Sermon Study Guide February 2021

Matthew R. Perry, Ph.D. Lead Pastor

HOPEFUL JOYFUL PRESS

Arapahoe Road Baptist Church

780 E. Arapahoe Road

Centennial, CO 80122

http://www.arbc.net/hjp

All Bible references are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Hopeful Joyful PRESS

Table of Contents

1. Week of February 7-13: Selected Scriptures 2. Week of February 14-20: Ephesians 1:1-2 3. Week of February 21-27: Ephesians 1:3-14 4. Week of February 28-March 6: Ephesians 2:1-10

How to Approach these Studies

How can you approach these studies to help you engage God's Word more eagerly and disciple each other more effectively?

1. Pray before you partake. Ask the Spirit to open your heart and mind to understand His Word (see 1 Corinthians 2:6-16). As you engage the Word of the Lord, engage the Lord of the Word. 2. Read the readings. At the beginning of each day, we give Scriptures for you to read. Read them. Engage with the Word. They are not extensive. While there is value in reading through Bible reading plans, value also exists in studying specific passages to glean all the possible information to bring about application and transformation. 3. Buy a notebook (whether a cheap Composition Notebook or a more expensive Moleskine notebook—or all types in-between) to journal your answers. I would even recommend sketching out the questions to refer to these interactions should you happen to lose the paper. 4. Go through this with others. This study aims to aid our discipleship to fulfill our mission: be, make, multiply, and send hopeful, joyful disciples who make much of Jesus. With our 3+3+3+1 strategy,1 we hope to provide tools and resources to expedite this discipleship process in fulfillment of the Great Commission. We need each other to progress in our walk with Christ and His church.

1That is, write three people per week, call three people per week, get up with three of the same people each week or two, and share the gospel with one person per week. These studies could help with meeting with your three people as a type of D-Group. Week of February 7-13

Matthew 16:13-20; Matthew 28:18-20

For the sermon, we asked the question we ask at the beginning of each Vision Talk that was first posed by missiologist Jeff Christopherson: "What would the church look like if Jesus had His way?" This compelling question cuts against the grain of so many leaders and members who may want the church to go their way. Yet, this is not the goal and this sermon sought to bring this important question to the forefront.

Monday, February 8: Matthew 16:13-18; 1 Peter 2:4-10

• Jesus asked his disciples whom others said He was. What are some descriptions of Jesus that you hear from others in the culture/outside the church? What are some descriptions you hear from those inside the church? • When Jesus asked the disciples whom they believed He was, Peter responded correctly: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." To whom does Jesus credit for Peter’s correct answer? What does this tell you about the Spirit’s role in understanding God’s revelation? • Jesus was building His church on “this rock.” Some believe that the church was built on Peter, but in reality, He builds His church on Peter's confession. Read 1 Peter 2:4-10. Make a list of what this passage tells us about the “building” of the church and all the components. What does this passage tell us about the nature and makeup of the church?

Tuesday, February 9: Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:1-4

• We often begin the Great Commission at Matthew 28:19, yet one must include verse 18. Why is this so important to start at v. 18, especially in light of Matthew 16:16-18? • Jesus called his disciples to go and make disciples, laying down a model for future disciples to come. The model was an “as you go” model for making disciples in the course of life. Read 2 Timothy 2:1-2. What is the difference between making a convert and making a disciple? What comes to your mind when thinking about discipleship? Do you see why discipleship is such a critical part of continuing the Christian faith through the generations? • Read Romans 6:1-4: The baptism is identification in the Triune Godhead, while teaching is learning how to live out that identification. Have you been baptized? Is your life marked by that identity in Christ and wanting to learn more about the Christ to whom you identify?

