Sermon Series Resources

Sermon Study Guide (pdf): November 30

Study Resource: Biblical Worldview: Definitions, Dilemmas, Dangers - A biblical worldview is a view of the world which seeks to answer life’s biggest questions from the teachings of the Bible. Many people see having a biblical worldview as unimportant. Yet if the teachings of the Bible are true, then we do well to hold them up like a lantern to the rest of reality in order to illuminate the answers to life’s biggest questions.

Study Resource: Follow Jesus: Life-Giving Habits Reading Plan - 40-Day Reading Plan – Many people find it difficult to place some areas of their life – marriage, money, work-life, relationships, etc. – under the Lordship of Christ because they think that God is not concerned about those areas of their life. They think He is only concerned about religious things or spiritual matters. But Christ has the final say on all things and everything belongs under His Lordship.

Study Resource: Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross: A Discussion - In his interactions with others, Jesus often got straight to the point. His call to discipleship in Mark 8:34 is no exception: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Discipleship equals self-denial and cross-bearing. Period.

Study Resource: Living a Sacrificial Life: A Bible Hub Study - Living a sacrificial life is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting the call to emulate the selfless love and devotion exemplified by Jesus Christ. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture and is integral to the Christian walk…

Study Resource: 7 Disciple Making Rhythms - Have you ever read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and asked yourself this simple question: How did Jesus make disciples who made disciples?

Sermon Study Guide (pdf): November 23

Study Resource: Discipleship: The Mission is Not Finished - Discipleship is the state of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. So, what then is a disciple? A disciple is simply a follower or a student of Jesus Christ. When we bring in the depth of New Testament teaching on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, we can expand the definition of a disciple of Jesus to be someone who is 1) following Jesus, 2) being changed by Jesus, and is 3) committed to the mission of Jesus (Matthew 4:19).

Study Resource: Relationships, Love, & Discipleship: A Blog - Check out this blog from Bobby Harrington and Discipleship.org – Why are relationships and love so important in discipleship? God was, and continues to be, in relationship with the Son and the Spirit. God is love. God’s commands are grounded and summarized relationally: loving God and loving people.

Study Resource: Family Discipleship: Present & Future - If we do the math, losing our kids in such high numbers means that planting churches and creating city-wide church planting efforts are not going to keep up. We must double down on family discipleship.

Study Resource: 7 Disciple Making Rhythms - Have you ever read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and asked yourself this simple question: How did Jesus make disciples who made disciples?

Study Resource: The Discipleship Pathway: A Study - As every nation endures changes, crises, and catastrophes in uncertain times, we don’t just need people to go to church. We need the church to go to the world. Jesus sent His disciples, and He’s sending us to make disciples. But where, and how, do we begin? Join Anthony Delaney on the Discipleship Pathway, a six-step journey of discovery, deliverance, devotion, development, and deployment.

Study Resource: Every Disciple Making Disciples: A Brief Study - David Platt talks about how the testimony of scripture and the history of Christianity shows that every follower of Christ is called to make disciples.

Study Resource: Twelve Ordinary Men: A Book about Jesus’ Disciples - In this book, Twelve Ordinary Men, you will learn that disciples are living proof that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. As you get to know the men who walked with Jesus, you will see that if he can accomplish his purposes through them, he can do the same through you.

Sermon Study Guide (pdf): November 16

Video Resource: What is Baptism? A Brief Video by Jeff Faull - This is a 5-minute video summary by our Senior Minister, Jeff Faull, addressing the question: What is baptism?

Study Resource: Baptism & the Bible: An Article by RENEW - What does the Bible say about baptism? Baptism is immersion in water which expresses repentance from sinful lifestyles and saving faith in Jesus. It is to becoming a Christian what the wedding ceremony is to becoming married. As such, it is best seen as a starting line, not the finish line.

Study Resource: Come to the Water: Accepting the Invitation - Check out this article about accepting Jesus’ Invitation to baptism.

Study Resource: Baptism: A Commitment to Jesus - Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Repentance is turning away from sinful lifestyles; baptism in the name of Jesus is to explicitly pledge allegiance to His mission. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the promise of God’s intimate presence from that moment forward.

Video Resource: Jesus and Nicodemus: Scene from The Chosen - This is the scene from The Chosen series of Jesus and Nicodemus’ conversation as recorded in John 3:1-21.

