LifeGroup Leader Podcast

Summer on the Mount: Divorce Preaching Point : A personal commitment to God’s original intent for marriage is a necessary component of faithfully following Jesus. Main Text: Matthew 5:31–32 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit...

Preaching Point : Your struggle with lust will often require the Spirit-empowered employment of extreme measures that are well worth the sacrifice and energy you expend to kill your sin. Main Text: Matthew 5:27–30 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her i...

Preaching Point : A proper understanding of Jesus' relationship to the Law is crucial for believers to grasp the significance of the work of Christ and the usefulness of the whole Bible in the church's life. Main Text: Matthew 5:17–18 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven a...

Title: Summer on the Mount: Salt & Light  Preaching Point : In every situation, believers are responsible for visibly standing out through their good works resulting in the world seeing our actions and giving glory to God. Main Text: Matthew 5:13–16 Teaching Points: Provide a Distinct Influence to the World v13 Produce a Noticeable Presence vv14-16a Properly Understand the Purpose of Good...

Preaching Point: We need to rejoice in every suffering associated with our connection to Christ, knowing that our persecution is proof of our heavenly citizenship and that all our suffering for Christ comes with the promise of great reward in heaven. Main Text: Matthew 5:10–12 Teaching Points: Stand Out in a Sinful World v10 Be Willing to Be Counted with Christ vv11,12b  Stay Focused on Your...

Title: Happy Are the Peacemakers   Preaching Point : The genuine marker of a child of God is diligently laboring, even at great personal cost, to be peacemakers in every sphere of life. Main Text: Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Teaching Points: Recount What it Cost Jesus to Make Peace with You  Sacrifice for the Sake of Peacemaking ...

Title: Pure in Heart             Main Text: Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Preaching Point: Anyone who desires a relationship with God today and for eternity must undergo a complete transformation wherein their heart, soul, mind, and body are ruled by Christ through our unconditional surrender to Him.&...

Preaching Point: If we are going to be Jesus-minded people, we must undertake the hard work of going after lost souls and genuinely celebrating when God saves them. Main Text: Luke 15:8–10 Teaching Points: Increase Your Love for the Lost vv8-9 Get Your Hands Dirty v8b Celebrate Salvation vv9-10

Title: Married with Bills Main Text: Luke 16:19-25 Teaching Points: Recognize "The Good Life" vv19, 22b-25 Trust God More vv19-25 Cultivate Faith to Help, Not Hoard vv19-21

Preaching Point : Christians count themselves fortunate because of God’s mercy toward them and should labor diligently to display that mercy to others. Main Text: Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Teaching Points: 1. Understand Mercy as a Central Feature of the Gospel v7 2. Expect God’s Mercy When You Respond to the Gospel v7 3. Exercise Mercy as a Central Elemen...

Preaching Point: Kingdom happiness is experienced by those who are counted righteous before God through Jesus Christ and obey Him. Main Text: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Teaching Points: 1. Find Satisfaction in Christ’s Righteousness v6 2. Pursue Progressive Righteousness v6 3. Long for Complete Righteousness v6

Preaching Point: Knowing the eschatological plan of God should motivate you to happily submit to the Will of God. Main Text: Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Teaching Points: 1. Find Kingdom Happiness in Godly Obedience (v. 5) 2. Persevere in Meekness (v. 5) 3. Yearn for Jesus' Coming Kingdom (v. 5)

Preaching Point: Kingdom happiness belongs to those who own up to their spiritual poverty and give themselves over to the riches of Christ. Main Text: Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Teaching Points: 1. Expect Kingdom Happiness v3 2. Admit Your Spiritual Bankruptcy v3 3. Set Your Mind on the Kingdom of Heaven v3

Title: Trials & Triumph: The Miracles & the Message        Preaching Point: The power of Jesus revealed through His miraculous acts ought to be sufficient proof for us to fully trust the authority of His message. Main Text: Matthew 4:23–5:2 Teaching Points: 1. Make Jesus’ Message the Main Thing (v23a) 2. Make Jesus’ Miracles About His Message (v23b-24) 3....

