Hope in the Unseen Christ

Hope in the Unseen Christ         Pastor Crockett      1 Pet. 1:8-9    

 Hope in Trials series

1.     Why do we need to rest in the tender heart of Christ more than we need food, shelter, friends, support, or encouragement?

2.     How does sound doctrine matter not as an end, but as a means of seeing and preserving God’s beauty?

3.     What biblical examples do we have that seeing is not believing?

4.     How is believing actually seeing Christ with eyes of faith?

5.     How can we see Christ more clearly through His Word than if we saw Him physically in person?

6.     Have you experienced joy so intense or profound that it was inexpressible? What was that like?

7.     How does receiving a foretaste of heavenly glory give you hope in your trials?

8.     What did you think about when you saw the small church of Ukrainian brothers and sisters singing “In Christ Alone” as the air raid sirens went off?

9.     How can you love, trust, and rejoice in the unseen Christ?

Joy in Trials

Joy in Trials Pastor Crockett 1 Pet. 1:6-7

Hope in Trials series

Application questions:

1.    What trials are you going through in this season of life?

2.    Even though suffering is not inherently good, how can God use it for good (Rom. 8:28)?

3.    Have you ever felt the weight of grief in a trial?

4.    Why can you rejoice when you know that trials are seasonal, but your faith is eternal (7a)?

5.    How do trials refine your faith by sifting out what is genuine?

6.    James also talks about various trials (James 1:2). What does he say they produce (James 1:3-4)?

7.    Why can you rejoice when you know that trials are weighty, but your reward is weightier (7c; 1 Pet. 5:4; 2 Cor. 4:17)?

8.    How does knowing that God has a color match of grace for every multicolored trial help you rejoice?

9.    Are you being a good steward of your spiritual gift? Are you using it to minister to others the multicolored grace of God (1 Pet. 4:10)?
 

Living Hope for Those Living with Depression

Living Hope for Those Living with Depression Pastor Josh Crockett 1 Peter 1:3-5

Application questions:

1. Why do all Christians struggle spiritually?

2. Do you know someone struggling with depression?

3. Why do you think Peter begins this letter to battered Christians with a doxology of praise to God (3)? How can that be instructive to us (Ps. 73:17; 77:6)?

4. How does the Father’s abundant mercy (3; 2 Cor. 1:3) give you hope?

5. How did Christ’s resurrection give Peter a living hope (3)?

6. Why do you think our planet’s decay (Rom. 8:20-23) causes depression? And how can the promise of an imperishable (4a) inheritance give hope?

7. How does knowing that heaven will be undefiled (4b) give you hope?

8. Why is it important to know our inheritance will not fade away (4c)?

9. Why is it important to know that you will be kept by God’s power?

10.What does God use to guard and shield us from doubt (5; Eph. 6:16)?

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Sunday Morning Worship starts at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting — 7 p.m.

God Grows You

God Grows You           Pastor Crockett          1 Peter 1:2       

1.    Why is it important to have hope in life, especially in suffering?

2.    How do Christians have hope in suffering?

3.    What role does each member of the Godhead have in giving us hope according to 1 Peter 1:1-2?

4.    How can God call you to be holy, a saint (2, 15) even when you have a sinful past?

5.    How does the work of the Spirit mean you’re never alone?

6.    If you can’t do anything of spiritual value without the Holy Spirit, why is it so important to yield your life to Him?

7.    How does the phrase in v. 2 “unto obedience” show a balance between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in election?

8.    How does Exodus 24 foreshadow the sprinkling of blood we receive in the New Covenant?

9.    Why is multiplied grace so vital to our lives?

10. Why is multiplied peace so vital to our lives?

God Chose You

God Chose You            1 Pet. 1:1                    Hope in Trials series 

 1.     What things in life can cause us to feel unwanted or rejected?

2.     Why do many Americans dread Valentine’s Day?

3.     How does “elect exiles” (1) seem like a contradiction?

4.     Why do you think being elected by God often causes believers to be rejected by the world?

5.     How does God’s choosing us cause humility (like the old Native American chieftain felt)? Did God see anything in us that would cause Him to choose us?

6.     How was this truth of God’s election especially comforting to Gentiles who were strangers to the covenants of promise (Eph. 2:12) and who had been living lives of moral decadence and alcohol addiction (1 Pet. 4:3)?

7.     Were the Gentiles grafted into God’s family as a divine afterthought? How does “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” (2) speak to this?

8.     How does the omniscience of God’s foreknowledge comfort those who are suffering?

9.     How does 1 Pet. 4:12-19 show suffering isn’t a sign that you’re out of God’s will? How does God use suffering to purify you for His glory (1 Pet. 1:7)?

