WHY ME | 2 Cor. 12:9

Sermon Discussion Questions | “WHY ME”

  1. When in my life have I asked the question “Why me?” Do I ever feel that God is not being fair to me? If so, when and why?

  2. When I suffer some “thorn”, is prayer my first response or my last resort? When has God answered my prayer request by saying “Yes”? How can prayer become my first and frequent response?

  3. Has God ever answered “No” to one of my prayer requests? If so, when? How did I feel about God’s “No” answer? As I look back, can I see a reason – a “good” – for God’s “No” answer?

  4. When and how has God’s grace in Jesus strengthened me to handle the “thorns” I experience in life?

  5. How can God’s grace in Jesus strengthen me to serve the Lord in my:

    • Home ______________________________________?

    • Church _____________________________________?

    • Community _________________________________?

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Learning a New Language | Lamentations 3:7-33

Learning a New Language | Lamentations 3:7-33

This week we will cover the book of Lamentations as a whole as a way to springboard into talking about how it is good for God’s people to learn the language of lament. When bad things happen, too often we choose one of three options: to suffer in silence, to dismiss the bad things by speaking platitudes, or to rage. None of these three options are the best way to deal with trouble! The Bible shows us the way to lament–to give complaints to God, to ask Him why things are going so badly and what He’s going to do about them. Lamenting to God may be foreign to us, but when it is done in faith it is one of the best things we can do when we are feeling broken and downtrodden by the sinfulness of this life.

Good & Trustworthy | Job 38:1-15

Sermon Discussion Questions |”Good and Trustworthy”

  1. What’s your favorite restaurant?

  2. Has there been a time in your life where you’ve felt like Job?

  3. Have you ever questioned God about what he’s doing? If he were to answer your questions directly, would you still ask them?

  4. Do you think most people in our society have “main character syndrome”- where they think they’re the protagonist in the story?

  5. How do we seek to avoid that kind of thinking?

The Mysterious Middle | Mark 4:26-29

The Mysterious Middle | Mark 4:26-29

This week we focus on a parable Jesus tells about the kingdom of God. A man scatters seed and looks forward to the harvest, but when the seed is in the ground and growing, he doesn’t know how that process works. Jesus tells this parable to communicate a truth about His kingdom–the fact that there is a beginning and an end, but the middle can be very mysterious to humans. How long will this middle process last? What is God doing? In this sermon, Pastor Smith explores what the “mysterious middle” is like for us as we live in God’s kingdom. The good news and encouragement is that even though we don’t know exactly what God is doing, it is enough to know that He is doing His good work to bring us to the joyful end of His salvation story.

Renewed | 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:1

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Renewed”

  1. Have you had a time in your life when you received or experienced something that wasn’t the way you expected it to be?

  2. Discuss what Paul says in verse 7 about treasures being stored in jars of clay (knowing that the jars of clay were frequently broken).

  3. What is something that you’ve renewed? How can you take that idea of renewal and apply it to you “being inwardly renewed” (2 Cor. 4:16)?

  4. What was a painful, uncomfortable, or unenjoyable situation that seemed like it lasted a long time, but now seems “momentary”? How can that help to give perspective about these “light and momentary troubles” compared to the “eternal glories” that await us?

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Good Sundays Make Better Mondays | Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and Mark 2:23–3:6.

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Good Sundays Make Better Mondays”

  1. Isaiah reminded us that we shouldn’t “trample on the Sabbath day”. What are some ways the world is walking all over God’s creative design for the rhythm of life?

  2. Demanding Sabbath laws of about what we can do and can’t do on Sunday is just as bad as ignoring Sundays as though they are just another day. Discuss how you can strike a Godly balance and honor the Creator’s intent for the “7th day”.

  3. In the “Sabbath Manifesto” Pastor Buegler shared 10 ways to “do better” on the Sabbath. Create your own 10 ways to make Sundays better. Share your list with family or friends.

  4. How can you this summer “refuel” your physical life? How can you “release” some of the pressure you are under? How can you “refresh” your spiritual walk with Jesus…..the only true LORD OF THE SABBATH?

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From Confusion to Clarity | Isaiah 6:1-8; Acts 2:14a; 22-36; John 3:1-17

From Confusion to Clarity | Isaiah 6:1-8; Acts 2:14a; 22-36; John 3:1-17

Pastor Smith's Sermon on May 26, 2024 explores the theme of confusion in faith, drawing from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Pastor Smith uses the famous "Who's on First?" sketch to illustrate how confusion can escalate, much like Nicodemus' misunderstanding of Jesus' message. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being "born again" or "born from above" through the Spirit, while acknowledging the challenges in understanding the Holy Trinity. Ultimately, it reassures believers that while not everything can be fully comprehended, the essential truths of God's love and salvation are made clear through Jesus Christ.

Strong, Howling Wind | John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Strong, Howling Wind | John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

In this sermon, Pastor Josh explores the concept of inspiration, encouraging the congregation to reflect on what inspires them in their daily lives. He draws parallels between the story of Ezekiel and the event of Pentecost, highlighting how the Holy Spirit brings life and inspiration, transforming the spiritually dead. The sermon emphasizes that God's Breath not only gives life but also compels believers to share the wonders of God, much like the apostles did on Pentecost. Pastor Josh reminds us that while salvation is secure, actively sharing God's works can impact others' faith journeys. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to continuously declare God's mighty works, as divine inspiration is eternal and never fades.

