This week Pastor Deric continues our fall series Jesus is LORD OF ALL with a sermon entitled “Building Believers by the Book”
"When a man becomes a Christian, he becomes industrious, trustworthy and prosperous. Now, if that man when he gets all he can and saves all he can does not give all he can, I have more hope for Judas Iscariot than for that man!" - John Wesley
- Oct 22, 2017Building Believers by the BookOct 22, 2017Building Believers by the BookBy: Deric BartlettSeries: Jesus is LORD OF ALL
This week Pastor Deric continues our fall series Jesus is LORD OF ALL with a sermon entitled “Building Believers by the Book”
Questions:Ephesians 4:7-16Icebreaker: Tell everyone about a book or movie that you have watched recently and would recommend to the group.1. What is the “work of the ministry” that Paul talks about in Eph. 4:12, and what is the outcome of that work?2. According to Phil. 2:3-8, why did God the Father exalt Jesus?3. What is your definition of a servant? What does it mean to you to be a servant of Christ (1 Thess. 1:9) and others (Gal. 5:13)?4. Find 2 verses in the NT that admonish us not to live selfishly.5. What is the primary motivation at the heart of servanthood? What currently motivates you to serve?6. For each of the following write one practical way that you can serve someone this week:Your Time – Your Spiritual Gift – A Talent/Skill – A Word of Encouragement – A Resource (i.e. a Christian book, a power tool, etc.)7. What must you do, beginning today, to acquire an authentic heart of a servant?8. What did you find helpful or challenging about the message?"When a man becomes a Christian, he becomes industrious, trustworthy and prosperous. Now, if that man when he gets all he can and saves all he can does not give all he can, I have more hope for Judas Iscariot than for that man!" - John Wesley
- Oct 15, 2017Grow TimeOct 15, 2017Grow TimeBy: Deric BartlettSeries: Jesus is LORD OF ALL
This week Pastor Deric continues our fall series Jesus is LORD OF ALL with a sermon entitled “Grow Time”
Questions:Icebreaker: If you were any kitchen appliance, which one would you be and why?1. What importance does the Bible place on regular fellowship with other believers?2. Who supplies the growth to the body, and how does growth take place through fellowship with other believers?3. The New Testament has over 50 “one another” verses which admonish us how to treat each other living in community (i.e. “… Honour one another above yourselves.” – Rom. 12:10). Find 5 other “one another” verses that you think are especially important.4. List 3 ways participating in a small group creates conditions for growth.5. What other things can you do throughout the week to live more in community with other Christians?6. What did you find helpful or challenging about the message?“We should not…think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotion. We should recognize rather that such fellowship is a spiritual necessity, for God has made us in such a way that our fellowship with himself is fed by our fellowship with fellow Christians, and requires to be so fed constantly for its own deepening and enrichment.” – J.I. Packer
- Oct 8, 2017Gather TimeOct 8, 2017Gather TimeBy: Deric BartlettSeries: Jesus is LORD OF ALLThis week Pastor Deric continues our fall series Jesus is LORD OF ALL with a sermon entitled “Gather Time”Questions:Icebreaker: If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you live? Why?1. What did it mean to be a priest of God in the Old Testament? What does it mean now that all believers are priests of God? (1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 5:10, 20:6)2. What is true biblical worship as defined in the New Testament? Find three verses that illustrate this.3. What does it mean to worship God “in spirit and truth”? (John 4:23-24)4. What is one practical thing you can do this week to become a more worshipful believer?5. How important is it to you to worship together corporately? Why or why not?6. What is your favourite worship song? Why are the words so important to you?7. What did you find helpful or challenging about the message?"Worship has been misunderstood as something that arises from a feeling which 'comes upon you', but it is vital that we understand that it is rooted in a conscious act of the will, to serve and obey the Lord Jesus Christ." - Graham Kendrick
- Oct 1, 2017The Principles that Connect our PrioritiesOct 1, 2017The Principles that Connect our PrioritiesBy: Max OatesSeries: Jesus is LORD OF ALL
This week Pastor Max continues our series Jesus Is Lord of ALL with a sermon entitled “The Principles that Connect our Priorities”
Questions:
1 Peter 2:9-12
Ice Breaker: If your house was burning down, what three objects would you try to save?1. The four qualities listed in 1 Peter 2:9 were first applied to Israel as a nation – find two OT scriptures that refer to them. What is the significance that they now apply to us?2. What is God’s purpose in choosing us as a people for his own possession? (see v.9)3. What does it mean when Peter says, “once we were not a people”? (v.10)4. In what way are we sojourners and exiles in the world? (v.11) How ought this influence the way we live?5. One of the goal’s in our church’s vision is “Building” – find 3 scriptures from the NT that talk about building the kingdom of God. Which one is your favourite, and why?6. How important is it for you to be connected with others in the church in order to fulfill our mandate to grow, serve and reach others for Christ? What are some additional ways you could get better connected at City?7. What did you find helpful or challenging about the message?
