Bluffton Community

Primary Scripture: Matthew 12:38-45Summary: The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign (though He had just healed a demon-possessed man). Jesus promised them the “sign of Jonah.” The Pharisees stood in the presence of One greater than the prophet Jonah or the wise Solomon. They stood in the presence of God… and they missed it. Key Themes: Death and Resurrection, Judgment, Spiritual PossessionDesired Out...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14Summary: The Pharisees were hyper-focused on Jews keeping the law, especially the Sabbath. Twice, it seems like Jesus broke the Sabbath and led people into unrighteousness. In reality, it was religion that kept peoplefrom truly experiencing God. Key Themes: Sabbath, Law-keeping/Religion, Divinity of JesusDesired Outcomes: People would learn the origins and purpose...

Primary Scripture: John 15:26-16:15Focus: Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and lead them in truth. Then He made this profound statement, "It's for your good that I'm going away and the Holy Spirit comes." Why? Jesus was passing ministry on to the disciples and gave them a glimpse into their future. We can do the same thing for the people of Bluffton Commun...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30Focus: The goal of this message is to remind Bluffton Community that our rest is found in Jesus and as we head into fall, work schedules getting regular after summer, kids going back to school with all of it's activities we must resist the busy life that leaves God behind, and remember to be intentional finding rest in the one whom rest is found.

Thank you for joining us as we take a look at the importance of Small Group ministry at Bluffton Community by hearing from individuals in the church that have personally witnessed the impact of intentionally connecting with others at the church has had on their lives! At Bluffton Community we devote ourselves to the Apostle's teaching, to fellowship, breaking of bread (including the Lord's...

Primary Scripture: Luke 7:20-23 Focus: John the Baptizer’s disciples came to Jesus asking a question on behalf of their rabbi, “Are You the Messiah?” Jesus’ response, “Look at the evidence for yourself.” Jesus was actively involved in the lives of people. This is part of what made His ministry so remarkable (aside from the fact that He is the Son of God in the flesh). As our churches grow, we don’...

Primary Scripture: Luke 9:23Focus: Sometimes, Jesus’ invitation to become one of His followers is remarkably different than invitations that are made in churches today. Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. Follow me. Three short phrases and yet such depth that they challenge us still today. What does this mean and how do we help each other walk with God?

Primary Scripture: John 4:27-42Focus: Every Christian is called to be a minister of reconciliation. God even calls us partners in this work. Christians are chosen, commissioned, equipped, enabled, qualified, and empowered to share the gospel with a lost world. Jesus had a hart for those who would seek Him. Desired Outcomes: That people would understand that sharing the good news of Jesus is the ke...

Primary Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14Focus: The Apostle Paul prays for the believers in Colosse. The depth of his care for these believers leads him to big prayers for these believers. The heart of God is exposed as Paul prays for them. God wants all who have left the kingdom of darkness and are now part of the Kingdom of God’s Son to know him fully.

Primary Scripture: Psalm 51Focus: David fell into the wicked sin of adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to cover his sin. The prophet Nathan confronted David who responded with deep remorse and repentance. David’s prayer shows us confession, repentance, heart change and worship. This prayer lets us struggle with David in his personal failure and teaches us about the character o...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13 Focus: Jesus taught his disciples to pray in what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer (vs. 9-13). The context of this prayer is as important as the ordering of the things Jesus suggests we pray about. While this prayer is often quoted by rote, these specific instructions from Jesus on prayer are worth slowing down, so that we can hear and respond. Desired Outco...

Primary Scripture: Colossians 3:23BIG IDEA: Work is a way to worship God. Message Focus: Even though it may feel like it, work is not punishment from God. Quite the opposite! Workis a gift! Work became more difficult and a key source of identity after sin entered into the world. Praise Godthat even work has been redeemed through the work of the gospel! There is no separation between “spiritual”and...

BIG IDEA: Worship with the church family can begin at home. Message Focus: When the gospel of Jesus Christ moves into a person’s life, God affects every aspect, especially their home. In the place where we let our guards down, where people see one of our truest selves, home is where the Spirit should have the greatest reign in our lives. Home is where forgiveness, hope, truth, prayer – worship – c...