God Is Our Mother | Isaiah 66:13

God Is Our Mother | Isaiah 66:13

Pastor Buegler reflects on God's comforting nature, using Isaiah 66:13 to compare God's comfort to that of a loving mother. He shares a story about the unique and sacrificial qualities of mothers, drawing parallels between a mother’s love and God's grace. Buegler emphasizes that God's comfort is available in difficult times, likening it to a mother’s care. He connects the nurturing role of mothers to the church's mission of evangelism, encouraging the congregation to share the gospel. The sermon concludes with a personal reflection on his own mother’s love and a call to remember and forgive their mothers' imperfections.

The 5 Ws of Giving | Matthew 25:31-40; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 12:1-8

The 5 Ws of Giving | Matthew 25:31-40; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 12:1-8

Pastor Smith discusses the principles of storytelling learned in grade school, emphasizing the importance of the "5 W's" (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and sometimes "How" to ensure stories are comprehensive and meaningful. He connects this to the biblical call for believers to serve others, integrating scripture readings from Matthew 25:31-40 and Ephesians 2. The sermon explores how believers, as blessed and redeemed children of God, are called to serve their neighbors with gratitude for God's overwhelming love and blessings. Pastor Smith highlights the diversity of gifts within the congregation and encourages practical involvement in the church's ministries, emphasizing the importance of participating in God's story of blessing others.

What Do You Expect? | Acts 3:1-21

What Do You Expect? | Acts 3:1-21

This sermon from April 14th emphasizes how our low expectations can be transformed by God's grace. Pastor Smith shares his experience of being awed by the April 8th eclipse and parallels it to the story in Acts 3, where a lame man expecting alms receives miraculous healing. He encourages the congregation to expect greater things from God, highlighting that God's blessings often exceed our expectations.

Easter Sunday Service (Contemporary) - Where’s Jesus? | Mark 16:1-8

Easter Sunday Service (Contemporary) - Where’s Jesus? | Mark 16:1-8

In this March 31 sermon, Pastor Josh highlights the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection. He poses the question, "Where is Jesus?" through various contexts, emphasizing how it shifts from playful to serious. Pastor Josh underscores the significance of Good Friday, noting Jesus' real death and burial, witnessed by many sources. He asserts that the resurrection, confirmed by the empty tomb and the angel's message, proves Jesus' reliability and divinity.

Easter Sunday Service (Traditional) - You Have His Word On It | Mark 16:1-8

Easter Sunday Service (Traditional) - You Have His Word On It | Mark 16:1-8

In this March 31 sermon, Pastor Smith highlights the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection. He poses a thought exercise about time travel, suggesting that witnessing the resurrection would be profound. Pastor Smith emphasizes that the resurrection changes how Christians live and view the future, urging the congregation to trust in Jesus' words, which have proven reliable.

Trade Off | Mark 11:1-11

Trade Off | Mark 11:1-11

In this March 24 sermon, Pastor Josh begins with a personal anecdote about a humorous shirt he received in high school to illustrate the concept of making trades. He connects this to Jesus trading the praise and comfort of Palm Sunday for the suffering and sacrifice of Good Friday. Pastor Josh emphasizes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he is received with kingly honor but chooses to continue towards his crucifixion, demonstrating his willingness to sacrifice for humanity.

I Can See Clearly Now | Mark 8:14-30

I Can See Clearly Now | Mark 8:14-30

In this March 17 sermon, Pastor Smith humorously shares his lifelong struggles with poor vision, including wearing glasses since first grade and later switching to contacts. He describes his annual eye exams, thick lenses, and color blindness experiences. Using this example, Pastor Smith draws a parallel between physical vision and spiritual vision, noting that just as he needs corrective lenses to see clearly, people need spiritual guidance to see Jesus clearly. He emphasizes that this lack of clarity is a recurring theme among Jesus' disciples in the Gospel of Mark. Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and teachings, they often failed to understand his true nature and mission.

Compassion in Action | Mark 6:30-52

Compassion in Action | Mark 6:30-52

In this March 10 sermon, Pastor Buegler reflects on the stories of the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on the water. However, the focus is shifted to the verses preceding these miracles, where Jesus shows compassion towards a large crowd. Pastor Buegler highlights three lessons in Christian compassion from Jesus: opening our eyes to see the lost sheep around us, caring about them as Jesus does, and taking action to help them. He emphasizes that Christian compassion should be at the heart of everything done in Christ's Church and that followers of Jesus need unusually large hearts to care for the lost.

Believing is Seeing | Mark 4:35-41

Believing is Seeing | Mark 4:35-41

In his February 25th sermon, Pastor Smith discusses the peculiar nature of Jesus in Mark's Gospel, portraying Him as a figure who defies conventional expectations. He highlights the tension between Jesus' divine power and human limitations, and how His actions and teachings often seem strange within the context of a broken and sinful world. Pastor Smith emphasizes the importance of taking Jesus at His word, even when it contradicts our natural inclinations or the world's logic. Through the story of Jesus calming the storm, he illustrates the disciples' struggle with faith and Jesus' role as both an example and object of faith. The sermon encourages listeners to trust in Jesus' reliable word, which has the power to calm chaos, forgive sins, and ultimately, lead to eternal life.

What Authority | Mark 2:1-12

What Authority | Mark 2:1-12


In his February 18th sermon, Pastor Josh delves into the theme of authority in the Gospel of Mark, examining the story of Jesus healing a paralytic man. He emphasizes the significance of faith, community, and acknowledging Jesus' authority over all life aspects. Pastor Josh urges the congregation to trust in Jesus' authority, approach Him confidently with their prayers, and remember that He orchestrates all things for our benefit.

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