Falls Presbyterian Church (OPC)

Introduction to Habakkuk, and chapter 1.

The birth of John the Baptist foreshadowed the birth of Christ, in order to bring sinners back to God.-1. Eagerly desiring the arrival of a child. -v.5-17--2. Humbly being corrected by the Lord. -v.18-22--3. Joyfully receiving God's gracious removal of disgrace. -v.23-25- -What do we need to know about pre-Christmas---What are some other teachings that distract us-- 1 Timothy 1-15-Why would others be inclined listen to us-- Luke 2-52-Who is called to influence whom-- 1 Timothy 4-14-16

Since God gave us His Word, we accept with certainty the truth about the coming of Jesus.-1. We accept what The Spirit wrote about Jesus, not what others have said about Him. -v.1--2. We accept how good, orderly, and sufficient God's Word is to inform us about the coming of Jesus. -v.2-3--3. We accept with certainty of the things God revealed to us. -v.4--How did your beliefs get formed about Jesus and Christmas---About whom are the 1st 5 books of the Bible-- Jn 5-46, Lk 24-44 -What can be done to fortify you in the truth-- 2 Tim. 3-14-17-What is your view of the authority of Jesus-- Mt. 28-18. Ps.119-102

Overview and intro to The Book of Nahum

The centerpiece of our worship is when we listen to God in His Word.-1. Rejoice. -v.1-5--2. Remember. -v.6-10--3. Repent. -v.11-16- -What is the gain for us in having God's Word---Why should we sing and celebrate-- Exodus 15-20, Deut. 6-4-If people do not listen, what is next-- Acts 7-42. Rom. 1-24,26,28.-So, what is your heart to do, while you sing-- Eph. 5-19-20

David addressed this song to His own heart- we remind ourselves to express thankfulness for God's favor.-1. On a personal note. -v.1-5--2. Good reasons to worship Him. -v.6-18--3. Everyone, worship God with me- -v.19-22--How do we convince ourselves and others to worship---Where did our sicknesses go-- Matthew 8-16-17-What is God like, and what is our rejoinder-- Exodus 34-5-7-Why would others be motivated to join in-- Dt. 8-10-14, Is. 55-6-9

Because our King has rescued us, our response is singing for joy.-1. Our rescue. -v.1-3--2. Our victory song. -v.4-6--3. Our back-up chorus. -v.7-9--How ought one to respond to being rescued---What was the source of our rescue-- Hebrews 10-14-How do people respond to a good King-- 1 Kings 1-39-40-How can inanimate objects respond to a King-- Is.55-12

In Psalm 34, our good God gave us four steps to cope with a crisis.-Step 1. Decide to praise God throughout the crisis. -v.1-3--Step 2. Learn about God early in the crisis. -v.4-7--Step 3. Teach others in the middle of the crisis. -v.8-9--Step 4. Hide from the crisis in The LORD, follow His way, and wait it out. -v.10-22--What do most people typically do in a crisis---When tempted to call on others to see how great our suffering is, how can we learn to instead show them how great our God is-- 1 Samuel chapters 17 and 21 -If we give up hope, what, specifically, have we forgotten-- Exodus 34-6-7-When trouble breaks our hearts, do we experience a closeness of God, or do we demand removal of the crisis-- 2 Corinthians 12-7-10

We praise our generous God. -1. We commend God's works to the next generation. -v.1-7--2. We give thanks to God for His love- -v.8-13--3. We make God known to others. -v.14-21--What should we do in response to God's generosity---Who is singing the praises of the Father-- Hebrews 2-12-Why should we praise God, too-- Ephesians 1-3-Why have we been called out of darkness into light-- 1 Peter 2-9

Micah, chapters 2-7

Watch out- By listening to what Jesus revealed, His disciples understand, take right actions, and avoid being led astray.-1. God provided a way to understand. -v.14--2. Jesus gave action steps to do, based on that understanding. -v.14b-18--3. Jesus forewarned His followers how to avoid being led astray. -v.19-23--With instructions from Jesus, how can one still be led astray---Where do we get spiritual understanding-- Dan. 1-17, 2-21-23, 12-10-What is this abomination of desolation-- Dan. 9-27, 11-31, 12-11-How could a miracle be a false trick-- Deut. 13-1-2, 2 Thess. 2-3-10

The New Testament church is a godly suffering community - like personified Jerusalem - that keeps returning to The LORD our portion. -1. Discovering and confessing how far we wandered from God. -v.40-47--2. Grieving and repenting with rivers of tears. -v.48-54--3. Pleading for and hoping in God's rescue and protection. -v.55-66--In what way are we like the ancient city of Jerusalem---When is it time to examine our souls-- Psalm 139-23-24-Which kind of sorrow shows true hearts-- 2 Cor. 7-10, Is. 29-13-Who is viewed as the scum of the world-- 1 Cor. 4-13

Intro to Micah, and chapter one.

The statements of the formerly blind man illustrate his development in following Jesus.-1. Statements to the neighbors -8-12--2. Statements to the Pharisees the First Time -vs. 15-17--3. Statements to the Pharisees the Second Time -vs. 24-38-