“The best Christians we have among us are only Christians in the making. They are by no means finished products.”– Anonymous
- Sep 17, 2017LORD of my daily lifeSep 17, 2017LORD of my daily lifeBy: Deric BartlettSeries: Jesus is LORD OF ALL
This week Pastor Deric continues our fall series Jesus is LORD OF ALL with a sermon in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 entitled “LORD of my daily life”
Questions:2 Corinthians 3:!6-18Icebreaker: If you could have a famous singer serenade you with any song, who would it be and what would he or she sing?1. Read Gen.6:9, Rom. 13:13, Gal.5:16 and Eph.2:10. What is the main quality of a person who is walking with God?2. In Romans 13:14 Paul tells us to “put on Christ” – what does he mean by this?3. Read James 4:8. In order for God to be near to us, what must we do? What are some practical ways of doing this?4. How does the quality of your daily walk with God impact your life and ministry at City Centre?5. To walk with someone means you must be agreed to going in the same direction (see Amos 3:3). In what areas of your life have you been going in a different direction than Christ?6. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest) how would you rate your passion/desire for God? What do you think would make it grow more?7. What did you find helpful or challenging about the message?
“Smart men walked on the moon, daring men walked on the ocean floor, but wise men walk with God.” - Leonard Ravenhill
- Sep 10, 2017Following Jesus As LordSep 10, 2017Following Jesus As LordBy: Deric BartlettSeries: Jesus is LORD OF ALL
This week Pastor Deric begins our fall series Jesus is LORD OF ALL with a sermon in Matthew 28:18-20 entitled “Following Jesus As Lord”
Questions:Matthew 28:18-20Icebreaker: If you had to state your main ambition as a follower of Christ, what would it be?
1. What are the two main activities in City Centre’s vision statement? How well does this align with the Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20)?2. The two qualities in our vision statement are Spirit-filled and unified – find three scriptures where Paul exhorts the church to be like this.3. Read Micah 6:8. What does it mean to you “to walk humbly with your God”?4. Rate the following in the order of your own sense of priority: Worship, Career, Bible Study, Family, Small Groups, Hobbies, Serving Others, Fitness, Evangelism.5. Phil. 2:4-8 exhorts us to serve one another and points to Jesus’ life as the perfect example of servitude. What practical ways can you serve others in the church? What new area of ministry could you get involved with?“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” - David Livingstone
- Sep 3, 2017He is Lord of AllSep 3, 2017He is Lord of AllBy: Deric BartlettSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Deric concludes our summer series True Patriot Love with a sermon in Acts 10:34-47 entitled “He is Lord of All”
Questions:Acts 10:34-47Icebreaker: What does the term “lordship” mean to you?1. Read Luke 6:46 and Matthew 7:21. What does Christ identify as the main result of his lordship over our lives?2. Acts 10:43 states that all the prophets bear witness to Christ as our Saviour. Find 3 Old Testament prophecies that support this.3. What is the difference between living for Christ and Christ being your very life? (Phil. 1:21)4. Acts 10:39 alludes to the fact that we are Christ’s witnesses. List 3 practical ways you can accomplish this in your day to day life.5. Read Phil. 2:5-11. Through what means did Christ receive absolute authority over all things?6. The lordship of Christ means he has total authority over every area of our lives. What are some areas of your life that still need to be affected by this?"The Christian life is not adding Jesus to one's own way of life but renouncing that personal way of life for His and being willing to pay whatever cost that may require." - John MacArthur
- Aug 27, 2017Praying for the PowersAug 27, 2017Praying for the PowersBy: David GurekzkiSeries: True Patriot LoveThis week our guest David Guretzki taught us from 1 Timothy 2:1-7 with a sermon entitled ”Praying for the Powers” as we continue our summer series True Patriot LoveQuestions:1 Timothy 2:1-7Ice Breaker: Do you believe that God will answer your prayers for government or does it seem like too large of a request?1. What is the intended outcome of prayer “for all people”? (v.1,3)2. How would this outcome in the nation’s leaders lead to the godly and peaceful living described in verse 2?3. Why is it important to pray without anger and quarreling? (v.8)4. Why is prayer sometimes referred to as a “struggle” (literally battle) or “fervent labour”? (see Col. 4:12).5. Find two examples from the Old Testament where God acted through prayer to influence an authority.6. Read Isaiah 14:24-27. How do you see God working amongst the nations today? What purpose is he accomplishing?
