Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

I remember the first time I read these Bible Verses in the 5th Grade. I was in Mrs. Woods Sunday School class, and as she read these verses and explained that Jesus was coming back and all of the imagery that we will be considering today, I raised my hand and said very confidently, "Mrs. Woods. I firmly believe that is going to happen in my lifetime!" So, I don't want to freak you out, but I have always believed this would happen in my lifetime. But I think that we are all supposed to think about the return of Jesus in that way. God says that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. The things we are going to consider today should be viewed as though they can happen at any moment.
 
So, what specifically are we anticipating?
"Your eschatology will inevitably shape your ecclesiology." That is just a fancy way of saying that what you believe about the "end times" will impact your view of how the church is supposed to operate until Jesus comes back. There were some in the Thessalonian church who were hopeless because they had loved ones who had already died. There were others that didn't see the purpose of work if Jesus was coming back soon, and they became a burden to their community. Others were uncertain about their own resurrection. Zooming out, there are some who don't think Jesus is coming back at all. There are some who take the approach to life that we should give way to the flesh because the flesh is temporary and we only have so much time to enjoy it. Others become so burdened about the reality of death, that they fall into despair and hopelessness. I remember the moment when I was about 10 years old that I realized that one day my parents would die.... Field of Dreams... And they used these words to encourage me... that one day Jesus is coming back and those who have put their faith in him will rise from the graves and, as followers of Christ, we will be together with Jesus FOREVER!
 
So let's look together at these encouraging words and figure out how to use them to encourage one another, so that we don't grieve without hope and so that we are not uninformed!
 
1.) Jesus will RETURN!
16 "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God."
• This is meant to encourage and inform the fainthearted
• He will descend from heaven with a cry of command
• With the voice of an archangel
• Personal and Powerful "visitation"

2.) Jesus will RESURRECT the dead in Christ!
"And the dead in Christ will rise first. "
• Rather than bodies with souls, we are souls with bodies... embodied souls.
• Graveyards Empty! A meeting in the sky!
• Consider some population data...

3.) Jesus will RAPTURE those alive in Christ!
17 "Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds"
• Imagine the spectacle and joy.
• The moment we transition from anticipating Christ's return to experiencing it.

4.) Jesus will REUNITE all of His children with one another and Himself!
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
• "together with them"
• "to meet the Lord"
• "so we will always be with the Lord"
 
Application:
 If you found out that Jesus was coming back next week, what would you change? Consider your time, resources, efforts, discussions... The idea is that you are always living as though Jesus could return at any moment.

Mystery and Victory
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood vcannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the wimperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last ytrumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and athis mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
b“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55  “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and dthe power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the evictory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be fsteadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Discipleship Questions:

1. Do you anticipate the return of Jesus regularly and accurately?
2. Were there any details about the return of Jesus that surprised you?
3. If you knew Jesus was coming back in 3 days, what changes would you make in your life? Why?
4. Are we bodies with souls or souls with bodies? Why does it matter?
5. “So we will always be with the Lord”. How will that be better than your life now?
6. Why do you think we are not allowed to know when Jesus will come back?
7. These words were meant for encouragement. Who do you need to encourage with these words?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

For Christians, death still brings grief - but we grieve with hope

Death no longer has a victory or a sting

—sleep doesn’t harm us, and neither can death

—sleep benefits us, and so does death

Philippians 1:21–23
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

—sleep is temporary, and so is death

“For Christians death is no longer that adversary whom no person can resist, that tyrant who brings all worthwhile existence to a horribly final end. Death has been overcome by the risen Lord, and he has transformed the whole situation for those who are in Him.
Death has been transformed into sleep through Jesus.”  
—Leon Morris, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

The gospel gives us hope even in our grief

—Jesus died in our place and removed the fear of death

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

—Jesus rose again and conquered death for us all

1 Corinthians 15:17–19
[17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

—Jesus will return and we will all be with him forever

“He states that “in the same way” that God raised up Christ from the grave, He will “bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (4:14b). Those dearly loved friends who have died will not miss out when Christ comes for His church. God did not allow Jesus’ body to remain in the grave, and He will not allow their loved ones’ bodies to remain in the grave either.”
—Mark Howell, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians


Discipleship Questions:
Hopefully you haven’t said RIP to your Community Group so you can discuss these questions

1. What are some of the Biblical truths that help us to have hope even when we grieve?
2. How does the teaching from God’s word help us prepare for and face death?
3. How can the way the Bible refers to death as sleep help us?
4. How can we comfort one another in times of grief?
5. In what ways does this passage (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) help us understand more about what happens to us when we die?
6. How does the knowledge that Jesus will return help us live in the here and now?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

We please God by loving genuinely

—genuine love shows

John 13:34–35
[34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 4:7–8
[7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

—genuine love grows

“Love may grow in breadth as it reaches out to embrace more of our fellow Christians. It may grow in depth as it enters more deeply into the hurts and joys of others. And it may grow in length as it forbears more patiently and forgives more heartily. A commitment to love others well will cause us to grow more and more in this grace.”
—Andrew Young, Let’s Study 1 and 2 Thessalonians

We please God by working faithfully

—strive to avoid drama

“What we need are fewer revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries. That's my dream for the church—a multitude of faithful, risk-taking plodders. The best churches are full of gospel-saturated people holding tenaciously to a vision of godly obedience and God's glory, and pursuing that godliness and glory with relentless, often unnoticed, plodding consistency.”
—Kevin DeYoung, “The Glory of Plodding”
Check out the full article HERE.