Study Resource: Finding Truth: A Youth & Young Adult Study - Christians today face all kinds of challenges when it comes to understanding who they are and what they’re meant to do. If we’re not careful, we can find ourselves chasing after popular opinion, celebrity opinions, or the tug of our emotions while neglecting the unchanging truth found in Scripture. In this four-session series, we invite students into the power and confidence that comes from anchoring their identity, purpose, and relationships in the truth of Scripture.

Video Resource: Faith vs. Works – Brief Video

Sermon Study Guide (pdf): November 9

Study Resource: Salt & Light: Living with Purpose - This is a 1-page commentary/review of Matthew 5:13-16 written by Rob Thompson, a minister on staff at Mt. Gilead Church, with supporting scripture and practical application to help us live as Salt & Light in a dying world.

Video Resource: Being Salt & Light in Culture by Tim Keller - Practical thoughts on disciples living as Salt & Light by Tim Keller: A brief video.

Study Resource: What Is a Disciple? A Brief Article - What is a disciple? A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.

Study Resource: Engagement with Culture: Exploring the Nuances - Our faith means something. It has consequences. It weighs upon and informs our decisions, our relationships, and our values. Or at least it should. After we have found the answer to “What must I do to be saved?” it’s only natural for us to wonder “How then shall I live?”

Study Resource: Salt and Light: A Brief Review - The obvious feature of light is that you notice it. It makes a distinct difference. Salt as flavoring has that immediate impact in a way that salt as preservative doesn’t. If you add salt to something you’re eating, you notice the difference immediately. Just like if you turn the lights on in a room.

Podcast Resource: Salt and Light – Podcast by BibleProject - In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the meanings of salt and light, showing how Jesus applies these covenant words to his new community of followers.

Study Resource: Justin’s Outline for Prayer & Fasting - Justin shared an outline for prayer and fasting in his sermon, and this is a separate document you can use as a guide for prayer and fasting in your own life.

Sermon Study Guide (pdf): November 2

Video Resource: Jesus: The Way, Truth, & Life - This is a compelling 9-minute teaching for practical application based on Jesus’ words as recorded in John 14:6.

Video Resource: Seeing Jesus: A 10-Session Study - In this series, Kenny Boles (New Testament faculty at Ozark Christian College) will walk through the eyewitness of John chapter by chapter, helping you to choose to believe and find life in Jesus.

Video Resource: Being on Mission with Jesus - What unifies us? What are the basic characteristics of our faith that every Christian affirms? In this 6-session series, Francis Chan will lead us in an exploration of key concepts common to all Christians through the centuries. No matter what divides us, we are united by these truths about the God…

Video Resource: Jesus’s Farewell: Remaining on Mission - Do you know Jesus? On the night before he was crucified, Jesus invited his disciples into a deep relationship with the triune God, and his invitation stands for us too. In this 6-part series, Francis Chan explores John chapters 13–17, rich in promises, commands, and eternal truths. We aren’t called to a part-time faith; we were made to know, walk with, and commune with God.

Study Resource: Is Jesus God? A Journey into the Evidence - Is Jesus God? Based on what Jesus claimed about himself, what Jesus did to back up his claims, and what both his Old Testament predecessors and New Testament contemporaries said about him, we have good reason to see Jesus as God.

Study Resource: Exploring the Logic of Jesus’ Deity: An Article - Christians believe that Jesus was a human and God. He was somehow a God-man, God “incarnate.” But does this belief make logical sense? If you conclude that this is what the Bible teaches about Jesus, doesn’t it seem a little illogical? This article explores reasons why people see the deity of Christ as an illogical belief.

Study Resource: Justin’s Outline for Prayer & Fasting - Justin shared an outline for prayer and fasting in his sermon, and this is a separate document you can use as a guide for prayer and fasting in your own life.

Sermon Study Guide (pdf): October 26 

Study Resource: Listen to the Holy Spirit: By Bobby Harrington - An Article: The practice of spiritual habits (spiritual disciplines) is an important way we develop our relationship with God. We proactively come under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit through earnest and daily times of prayer, Bible study, and communion with God. A commitment to spiritual practices and habits has been the primary method used by God’s people throughout history, especially by the men and women God has used in significant ways.