Wednesday, February 10: 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Timothy 3:1-13

• The apostle Peter writes to the elders/pastors in the churches in Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1), reminding them to “shepherd the flock among you, exercising oversight (5:2). At the back half of verse 2 and all of verse 3 lists three characteristics of what this oversight should look like in the template of “not x, but y.” List the first parts of these three characteristics (x). What similarities you see in these characteristics. Next, list the last parts of these three characteristics (y). What similarities do you see there? • Read Hebrews 13:7 and 13:17. In verse 7, the writer of Hebrews tells them, “Remember your leaders.” In what way did the writer of Hebrews describe leaders? In verse 17, the writer calls for his readers to “obey your leaders and submit to them.” How does this admonition land on you— obeying your leaders? Is this a struggle for you? Why? What benefits does God bring to the believer when they follow through on this call to obey? In connecting with Hebrews 13:7, what is the basis of the leader’s leadership? • Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13: In this list of qualifications for an overseer/pastor and deacons, you see the list is more about character traits than competencies. Why do you believe that character meant so much when it comes to a leader in the church?

Thursday, February 11: Ephesians 4:11-16

• God gave those to serve in various offices and roles in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 4:11). As you read verse 12, why did God give the gifts of these leaders to the church? Pray that God would lead our leaders to equip others for the work of the ministry and pray for those in the church to receive this equipping so they may gladly engage in the work of the ministry. • Read verses 12-14. What is the reason for engaging in the work of the ministry? What is the ultimate goal the church should attain (v. 13)? What does maturity look like (v. 14)? • Read verses 15-16: We are called to speak the truth in love (rather than in cunning, craftiness, and deceitful schemes). As Paul calls Christians to grow into the head, what does this look like in practice?

Friday, February 12: Read Ephesians 1:1-2 and get yourself ready for Sunday!

Notes: Week of February 14-20: Why Ephesians? Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2 Introductions to the churches who received these New Testament epistles contain important information. Sadly, we overlook these introductions to delve into the meat of the letter. Yet, like all words of Scripture, God inspired even the introductions. This week, we will learn more about Paul and also more about the saints of Ephesus.

Monday, February 15: Ephesians 1:1a; Acts 7:53-8:1; Acts 9:1-19

• Paul authored the letter to the Ephesians. Given his life before coming to Christ, Paul was an enemy. Read Acts 7:53-8:1. What role did Paul play in Stephen’s martyrdom and toward the church thereafter? • Paul (i.e. Saul of Tarsus) had a life-changing experience on the road to Damascus. Read Philippians 3:1-6. He believed He was serving God before He met Christ on the Damascus Road. Read Acts 9:1-19. What happened to Paul on the way to Damascus that initiated his change? Has a change happened to you where your life is now given over to Christ? If not, what is preventing you? If so, how has your life changed?

Tuesday, February 16: Ephesians 1:1b;1 Thessalonians 4:1-12;

• Some of you grew up in churches where “saints” had a different connotation—of a super- spiritual, select group—yet Paul’s understanding is markedly different. What does this understanding of “saints” that we see in this introduction to the Ephesians convey? Do you recognize your status as a saint in the Kingdom of God? • Paul showed the Ephesian church (and the church in the centuries after) that his apostleship happened not by his own will but by the will of God. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. What is God’s will for our lives as believers? Does this bring a disappointment or a relief to you know this is God’s will for our lives as Christians?

Wednesday, February 17: Ephesians 1:1c;2 Chronicles 6:40-42; Jude 3; Ephesians 4:14-16

• Paul describes the Ephesian Christians as “saints.” The first time the word is used is in 2 Chronicles 6:40-42. According to this passage, what marks a “saint?” If you are a follower of Jesus, does this mark you as well? What keeps you from having these qualities? • Read Jude 3. God calls us to “contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.” Notice the verb “contend.” Why does Jude tell us the importance of contending for the faith rather than personally believing the faith? • Read Ephesians 4:14-16. Yes, we are to contend for the faith, but Paul gives us some parameters for speaking the truth. What are those parameters? What is the goal for speaking the truth in this way?

Thursday, February 18: Ephesians 1:2; 1:20-21; 2:11-22 • Paul greets the Ephesian church with a combination of the terms “grace and peace.” “Grace” was a derivation of a classic Greek greeting, while “peace” employed the Jewish greeting (think, “Shalom!). Read Ephesians 2:11-22. Why would Paul combine a Greek and Jewish greeting in light of this passage? What then would Paul communicate about the make-up of the Church? • The source of this greeting is “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Read Ephesians 1:20-21. Where is Christ seated? What does this passage show about the nature and work of the Father and Son? What comfort does this bring you in 2021 during this chapter of your life?

