LifeGroup Leader Podcast

Preaching Point : Anyone proclaiming Jesus as the Christ should anticipate rejection from those who do not want to accept him and doubt from those who do not understand him. Main Text:  Matthew 11:1-19 (ESV) 1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ,...

Preaching Point : Any accurate explanation of the good news must include God the Son taking on flesh and living in perfect obedience to the Father, including death on the cross in place of sinful humanity to be resurrected by the Father and exalted above all things. Main Text:  Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV) 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who...

Preaching Point : Our only hope of salvation rests on God’s promise to regenerate those who place their faith in the work of Jesus on the cross. Main Text: John 3:1–15 (ESV) 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do un...

Preaching Point : Your commitment to biblical generosity is a powerful and necessary tool for multiplying thanksgiving to God and confirming to others your supreme confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ! Main Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6–15 (ESV) 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he ha...

Preaching Point : Every believer must promote water baptism as the necessary and symbolic means by which someone publicly professes their faith in Christ and finds inclusion into God’s visible church.  Main Text: Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing th...

Preaching Point:  The Lord’s Supper should shape our worship and serve as an instrumental means of corporately proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Main Text:  Luke 22:14–20 (ESV) 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 F...

No matter the circumstances,   persistently pray for God to glorify Himself knowing He answers the prayers of His faithful children Acts 4:23–31 (ESV) 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and t...

Preaching Point : We must see our lives, ministries, and future rewards inextricably linked to Christ and our service to one another, in His name.  Main Text: Matthew 10:40–42 (ESV) 40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteo...

Preaching Point : Getting serious about evangelism requires a steadfast commitment to prayer.  Main Text: Acts 1:12–14 (ESV) 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Barthol...

Preaching Point : We must be thoroughly convinced that God is pleased with those who boldly stand for the gospel while trusting in His providential care. Main Text:  Matthew 10:26–33 (ESV) 26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear...

Preaching Point : We must thoroughly grasp the bad news concerning our position before God if we hope to comprehend the significance of the good news of the gospel. Main Text:  Ephesians 2:1–3 (ESV) 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit tha...

Preaching Point : Approach the opposition to your evangelism with wisdom and confidence, knowing God’s plan will not be thwarted. Main Text:  Matthew 10:16–25 (ESV) 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be d...

Preaching Point : Embrace the mission of Christ by compassionately and urgently calling people to a right response to the gospel while warning them of the judgment to come. Main Text:  Matthew 10:5–15 (ESV) 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Is...

Preaching Point : Jesus’ compassionate appeal to his disciples should motivate you to pray fervently for more evangelistic laborers while being an answer to that prayer yourself. Main Text:  Matthew 9:35–10:5a (ESV) 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every...

Title: Jesus is Greater: Polarizing Responses Preaching Point:  Every Christian must be prepared to address the polarizing responses associated with Jesus Christ. Main Text: Matthew 9:32–34 (ESV) 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, sa...

Preaching Point : Clearly perceiving our desperate plight, we must trust in Jesus Christ as the central figure of our salvation while anticipating his return to rule on the throne of David forever.  Main Text:  Matthew 9:27–31 (ESV) 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28When he entered the h...

Micah 7:18–20 (ESV) 18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfuln...

God’s holiness means he is righteous, and his righteousness demands that he is just!

Holding fast to the biblical gospel requires a clear understanding of what the gospel is and a steadfast confidence in its ability to save you and sustain you.

Preaching Point:  Make it your mission to showcase supreme confidence in the authority of Christ, even in the most challenging seasons of life. Main Text:  Matthew 9:18–26 (ESV) 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jes...

Preaching Point : The arrival of Christ requires you to assess the value of every spiritual practice in light of how it relates to the person and work of Christ. Main Text:  Matthew 9:14–17 (ESV) 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long a...

Jesus’ authority over the symptoms of sin should serve as a powerful confirmation of his divine mission to remove your sin and cause you to respond in penitent faith.

Jesus’ dominion over demonic forces ought to give you extreme confidence in his identity and mission to save you from sin.

Jesus calls you to exercise faith in his supreme authority, even in the most fearful circumstances.

A genuine relationship with Jesus includes a readiness to forsake worldly comforts and even close family relationships to follow Him.