10. How does the intimate knowing of God’s foreknowledge comfort those who are suffering (see Rom. 11:2)? 

God Knows You

God Knows You (1 Peter 1:1)

February 6, 2022

1. What does it mean to be a stranger (exile, alien)?

2. How does the idea of being an alien, a citizen of a different kingdom, resonate with you? How does it feel abstract?

3. As we celebrate Black History month, why should our identity as Christians supersede our race, ethnicity, language, or country of origin?

4. Where have you become too “at home” in this world?

5. How do you typically respond when you are sinned against for doing what is right?

6. In what ways can you feel scattered and lonely?

7. Why do you think it’s important to gather with your church family (1 Cor. 12; Heb. 10:25)?

8. Are you in love with life under the sun in this broken world? Or do you think about your real home?

9. As we celebrate Black History month, how do the Gospel spirituals sung by slaves parallel with Peter’s letter of hope to these 1st-century battered, scattered slaves?

The Preacher Concludes

The Preacher Concludes        Pastor Crockett          Jan. 23, 2022 am.    Eccles. 12:12-14

1.    Why do you think it’s so important to listen to the Preacher’s conclusion in v. 13?

2.    What phrases in verses 9 and 10 show the importance of teaching God’s Word accurately?

3.    Why is it also important that the teaching of God’s Word should be attractive (V. 9: arranged with great care; V. 10: words of delight)?

4.    Why should you be careful what you read (v. 12)?

5.    Will you take Pastor’s challenge of evaluating this week how much time you spend listening to content from social media influencers, news sources, etc. versus how much time you spend listening to God’s wisdom?

6.    When’s the last time God’s Word poked you like a goad to reprove or correct?

7.    When’s the last time God used His Word like a stake to anchor your soul when you were experiencing turbulence—to secure you when you’re drifting.

8.    What would happen to your fear of men and things, if you had a healthier fear of God?

9.    Why should you reach out to mentor (transformation by God’s wisdom) the younger generation or be willing to be mentored by the older generation, even if you’re not perfect or they’ve made mistakes?

Sanctity of Life Sunday 2022

Remember Your Creator

Remember Your Creator    Pastor Crockett  Jan. 9, 2022 am   Eccles. 12:1-5

1.     If “remembering your Creator” means being mindful of Him in every part of life, how does that apply to your relationships, finances, evangelism, discipleship, and service?

2.     As a single person/married person, how can you remember your Creator in the days of your youth?

3.     When you hear/feel how hard aging is/will be, how does that make you feel?

4.     Look at Psalm 71:17-18, how does the truth that God will not forsake you when you’re old and gray-headed help you cope with the reality of aging?

5.     Look again at Psalm 71:17-18, how does the truth that you can show God’s strength to this generation and His power to everyone that is to come help you find purpose in old age?

6.     Look at 2 Corinthians 5:1-5. How does Paul’s metaphor of your body being a temporary tent, help you deal with the aging process?

7.     Look at 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. How does Paul’s reference to your outer self perishing, while your inner self is being renewed day by day help you focus on spiritual growth even during physical decline?

8.     Look at Psalm 92:12-14, how does God’s promise to aging Christians that they can be like trees growing in the house of the Lord and still bear fruit in old age, help you find purpose in old age?

The Life of Joy

The Life of Joy  Pastor Crockett  Jan. 2, 2022 am  Eccles. 11:7-10

1.    Why do you think so many young people aren’t rejoicing in life?

2.    Do you know someone struggling with depression? 

3.    Why do you think God commands young people to rejoice in the days of their youth?

4.    How can the Bible command young people to “walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes” (v. 9)?

5.    When should someone apply Numbers 15:39 to their situation instead of Eccles. 11:9? 

6.    Is Eccles. 11:9 an excuse for some version of Amish Rumspringa or sewing your wild oats?

7.    What are ways to remove sorrow from your heart?

8.   What are ways to put away evil from your flesh?

Living by Faith in an Uncertain World

Living by Faith in an Uncertain World         

Pastor Crockett         

Dec. 19, 2021 am

Eccles. 11:1-6            

1.     Do you feel full of faith and joy and triumphant this Christmas? Or do you feel surrounded by risk and uncertainty? Why?

2.     Why is it hard to commit to making an investment for some people?

3.     Why is it difficult to wait patiently for an investment to bring a return?

4.     How well do you do at diversifying your investments?

5.     How could you better diversify your spiritual investing in other people?

6.     Why is it easy for people driven by success to focus on one thing?

7.     Why is it hard for people paralyzed by fear to try anything?

8.     Verses 3 and 4 teach a life of faith doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. Why are you tempted to wait for perfect conditions?

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Filled in Bethlehem           Pastor Crockett    Dec. 12, 2021 am

Micah 5:2; Jn. 3:16

1. Pastor Crockett said one reason Jesus was born in Bethlehem was to fulfill prophecies of Messiah coming from the line of David. Why was this significant?