—work hard and be dependable

“Our vocation and professional work is not a second class activity, something we do just to put food on the table. It is the high calling for which we were originally created. The way we serve a Creator God is by being creative with the talents and gifts He has given us.”
―Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth

We glorify God by living to please him

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Discipleship Questions:

1. What are practical ways we can show love for one another at Crosspoint?
2. In what areas do you still need to grow when it comes to loving others?
3. What does it look like to live quietly in the world today?
4. How can we live with an internal quietness in the midst of today’s culture?
5. How can we serve others and care for others while still minding our own affairs?
6. How can a Christ follower be an example to outsiders by the way he/she works?
7. How can we bring glory to God by the way we love genuinely and work faithfully?

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1.) You're never sanctified "enough". V.1  
Sanctification is the life-long process of God conforming you to the image of Jesus.
The goal is not just to be the best version of you. The goal is to be conformed to the image of Jesus.  

v.3 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification."  
If you are asking, "What is God's will for my life?", now you know.  
Stockdale Paradox...  
The story: Admiral James Stockdale was the highest-ranking U.S. military officer held at the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. He was a prisoner from 1965 to 1973, and he was tortured more than 20 times. Collins interviewed him and asked who didn’t make it out. Stockdale said it was easy: the optimists. They were the ones who said, “We’re going to be out by Christmas.” Christmas would come and go. Then they’d say Easter, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas again, and Stockdale said they eventually “died of a broken heart.”
Stockdale summed up the lesson this way: you must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end, which you can never afford to lose, with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality. He also said he never doubted he would get out, and that he would turn the experience into the defining event of his life. 2 Things: Unwavering faith in the outcome. Brutal honesty about the present current reality.  
At the heart of this is really Stoicism... for those in Christ, hope should be even higher! We are actually in a worse state than him because of our sin, and because our hope is in Jesus, we can be even more brutally honest about our current reality of sin while laying hold of the greater reality that “He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world” AND “The good work that God began in us, He is faithful to bring it to completion.”  
You will be conformed to the image of Jesus until you meet Jesus.  

2.) Sanctification comes with instructions. V. 2-6
Abstain from Sexual Immorality  

The Greek culture of Paul’s day openly celebrated immorality and could be characterized as highly sensual. Since the apostle writes from Corinth, he would have daily, explicit reminders of the reigning debauchery, not only from daily life in the city, but also from the over 1500 feet-above-sea level Acro-Corinth, a sanctuary devoted to Aphrodite the love goddess, which housed over 1,000 male and female courtesans who fronted as religious servants of the temple. While Thessalonica did not have the sexual reputation of Corinth, it was a major seaport and trade center, which attracted lewd practices. Therefore, it is not surprising that Paul begins with a call to pursue purity. Richard Mayhue, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Triumphs and Trials of a Consecrated Church, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 1999), 112.
Control your own body in holiness and honor (made possible by God)
Not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God
Do not wrong your brother in this matter (The Lord is an avenger)

3.) The same Gospel that saves your life shapes your life. V. 7-8
Disregarding holiness is disregarding God.
God gives you his Holy Spirit

Remember Paul’s question from Romans 7... “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?!” The ANSWER: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  
Read Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified. And those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Discipleship Questions:

1. In your own words, what does it mean that “You are never sanctified “enough”?
2. What truth from this week’s text can you lay hold of in your struggle against sin?
3. What does the Stockdale Paradox teach us about Sanctification?
4. What are some of the instructions that sanctification comes with? Which is the hardest
5. How is the Gospel that saved your life CURRENTLY shaping your life?
6. Encourage others in your group by specifically stating how you have seen God conform them to the image of Jesus. TAKE. YOUR. TIME.
   
   

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

We pray to a triune God
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. -Nicene Creed

We pray to God, who is also our Father
Jn 1:11-12 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Sonship to God is not, therefore, a universal status into which everyone enters by natural birth, but a supernatural gift which one receives through receiving Jesus. - J.I. Packer

We pray persistently after failures
1 Th 2:18 “We wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.”

