Falls Presbyterian Church (OPC)

A fundamental implication of the gospel of grace is that we belong to Christ. 1. Because we belong to Christ, there are two kinds of boasting: proper and improper. (v.7-11,13-17) 2. Because we belong to Christ, any comparisons are odious. (v.12) 3. Because we belong to Christ, it is only commendation by the Lord that makes us approved. (v.18) What is the significance of us belonging to Christ? From where does our grace come from? Eph. 4:7 In what is wrong boasting based? Jer. 9:23-24 Any vain boasting in heaven? Rev. 4:8b,11,5:9-10, 7:9-10

Because The Bible mirrors the character of God, we get to know Jesus through the Word. In what aspects? 1. Right. (v.137-138) 2. Reliable. (v.139-143) 3. Required. (v.144) How do we know we can trust God and the Bible? When can we trust God's promises? 2 Cor.1:20, 2 Peter 2:23 How much can we count on God's Word? John 2:17 and 8:26 What happens when we are small? Is.53:3, Gal 3:10-14

Watching the sky leads us to worship our Creator, the God of glory. 1. Notice God revealing Himself through His creation. (v.1) 2. Pay attention and learn from God's glory show. (v.2) 3. Thank God that the 'language' of creation can be understood by all. (v.3-6) How do we interpret the sky? We worship not creation, but God. Acts 14:17 Isaiah 64:1 Rom. 2:4 We care for and appreciate our Father's world. Rom. 1:18-31 Enjoy a sunrise or sunset. Rom. 10:17-18 John 8:12 Rev. 22:5

The Bible is the book form of what the sky proclaims – God's glory! 1. The Bible never wears out. (v.7-9) 2. The Bible refreshes us. (v.10-11) 3. The Bible makes us wise. (v.12-14) How do we read the Book of God's glory? How does this passage affect our reading of the Bible? Heb. 1:1-3, John 10:3 Can we hear the voice of God in the Bible? Mt. 3:13-17, 2 Ptr 1:16-21 How does the Bible match God's revelation in creation?1Thess.2:13, 1 Cor. 14:37.

Since our every thought belongs to Christ, then our whole person belongs to Christ: every idea, motive, desire and decision. 1. Paul pointed to Christ's character. (v.1-2) 2. Paul taught about spiritual warfare. (v.3-4) 3. Paul aimed to take every thought captive to Christ. (v.5-6) What does it mean that we belong to Christ? What was the character of Moses? Numbers 12:3 What is the character of Jesus? Isaiah 42:2, Mt. 11:29 What must be the character of the Lord's servant? 2 Tim. 2:24-26

Because Jesus is The Wonderful Word, we are delighted to live in the light of His face, and we cannot get enough when He opens His Word to us. 1. The wonderful light of the Word. (v.129-130) 2. The wonderful light of The LORD. (v.131-135) 3. We share The LORD's grief about widespread darkness. (v.136) In what ways are God's Words wonderful? What is wonderful about God's actions? Ps.139:14 Who loves God's name? Mt. 23:37, Rom. 9:1-5 1Pet.2:2 How is The Word opened to us? Lk. 24:31,32,45, Ac.17:2-3

God promised to rescue us, and provided the evidence of our rescue. 1. The outpouring of The Spirit of The LORD. (v.28-29) 2. The coming of The Day of The LORD. (v.30-31) 3. The calling on The Name of The LORD. (v.32) What is the real benefit of being rescued? Of what day was Joel speaking? Acts 2:14-36 What does it mean for our future? 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13-14 In what way does our rescue come? Titus 3:3-7

Because Jesus is the servant of The LORD, we have something better than gold – that we are walking with The LORD. 1. God pledged to save us from our oppressors. (v.121-123) 2. God gave us His loyal-covenant-love. (v.124-125) 3. God gave us a love for walking with Him. (v.126-128) What are daily advantages for us from God? How certain are we of God's favor? Dt. 6:24, Mt. 6:13, Heb. 7:22 What is a basic characteristic of God? Ezek. 44:6-7, 1 John 4:8 What happens when we fear God? Psalm 25:14, Gal. 4:4

Because Jesus went back up, it enabled the unusual way that we pray to God our Father. 1. Lord, save us, show Your power again, hurry! (v.1- 4) 2. Yes, we deserve anger and we were really bad. (v.5-7) 3. Lord save us anyway, because we are Your people! (v.8-12) What is uncommon about our prayer, and our God? What has God prepared for those who love Him? 1 Cor. 2:9-10. What is the source of our purity? Philippians 3:7-10 Why are we given mercy? 1 Peter 2:9-12

As Christians, we have been rescued by grace, and now we live a supported life, which is continually supplied by God's grace. 1. To grip God, we need God to grip us. (v.113-115) 2. To hold up, we need to be held up. (v.116-117) 3. To weigh God heavily, we must feel the weight of His Word. (v.118-120) In what ways are we in desperate need of God's grace? What does it mean to halt between two opinions? 1 Kings 18:21 How did Jesus command us to relate to enemies? Luke 6:27-28 What is the caution about having two minds? James 1:8

The Lord has revealed money principles for us that inform our giving. 1. Proportional. (v.6) 2. Personal. (v.7) 3. The Giver rewards givers. (v. 8-15) When do the principles apply? What happens when we give? Proverbs 11:24-25. How is God honored in giving? Luke 21:1-4. Who responds to our giving, and how? Luke 6:38.

Our Savior clarifies our uncertainties with His Word and Spirit, like headlights on a dark road. What are some areas of uncertainty, and the questions they raise? 1. Confusion. (v.105-106) How do we live upright in our dark situation? 2. Suffering. (v.107-108) How do we praise God through pain? 3. Dangers. (v.109-110) How can we watch our walk when in danger? 4. Future. (v.111-112) What is the secret to having joy about tomorrow? How do we get through times and places of darkness? What is our best source of light? John 8:12 1 Cor. 2:6-16 What are some ways that God guides us? Ex. 40:6-8, Heb. 1:1-2 Who delights to keep the law of God, and why? Gal. 5:13-26

Because Christ's giving is displayed in our giving, how we give is important. 1. Honorably. (v.16-21) 2. Carefully. (v.22-24) 3. Willingly. (ch.9, v.1-5) How do we know there is a wrong way to give? What is a good motive to give? Gal. 2:10. How much do we trust the handlers of our gifts? 1 Thess 2:5-8. What accreditation must there be for leaders? 1 Cor. 16:1-4.

Meditating on The Bible gives us valuable understanding. What is gained? (v.97) 1. We gain wisdom, insight, and understanding. (v.98-99) 2. We grow in obedience to God. (v.100-102) 3. We gain passion: for God's Word, against deception. (v.103-104) What is that true wisdom beyond what our teachers gave us? What sort of insights did the Bible give us? Eph. 1:8 How is our understanding shown through obeying? Luke 2:51-52 What things should a Christian hate? Is. 61:8 Rev. 2:6

God gives us the strength to move forward, beyond our affliction. What are we supposed to do after our suffering? 1. Stand on the enduring foundation of The Word. (v.89-91) 2. Be refreshed by the preserving power of The Word. (v.92-95) 3. Rejoice in the freeing nature of God's commands. (v.96) How do we move forward from here? What is the one thing of which we can be sure? Is. 40:8 Mt 5:17-18 Where do we find renewal? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Who is at work in us, and what is the plan? Philippians 1:6