Friday, February 19: Ephesians 1:3-14. Let’s get ready for Sunday!

Notes:

Week of February 21-27 Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

This Scripture reminds us the God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (1:3). Paul outlines those blessings in Christ with an important phrase "in him," used six times in this passage. As you study this passage, recognize the blessings God provides.

Monday, February 22: Chosen in Him (Ephesians 1:3-6; John 6:37-44; Romans 8:26-30).

• When you read of Christians being “chosen” or “predestined,” as Paul mentioned in this passage, what are some things that immediately arise in your mind? • In this passage, to what did God choose/predestine Christians? Given the situation the Ephesians were dealing with in the Roman Empire, how could these things bring comfort and stability? • Read Romans 8:26-30. To what did God predestine believers? What comfort does the “golden chain” of Romans 8:30 provide the believers? How does that connect with Romans 8:26-27 and Romans 8:28 (two passages that are often separated but belong together)?

Tuesday, February 23: Adopted (Ephesians 1:5-6; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7).

• Were you adopted or do you know someone who is adopted? Read Galatians 4:4-7. What do we learn from this passage about the nature of adoption? How does this affect you when you grip the understanding of being adopted in Christ? • Read Romans 8:14-17. What does Paul show as the primary indicator of being a son of God? What characteristic marks one who has the spirit of slavery? Why would one be in this condition? What provision do you see in verse 17 that marks the adopted son? Are we willing to go through this? Why do we struggle with this aspect of the Christian life?

Wednesday, February 24: Redeemed (Ephesians 1:7-10; Colossians 1:9-14)

• As you read v. 7, through what may we obtain redemption? Why did this have to come at such a great cost to Christ? Are you thankful and amazed that Christ went to such lengths to “buy you back” (i.e., redeem you), or do you take it for granted and believe you deserve it? Pray that God would continue to show you His amazing grace. • What does this redemption bring? Do you see your need for forgiveness? Over the past few years, we have acquainted you with the 3 Circles that show you what Christ accomplished on your behalf, and how you can show others Christ’s work for them as well. Do you recognize the extent of your brokenness outside of Christ? Do you recognize the extent of Christ’s work in rescuing you from that brokenness? • Read Colossians 1:9-14. Verse 14 and Ephesians 1:7 parallel each other. Yet, verse 13 brings a different shade to this truth. From what and to what has Christ delivered us? Now go back to verses 9-10: What is next for the delivered Christian? Where does the Christian’s strength come from?

Thursday, February 25: United in him (Ephesians 1:7-10; 4:1-6; Colossians 1:15-17) • One day, Christ will bring all things together according to his purpose. Read Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul calls all believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (4:1). How does Paul outline this walk? Where does this walk lead when it comes to our relationship with fellow believers? • Though this may seem obvious, remembering the Lordship of Christ is key when it comes to our walk with Him. Read Colossians 1:15-17. How does this passage describe Christ’s nature and actions? Do you live as if Jesus is Lord and that He is alive? How does knowing that all things are made “through him and for him” affect how you see yourself and see each other, especially as followers of Christ? What needs to change in order for you to live a life united in Christ?

Friday, February 26: Sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 1 Peter 1:3-11)

• In Roman times, when someone sent a document, they would put a seal with a unique imprint that belonged to the author. How does this basic understanding of being “sealed” help us understand what it means to be “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (1:13)? • John MacArthur notes, “When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his life. Life in Jesus Christ is different because the Spirit of God is now within us.”2 Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. What does this passage tell us about the change the Holy Spirit provides in the life of a believer? Do you sense the Holy Spirit residing in your heart to counsel you in the way of truth and convict you of sin? • Paul reminded the Ephesian church (and us) that the Spirit serves as a “guarantee of our inheritance.” A way to look at this is that the Holy Spirit is a down payment of the glory to come. Read 1 Peter 1:3-11. What does this inheritance look like for the believer? What part of the inheritance is received now and what part is received later? What does God do in the meantime to help us develop and work out the “genuineness of our faith?”