2. What made Jesus’ birth so humble and seemingly forgettable?

3. What connection did Pastor Crockett make between Jesus and Bethlehem’s meaning “House of Bread”?

4. When Jesus says in John 6 that He is the Bread of Life what does that mean? Why is it important?

5. How does Jesus fill the hunger in your soul?

6. In what ways do we see people’s hunger to be accepted?

7. Why would someone hunger to be forgiven?

8. What are some other areas that our souls hunger for?

9. How does John 3:16-17 show you can’t earn your salvation, you can only receive God’s Christmas gift? Do you know someone you can share this Good News with this Christmas?

Morningside Baptist Church Choir & Orchestra presents O Little Town of Bethlehem, arranged by Russell Mauldin

1. Bethlehem Overture with O Come, All Ye Faithful

2. O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas)

3. Journey Medley: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing/We Three Kings

4. How Far (Part 1)

5. What Child Is This?

6. It’s Still the Greatest Story Ever Told (solo: Karen Darst)

7. How Far (Part 2)

8. Come to Bethlehem Finale: It’s Still the Greatest Story Ever Told/Angels We Have Heard on High/Joy to the World!

Narrator: Pastor Josh Crockett
Choir Director: Jeriel Ontoy
Orchestra Director: Karis Morgan
Media Team: Rich Streeter, Mitch Summerlin, Zach Metzger

Mentors and Balance

Mentors and Balance     Pastor Crockett      Dec. 5, 2021 am    

Eccles. 10:12-19 Living for More series      

1. What are ways you can use your words as instruments of grace?

2. Do you use your words for worship? Speaking the truth in love?

3. What triggers you to speak in unrighteous anger? How could you give a soft answer to turn away wrath instead?

4. How often do you use reconciling words (“Please forgive me. I’m sorry. I was wrong.”)?

5. How often do you use words of affirmation and love?

6. How can your words be instruments of destruction (v. 12)?

7. Why do you think it’s good to be slow to speak, swift to listen (James 1:19)?

8. Why should you listen to wise mentors, not fools (vv.12-15)?

9. How can you live a balanced life knowing when to work and when to feast (vv. 18-19)?

Common Sense Wisdom

Common Sense Wisdom         Pastor Crockett         Nov. 28, 2021 am

Eccles. 10:8-11                                  Living for More series

1.  What are some spiritual hazards you face at your work (8-9)?

2. How can you use common sense to protect yourself (i.e. purity, finances, marriage, etc.)?

3. Why is it wise to plan your work (10-11)?

4. How can you “sharpen your axe” before you go into the forest (10)?

5. Do you rush into things? Or do you start with plan?

6. How can you count the cost (Luke 14:28) before starting a project?

7. How can your rash decisions harm not just your life, but others as well (Luke 14:31)?

8. Why is it important to work your plan (11)?

9. What are some of the reasons it’s hard to be a doer of God’s wisdom (James 1:5; 22)?

10. Why should you be thankful God had a plan before the foundations of the world to redeem a people to Himself? Why should you be grateful the Son submitted to every phase of the Father’s plan?

Small, but Powerful

Small, but Powerful          Pastor Crockett    Nov. 21, 2021 am

Eccles. 9:18-10:7                          Living for More series

1. Someone’s following in your footsteps. Where are you leading them (9:18)?

2. What little flies (10:1) do you need to turn away from?

3. Where in our culture do we see the power of foolish examples (10:2-3)?

4. Why do so many in our culture follow foolish examples?

5. Why should we have a wise response even to ungodly authorities (10:4-7)?

6. In Matthew 7, Jesus tells a story about a wise and foolish man. What’s the result of the foolish man’s actions?

7. How can your foolish actions set off a chain of harm and contaminate everything around them (10:1)?

8. How can your wise actions set off a chain reaction of blessing and grace that will influence future generations?

9. Can you think of a wise person who has influenced your life?

10. How can you be more like that wise person?

Living with Joy

Living with Joy Pastor Crockett     Nov. 14, 2021 am    Eccles. 9:7-10

1. Do you take time to pause and enjoy simple meals with friends? What about those meals gives you joy?

2. What are some steps you could take (i.e., banning complaining, limiting cell phones, etc.) to bring more joy to your meals with others?

3. How does knowing God accepts you in Christ (7b) free you to love life and enjoy others?

4. As a spouse, how do you (or will you) express your love for your life partner (9:9)?

5. How do you (or will you) prioritize your spouse in the busyness of life? Read Ephesians 5:25-33 to remind yourself of your biblical responsibility to be self-sacrificing in marriage.