Primary Scripture: Job 1:20-21BIG IDEA: Christians can worship God in the midst of their suffering. Message Focus: Often, when people face seasons of suffering of challenge, they respond in one of two ways (and sometimes vacillate between): fighting against it or focusing on it. What if there was a third way? Worshiping God through it. The gospel does not ignore the reality of suffering, nor does...

BIG IDEA: Worship is my genuine love response to God: His character and will. Message Focus: Worship begins with an understanding of who God is and who I am in relation to God. Worship finds its fulfillment in my obedient response of love to God. This message will provide a baseline for what worship is and what it isn’t. It may be helpful to look at one or more “case studies” of worship from the S...

BIG IDEA: Genuine faith in Christ leads to real righteousness – legal and practicalMessage Focus: Paul made a dad joke: There is a “law” required for salvation – the “law of faith.” It is ushers in unity among very different people. Genuine faith leads to a desire to uphold God’s law (ie. God’s character).Cross References: John 19:30, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Deuteronomy 6:4, Zechariah 14:9, John 15...

BIG IDEA: Christians are made righteous as a gift by God’s generosity through Christ. Message Focus: The righteousness Paul described is “apart from the law.” The only way a person can have it is through faith in Jesus Christ - no matter their background or lineage. These few verses are some of the clearest expressions of salvation by grace through faith. Cross References: Jonah, Romans 6:23, Roma...

BIG IDEA: The default position of every person is unrighteous. Message Focus: This may not be the feel good message of the year! But… this is an opportunity to clearly define and expose sin/unrighteousness as well as discuss the gift of being able to see and understand our sin. If God opens our eyes to our greatest problem, He can lead us to our greatest solution: salvation in Christ alone. Cross...

BIG IDEA: God’s righteousness gives sight to the spiritually blind. Message Focus: Our unfaithfulness does not affect God’s faithfulness. Our unrighteousness does not change God’s righteousness. We are blind to our sin but God's righteousness restores our sight so that we may see our sinfulness and repent! When we rationalize our own sin does not diminish God’s wrath against sin. This also mea...

Primary Scripture: Romans 2:1-29 BIG IDEA: Obeying God’s law will not save you from sin. Message Focus: Paul was talking about Gentiles and pagans, but in these passages, he addressed Jews. His point? Putting faith in the law to save you is as effective as what the Gentiles were doing. Paul pointed to an inner heart change stemming from repentance that was prompted by God’s kindness. Cross Referen...

Primary Scripture: Romans 1:16-17 BIG IDEA: God imparts Christ’s righteousness to us by faith. Message Focus: Righteousness is a healthy relationship with God based on His standards. Jesus is righteous by His nature as God (so is the Father and the Spirit). No matter what we do in and of ourselves, we can’t be righteous. The only way we can receive righteousness is through trusting God’s plan for...

BIG IDEA: Grace comes to all through Jesus’ resurrectionMessage Focus: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised and foreshadowed Jesus’ victory over sinand death. The Old Testament prophecies met the fulfillment of Jesus and His resurrection confirmed Hisidentity and work. Because of Jesus, we can receive salvation as a gift from God. Cross References: John 20, Revelation 1:18, 1 Corinthians 15:...

Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5BIG IDEA: Evangelism is sharing with another person who Jesus is and what He has done. Message Focus: Paul reminded that he didn’t rely on articulate messaging or even lengthy theological arguments to help them come to faith in Jesus. In fact, he felt weak and afraid. All he had to offer was the truth of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death. Many believers t...

Primary Scripture: John 15:1-17BIG IDEA: The supernatural outcome of remaining in Christ is joy! Message Focus: Remaining in Christ is not meant to be a chore or burdensome. Rather, walking with God is marked by joy! It’s Jesus’ intention that His joy would be in every truly born again believer. This message has the opportunity to call people up from obligation into the joy of knowing Jesus! Promp...

Primary Scripture: John 15:1-17 BIG IDEA: Keeping Jesus’ commands is a way to remain in Jesus’ love. Message Focus: The language is clear: if you keep my commands, you will remain in my love. Jesus said that He had done the same thing in relation to the Father. It will be important to help people avoid falling into legalism. As equally important is over-correcting into the other ditch that it does...