Saturday, February 27: Read Ephesians 1:15-23 and get ready for Sunday!

Notes:

2John F. MacArthur, Ephesians (Chicago: Moody, 1986), 34. Week of February 28-March 6

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul's ministry was marked with thankfulness and prayer. His heart belonged to Jesus and His church. This passage is a prayer Paul prayed so they would see the fullness of Christ and His purpose.

Monday, March 1: Ephesians 1:15-16; Hebrews 10:23-25; Philippians 1:3-6

• How encouraging it was to the Apostle Paul to hear of the Ephesians' faith in Christ and the love they extended to each other. Read Hebrews 10:23-25. What does it mean to waver? How can the confession of our hope provide an anchor to keep us from wavering? What role does gathering together as a body of believers plays in keeping us anchored in Christ? Read Philippians 1:3-6. How does this greeting to the Philippian church compare to this verse? Do you take time to express thankfulness to those who encourage you in the Lord? What will you do to let them know? Do you see yourselves as partners in the gospel with other believers, or just simply members of the same church? How will this shift in thinking shift your living?

Tuesday, March 2: Ephesians 1:17-18; Romans 15:1-7; James 1:2-8

• Paul prays diligently for the Ephesian church. Do you pray for Arapahoe Road Baptist Church or the church to which you belong? How would praying for God's will to be done at your church change how you think when it comes to church? • Paul prays that the Ephesian church would have the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." Read Romans 15:1-7 and go back and listen to the sermon by Sam Huckaby from December 27, 2020. Why do we need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? Can't we just understand the words that are written in our language? What role does the Spirit play in understanding God's Word? • Read James 1:2-8. God promised to deliver wisdom to endure our trials. Are you grateful for the trials God brings so that He would also bring you steadfastness, maturity, and a reliance on God to get through? What keeps you from delving more into the Word and embracing the Spirit to help you know the Word more?

Wednesday, March 3: Ephesians 1:19-21; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Matthew 6:18-24

• In verse 19, God gives to those who believe "the immeasurable greatness of his power." Read Psalm 29. What does this Psalm tell us about the power and majesty of God? What pictures does the Psalmist use to drive the point home? • In verse 20, God's power was most displayed when He raised His Son from the dead. That power God used in raising His Son is that same power at work in us as believers. Are we simply relying on head knowledge in our Christian walk, or do we see the need to rely on and surrender to the resurrection power of Christ? Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. How does that verse, which comes at the end of the Resurrection Chapter of 1 Corinthians 15, help us in our walk in and our work for Christ? Are you living in that resurrection power? • Christ is far above all rule and dominion—His name is above all names on heaven and earth. While we do not make Christ Lord (He is already Lord whether we recognize Him as such or not), is Christ truly Lord of your life? Is His name more precious to you than all other names? Read Matthew 6:18-24 and ask yourself, "Where is your treasure?"

Thursday, March 4: Ephesians 1:22; Psalm 8; Colossians 2:6-15

• Christ is in full authority and was given to the Church "which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." Read Psalm 8. Do you see a parallel between Psalm 8 and this passage? If so, what are the parallels? What does it mean that all things are "under his feet." • This passage also shows that Christ is the head of the church. Do we operate in our study, prayer life, and church life that Christ is the head of the church? In practice, who often seems like the head of the church (Power broker in the church? The pastor? Key influencers? Favorite Christian author or TV preacher? You?) What has God been doing in your heart and life to remind you that you nor any other human being do not nor cannot serve as head of the church? • The church is the body of Christ. Read Colossians 2:6-15. What does this passage tell us about the reason for being rooted and grounded in Christ? What has Christ accomplished on the church's behalf? How can our lives and our churches demonstrate this fullness even more?

Friday, March 5: Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and get ready for Sunday, March 14!

Notes: