The Blessing of New Creation
Sermon Notes
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
- Genesis 1:1-2
11 When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.
12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
- Genesis 8:11-12
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.
15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,
16 the water from upstream stopped flowing
- Joshua 3:14-16
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
- Mark 1:4-5
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
- Mark 1:9-11
4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
- Romans 6:4-5
Table Group Resources
Mixer
What is on your plate at your Thanksgiving meal?
‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional
To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.
In Pastor Ken’s 11/1/21 entry, Living A Godly Life, he begins with this quote from an unknown author: “Your life is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” To do that, we have to consider what is on the throne of our lives - ourselves or Him? What is one area of your life you would like to “dethrone”? What would that one area look like as an offering to the rightfully throned King?
In Youth Ministries Director Cristina’s 11/4/21 entry, Make No Mistake, she reminds us that God uses the dirtiest parts of us in His plan to do good. Are you feeling like you don’t measure up? What is one life experience that brings you shame and regret - what could God possibly want in His choosing you? How will you take this experience and let the blood of Jesus wash over it? How would your tomorrow look if you did?
Sermon Questions
Scriptures: Genesis 1:1-2, 8:11-12; Exodus 2:1-4; Joshua 3:14-16; Mark 1:4-5, 9-11; Romans 6:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17
What impacted or challenged you in today’s message?
What is something new that you received that got “old”? What wears the newness off? Has this happened in your faith?
Pastor Jared said that God does His best work in a flood. What is your flood story? Did you see what God was doing - or not yet?
Read Mark 1: 4-5 & 9-11. What were the differences between the Gentile and the Jewish baptisms? How does Jesus’ baptism combine both the Gentile and Jewish baptisms and become the precursor to the newness to come?
Read Romans 6:4-5. How does being united with Christ in his death and his resurrection encourage the Christian to live as “dead to sin” versus “dead in our sins.”(Eph 2:1)
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. How does the Blessing of New Creation apply to you now? What would you look like if you started living like you are “alive” in Christ? What would have to die?
What is that one thing in you that is still “sticking out of the water”* causing your faith to become stale? How will you “baptize” that thing and allow God to revive your faith?
*Remember: Roman Emperor Charlemagne and his soldiers going into baptism waters with their right hand sticking out.Who are you praying for to step into the waters of baptism? How could you use the Blessing of New Creation message to encourage them? If you know someone who is ready, we have a Baptism Interest Form on our website: thechurchrb.org
Go Deeper - with Goodbook
Dr. Mark Strauss and Pastor Ken Ingold
Sermon on the Mount | Session 9 | The Road Less Traveled (Matthew 7:13-29)
**Goodbook will be on break Nov 14 through the end of the year.**
Jesus talks about two ways or roads one may take in life. What are these?
What are the characteristics of the wide gate and easy road?
What are the characteristics of the small gate and narrow road?
What are the characteristics of false prophets? How can you discern them?
What are the marks of true and false disciples? How can you recognize them?
What are the characteristics of wise and foolish builders?
For the Zoom link to join the Tuesday Night 7:30pm online Q & A sessions: ken@thechurchrb.org
Serve
Serve Day is Saturday, November 20th! Sign-ups are now available online and in-person on Sundays!
Pray
Please pray for and celebrate the 13 people baptized on Sunday: Margaret, Ali, Jordyn, Matt, Alex, Dave, Sage, Lynette, Riley, Aiden, Jade, Sam, and Asher. May the LORD grow their faith, and may they be stronger, confident and joy-filled every day! Thank you, Jesus!
