God Replaced

June 14, 2020 Administration

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:22-25

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

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God Replaced — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:22-25
Sermon Series: Romans (14th sermon)
June 14, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   According to Paul’s logic in this section, what is the relationship between ingratitude and idolatry? How does this help us wage war against the idols in our lives?
2.   What does it mean to say that we are worshipping and religious creatures by nature? How does this guide us in relating to unbelievers?
3.   How can we help our children identify idols in their hearts? What impact does our own idolatry have on them?
4.   What are the layers of contrast that Paul lays out in v. 23? How does his language serve to show the folly and wickedness of idolatry?
5.   Why is idolatry inherently satanic? How does this help us to understand Satan’s tactics when he tempts us?
6.   Why does Paul break out in praise at the end of v. 25?

References: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 1:20; Jeremiah 13:25; 10:14; 16:19; 2:11;
1 Thessalonians 1:9; John 8:44; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Genesis 1:28; Psalm 106:20.

The Truth Rejected

June 7, 2020 Administration

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:19-21

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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The Truth Rejected — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:19-21
Sermon Series: Romans (13th sermon)
June 7, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does Romans 1:18-3:20 fit within the larger section of 1:18-4:25? Who does Paul have in mind in 1:18-32?
2.   How is God’s revelation of himself in nature both clear and considerable? How would you explain to someone that the creation points to God?
3.   Why does Paul say that human beings are without excuse? How should this passage guide our thinking on apologetics?
4.   How does failing to honor and give thanks to God lead to all other sins? What does this imply for growth as a Christian?
5.   How does Paul describe the inner workings of the unbeliever at the end of v. 21? How does this description enhance our understanding of the nature of sin?

References: Romans 1:18; 3:10, 20; Psalm 19:1-4; Acts 14:16-17; Psalm 29:1-2; Genesis 3:1-7; Matthew 15:19.

The Judgment Revealed

May 31, 2020 Administration

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:18

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

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The Judgment Revealed — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:18
Sermon Series: Romans (12th sermon)
May 31, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are some practical ways that we can fight the temptation to be judgmental and divisive as we prepare to regather?
2.   Why is the notion of God’s wrath problematic and offensive to many?
3.   Why is it so important that Christians not avoid topics such as sin, wrath, and hell?
4.   How should we understand God’s wrath? What does it mean to say that it is being revealed in the present?
5.   How is Paul’s language for human sinfulness both comprehensive and God-centered?
6.   What does Paul mean when he says that human beings suppress the truth by/in unrighteousness? How have you seen this play out in people’s lives, and how does it affect the way we evangelize?

References: John 3:36; Romans 1:32; 13:4; Ephesians 4:31; James 1:20; Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 51:4; Romans 3:10, 23; Psalm 5:5-6; Ephesians 2:3; Psalm 14:1.

The Glorious Gospel, Part 2

May 24, 2020 Administration

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

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The Glorious Gospel, Part 2— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:16-17
Sermon Series: Romans (11th sermon)
May 24, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How has our time spent in Romans 1 increased your eagerness to share the gospel? What has been exposed in your heart?
2. What is the logic connecting vv. 16 and 17? What does the gospel reveal?
3. What does Paul mean by “the righteousness of God”? What are some other passages or verses that aid in our interpretation?
4. What does it mean to say that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us? How would you describe justification by faith alone to an unbeliever?
5. What does it mean to say that the gospel will be “good news” to us only in so far as we recognize God’s holiness and our unholiness?
6.   How do humans try to establish their own righteousness? What does the gospel say to this endeavor?
7.   What is Paul trying to show by citing Habakkuk 2:4?

References: Romans 8:18; 10:13-15; 3:5; 10:3; 5:17; Philippians 3:9; Romans 4:3, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Matthew 12:18; Romans 3:24-25; Habakkuk 2:4.

The Glorious Gospel, Part 1

May 17, 2020 Administration

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:16-17

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The Glorious Gospel, Part 1— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:16-17
Sermon Series: Romans (10th sermon)
May 17, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What does it mean to say that this passage gives us the “logic of evangelistic zeal”?
2.   In what ways have you been tempted to be ashamed of the gospel?
3.   What makes the gospel so powerful? What does it mean to be saved?
4.   What are some of the powerless substitutes that people look to for salvation?
5.   How does viewing the gospel as invested with this kind of power affect how we share it with others?
6. How is the gospel both inclusive and exclusive? Why does Paul say that it is “to the Jew first”?

References: Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Psalm 77:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Timothy 2:10; John 4:22; Romans 9:4-5; Ephesians 2:12; Galatians 3:28.