Study Resource: Led and Transformed by the Holy Spirit: An Article - Being led by the Holy Spirit is at the heart of the Christian life. This is clear in the Bible and in the history of the church. If we let the Spirit lead us, our lives will blossom and flourish. But if we neglect or refuse His leading, our lives will languish. Strangely, many believers today seem to misunderstand the Spirit’s leading and how it relates to personal transformation. A clearer grasp of what the Bible teaches about this vital truth will help us all as we seek to grow in grace.

Study Resource: Precious Promise: The Outpouring of God’s Spirit - A sermon transcript on what the outpouring of the Holy Spirit means for us by John Piper who Harrison mentions.

Video Resource: Can the Holy Spirit Make Us like Jesus? - A short video on how the Holy Spirit makes us like Jesus by David Young who Harrison quotes in the sermon.

Study Resource: Justin’s Outline for Prayer & Fasting - Justin shared an outline for prayer and fasting in his sermon, and this is a separate document you can use as a guide for prayer and fasting in your own life.

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): October 19 

Video Resource: Clean and Unclean: A Study by Michael DeFazio - Michael DeFazio (New Testament and Hermeneutics professor at Ozark Christian College) walks through the book of Leviticus. Michael will break down different chapters of this book to help you see the whole picture of God’s holiness through an ancient Israelite lens, and what we can learn from this book in our 21st-century world.

Study Resource: Pure in Heart: A Reflection on Matthew 5:8 - This is a brief 1-page essay reflection on Matthew 5:8 that includes insights and additional verses of scripture.

Study Resource: Pure in Heart: A Brief Article - In Matthew 5:8, “pure of heart” translation can be a little ambiguous. The word Jesus uses is straight-up the word “clean.”

Study Resource: What Is Holiness: An Informative Review - Holiness and communion with God is possible; however, we are granted holiness not because we are able to keep His law, but rather in spite of our inability to keep His law. Holiness and covenant are closely linked within the biblical story of redemption, and it all points to Faith in Jesus, confession, repentance, and baptism.

Video Resource: The Heart: A Brief Word Study Video - Different cultures have different conceptions of the human heart, what it is, and what it does. The biblical authors are no exception, but there is no biblical word that better captures the essence of human thought, feeling, and desire, than the rich and wonderful word for “heart,” the Hebrew “lev.”

Study Resource: Justin’s Outline for Prayer & Fasting - Justin shared an outline for prayer and fasting in his sermon, and this is a separate document you can use as a guide for prayer and fasting in your own life.

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): October 12 

Study Resource: Spiritual Warfare: The Real Enemy - What is spiritual warfare? Spiritual warfare is what the apostle Paul calls “our struggle…against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” (Eph. 6:12). When we say spiritual, Americans often merely mean emotional. When the Bible uses the term, however, it refers to the personal, real beings who are beyond physics but who interact with physics night and day, non-stop, in every corner of the universe.

Study Resource: Sin, Iniquity, and Transgression in the Bible - Pop culture sometimes obsesses over bad behavior—who’s doing the wrong things, who’s saying the wrong words, and who's to blame. Our most popular movies and books often depend on the “good guys versus bad guys” storyline. Whether we know it or not, we’re obsessing over sin.

Video Resource: Understanding Spiritual Warfare: A 5-Session Study - Are there unseen spiritual battles being waged against us? In five-session study on spiritual warfare, Guna Raman rips away the veil of complacency when it comes to the spirit world. Through biblical teachings and real-life testimonies, he opens our eyes to the spiritual forces actively opposing our faith and provides us with practical strategies to boldly engage our spiritual enemies.

Video Resource: The Scripture Practice: A 4-Session Study - The library we call “the Bible” can connect us to God and change who we are. Through this practice, rediscover how to engage with Scripture as an apprentice to Jesus.

Video Resource: Come Jesus Come: Worship with Stephen McWhirter - Check out this worship video and sing along praising Jesus.

Video Resource: Come to Jesus: Worship with Chris Rice - Check out this worship video and sing along praising Jesus.

Study Resource: Justin’s Outline for Prayer & Fasting - Justin shared an outline for prayer and fasting in his sermon, and this is a separate document you can use as a guide for prayer and fasting in your own life.

