Points:

• Thank Jesus for His overflowing grace that washed away your sin and shame  
• Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind any sin in your life.  Then ask for a cleansing flood of fresh grace to wash away any wrongdoing  
• Ask for a renewed appreciation of gospel grace and for faith and love to swell in your heart
• Ask God to save people you may be tempted to think are beyond His saving reach

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

1. Comfort (vv.8-9)
2. Instruction (v.10a)
3. Encouragement (vv.10b-11)

Summary: We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna.  Smyrna, unlike Ephesus, was a healthy church, which is why rebuke, correction, and warning are absent from this letter.  But to say that Smyrna was a healthy church does not mean that life was easy for them. Rather, the believers in Smyrna were well acquainted with pain, poverty, and persecution and Jesus, the One walks among His lampstands (1:12-20), was totally aware of their circumstances.  Therefore, in this letter, Jesus' comfort, instruction, and encouragement was designed to help them conquer, that is, to remain faithful in the midst of their circumstances, no matter the cost.   

Main Point: Jesus calls all churches and all christians to conquer, to remain faithful to Him in the midst of our circumstances, no matter the cost.  

Discussion Questions:

• What circumstances was the church in Smyrna experiencing? (vv.9-10)
• Should the fact that Jesus is present with the church in Smyrna and intimately aware of all their circumstances be a terrifying or comforting reality for them? Explain.  
• How does Jesus comfort the church in Smyrna? (v.9; Hint: "I know ____")
• What instruction must Smyrna heed in the midst of their trying circumstances? (v.10a)
• What does the phrase "ten days" symbolize? How should it impact the church in Smyrna?
•  What promises does Jesus seek to encourage the church with?  (vv.10-11) What conditions are attached to those promises?

Application Questions:

• What trials am I currently experiencing?  And how am I responding to such trials?
• How should Jesus' presence with me and intimate knowledge of all that I am going through serve to comfort me? 
• How am I doing in terms of heeding Jesus' instructions to not fear future trials and to remain faithful no matter how hard things get?  
• If faithfulness to Jesus meant dying for my faith, would I be willing to do so? How can I live now that would prepare my heart to make such a sacrifice?
• How should the promise of being awarded the crown of life and being protected from the second death serve to fuel my present faithfulness to Jesus? 
• What fellow believers can I comfort and encourage with these truths?

Prayer Points:

• Acknowledge that Jesus is present with you and intimately aware of all your circumstances
• Praise Jesus for being a Savior can sympathize with you in the midst of all your trials
• Ask God to help you to conquer, to be faithful in the midst of your trials, no matter the cost
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you run to win the crown of life and dodge the second death
• Ask God to help your brothers and sisters at FBC to remain faithful through trial so that, as a church, our witness would be strong and bright for the glory of Christ

John's Greeting to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:4-8)

Outline: In Revelation 1:4-8

1. John's greeting to the churches
2. John's desire for the churches  

Summary: The Book of Revelation is a gift from God (v.1) addressed to the "seven churches" (v.4; cf. v.11).  Here John is using the number seven as a symbolic tool referring to the full number of churches (from all times and places), of which the "seven churches...in Asia" are representative.  In light of all that he has been shown, John uses his greeting to express his desire that the triune God (Father, Spirit, Son) would use this revelation to strengthen and reassure the churches as they eagerly anticipate the coming of Christ.

Main Point: John wants the churches to be experience much-needed grace and peace from the triune God through the message of Book of Revelation.

Discussion Questions:

• Who is the Book of Revelation written to?
• How are numbers often used in apocalyptic literature? 
• How is John using the number seven in v.4?
• What effect does John hope that the message of Revelation in general and the descriptions of the Father, Spirit, and Son in (v.4) in particular will have on the churches?
• How does the gospel both save us and send us (vv.5b-6)? 
• Why will many people wail at the sight of Jesus' coming?  What effect should this have on us in terms of witnessing to the unbelievers that God has placed in our lives?

Application Questions:

• What circumstances are troubling me at present?
• How might the descriptions of the Father, Spirit, and Son in v.4 be used to strengthen and comfort me?
• What people in my life would wail at Christ's coming? How should this influence my interactions with them?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Father, Spirit, and Son for who they are according to vv.4-8
• Ask God to strengthen and comfort you in light of who He is
• Praise Jesus for saving you and and for sending you.
• Plead with God to help you urgently share the gospel with unbelievers so that they will worship and not wail when Jesus comes back.  