We pray for others
Ministers who seldom pray for their spiritual charges, or parents who seldom pray for their children, reveal either a callous indifference to the souls of those under their care or a foolish reliance on human strength. -Richard D. Phillips

The most significant thing happening in history is the calling, redeeming, and perfecting of the people of God. God is building the church of Jesus Christ. The rest of history is simply a stage God erects for that purpose. - Eric Alexander

There will come a day, when God will pull down the scaffolding of world history. Do you know what he will be pointing to when he says to the whole creation, “There is my masterpiece?” He will be pointing to the church of Jesus Christ. -Eric Alexander


Discipleship Questions:

1. How is your prayer life lately?
2. What is your biggest struggle regarding prayer?
3. Paul prayed he could come see them, even after Satan prevented him from coming (1 Thes. 2:18)…
   1. Have you seen Satan chalk up a win lately?
   2. If yes, how are you responding to that?
4. How much of your prayers are for spiritual growth in others?
5. When we are mindful of the second coming of Jesus, how does that affect our prayers?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Faith and love are the marks of a healthy church

—they sum up the Christian life

—believing and trusting Jesus
—loving God and others

All godliness can be summed up in faith and love. Believing God’s promises and his word, trusting in Jesus as he is offered in the gospel—that is faith. Loving God, loving one another, loving our neighbors—that is love.
—Ligon Duncan, 1 & 2 Thessalonians For You

—they should be the goal

“According to Paul, then, what should we aim for in the Christian nurture of our children? The answer: growth in faith in God and love for others. What should be our goal in the discipleship of new believers? According to Paul, it is faith and love. How should we evaluate our own growth in grace? These two graces—faith and love—are the two issues on which my entire life depends.”
—Richard D. Phillips, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Know God, Be Known, and Make Him Known

Faith and love are increasing in a healthy church

—through God’s word

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

—through devotion to prayer

—through fellowship with each other

Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

—through serving God as we serve others

Faith and love give reasons for rejoicing and giving thanks


Discipleship Questions:

1. In what ways do faith and love sum up the entire Christian life?
2. Does every aspect of your life reflect that faith and love are the goal? If not, what can you do to make sure that is the goal for all you do?
3. In what ways do you want to see your faith and love grow?
4. How can you be more devoted to God’s word, prayer, and fellowship?
5. How do you think serving can help you grow in faith and love?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

We show genuine concern for each other
—we desire to be with each other
—we want what is best for each other
—we celebrate with each other
—we sacrifice for each other

We strengthen and support each other

Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

—we exhort each other as we endure suffering

Why is suffering part of the Christian life
—suffering reminds us to rely on God
—suffering motivates us to battle sin
—suffering prepares us to help others
—suffering strengthens our faith
—suffering helps us stay alert in the battle

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

“Persecution, hardship, and difficulty are expectations for the Christian; they were never meant to be exceptions for the Christian. So the real question is not, will I face trouble? But, how will I respond when I face trouble?”
—Mark Howell, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians

—we encourage each other with truth

Paul’s urgency on this matter ought to persuade us to inquire about our own faith. Are we careful to guard and nurture our faith, without which we cannot be saved? Do we daily present our minds and hearts before God’s Word so that our faith might be protected from the assaults of Satan and the world and so that our faith may be increased?
—Richard D. Phillips, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Discipleship Questions:

1. How can our lives reflect that we have genuine concern for each other?
2. What can sacrificing for each other look like in the context of our CG and our church as a whole?
3. How can we celebrate the faith and growth we see in each other?
4. What does it look like to truly come alongside each other in suffering?
5. How can the truth about how God uses suffering help us respond to it the right way?
6. How does looking forward to Jesus’ return help us right now?
7. How can we help each other anticipate and look forward to Jesus’ return?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

The “word of God” (1 Thes. 2:13):

Comes from Scripture
Acts 17:2-4 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

Sparks Division

Invites Unity
There’d be no fun if there were no outsiders. The invisible line would have no meaning unless most people were on the wrong side of it. Exclusion is no accident; it is the essence. - C.S. Lewis
Rom. 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Transforms us
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
This same question—is the Bible the word of man or of God?—will largely determine the vigor and fidelity of Christians today. - Richard D. Phillips
1 Peter 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

The Supper
1 Cor. 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.


Discipleship Questions:

1. The “word of God” refers to the message (derived from Scripture) that Paul proclaimed to them. What are some ways in which Biblical truth is made known to us?
2. What are the stakes when it comes to correct vs incorrect scripture interpretation?
3. When Paul refers to his message and interpretation of scriptures as the true gospel, what does he mean?
4. How does God’s word divide?
5. How does it unite?
6. How does it transform us?
7. Can you give an example of how God’s truth has (or is) transforming you?