“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.” - Billy Graham
- Aug 20, 2017Standing Against AuthorityAug 20, 2017Standing Against AuthorityBy: Max OatesSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Max continues our series True Patriot Love with a sermon entitled “Standing Against Authority”
Questions:Acts 5:17-42 & Daniel 6:1-28Ice Breaker: Can you say “No” when you need to, despite others prompting you to always say “Yes”? Do you find this easy or difficult to do?1. In Acts 5:28 the leaders reminded Peter and the apostles they had told them not to preach Christ - what was Peter’s reply in verse 29? How might this same scenario play out in your own daily life?2. Find two other stories from the Old Testament that illustrate a time when a believer had to resist an authority in order to be faithful to God.3. Why did God deliver Daniel from the lion’s den even though he disobeyed the king’s edict? (v.22)4. What forms of civil disobedience do you believe are acceptable to engage in as a believer?5. In what way does the sufferings of Peter and the apostles indicate their worthiness as followers of Christ? (Acts 5:41)6. Sometimes standing up to an authority can be intimidating – find three different scriptures that would encourage you in such a situation.7. The incident in Acts 5 wasn’t the first time the authorities had threatened the apostles (see Acts 4). In this instance how did they respond?
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” - C. S. Lewis
- Aug 13, 2017Patriot or Christian?Aug 13, 2017Patriot or Christian?By: Max OatesSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Max continues our summer series True Patriot Love with a sermon in 1 Peter 2 & Daniel 2 entitled “Patriot or Christian?”
Questions:1 Peter 2 & Daniel 2Ice Breaker: Do you tend to “go with the flow” or are you more likely to go against the trends?1. As Peter states simply in verse 13, why are we to submit to every human institution?2. Why has God established these rules for submitting to earthly authority?3. What kind of “ignorance” could be corrected by following Peter’s instruction?4. In this context, how would you describe or define the “freedom” we enjoy as Christians?5. How are we to approach God and human authority in these matters? Are we to submit to anyone who might claim authority?6. Rank these in a progression of obligation from first to last: Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor.“We are relieved from the burden of the unknown because everything unknown is known to the One who guides, protects and lovingly Father’s us.”- Paul David Tripp
- Aug 6, 2017The Gospel & GovernmentAug 6, 2017The Gospel & GovernmentBy: Deric BartlettSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Deric continues our summer series True Patriot Love with a sermon in Romans 13:1-7 entitled “The Gospel & Government”
Questions:Romans 13:1-7Icebreaker: What is your definition of "good government"?
