A sermon on John 1:6-13 by Pastor Cody Brobst.

Application questions:

• Review the prologue (John 1:1-18) together and notice what concepts repeat.
• Why is Christianity incompatible with other worldviews (hint: John 14:6)?
• How is the Light revealed through witnesses?
• What makes John the Baptist’s witness unique specifically?
• What are ways you most enjoy revealing the Light (witnessing) to others?
• Where are you most tempted to believe that you can do what only God can do?
• How might life look if we reminded ourselves that “I am not the Christ”?
• In verse 9, when we read that the true Light was coming into the world & giving light to everyone, in what sense is the Light given to everyone?
• Why do people reject Jesus and not believe?
• In verse 10, what are the different definitions given for “the world”?
• How does this inform how we read John 3:16?
• What do vv. 12-13 say about how someone is & is not “born again”?
• How might that debunk the whole “seeing is definitey believing” idea?
• As children of God, what are ways we can simply enjoy God more this Christmas? What habit(s) could help you slow down & enjoy His free gift of adoption more?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.

An advent sermon on John 1:1-5 by David Camera.

Application questions:

• Do you put up Christmas lights? If so why?
• Read Genesis 1:3-5. How did God create all things? What was the first thing He created?
• John starts with "In the beginning” to connect the coming of Jesus to Genesis 1. What is John teaching us by doing this?
• Summarize in your own words what we learn about the “Word” in these verses? So who actually did the “creating” in Genesis 1?
• What is light a metaphor of in the Bible? (cr. Psalm 27:1)
• Where is salvation to be found according to these verses?
• What reasons do we have for hope in the passage?
• How has this passage expanded your view of the importance of Christmas?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.

A sermon concluding our series on Exodus by David Camera.

Application questions:

• Do you think most people believe that it is easy for loving God to allow people to dwell in His presence forever? Why or why not? What must we not forget about ourselves and about God?
• Summarize the narrative of Exodus so far in your own words.
• What was the purpose of redemption?
• What is therefore surprising about how Exodus ends?
• Why cannot even Moses enter?
• How would you answer this question from what you have learned in Exodus, “How can a person dwell in God’s presence?” How does Leviticus 1:1-2 provide the answer?
• Read Revelation 15. What themes are similar to Exodus 40? What is required before anyone can dwell in God’s presence?
• Read Romans 8:9-11. Where is the presence of God to be found today?
  • If the Spirit of God dwells in us, what does that make each Christian?
  • How does the reality that God dwells with us impact the way we ought to live our lives today?
• Read John 14:1-7. What is shocking about Jesus’ promise here?
• If someone asked you, “How can I dwell with God forever?” How would you respond?

A sermon on the ark as the shadow of the presence of God by Greg Lanier.

Application questions:

• Reflect on the fact that these chapters re-narrate what we’ve already covered, only now the craftsmen actually do the fabrication that earlier Moses had instructed. What is Scripture trying to teach us with this repetition?
• Reread the following passages to trace the ark of the covenant through the Bible:
  • Exod 35:21-22
  • Exod 40:20-21
  • Lev 16:15-16
  • Num 10:33-36
  • Josh 3:14-17
  • Josh 6:12-14
  • 1 Sam 4:1-11
  • 2 Kgs 24:10
• How did the ark function as the “shadow” of God’s presence with his people? Where does this go right? Where does this go wrong for the Israelites?
• Reread Rom 3:24-25. Does your Bible include any footnotes about the word “propitiation” or “mercy seat” in verse 25?
• What is Paul teaching about Jesus? About salvation?
• Reread Rev 11:19. What is surprising to you about the “reappearance” of the ark in heaven? What is Scripture teaching?
• Reflect on how the presence of God is a key thread of Scripture. How might this impact what you expect from your walk with Christ?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com

A sermon on genuine heart change (vs. a "change of heart") from Exodus 35-36 by Rev. David Camera.