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, September 4, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

1. Cherishing Christ Kills Cynicism

• Cynicism = only partially placing hope in the Gospel, doubting if the work is worth it...
• Paul’s team could have sulked after three weeks and getting run out of town, but didn’t...
• Key truths they held: “the Word never returns void,” “our labor was not in vain”
• In three weeks: a city went from no church to having one, no Gospel to sharing it

2. Cherishing Christ Increases Accountability

• Paul repeatedly invites them to recall: “you know,” “you remember how we were among you”
• Recounts specifics: not a burden, loved them, no dishonest gain, walked in uprightness
• Welcomed accountability by transparently recounting how he actually moved

3. Cherishing Christ Welcomes Risk

• Self-preservation abandoned
• Gospel work all day, tent-making in the evenings

4. Cherishing Christ Makes You Care Deeply About How Others Walk

• Not enough to make a proclamation or chalk up a conversion
• Already focused, within three weeks, on walking worthy of the kingdom
• Every life met with morning mercies, new ideas from God as opportunities for faith

Application:
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure; what gets measured gets improved”
Self-assess against the four fruits:
Is Christ killing cynicism in me?
Am I increasing in accountability?
Am I welcoming risk?
Do I care about how others are walking in faith?

Discipleship Questions:

1. How is Christ killing cynicism in you? Any residual that needs confessing?
2. How are you increasing in accountability?
3. How are you welcoming risk for the Gospel?
4. How are you investing in someone else's walk of faith?
   
   

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Our ministry is effective when we focus on the gospel

2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

Our ministry is effective when we seek to please God instead of men

—not flattering but speaking truth

—not greedy but trusting God

—not seeking glory but serving others

Our ministry is effective when we pour ourselves out for others

—gentle

—affectionate

“Paul had come to see the Thessalonians as the objects of God’s love, and therefore as the objects of the love of God’s servants also.”
—Leon Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians

—sacrificial

“No church, however obscure in worldly terms, and no life, however insignificant it may seem in worldly things, will ever be empty if it is offered to God to deliver the good news of Jesus to others with the integrity of message, sincerity of motives, and loving manner that Paul could claim for his own labors.”
—Richard D. Phillips, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Discipleship Questions:

1. Why is it important for all ministry to be centered on the gospel?
2. How can we ensure that our message is without error, impurity, or any attempt to deceive?
3. Why is it so hard to not seek to please God instead of people?
4. How can we resist the temptation to seek man’s approval instead of God’s?
5. How can the gospel help us to seek to give to others rather than receive from others?
6. What does it look like to be gentle, affectionate, and sacrificial in our relationships with each other?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

God’s Spirit Transforms us through His Word.
If men think of the gospel only as another philosophy.., they will never have the burning zeal which sent the first Christian preachers through the world to proclaim what God had done for man. - John Stott

The Trinity and Salvation (1 Thes 1:3-5)
The Father Administers: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.”
The Son Accomplishes: “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Spirit Applies: “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”

Pastors should model transformed lives.
Increasing percentages of Christians depend on media personalities whom they may never meet in the flesh. When such preachers are faithfully proclaiming God’s Word, some real good will be done. But the biblical model involves heralds of the gospel whose lives are personally known by those to whom they preach. Such men are never going to be perfect, of course, but there should be a strong correspondence between their message and the pattern of their lives. - Richard D. Phillips

God’s Word transforms churches to be:
Reputable
Acts 17:6 they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”
What do we desire to be known for: our social standing, our cultural refinement, our trendy sophistication, or our biblical fervor and faithfulness? -Richard D. Phillips

Repentant
We may not actually burn incense to Artemis, but when money and career are raised to cosmic proportions, we perform a kind of child sacrifice, neglecting family and community to achieve a higher place in business and gain more wealth and prestige. -Tim Keller
An idol is something we cannot live without. We must have it. -Tim Keller

Expectant



Discipleship Questions:

1. How well do you understand the Trinity?
2. Describe the role each member plays in our salvation.
3. Who at Crosspoint has modeled what it looks like to have a transformed life?
4. What reputation does Crosspoint have to outsiders?
5. What idols have you turned from?
6. Are there things in your life that you've cast aside, removed, or reprioritized that others would notice?
7. Are you banking on Jesus's return for your ultimate joy and contentment? Or are you trying to find its apex in this life?

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

1.) Unsteady Christians need to be reminded who they belong to and what they have by faith.
"We are all still here."
"You have a good heavenly Father."
"You have the Lord Jesus Christ."
"You have God's grace and the peace that goes with it."
What is making you feel unsteady today?

V2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers...

2.) Unsteady Christians need to be encouraged and prayed for.
You're unlikely to encourage someone that you are not thankful for.
Who are you mentioning to God? What names are filling your prayers and making it to the ears of our good heavenly Father?
As we read this, we can't help but ask God for help with our impatience and frustration. Otherwise steady Christians all too easily become unsteady, impatient , and frustrated when others aren't acting right.
Challenge: Spend some time this week praying for the most frustrating Christian person in your life!

It is as though Paul says what the unsteady ones need to hear without talking about what is making them unsteady. Instead, he talks about what made them steady...

 V3 "remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

3.) Steadiness is found by taking Jesus at His Word.
Faith produces Work
Love produces Labor
Hope produces Steadfastness

Paul cares about the health of the church. But Paul loved the church more than he loved the health of the church.