1. What does the context of the Gospel, as explained in the book of Romans, have to do with Paul’s emphasis on submission to “governing authorities”?2. Why is the theme of “submission” so important in the New Testament, especially in the first seven verses of Romans 13?3. If all authority belongs to God (v.1) then how do believers reconcile the presence of dictatorial regimes and persecuting authorities? How are they “God’s servants”? (v.4)4. How would you counsel fellow believers to live under the pressure of evil empires as so many do in the world today?5. Why does Paul highlight “good conduct” in the context of counseling believers how to live in peace with governing authorities?6. Explain Paul’s use of maintaining a clear conscience as it relates to the believer in relationship to government? (v.5)"When you know that all is God’s, then anything you render to Caesar you will render for God’s sake." - John Piper
- Jul 30, 2017Indebted to God & GovernmentJul 30, 2017Indebted to God & GovernmentBy: Deric BartlettSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Deric continues our summer series True Patriot Love with a sermon in Matthew 22:15-22 entitled “Indebted to God & Government”
Questions:
Matthew 22:15-22
Icebreaker: When you have to pay taxes do you do so willingly or with reluctance?1. In verse 15 we find the Pharisees plotting to entrap Jesus. In what way would either of the expected answers help to damage Jesus' ministry?2. Using a lexicon or commentary, explain the significance of the word "render" (v.21).3. In what ways do loyalty and obligation differ? Do you consider yourself to be obligated or loyal to the government?4. Using a concordance, find the verse in Titus which commands us to be subject to rulers.5. On what grounds is a Christian obligated to disobey governmental authority (see Acts 5:29)?6. In what ways does submission to authority benefit us? (ref. Hebrews 13:17)“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official.” - Theodore Roosevelt
- Jul 23, 2017Meet Mr DouglasJul 23, 2017Meet Mr DouglasBy: Deric BartlettSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Deric continues our summer series True Patriot Love as he introduces us to one of our Fathers of Faith, Mr. Douglas
Questions:Icebreaker: Who do you think has been the most positively impactful Canadian politician (from any level of government) over the last 25 years?1. What does civic duty mean to you? Is it important in your Christian walk?2. Why does Paul urge us to pray for those in authority in 1 Timothy 2:1-2?3. Considering your answer above, what then is the God-given purpose of good government? Do you believe this is happening in Canada today?4. What is the difference between supplications, prayers and intercessions (v.1)?5. In what ways can you involve yourself in the affairs of government to help others in Mississauga?6. Regardless of whether you live under a godly or ungodly authority, we can rest in God’s sovereignty over all things. Find three stories from the scriptures that demonstrate how God has ultimate control of all governing authority.
“A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.” - Theodore Roosevelt
- Jul 16, 2017Neighbours & The Body of ChristJul 16, 2017Neighbours & The Body of ChristBy: Milton FriesenSeries: True Patriot Love
This week our guest Milton Friesen taught us from Luke 10:25-37 with a sermon entitled ”Neighbours & The Body of Christ” as we continue our summer series True Patriot Love
Questions:Luke 10:25-37Icebreaker: How many of your neighbours have you chatted with over the last month?
1. When have you experienced social isolation?2. What opportunities for ministry does social isolation make possible today?3. What is the significance of Jesus noting it was a Samaritan (as opposed to a Jew) that stopped to help? (v.33)4. Where in Scripture do you see examples of people standing on their own in obedience to God?5. Where in Scripture do you see examples of people faithfully following God with others?6. What is God’s definition of a neighbour (v.37)? What significance does that have for us today?7. What parts of your life (think about this past week) make connecting with people challenging?"The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself at the very heart of this community as its prime Sustainer and most glorious Inhabitant." - Dallas Willard
- Jul 9, 2017Meet Mr RyersonJul 9, 2017Meet Mr RyersonBy: Deric BartlettSeries: True Patriot Love
This week Pastor Deric continues our summer series True Patriot Love as he introduces us to one of Canada's Fathers of Faith, Meet Mr. Ryerson
Questions:
Icebreaker: Who is your favourite Canadian politician of all time? Why?1. Read Romans 13:6-7. Why is a Christian obligated to pay taxes?2. Do you think it's a Christian's duty to help serve their country? Why or why not?3. Do you view yourself as a positive force for change in Canada? What are some ways you could help serve your country?4. Do you think patriotism is a valid extension of Christianity?5. According to Psalms 33:12 what is the determining factor if a nation is blessed or not?“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” - Adlai Stevenson II