Application questions:

• Share some ways you have experienced a “change of heart” in your life. What causes such changes?
• Recap what has happened in the Exodus story from chapter 32-34.
• What evidence of a change of heart do we see in the Israelites in this passage?
• In Numbers 10, the Israelites finally leave Mt. Sinai and take a 3-day journey into the wilderness. Read Numbers 11:1-6.
  • What has happened to the Israelites here?
  • Was their “change of heart” permanent in Exodus 35?
  • Read 1 Cor. 10:1-13. How does the Apostle describe Israel’s experiences to the church?
  • Were the hearts of the Israelites genuinely changed?
  • What is the warning here for us?
• How do we know as Christians if our hearts have experienced a genuine change?
• Cross reference Hebrews 3:12-19. What is the evidence our hearts have experienced a genuine change and won’t “turn back to Egypt.”?
• Are past repentance, giving and obedience evidence of a genuine heart change? Why or why not?
• Can we be assured of our salvation as Christians? Where should be look for assurance? (cr. Romans 8:12-17; Phil. 1:6; 3:12-16; 1 Thess. 1:2-10)

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.

A sermon on God's disclosure of his name and attributes to Moses on Mt. Sinai, by Rev. David Camera.

Application questions:

• Make a list of life and death issues, choices and situations as a group.
• Look back to Exodus 3:13-17. What do we learn about God’s name in this passage?
• The name “LORD” is literally “I am” in Hebrew. Explore together what God’s name “I am” teaches us about His nature.
• What does God reveal about His character (i.e. what He is like) in Ex. 34:6-7?
• Why do the Israelites (along with us!) need to know these things about God?
• The number 1000 in the Bible is a symbol for perfection. What is God saying therefore about His forgiveness and his justice?
• Look again at the second half of verse 7. Is God saying He punishes the innocent children of sinful parents? Why or why not? Discuss.
• Does it sometimes appear that evil goes unpunished? What is God assuring us of therefore in this verse?
• What are the Lord’s actions in the passage and what do those actions reveal about Him?
• What is the relationship between God’s eternal nature, His character and His actions?
• Why can we trust God according to these verses?
• Look up John 17:1-5. How do we know the Lord today?
• How is knowing God a matter of life and death?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com

A sermon on Moses's veiled/unveiled face in beholding the glory of the Lord at Mount Sinai, by pastoral intern Cade Horton.

Application questions:

• Meditate on the different ideas and metaphors that the Bible uses to talk about God’s glory (e.g., God’s “Name,” dark clouds, lightning, radiance, fire, etc.). Are there any you can think of that were or weren’t used in the sermon? See also...
  • Isaiah 6
  • Ezekiel 1
  • Isaiah 60.1–19
  • Psalm 24; Psalm 29.1-2
  • John 12.27–28
  • Col 1.15; Heb 1.3; 2 Cor 4.16-18
• We have direct access to God’s glory in Jesus. How does this reality change our perspective on life?
• The Holy Spirit is transforming us to reflect God’s glory. Consider some ways that you have seen other believers reflect God’s glory.
• How are our experience of God’s glory now & when Christ returns different? How does this cause us to long more and more for heaven?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.

A sermon on God revealing himself to Moses in Exodus 33 by Rev. David Camera.

Application questions:

• Have you ever been in the position of mediator between two people?
• If so, what were the circumstances and what was the outcome?
• What is surprising about the Israelite response in vs 4, considering what they just did in chapter 32?
• What is the reason the Lord says he cannot go with His people? What does the metaphor “stiff-necked” mean? How are we tempted to be “stiff necked” at times? What is the opposite of stiff-necked?
• Why did the people respond with mourning?
• If the Lord offered protection and material blessing in this life, but without a personal relationship with Him, do you think most people would take it? Why?
• What is Moses attempting to do in this chapter?
• On what basis does Moses intercede for the Israelites? (v. 15-16)
• How had Moses tried to intercede in chapter 32? (What had he offered? Why was his offer refused?)
• What does it mean to “find favor” with the Lord? How is favor found with God?
• In the Tent of Meeting, Moses spoke with the Lord “face to face.” Which means person to person. Moses was inside the tent, the Lord was outside the tent. So a curtain separated them. What is Moses asking for exactly in v. 18?
• How does God respond to Moses’ request?
• What is rather surprising about God’s response considering who Moses is?
• Look up John 1:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:6. Where do we see the glory of God revealed?
• How do the actions of Moses point forward to Jesus Christ? (cr. Heb. 8:6-12)
• Considering this passage, do we have any hope of a relationship with God apart from a mediator? Why or why not?

Find out more at www.riveroakschurch.com.