Discipleship Questions:

1. Are you in a season of steady or unsteady? What is making you unsteady?
2. Why is it important to make sure that unsteady Christians are encouraged and prayed for?
3. Why are you unlikely to encourage someone that you are not thankful for?
4. Challenge one another to pray for the most frustrating Christian person in your life! (Probably best to leave out names if sharing with others)
5. Is there any part of your life where you are not taking Jesus at His Word?
6. Discuss how you have observed faith producing work and love producing labor...
7. Why is it important to love the church more than you love the health of the church?
   
   

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 97

God’s reign is comprehensive

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”  —Abraham Kuyper

—so we rejoice in him

God’s reign is eternal

—so we trust in him

“God’s people are to live righteously, rejoicing in what he’s done in the past, in how he’s ruling and blessing his people even in the present darkness, and in the blissful hope of his reign in Christ that’s still to come.”  —VanGemeren, Longman, and Garland Psalms

God’s reign is ultimate

—so we worship him alone

"If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead.”—C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

God’s reign is global

—so we walk in the light and stand against evil

—so we rejoice in the Lord and invite others to join us

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Discipleship Questions:

1. In what ways does the truth that God reigns over everything lead us to rejoice?
2. What are some things God has done for you in the past and how does that help you with the future?
3. How does the promise of God’s eternal reign help us to trust him and hope in him now
4. What are the idols you are most tempted to worship and how has that “put you to shame
5. What are some ways we can guard against the temptation to worship idols?
6. How can we as Christians stand against evil while still showing God’s love and compassion?
7. How can we as a church (or even as a CG) be a blessing to our community and join God’s mission?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 37

Job 30:21 "You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you persecute me.”

Job 42:7 for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

God’s children should trust Him to provide, even when it seems like His provision is misplaced

Know and Do-

Know (Promises):
God provides for the righteous

"The possessions of the righteous, on the other hand… are truly useful possessions which are distributed to others and are not just heaped up." -Martin Luther

"By being heirs in Christ, they have solid right to what portion in this world God allows them, they have the use of such with a good conscience." - David Dickson

Evildoers won’t triumph

"Do not let it irk you that you have so little and they have so much… It is better for you to have a little with the favor of God than to have a big pile of goods… with God’s disfavor." -Martin Luther

God’s provision is eternal

Do (Commands):
Do not fret / envy

Commit, trust, and wait

"We refuse to believe these rich, powerful and comforting promises of God. When we hear a few threatening words from the wicked, we begin to tremble at the slightest threat. May God help us to obtain the true faith." - Martin Luther


Discipleship Questions:

1. When do you find it most difficult to trust God as provider?
2. Why does David associate fretting over the wicked’s success with our need to trust God’s provision?
3. Do you ever struggle with anger towards God or question His care and provision?
   If yes, are you honest with him about that in your prayers?
4. What are we commanded to do when we are trying to trust God as our provider?
5. David says to “be still” as we trust God as our provider. What is the benefit and purpose of being still?

Notes from Josh Green's sermon on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 27

God defends us from our enemies. V1-3, 12

God defends us from misplaced confidence. V1, 5-6, 11

How to Build Confidence in God
1- Believe what the Bible says about who God is.
2- Remember God’s past faithfulness.
3- Don’t assume you know how God will act.

God defends us from ourselves. v4

1 Samuel 30:6
But David found strength in the Lord his God.

The presence of God brings:
perspective
power
peace

God defends us from hopelessness. V13-14

A Praying Life by Paul Miller
“You don’t create intimacy; you make room for it.”
“It’s okay to have a busy life. It’s crazy to have a busy soul.”

Discipleship Questions:

1. What stood out to you the most from the sermon? Why do you think that specific thing stood out to you?
2. Understanding how God defends us can be difficult because His defense of us is often unseen and happening in the background. Do you struggle to see God as your defender? Why or why not?
3. The sermon mentioned that our "enemies" can be people, relationships, circumstances, sickness, hardship, culture, and more. What are some things in your life currently that you would consider an enemy- something that might be attempting to derail or hinder your faith?
4. God’s past faithfulness demands our present trust. Are there any events from your past where you can see God clearly defending and protecting you?
5. Do you ever assume you know how God will act in a certain situation? Has this assumption caused spiritual problems for you?
6. When was the last time you felt the presence of God?
7. What would tomorrow look like for you to be able to spend unhurried, undistracted time with God?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 23

The bible often compares us to sheep
—sheep lack a sense of direction
—sheep follow other sheep blindly
—sheep are prone to wander off from the flock
—sheep are defenseless

Isaiah 53:6(a)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;

He guides us with wisdom and knowledge

He always leads in the right and proper direction. He leads us by his Spirit and through his Word to do the right thing, to think the right thing, to say the right thing, and to live the right way. As Psalm 119:105 wonderfully reminds us, ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
—Josh Smith and Daniel Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1-50

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

He guides us with strength and comfort

“In the course of time I came to realize that nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see me in the field. The presence of their master and owner and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do, and this applied day and night.”
—W. Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

He guides us with goodness and mercy forever

Revelation 7:16–17
[16] They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
[17] For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John 10:10–16
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."


