Human life is of such value that an unnatural death leaves a stain on the community that must be dealt with through another death. The shedding of innocent blood pollutes the community and blood is on everyone’s hands. If that is true, what does that mean for a nation that has shed the blood of 63 million innocent babies? What does that mean for a nation giving regular witness to mass shootings, gang violence, and one of the higher murder rates among developed nations? And what does an ancient ritual involving the breaking of a heifer’s neck have to do with anything in our contemporary world? Join us to find out! Sermon Outline: I. The Problem II. The Solution III. The Significance Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What is the role of the elders of the nearest city in this ritual? What is the role of the priests? As the civil, judicial, and religious leaders of the community, why is their participation in the ritual significant? 2. How does the ritual of the broken-necked heifer teach us about the value of human life? 3. What does this passage teach us about our corporate responsibility for human life? Even if we do not commit the sins personally, to what degree would you say we are responsible for sins like abortion or violence in our communities? 4. What message of hope do we have for those with a guilty conscience? How might you explain the meaning of Christ’s shed blood to a person who feels they can never be forgiven for what they have done?

War is a fact and harsh reality of our present existence in the world. War brings death and destruction of every sort, to every sort of person and community it touches. And yet, here in Deuteronomy 20, we find specific instructions regarding war. Join us to discover how to think biblically about war today, even while we await the One who will bring an end to war for all time. Sermon outline: I. God Fights for His People, So Trust in His Power. II. God Fights for His People, So Enjoy His Gifts. III. God Fights for His People, So Obey His Commands. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What is war good for? Absolutely nothing, or are there ever positive effects from it? 2. What insight does James 4:1-2 give us into the causes of conflict? What insight does this give us into geo-political conflicts? 3. In what sense does God fight for his people today? How do God’s past military victories give us confidence to trust him in our spiritual battles? 4. What are some ways we can intentionally enjoy God’s good gifts to us, even while we continue to be in the midst of spiritual (or even interpersonal) conflict? (See also Psalm 23:4-5) 5. The end of conflict will not occur until the return of Christ. What are some proper responses to that truth?

History is littered with stories of an injury, followed by a retaliation, followed by escalating violence and death. Such retaliatory feuds and vigilante justice destroy families, communities, and even nations. Where there are people, harm will be done, both accidental and intentional. How can a society prevent these incidents from spiraling out of control? And how should we as individuals respond to accidental or intentional offenses? Sermon Outline: I. We Must Protect the Innocent. II. We Must Purge the Guilty. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Describe what it would be like to live in a society where there is no reliable system of justice, where the guilty go free and the innocent suffer. 2. Why is it necessary that Christians actively protect life and not simply avoid taking life? What are some practical ways we can protect life in keeping the sixth commandment? 3. Why is it necessary that the guilty be punished in a society? How can Christians involved in any phase of the criminal justice system be salt and light? 4. What hope does the gospel offer for the guilty and the innocent alike (in the sight of the law of the land)?

For ages, witchcraft, sorcery, and communicating with the dead have been ways of seeking answers about the future. In this passage, Moses presents us with a better way to live as God’s covenant people. Sermon Outline: I. We Should Support Those Who Serve God and His People. II. As God’s People, We Should Reject False Practices and False Prophets III. We Should Heed Those Who Speak for God to His People. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What do we lose when we forget how wide the gulf was that separated us from God? 2. Why is it important for the people of God to have those who are freed from ordinary work to focus on the ministry of the Word, sacrament, and prayer? What does the church lose when these ministers lose their focus for one reason or another? 3. What is the attraction of ancient and modern forms of divining the future or God’s will? What do Christians have to offer the world that is so much better? 4. How can we discern true words from God versus false words? How should we respond to each? 5. How does Jesus fulfill the ministry of prophet and priest for us his people? (See Hebrews 1:1-2; 7:11-8:13; 10:1-25 for some ideas.)

There are a lot of ideas about what fathers need to be like in our culture. But what does the Bible say about our Heavenly Father that helps us understand the role of earthly fathers? We will look at a half of a verse on Sunday from 1 John 3:1 to help us navigate this important topic. Questions: 1 What was your understanding of how fathers should love their children growing up? Has that changed as you have gotten older? 2. Which passage from the message today grabbed your attention the most? Why? 3. When you are certain of the Father’s love for you, how does that change the way you live? 4. Read John 8:31-59. What does Jesus say about the marks of someone in the family of God vs. Satan? 5. How does your earthly father impact your understanding of God?