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): October 5

Study Resource: Justin’s Outline for Prayer & Fasting - Justin shared an outline for prayer and fasting in his sermon, and this is a separate document you can use as a guide for prayer and fasting in your own life.

Study Resource: Pray Without Ceasing: A Guide by Tim Keller - Like many other believers, I’ve always sought to have a time of devotion and prayer each morning. And like most other believers, I have found it a struggle to be consistent” (Tim Keller, 2019). This is a brief article with insight from Time Keller on prayer.

Study Resource: Prayer and Fasting: A Free Resource from RENEW - This is a free study that reintroduces the practice of prayer and fasting to find renewal.

Study Resource: Fight Distractions When Praying: 7 Strategies - “I’ve been trying to pray more this year. But prayer doesn’t always come easily to me. I often sit down to pray with the best of intentions only to suddenly catch myself, a few moments later, daydreaming about yesterday’s conversation, tomorrow’s meeting, or next week’s vacation” (Gavin Ortlund, 2016).

Study Resource: Fasting: A Surprising Journey into Joy - Desperation led to a new spiritual rhythm. In a season of overwhelming burden, the author turned to fasting and found unexpected peace and clarity through surrender.

Video Resource: The Fasting Practice: A 4-Session Study - Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful of all the practices of Jesus and, arguably, the single most neglected one in the modern, Western church. The Fasting Practice will train you in this ancient discipline, integrating your whole body into life with God.

Podcast Resource: Praying and Acting: A BibleProject Podcast - In this teaching we explore how Jesus' concept of prayer included asking God to act and acting oneself. We'll focus on the Lord's prayer, and discover within it a vision of praying and acting that promotes dependence on God as well as action.

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): September 28 

Video Resource: Living Generously: An 8-Session Study - When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and wiped them with her hair, it was a remarkably generous and loving act. In this eight-part series, Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood explores the powerful moment when a friend and follower of Jesus displayed the kind of astonishing generosity God Himself pours out on us. The wonder of the gospel is that this can be your story too as you discover the freedom of living generously.

Study Resource: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn - A book recommended by our Senior Minister, Jeff Faull. Bestselling author Randy Alcorn introduced readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity with the release of the original The Treasure Principle in 2001. Now the revision to the compact, perennial bestseller includes a provocative new concluding chapter depicting God asking a believer questions about his stewardship over material resources.

Study Resource: Generosity: What are We Missing: An Article - In our modern world, wealth is reaching record highs. Yet statistically, giving as a percentage of income is lower than it was during the Great Depression. And conversations around money seem to have left the public square completely.

Study Resource: Wealth For God’s Glory: A Brief Article - Wealth is good, and wealth is dangerous. So says the Bible. But how do we use our wealth to glorify God? First Timothy 6:17–19 is one of the clearest and best passages that addresses our use of wealth.

Video Resource: The Generosity Practice: A 5-Session Study - When Jesus said there is more joy in giving than in receiving, he turned our vision of the good life on its head. Through the practice of generosity, we tap into God’s joy, find freedom from greed through contentment, and embody God’s concern for those in need.

Podcast Resource: What Kind of Treasure is in Heaven: A Podcast - The third section of the Sermon on the Mount's main body opens with a call to examine how we think about our stuff. Jesus makes it clear that how we relate to our money and possessions reveals how we relate to God. Explore the differences between our earthly values and the values of God’s Kingdom

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): September 21 

Study Resource: Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God - The sword of the Spirit is how Paul describes the word of God and its role in spiritual warfare. While truth, salvation, faith, and righteousness are also depicted as essential pieces of armor, the Word of God is depicted as the offensive weapon used in spiritual warfare against the devil, demons, and their schemes.

Study Resource: Trusting God’s Promises - This article’s goal isn’t to attack us but rather to engage us in reflection as to why we feel we can’t always trust God’s promises. Ultimately, I hope this pause to reflect helps encourage us toward greater faith in God’s promises and a healthier relationship with him.

Study Resource: Jesus Quotes Scripture: Verses to Study & Memorize - Check out these various instances in the New Testament where Jesus makes His points by quoting scripture.

Video Resource: The Scripture Practice: A 4-Session Study - The library we call “the Bible” can connect us to God and change who we are. Through this practice, rediscover how to engage with Scripture as an apprentice to Jesus.