Discipleship Questions:

1. What are some ways you identify with the bible describing us as sheep?
2. How does God’s guidance help us remember that we will lack nothing?
3. How does it encourage you to know God guides us for His name’s sake?
4. How does God’s guidance help us remember not to fear any evil?
5. How can we rejoice in the dark valleys knowing He is leading us?
6. How does God’s guidance help us remember we will dwell with Him forever?
7. In what ways have you experienced his goodness and mercy following you?

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 107

What we are "attending" to is 4 stories of people who need rescue.

4 Stories of People Who Need Rescue:

1.) Wandering in a Desert Wasteland (v. 4-9)
Lost, aimless, longing, empty, at your wits end, weary souls
Maybe situational. Not necessarily because of sin

2.) Sitting in Sinful Darkness (v. 10-16)
Rebellious, rejecting God's Word, spurning God's counsel, helpless
Feels like a prison, bondage to sin, affliction in irons
God has put a weight on you

3.) Sick from Sinful Ways (v. 17-22)
Foolish, afflicted through their own sinful actions
Loathed any kind of food, near the gates of death

4.) Scared in a big and dangerous world (v. 23-32)
SAW the deeds of the Lord, His wondrous works in the deep
Courage melted away, overwhelmed, unsteady, also at their wits end

Now let's look at what we are supposed to do if/when we find ourselves in any of these situations

What do we do???

1.) Wandering in a Desert Wasteland
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." (v. 6)
"Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!" (v. 8)

2.) Sitting in Sinful Darkness
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." (v. 13)
"Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!" (v. 15)

3.) Sick from Sinful Ways
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." (v. 19)
"Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!" (v. 21)

4.) Scared in a big and dangerous world
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." (v. 28)
"Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!" (v. 31)

*CRY OUT! GIVE THANKS!

And what happens when we CRY OUT and GIVE THANKS?
The city wasn't far away. You just needed God to lead you there.
Freedom wasn't far away. You just needed God to give you a heart of flesh.
His Word wasn't far away. You just needed God to heal you and deliver you from destruction.
Better weather wasn't far away. You just needed God to calm the storm.

As if that isn't enough... (v. 33-43)

The steadfast love of God:
Turns rivers into a desert
Turns deserts into springs of water
Establishes the hungry and makes them fruitful
Pours contempt on princes
Raises the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks
There is truly no situation or scenario, no trial or tribulation, and no sin or sickness that is beyond God’s rescue.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Are you “saying so”?

Discipleship Questions:

1. Which of the 4 groups of people did you connect with the most?
2. Spend some time as a group confessing sins and talking through struggles and trials honestly.
3. Do you need to cry to the Lord in your trouble? What are you waiting for?
4. Have you ever cried out and experienced the rescue of God? If so, LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!!!"

Notes from Marc Bauder's sermon on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 51 & 32

Our sin
Is deeper than we think
Destroys us when hidden
Deserves God’s judgment

God’s forgiveness
Begins with his mercy
Cleanses us

Isaiah 53:5-6 (CSB): “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the LORD has punished him for the iniquity of us all."

Renews what sin has broken
“We must be born again. This is not a change of opinion, or a change of outward conduct; it is a change of nature. It is the communication of a new life… You can no more change your own heart than a leopard can change his spots.” - J.C. Ryle

Is received through repentance

Produces joy and worship
“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” - John Newton


Discipleship Questions:

1. How does shifting your baseline from other people to God’s holiness change the way you view your daily choices, hidden habits, and attitudes?
2. What is the difference between wanting forgiveness and wanting to be changed?
3. Are there past sins or failures that you still struggle to believe God has fully forgiven? What truths from Psalm 51 and Psalm 32 help you fight ongoing guilt?
4. David prayed for the restoration of the joy of his salvation. What tends to steal your joy in Christ, and how does the gospel restore it?
5. Is there anything you’ve been holding onto that you need to confess and bring into the light?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 19

God’s Instructions come…

Through Nature
Rom 1:19-20 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

David shows how it is that the heavens proclaim to us the glory of God, namely, by openly bearing testimony that they have not been put together by chance, but were wonderfully created by the supreme Architect. - John Calvin

Through His Word

God’s word…

Revives us
“Laden with guilt, and full of fears, I fly to Thee, my Lord, And not a ray of hope appears but in Thy written word. The volume of my Father's grace does all my grief assuage; Here I behold my Savior's face in every page” -Isaac Watts

Makes us wise
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains…he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. Welcome to the club.” -Robert Jastrow

Gives us joy
John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Psalm 3:5-6 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Psalm 4:6-7 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
"To see Him and know Him and be in His presence is the soul's final feast. Beyond this there is no quest. Words fail. We call it pleasure, joy, delight. But these are weak pointers to the unspeakable experience.” John Piper.