Introduction to the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:1-3)

Outline: In Revelation 1:1-3

1. Introduction: the Book of Revelation as apocalyptic literature
2. The Book of Revelation is a gift
3. The Book of Revelation is a gift to the churches
4. The Book of Revelation is for our joy
5. The Book of Revelation is meant to produce urgency

Summary: This sermon serves as an introduction to the Book of Revelation in general and the first three chapters in particular.  To help us get our bearings, we began by focusing on the meaning of the term revelation and how "the things that must soon take place" come to us in the form of apocalyptic literature, that is, laden with words of prophecy, symbols, numbers, and Old Testament quotations. Revelation is a gift from God to the Church and it is designed for our joy in this life and our eternal joy in the life to come.  And Revelation is framed by one all-consuming truth--Jesus is coming soon!  Therefore, we are called to hear and heed the message of Revelation with great urgency.

Main Point: Revelation is God's gift to the Church to produce conquerors who will live with joyful urgency in light of the Jesus' return.

Discussion Questions:

• According to v.1, what is being revealed or made known in the book of revelation?
• In vv.1-2, note the sequence of how the Revelation is passed on: Revelation is a gift from God passed on to _____, _____, _____, and finally to the _____.
• "The things that must soon take place" are revealed to us in the form apocalyptic literature.  What are some of the features of apocalyptic literature?  Why might it be helpful to keep these features in mind as we study the Book of Revelation?
• How do these characteristics of apocalyptic literature serve to "turn the volume up."
• Who is the one who is truly blessed in v.3? (cf. James 1:22-24)
• Discuss this point: we can understand the message of the Book of Revelation without understanding every detail within it.
• What do you think is the basic message of the Book of Revelation?

Application Questions:

• What does God want to do in my life through the Book of Revelation?
• What is one thing that stood out in this sermon that I want to keep in mind throughout this study of the Book of Revelation?  

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the hope of Jesus' return and the fact that the darkness is almost over
• Ask God to help you understand message of the Book of Revelation
• Ask God to help you be a doer and not just a hearer of the message of the Book of Revelation

Grieving the Loss of the Pals Family

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FBC,

Many of you have heard the heart-wrenching news regarding the Pals family.   For those who haven’t, just a few days ago, on July 31st, the Pals were driving to Colorado for their final training before heading off to the Japan as long-term missionaries when they were rear ended by a semi while stopped at a construction site.  The semi rode over them and caused their van to burst into flames, killing the whole family--Jamison (29), Kathryne (29), Ezra (almost 4), Violet (almost 2), and baby Calvin (2 months).  

These dear friends were just at FBC in April sharing their heart to bring the gospel to the unreached people people of Japan.  This news has pierced many hearts with grief.  Karin and I counted Jamison and Kathryne to be some of our dearest friends and we cannot begin to tell you the sadness we feel.  But, as with so many others, we grieve as those who have hope.  As Christ-followers, our hope is completely bound up in Jesus Christ.  So we lift our tear-filled eyes to the One who conquered the grave, realizing that death does not have the final word for those who have found refuge in Jesus Christ.  For the the Pals, to live was Christ and to die was gain (Phil. 1:21).  For the Pals, death was not a brick wall but a portal into the presence of Jesus.  

It is right to grieve, to mourn deeply this traumatic loss of life.  But let us grieve with hope.  And let us be inspired by the way the Pals allowed their hope in Jesus to define what they lived for.  They lived for the fame of Jesus and the everlasting joy of the Japanese people.  Please join me in lifting up the follow requests to our heavenly Father: 

1) Pray for comfort for all those who are grieving, especially Jamison and Kathryne’s family members.  

2) Pray for the fame of Christ to spread as more and more people learn about the life and death of the Pals family.  Pray especially that God would be glorified through the memorial worship service that will be held this Saturday (learn more here: https://www.hopeingod.org/event/memorial-worship-service-jamison-kathryne-ezra-violet-and-calvin-pals).  

3) Pray that God would be pleased to raise up, in the Pals' stead, 100 warrior families to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Japanese people.  

Let's keep looking to the One who works out even the most heart-wrenching  for our good and His glory.

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,

Pastor Brandon

Ps. If you would like to learn more about the Pals family you can read the article posted at World Venture’s website at https://www.worldventure.com/remembering-the-pals-family/.

Also, a fund for missions has been set up to in memory of the Pals and, should God stir your heart to give to such an effort, you may click on the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/joyofjapan.

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart (Matt. 5:8)

Outline: Matthew 5:8

1. The Pure in Heart
2. The Promise of Seeing God

Summary: Jesus guides us on the narrow and hard path of righteousness that leads right into the Father's heart.  When the children of God embody the character qualities commended in the Beatitudes, they experience showers of blessing along the way and oceans of blessing when they reach their destination.  From the beatitude currently under study, we learn that such blessing comes to the pure in heart, those who have been washed clean through faith in Christ and now work hard in Christ's strength to stay clean.   