Study Resource: Why Memorize Scripture? 3 Reasons - There is nothing in this world that is greater than knowing God, and Scripture reveals who God is and what God has done. Memorizing scripture gives us an opportunity to intimately engage His word with our hearts, souls, and minds.

Study Resource: Strategies for Memorizing Scripture - If you are interested in learning how to practically memorize scripture, please take a few minutes to review my strategies. By Rob Thompson

Video Resource: Renewed Mind - Changed Life: A 5-Session Study - Are your thoughts leading you toward transformation or conformity? Are they building you up or tearing you down? Are they drawing you closer to God or pulling you away? Join Kyle Idleman for a five-session journey where you will learn to actively and intentionally challenge your thoughts. This is not about the power of positive thinking; it is about learning how God made your brain. God will transform your life as you learn to take every thought captive and submit to the truth of his Word.

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): September 14 

Study Resource: The Kingdom of God 1: An Article - Explore the kingdom of God introduced in the Old Testament Scriptures through Israel and the coming King.

Study Resource: The Kingdom of God 2: An Article - If we see the concept of the kingdom of God introduced in the Old Testament Scriptures through the story of Israel, then we see it fulfilled in the life of Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament. God’s kingdom exists on the earth, but at the same time, his kingdom won’t be fully consummated until eternity dawns.

Video Resource: Renewed Mind - Changed Life: A 5-Session Study - Are your thoughts leading you toward transformation or conformity? Are they building you up or tearing you down? Are they drawing you closer to God or pulling you away? Join Kyle Idleman for a five-session journey where you will learn to actively and intentionally challenge your thoughts. This is not about the power of positive thinking; it is about learning how God made your brain. God will transform your life as you learn to take every thought captive and submit to the truth of his Word.

Study Resource: Jesus the Christ - Jesus the King - The meaning of Christ goes beyond being a part of Jesus’ name. It’s a transliteration of the Greek word christos, which described the anointed Jewish king who was to come. When we speak of Jesus Christ (or Jesus the Christ or Christ Jesus), it’s a helpful reminder that he is more than our Savior who saves us from our sins: he’s our king who deserves our allegiance.

Video Resource: The Parables of Jesus: A Brief Video - Jesus of Nazareth was a master storyteller, and many of his most well-known teachings were told as parables. But why did Jesus use parables to communicate his message so often? Why didn't he speak in plain language so that everyone could understand him? The answer may be surprising.

Study Resource: Jesus’ Parables as Recorded in Matthew - Jesus’ parables, as recorded in Matthew, are listed in this document for easy access for you to use as a study resource.

Podcast Resource: Jesus and the Kingdom of God: A Podcast - This teaching is about the second half of Matthew Chapter 4. Jesus is an adult in this segment, and he says his first words to the public (the people of Israel). He talks about the Kingdom or the reign of God.

 Sermon Study Guide (pdf): September 7

Study Resource: Living in Jesus’ Truth: A Brief Essay - This is a brief 1-page essay about living in Jesus' Red-Letter truths.

Study Resource: Understanding Jesus' Authority: A Study - The authority of Jesus Christ is a central theme in Christian theology and is foundational to understanding His identity and mission. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus' authority is demonstrated in His teachings, miracles, and His ultimate victory over sin and death. This entry explores the various dimensions of Jesus' authority…

Study Resource: Who Is This Jesus: A 6-Session Study - Most people have heard the name of Jesus. Maybe they’ve even heard a few things He said or did. But who is Jesus really? What was He like? Where did He live? What did He really care about? We’ll explore these questions and more while on location in Israel, where Jesus walked and spent His days on Earth.

Study Resource: Finding Truth: A Youth & Young Adult Study - Christians today face all kinds of challenges when it comes to understanding who they are and what they’re meant to do. If we’re not careful, we can find ourselves chasing after popular opinion, celebrity opinions, or the tug of our emotions while neglecting the unchanging truth found in Scripture. In this four-session series, we invite students into the power and confidence that comes from anchoring their identity, purpose, and relationships in the truth of Scripture.

Study Resource: Strategies for Jesus-Centered Self-Reflection

Study Resource: Jesus: The Word of God by John Piper - A 20-min Sermon on Jesus as “The Word” by John Piper.