Abuses of power by those in leadership is rampant. This is nothing new. Deuteronomy reminds us that wielding power is very dangerous for a sinful person. How can we wield power in such a way as to honor God and bless people? Join us to find out! Sermon Outline: I. Godly Leaders Must Be Chosen. II. Godly Leaders Must Resist the Temptations of Leadership. III. Godly Leaders Must Be Subject to God’s Word. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Does power corrupt people or does power simply reveal corruption in people? Support your answer. 2. Why do churches and Christian organizations sometimes settle for good leaders when we really need godly leaders? 3. How can godly leaders resist the various temptations of leadership and power? Why do you think so many of us fail to resist? Take some time to pray for leaders in your life. 4. How is Jesus the perfect embodiment of Deuteronomy 17:14-20? Why do you think anyone would not want to serve a king like this? What can we do to help them?

We are prone to forget who God is and what he has done for us. He is the source of every good thing we enjoy, and yet, amid the rush and busyness of life, we forget. And when we forget we become increasingly ungrateful, idolatrous, and rebellious. God in his wisdom has built reminders into the calendars of his people to help us remember and rejoice. Join us this week to remember and rejoice! Sermon Outline: I. Remember God’s Rescue II. Remember God’s Generosity III. Remember God’s Faithfulness Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think we are so prone to forget the things that are most important? 2. How do the events of the Passover ultimately point us to Jesus? How does better understanding the Passover help us to appreciate the work of Christ? (Read Exodus 12 for help.) 3. Two of the three pilgrimage feasts have a heavy emphasis on including people who might be marginalized. What are some ways you could include those types of people in your celebrations of God’s goodness? 4. What are some practical ways you can be more intentional to remember what God has done for you and rejoice in it?

If you are a Christian and you don’t really belong to a church - maybe you even attend church - but you don’t belong to a church - you need to belong to a church. You need a TEAM on your side, in your corner. Conclusion: What if all of this sounds quite inspiring, but you’re not sure you’re up to the task? What does Church Planting Take? What does living a Christian life take? It takes MUCH more than we have. Let me ask you. 1. Is your faith weak? 2. s your resilience questionable? 3. Are you sometimes bad at loving your neighbor? 4. Is your prayer life embarrassingly inconsistent? Perfect. God will get the glory when he does this work. When he plants this church. We’ll all know he did it and we just watered the seeds. Please partner with us by praying FOR us and for this new church plant. Pray God will build his church. Pray God will protect his servants. Pray God will bless Naples through our church planting efforts.

It is often hard to see the glory of God in the face of death, but yet this is what Jesus shows us in the story of Lazarus. We will look at two truths and two threats to this glory in the story as we conclude our sermon series, “Death is defeated!” Questions: If you read the whole story of Lazarus, what other truths about God’s glory are seen and what are other threats you noticed? How do you hold in tension both truths that Jesus weeps at the tomb but yet he knows he will raise Lazarus from the tomb? What is different about Jesus’s resurrection and Lazarus’s resurrection? Why does it matter? As you think about your own experience with loved ones dying or perhaps near death experiences yourself, what comfort does John 11 give to you? And what would you want to do differently now in the face of death?

What happens to those who have died and those living when Jesus returns? Stay tuned to find learn about our victory in Christ. I. We will be changed II. Death is Defeated III. What resurrected living looks like Questions: 1. Why must we receive imperishable and immortal bodies? 2. Where is the soul in the intermediate state and how do we know this? 3. How does Paul’s use of sin and law show us our need for a savior? 4. Do you struggle more with pride and loathing in your sin or hopelessness? – What is the solution? 5. Are you abounding in the work of the Lord? Will you choose to do so? Conclusion: If you have heard the word of the Lord today, then don’t leave without remembering that we will all will be changed and for the better with the resurrection. Remember that Christ has defeated our greatest enemy sin and the death it brought. Be thankful to God for our victory in Christ and remember what it’s all there for. We are to be abounding in the work of the Lord all our days until He returns for us.