Is eternal
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Is desirable
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."


Discipleship Questions:

1. What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?
2. Have you recently experienced God’s word making you…
   1. Revived?
   2. Wise?
   3. Joyful?
3. How is your time in God’s Word lately?
4. What have you been learning?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 121

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Why we need to sing praise and worship songs
—singing is instructed in the Bible
—singing helps us remember God’s Word
—singing engages our emotions and affections with God’s Word
—singing demonstrates and helps preserve our unity
—singing is a way to encourage one another

God’s protection is constant

“God’s help is his enabling us to avoid foot slipping or sin. An ounce of sin can harm us more than a ton of suffering. Sin can harden our hearts so we lose everything, but suffering, if handled rightly, can make us wiser, happier, and deeper.”
-Tim Keller, The Songs of Jesus

God’s protection is comforting

2 Corinthians 1:3–4
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God’s protection is complete

“The proof is there on a hill called Calvary. There Jesus died. Jesus Christ became truly vulnerable, truly defenseless, exposed not simply to adverse circumstances but to the forces of hell, receiving the judgement we deserved. He was overcome so that we could walk through life with the certain knowledge that we are God’s children and that he is ever watching over us.”
—Dane C Ortlund, In the Lord I Take Refuge

Romans 8:31–39
[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Discipleship Questions:

1. How have praise and worship songs impacted your life in significant ways?
2. What are some current worship songs that have really helped you?
3. How have you experienced God’s constant protection in your life?
4. How have you experienced God’s comforting protection in your life?
5. How have you experienced God’s complete protection in your life?
6. How does Jesus and the gospel help you trust God’s protection and obey His instruction?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 77

Because the world is broken, we will have trouble.
Psalm 6:6 I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.

God Cares
Ex 2:25 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

We experience God’s care through…

1. Recounting His works
2. Seeking God’s face more than His hand

Psalm 27:3-4 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 27:8-10 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

There is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound…I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. - Charles Spurgeon
Psalm 88:18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

What is best in the world has been based and battered and trodden down….Is it any wonder we should weep…The tears of Jesus preceded a resurrection of the dead. Is it then possible that our tears might also be a kind of intercession? Then let our tears anoint these broken things, and let our grief be as their consecration — a preparation for their promised redemptions, our sorrow sealing them for that day when you will take the ache of all creation and turn it inside-out. -Every Moment Holy

3. Each Other

Caring for the hurting:Do:

Discipleship Questions:

1. Have you ever been (or are you right now) in a tough situation and wondered if God truly cares?
2. What was that like for you?
3. What did you cling to through that time?
4. Did the church care for you through that time?
5. How are we doing as a small group in terms of caring for each other?
6. How can we get better?

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 103

1.) The Renewed Soul Blesses The Lord
God aims to impact your soul through renewal. This means that you will have to counsel your soul, to rally your soul as if to say, "Soul, today you are being renewed! Soul, I want you to feel the weight of renewal from the hand of God. Soul, it is not ok for you to be dense and stale right now, for Jesus is doing a mighty work right now that started long ago that He will absolutely bring to completion.

2.) The Soul is Renewed by the History of God's Faithfulness
It is a powerful thing when you begin to understand that your story is the story of a people. Notice how David says to his soul, "Forget not all his benefits". This is a picture of counseling your soul. "Hey soul, remember! Don't forget!"
The benefits that we are to make sure we do not forget? First, He forgives all your iniquity. Second, He heals all your diseases. Third, He redeems your life from the pit. Fourth, He crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. Fifth, He satisfies you with good SO THAT your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Sixth, He made known His ways to Moses. Seventh, He made known His acts to the people of Israel.
Annual Molting – Renewed strength, not looks

3.) The Soul is Renewed by the Presence of God's Faithfulness
First David counsels his soul not to forget what God has done to renew His people in the past. Then David counsels his soul to pay attention to how God is renewing His people RIGHT NOW.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. [***Spurgeon: "We have never suffered as we deserve to suffer."]
He does not deal with us according to our sins. [He sees our potential in Himself]
He does not repay us according to our iniquities.
His steadfast love is toward those who fear Him [as high as the heavens are above the earth] *Infinite
He removes our transgressions from us [as far as the east is from the west] *Infinite ***Kidner: "Immeasurable Distances and the Intimacy of Family" - To the young man wanting to date one of my daughters... "It is not possible for you to understand how valuable and precious my daughter is to me, but I want for you to try."
He shows compassion to those who fear Him [as a father shows compassion to his children] Isaiah 49:13-16...
He knows our frame
He remembers that we are dust

4.) The Soul is Renewed by the Promise of God's Faithfulness
Our flourishing is fleeting... Reality check - As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like the flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
His love is steadfast... In the future, how much can we depend on God's renewing love? If you fear Him, from everlasting to everlasting.
His righteousness is steadfast... connects back to how God doesn't deal with us according to our sin. When we fear Him and place our faith in Jesus, everything changes. He deals with us according to His steadfast love and His steadfast righteousness, not our sin. [Again, He sees our potential in Himself]
Part of renewal is remembering, keeping, and doing His commandments
v.19 connects the past and future to the present

5.) The Renewed Soul Invites Others to Bless the Lord
Angels... you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of the Lord
Ministers... hosts who do His will
All His works... in all paces of His dominion
Full Circle... Bless the Lord, O my soul!


