9.27.15 | Gospel In Community: God's Revelation

Dr. David Whitaker | Matthew 7:24-27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Our mission as a church—as Morgan Hill Bible Church—is to connect into a vital relationship with Jesus. This bottom line comes straight from Scripture—from the Great Commission. And Scripture is the revelation of God.

Download or listen to God's Revelation to hear more.

Dr. David Whitaker God's Revelation
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These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. Read Matthew 7:24-27. How do the differences and similarities between the two house builders reflect the people who heard Jesus? What kind of commitment is Jesus calling for here?
  3. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What does Paul say about the origin and purpose of Scripture?
  4. How is this relevant to what he said earlier (see 2 Timothy 3:1-15)?
  5. Why would the temptation to tell people what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear be a temptation?
  6. What was Jesus focused on (see John 5:17, 19, 30)? How will you build the same into your own life?
  7. Applying Scripture to our lives is important. Is the foundation of your life on solid rock or sand (in other words, do you just believe in the Bible or are you surrendered to it)? What would you have to tear down in order to shore up that foundation? How can someone else help you in this process?
  8. What is the "next step" that the Lord is leading you to take? Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study.

9.20.15 | Gospel In Community: What is this Community?

Dr. David Whitaker | Ephesians 4:1-16

Why do we get together every week? Church, youth groups, small groups... why? And what does it look like when a community of believers allow the Gospel be the center of everything we do? How does that affect us and our community? 

Download or listen to What is this Community? to hear more.

Dr. Dave Whitaker What Is This Community
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These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. Reading between the lines, what do you think Paul was concerned about in Ephesus?
  3. What qualities ought to characterize a "life worthy of the calling?" What happens when believers live out these qualities? How does each quality promote unity? How does viewing God the Father add to our unity?
  4. What is the purpose of the various gifts (vv.8-13)?
  5. What is the different between the unity that already exists (vv.3-6) and the unity that is still to come (vv.13-16)?
  6. What is the climatic point of the passage? How will this happen?
  7. Of the 5 qualities listed in v.2, which one needs to be developed most in your life? What relationship will profit from that quality now?
  8. What does "speaking the truth in love" mean as opposed to love without truth or truth without love?
  9. From this passage, what is the problem with living the Christian life apart from the church? In what way do you need others? What strength can you give others?
  10. Applying the Scripture to our lives is important. What is the "next step" that the Lord is leading you to take? Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study.

9.13.15 | Surrender

Dr. Jeff Holmes | Acts 3:17-21

There are a lot of words in our culture that don't mean what we think they mean. Society merges words like "love" and "tolerance" as if the meaning is the same. "Repentance" is one of those words in our Christian faith. Some of us might think it's a spiritual word for saying sorry to God. While many of us have developed our own meanings of this word, it actually means something greater with much more significant implications for our lives. 

Download or listen to Surrender to hear more.

Rev. Dr. Jeff Holmes Surrender
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9.6.15 | Psalms of the Soul: In The Middle of It

Dr. Jeff Holmes | Psalm 42

Life consists of a lot of decision making. Big and small. From our favorite sports teams to making decisions about our family and even our faith. This Psalm addresses the person who has a heavy heart looking for answers and reminds them to look to God.

Download or listen to In The Middle of It to hear more.

Rev. Dr. Jeff Holmes In The Middle Of It
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These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What stood out to you from the message? How did God speak to you?
  2. When was a time you were really thirsty for God? What were the circumstances surrounding that time? (v.1)
  3. When was a time you felt the presence of God? What was that like for you? What was the result? (v.2)
  4. In verse 4, the Psalmist is remembering his time leading the procession to God. Do you think this memory helps or is a further source of sadness?
  5. What is the basis of the hope the Psalmist is talking about? (v.5,11) Have you ever been in a position to choose hope? Did you?
  6. What is the response to deep sadness in verse 6? Why would remembering the promised land and past provision of God make a difference in our ability to choose hope?
  7. Read Jonah 2:1-2. How does remembering what happened to Jonah help the singer choose hope?
  8. What are some areas of your life where you have chosen something other than hope?
  9. Application of Scripture is vital to our spiritual growth. How might you practice what the Psalmist practices in this song and choose hope?

8.30.15 | Psalms of the Soul: Lifting Our Eyes Up

Dr. Jeff Holmes | Psalm 121

Think of something you've read, seen or done that has made you release a deep sigh of relief. Like a breath-taking view of the ocean or the mountains. Maybe a short teaching video about God's love. This Psalm is one of those passages that gives you breath and hope. But we still feel like God is asleep at the wheel... all we hear is silence. What's the deal?

Download or listen to Lifting Our Eyes Up to hear more.

Rev. Dr. Jeff Holmes Lifting Our Eyes Up
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These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your "take away" from this message?
  2. When was a time your "foot slipped"? Where did your eyes look?
  3. In our culture, where do people tend to look for help?
  4. What are some places yo have looked for help over the course of your life?
  5. Reading the whole Psalm, when was a time you felt completely cared for by God?
  6. As you reflect on the Psalm, when was a time you felt you were burned or evil came against you?
  7. Why do you think there is an emphasis on God "keeping" us in this passage?
  8. Read John 14:1-4. What does this say about God's "keeping"?
  9. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

8.23.15 | Psalms of the Soul: Addressing My Doubts

Dr. David Whitaker | Psalm 73

The Psalms are interesting because they deal with our human heart. They dig deep into the recesses of heart and discover and deal with our feelings... but in a very different way than we might deal with them. Some of us take the religious approach: we stuff  and deny our feelings because it might not win favor with God. Others take the pop culture approach: this holds to the sovereignty of our feelings.

Download or listen to Addressing My Doubts to hear more.

Dr. David Whitaker Addressing My Doubts
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These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your "take away" from this message?
  2. What is the Psalmist's nagging doubt in this psalm (vv.2-3)?
  3. What has he seen (vv.4-12)? What attitudes may be undermining his faith?
  4. Do you think the Psalmist is objective in what he sees? Why or why not? What does he find both attractive and negative in the lifestyle, world-view and agnosticism of the rich?
  5. What was he hoping his "clean heart" would get him (vv.13-14)? What caused him to change his mind (vv.15-17)?
  6. To what might the "sanctuary of God" refer? What new insight does he gain? Why does he feel like God sleeps (v.20; see 35:23; 44:23)?
  7. What glory does the Psalmist have in mind (vv.24-25; see 16:9-11)? What path will he take towards it (vv.23-28)?
  8. What hope literally surrounds the Psalmist's envy and despair (vv.1,28)?
  9. Do you ever share his envy? Does his insight satisfy you? Why or why not?
  10. When you have stumbled in this area, how have you recovered your balance? How can we help you?
  11. Have you had a "sanctuary" experience? When/where? What happened? What are you doing to keep that faith perspective alive?
  12. What is one key thing that the Lord has taught you and/or one response that He is asking you to take? Write out a prayer of response?

8.16.15 | God's Plan

Dr. David Whitaker | Proverbs 16:1,7

Often in life, we have plans that we think we know will play out exactly as we expect. This summer for example: did your summer go exactly as you thought it would? Most likely, not. Plans very often do not go exactly as we expect. Circumstances get in the way. Choices get in the way. Our plans get messed up. There is someone who already knows the future, someone who already knows how these plans are going to pan out regardless of how we think they will. That someone is God. We know God has a plan for Morgan Hill Bible Church... it's just not what we thought it was.

Download or listen to God's Plan to hear more.

Dr. David Whitaker God's Plan
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