Preaching Points: Followers of Jesus leave their old lives behind and take on the role of a disciple who makes disciples. Main Text: Matthew 4:18–22 Teaching Points: 1. Get to Know Jesus (vv18, 21) 2. Reject Ambiguous Definitions of Discipleship (vv19, 21b) 3. Characterize Your Discipleship with Immediacy (vv20, 22)

Main Text: Matthew 4:12–17 Preaching Point: Jesus came to conquer the depths of human depravity to give light & life to everyone who turns from their sin & trusts in Him for salvation. Teaching Points: 1. Grasp the Depths of Your Depravity vv12-16a 2. Behold the Answer to Your Depravity v16b 3. Repent and Trust in Jesus v17

Preaching Point: Correctly defining the earthly mission of Jesus is crucial for us to comprehend His assignment to conquer Satan and the power of sin in our lives. Main Text: Matthew 4:1–11 Teaching Points: 1. Trust God Over Your Feelings (vv1-4) 2. Don’t Abuse God’s Word (vv5-7) 3. Submit to God in All Things (vv8-11)

Preaching Point: Jesus unashamedly associating himself with our sinfulness ought to motivate us to boldly associate with Jesus and His mission to see the lost saved. Main Text: Matthew 3:13–17 Teaching Points: 1. Grasp the Significance of Jesus Associating with Your Sinfulness (vv13-16a). 2. Participate in the Mission of Our Triune God (vv16-17). LINKS: 1. The Man Christ Jesus | By Bruce A. Ware :...

Preaching Point: The work of the Holy Spirit that Jesus inaugurates not only frees you from the coming wrath of God but also empowers you to bear the necessary fruit that flows from genuine repentance. Main Text: Matthew 3:7–12  Teaching Points: 1. Expect God’s Coming Judgment vv7,12 2. Understand the Work of the Holy Spirit v11 3. Bear Good Fruit as a Necessary Byproduct of Your Faith vv8-10

Title: Preparing for Jesus: The Herald Preaching Point: Much like John the Baptist in his day, our mission is to proclaim the coming of Jesus, calling everyone to a biblical response to the gospel. 1. Herald the Return of Jesus vv 1-2 2. Associate Yourself with Jesus vv 3-4 3. Invite People to Rightly Response to Jesus vv 5-6

Preaching Point : Every Christian exists to reach people for Christ, teach people to be like Christ & train people to serve Christ. Main Text : Matthew 28:18–20 Teaching Points: 1.) Reach People for Christ v19a 2.) Teach People to be Like Christ v19b 3.) Train People to Serve Christ v20

Preaching Point: 2023 should be the year we trade in our short-lived resolutions and train ourselves for godliness that guarantees benefits for now and eternity. Main Text: 1 Timothy 4:7–10 Teaching Points: 1.) Get Familiar with Scripture v7a 2.) Pursue Godliness vv7b-9 3.) Stay Motivated by the End Goal vv10-11

Trusting in Christ as God's promised solution to your most significant issue is an indispensable part of successfully addressing the mountain of other problems you face. MAIN TEXT: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Teaching Poin...

Live unwaveringly for Christ in your present circumstance, remembering God is working your life toward His wondrously good end. MAIN TEXT : Romans 8:28-30 POINT 1 : Find Comfort in God’s Agency (v. 28) POINT 2 : Engage Your Present Circumstances with God’s Purpose in Mind (v. 29) POINT 3 : Fortify Your Faith with God’s Guaranteed Work (v. 30)

The unfolding of God’s redemptive plan through Christ needs to motivate us toward proper worship Him. Text : Matthew 2:7-12 Main Points : 1) Demolish All of Your False Worship (vv. 7-8) 2) See the Gratification of Proper Worship (vv. 9-11) 3) Let God’s Supremacy Propel Your Obedience (v. 12)