Discipleship Questions:

1. What part of your soul isn't "feeling it" right now?
2. In what specific ways can you counsel your soul with what God has done in the past to renew others and yourself?
3. What are some things that God is doing right now that your soul has not yet blessed Him for?
4. What are some promises that your renewed soul is banking on?
5. How have you experienced the renewing power of God in your life? Any new feathers
6. Who is your renewed soul needing to invite into blessing the Lord?
7. Why does God not deal with us according to our sin? Why does it matter?

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Sermon text: Exodus 40:34-38

God does everything for His glory and our good

1 Corinthians 10:31
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”
–John Piper, Desiring God

The Glory Cloud represents…

—God’s presence

—God’s approval

—God’s holiness

—God’s guidance

"God did not just rescue the Israelites from Egypt and then dump them in the wilderness to fend for themselves. On the contrary, he was with his people for good. He wanted to do something more than simply save them; he wanted to have a relationship with them. This was the great comfort that gave them confidence for the future. In all their travels and through all their troubles, God would be with them every step of the way"
—Philip Graham Ryken and R. Kent Hughes, Exodus

—God’s faithfulness

"This is the message of the exodus, as it is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Once we were in bondage to sin, enslaved by its tyranny. But through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—our Passover Lamb—God has delivered us from the Egypt of our sin. Now he is leading us through our earthly wilderness, with all its difficulties and dangers. The great God of the exodus will never leave us or forsake us. In the church he has set up a sanctuary where even now we may enter his presence for worship. And one day soon Jesus will come down in glory to take us up into the glory that will never end. Everyone who trusts in him will be saved for the glory of God."
—Philip Graham Ryken and R. Kent Hughes, Exodus

Discipleship Questions:

1. What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from our study of Exodus?
2. What’s the best way to understand that God does everything for His glory?
3. How does the truth that God works for His glory and our good encourage us in all circumstances?
4. How does it feel to know God desires to dwell with His people?
5. What does it mean to you that God not only wants to save us, but he also wants to lead us?
6. What aspects of the gospel have you seen throughout the book of Exodus?
7. How does the gospel of Jesus give us even more hope than the people in Exodus 40 had?

Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Sermon text: Exodus 31 &35-40

God invites everyone to build his temple

Eph 2:20-22 "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Romans 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.


God provides what he commands

Ex. 12:35-36 "The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians."

We are created in the image of a creator

Proverbs 3:19-20 "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew."

“Every time we build a sanctuary, arrange furniture in a room, or produce a brochure, we are making artistic decisions. The question is not whether we will be artists, but whether we will aspire to high aesthetic standards. All too often Christians settle for something that is functional but not beautiful.” — Philip Graham Ryken and R. Kent Hughes


Discipleship Questions:

1. In what ways is the church similar to the tabernacle?
2. How has God gifted you to contribute to the building up of the body?
3. Share with others in your small group the gift(s) you see in them.
4. God commanded the Israelites to observe the Sabbath even during tabernacle construction. Are you taking time to rest and trust God in the midst of a busy season?

Written by Scott Sutton

This past Sunday, we had the awesome privilege of introducing over 60 new members at Crosspoint Community Church. In all 3 services, we were able to truly celebrate those who made the commitment with us to Know God, Be Known, and Make Him Known.

To be clear, the Elders were not just telling the church about the new members. At least 2 things were happening in this moment.

First, the new members were publicly saying that they are in agreement with Crosspoint. They agree that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that Jesus is our only hope for salvation. They agree that when you put your faith in Jesus, you become a child of God... a child who has a good heavenly Father and lots of brothers and sisters in Christ. They agree to the mission of the church to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey. (and more!)
Second, the current members of Crosspoint were saying to these new members, “Based upon your profession of faith, we commit to walk with you as members of one another in Christ”.

It is a 2-way street! Jesus has given us the gift of unity in Himself, and we are called to preserve that unity together!

Membership was never meant to be a small thing. In the book of Acts, you see a record kept of those who are following Jesus. You see numbers tracked to make sure everyone is cared for. You see church leadership being put into place so that nobody is overlooked. In 1 Timothy, we see how the church is to serve widows. We also see qualifications for Elders and Deacons.

Part of God’s blessing in Christ is the gift of one another. Let’s continue to value and preserve that blessing, planting and watering, as God gives the growth!