6. What would you tell a friend who thinks the grass is greener outside their marriage?

7. Do you serve the Lord wholeheartedly through my work (9:10)?

8. What specific steps can you take to ensure you have a godly work ethic? Read Colossians 3:17 and 23.

9. What pleasures, joys, and activities can you do today to remind you of the goodness of God and prepare your heart for eternal joy in heaven?

In the Hand of God

In the Hand of God | November 7, 2021 am | Eccles. 9:1–6 | Living for More series

1. What are some of the reasons we don’t like to think about death?

2. When you think about your death, how does that make you feel?

3. How does the reality that your life is “in the hand of God” (9:1) comfort you? In what way will this perspective help you to live your life this week? What gives you the necessary peace and confidence to prepare for difficult trials?

4. To what degree are you aware of your imminent death (9:3-4)? Have you been guilty of being in denial of this reality? 

5. In Eccles. 9:4–6, Solomon says if you are living there is hope. How can this passage help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts? Even if life seems terrible, if you’re breathing, there’s hope that things may get better. If you’re feeling suicidal please talk to someone.

6. What will you do to both acknowledge and prepare for your dying day? How can you help others cultivate a healthy outlook on the brevity of their lives? 

7. Eccles. 9:5 says “the memory of them is forgotten.” How much can you remember about your grandparents? Great grandparents? How far back does your family’s memory go? 

8. How does v. 6 teach that life is too short to be mad at each other. Why do we spend so much time and energy being angry and bitter toward someone when we have so little time left?

9. Are you prepared for death? If so, how can you help others be prepared?

Joy In an Unfair World

Joy In an Unfair World | October 31, 2021 am | Eccles. 8:10–17 | Living for More series

1. Where in your life have you seen that: Life isn’t fair?

2. Where in your life have you seen that: Hypocrites often popular? 

3. What do you do when you find yourself just going through the motions of worship?

4. Where in your life have you seen that: Justice against evil often late?

5. How do you feel about child trafficking, abortion, racism, and so many evils around the world?

6. Is it easy to think you deserve God’s goodness and forbearance and longsuffering (Romans 2:4) more than evil people in the world? Can you see how God would be using those same means of grace to bring them to repentance?

7. Where in your life have you seen that:  Evil people often live long?  

8. Have you ever experienced like Asaph in Psalm 73 the fear of God overwhelming your fear of men?

9. Why should you enjoy God’s good gifts in life, despite the suffering and oppression around the world? 

10. What did you think of the statement: “You can’t fix the world in an hour, but you can fix dinner.”?

11. Do you really believe your Dad is on the throne? Then can you see why having a party would be demonstrating faith in your Father?

Human Authority

Human Authority | October 24, 2021 am | Eccles. 8:1–9 | Living for More series

1.  Whose face comes to mind when you think of being radiant with the joy of the Lord (8:1)? What do others see when they look at you? Do you have the joy of the Lord? Why or why not? Have you used your upbringing or personality to make excuses for your lack of joy? 

2. What authority has God placed over you? Do you obey authority even when you disagree, or when it might inconvenience you? 

3. How can you remind yourself that all authority is instituted by God Himself?

4. In what areas do you tend to armchair quarterback your authority?

5. Do you extend patience (v. 3) toward your authorities (parents, spouse, boss, government)?

6. What are the lines that you have drawn where you will obey God more than man?

7. Have you ever experienced an unexpected “bomb” go off in your life? How did you learn to trust God’s sovereignty? When you feared the worst, how has God used that to create a blessing?

8. Do you submit to your governing authorities? In what specific ways is this evident in your personal life? Read Romans 13:1–7; Titus 3:1; and 1 Peter 2:13–15. When is disobedience to government appropriate (8:5–6)? Read Daniel 3 and Acts 4:1–29; and 5:29. How have you sought to balance these responses?

My Soul Seeks

My Soul Seeks | October 17, 2021 am | Eccles. 7:23–29 | Living for More series

1. Why do you think people want to know the meaning and mysteries of life that only God can know?

2. How is your deepest problem the depravity of your heart?

3. How does v. 29 show the opposite of the famous evolutionary chart, “The Road to Homo Sapiens"?

4. How did God create Eve to be a soulmate to Adam, unlike any of the other animals?

5. How could Adam and Eve be naked and not ashamed (Gen. 2:25) before the Fall?

6. Why do you think our depraved hearts are tempted by sexual sin? What do you think our hearts are seeking?

7. How does 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 warn all of us that we could fall into sexual sin, but yet point us to hope of escape?

8. How does Ecclesiastes 7:26 say we can find escape from the woman with snares and nets?

9. Why do you need soul intimacy before sexual intimacy?

10. How does objectifying someone strip them of their dignity and worth?

11. What are ways you can escape sexual sin by seeking to please God more than yourself?