Discussion Questions:

• In what ways do you feel the God-ordained tension of living in the already and not yet?
• What is the heart and how does it relate to behavior (cf. Mark 7:21-23; Lk. 6:45; Prov. 4:23)?
• According to a Christ-centered reading of Psalm 24, how do we get pure hearts? 
• Ponder this: There is a river of gospel grace that mirrors the narrow path at every turn.
• How should Christians seek to maintain their purity (1 Jn. 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:20-22)?  
• Exercise: Apply these principles of purification to heart issues such as gossip, lust, greed, etc.  
• What is the relationship between pursuing purity of heart and seeing God (1 Jn. 3:2-3)?

Application Questions:

• What areas of impurity do you see in your life?
• Take time to deal with these impurities by...
• Understanding what impure thoughts, emotions, and desires they come out of and what wholesome thoughts, emotions, and desires should replace them.
• Confessing and washing them in the river of gospel grace (1 Jn. 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:20-21)
• Making a plan as to how you can flee from them in the future (2 Tim. 2:22)
• Making a plan as to how you can pursue purity of heart (2 Tim. 2:22)

Prayer Points:

• Confess to God any impurity you see in your life.
• Thank God for sending His Son to shed His blood so that those impurities can be washed away.
• Praise Jesus, the Pure One who has made it possible to see God by washing us by His blood and by leading us in triumphant procession into the presence of His Father.
• Ask God to help you work hard at fleeing impurity and pursuing purity of heart.

Discipleship 101: Run Like Your Master Ran! (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Visit fbcpierz.org/sermons to listen to this sermon.

Outline: Hebrews 12:1-2

Three “Secrets” to Running with Endurance the Race Set Before Us

1.     Run Light (v.1)

2.     Run for Joy (v.2)

3.     Run Together (vv.1-2)

Summary: Like a stadium filled with cheering fans, we are surrounded by a great multitude, vast “cloud of witnesses” whose legacies testify of the faith it takes to run the race that is set before us (12:1, cf. Ch.11).  The stage is set and the follower of Christ gets one shot to run this race.  In order to run this race well, the disciple must learn three “secrets” to endurance: run light, run for joy, and run together.  First, we must run light, that is, we must lay aside anything that would tend to slow us down.  Weight and sin bog the Christian down and make running the Christian life a miserable experience.  Second, we must run for joy just as Jesus did, peering through our present pain and trial and difficulty to an unspeakably glorious finish line ahead.  Third, we must run together, thinking of this as our race not merely as my race.  We run this race with an eye to the rest of our brothers and sisters, doing all that we can to help them endure to the end. 

Discussion Questions:

• What is the therefore there for in v.1 (Hint: the “Hall of Faith” in ch.11)?  What is the significance of being surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses”? 
• What are sins of omission and sins of commission?  How do these unconfessed sins affect Christians as they seek to run their race?  Are their any sins in your life that remain unconfessed (cf. 1 John 1:9)?
• How is weight different from sin? What question do you tend to ask: “is ____ sin” or “does ____ help me run”? On a scale of 1-10, (1 being not very seriously and 10 being extremely seriously), how seriously do you consider the need to lay aside not just sin but also weight in your life? Are their any weights in your life that are hindering you from running well?  
• What does it mean that Jesus is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith?
• How did your Master run His race?  What is the joy set before you?  How is joy designed to help you endure your race?
• Reflect on this statement: “this is our race not merely my race.”  Do you genuinely appreciate the fact that we are not meant to run the Christian race alone?  In what ways are you currently making an intentional effort to be helped and to help others run the race?

Prayer Points:

•  Pray that God would bring to mind any unconfessed sin in your life that you need to lay aside by confessing it (cf. 1 John 1:9).  Take time to listen.
• Pray that God would bring to mind any unnecessary weight in your life and ask God for the strength to lay it aside so that you can run faster. Take time to listen.
• Ask God to help you to be a serious and passionate runner, one who is faithfully asking the question: “Does ______ help me run or does it slow me down?”
• Ask God to show you more of the glory and joy of what is to come, to help you run for joy, to look beyond your present difficulties to the breathtaking joy that awaits you. 
• Thank God that there is a finish line and that Jesus has paved the way.
• Thank God for the brothers and sisters that He is allowing you to run this race with.
• Ask God for wisdom as to how you can intentionally encourage others as they seek to run their race.