Pastor Steve Ruetschle Mark 4:35-41 Today, in preaching on Mark 4:35-41, Pastor Steve offered five lessons from this passage in Mark. Lesson 1) Storms come even if Jesus is in your boat. Pastor Steve noted that Jesus led the disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee in the evening. He led them into the night storm. Why would he do this? Please discuss and read Joshua 1:9 and Zephaniah 3:17 out loud together. What are your thoughts about these verses? Lesson 2) Storms can make us feel that God doesn’t care. During the storm, Jesus was in a deep sleep and the disciples “woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?'” Have there been times when you felt God just didn’t care? How did you respond? What was the outcome of this situation? Please discuss and read Psalm 46:1-3 and 6-7 out loud together. What are your thoughts about these verses? Lesson 3). When facing a storm, call out to Jesus! Matthew 8:26 quotes the disciples as saying “Lord, save us!." Read Psalm 4:1 out loud together. Pastor Steve explained that when facing a storm we often try to handle it our own. Do you tend to handle things on your own, or at least try to? Share your thoughts on this and read Jeremiah 6:16 and 32:17 out loud together. What are your thoughts about these verses? Lesson 4) Storms teach us about faith. During the storm, Jesus asked the disciples why they were so afraid. Are you afraid during this time of pandemic? Please share your fear if you’re comfortable doing so. Pastor Steve noted that storms cause fear especially when we focus on the storm. Where is your focus right now? Are you able to ‘trade your fear for faith’? Please read and discuss Psalm 91:3-7 out loud together. What are your thoughts about these verses? Lesson 5). Who Jesus really is. Pastor Steve proclaimed that Jesus’ power is greater than any storm! He can still the waves. Please read the following verses out loud together, Psalm 89:8-18 and Revelation 1:8. How will you re-focus during this time? Think of and share ways to reach out and be of assistance to others.

Sunset Presbyterian Church Sermons

Jesus Calms a Storm

Pastor Steve Ruetschle Numbers 6:22-27 May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you And give you peace. (Christian Standard) God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper. (The Message) The Lord bless and keep you: The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Revised Standard) Today Pastor Steve preached on the Lord’s blessing from Numbers chapter 6. He emphasized that this blessing is gift from God upon which we can rely during this time of uncertainty and fear. 1. Pastor Steve taught that the Israelites’ wilderness experience was a test of faith. Are you in ‘the wilderness’ now? If so, what is it like for you? Have you had wilderness experiences in the past? Please share. 2. The blessing of Numbers 6:24-27 was given before the Israelites went into the wilderness. Why would God bless the Israelites at that time? What blessings are you experiencing now? How will (or did you) you rely on God’s blessing during a time in the wilderness? 3. During times of trouble we often become self-absorbed. God’s face, however, shines upon us (v.25) indicating that his full presence is always with us. How can we be present and connected to others during this time of social distancing? Can you share how you have blessed another recently? 4. Verse 26 tells us that God will give us peace. Pastor Steve noted that the word ‘peace’ is ‘shalom’ in Hebrew. Shalom means that everything is the way that it should be. What would ‘everything being the way that it should be’ look like in your life? Of course, shalom in this sense won’t fully happen until God remakes the heavens and the earth. What do you think God’s new creation will be like? 5. God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others. Pastor Steve asked us to memorize this passage and pray the Lord’s blessing on someone every day for 7 days? Who will you pray for? Please share.

The Lord's Blessings

Leviticus 1-7 Pastor Steve Ruetschle Today Pastor Steve taught on the practice of ritual sacrifice as described in the Book of Leviticus. The purpose of ritual sacrifice was to bring the Israelites closer to God. The Hebrew word ‘korban’ means both offering and sacrifice. The Hebrew language regarding sacrificial offerings connotes an offering ‘of you’ (ourselves) to the Lord. There are five are different sacrificial offerings described in Leviticus 1-7. 1. -The burnt offering (voluntary): in the burnt offering the whole animal, representing one’s whole self was offered and burned. The smoke of the offering ascended to God. What are your practices for offering your whole self to God? How does this bring you closer to Him? 2. -The grain offering (voluntary): the grain offering is an offering of thanks to God for His provision of food and the necessities of life. What is your practice of giving thanks to God? Please describe and share with the group. 3.- The peace offering (voluntary): the peace offering is symbolic of maintaining fellowship and harmony with one another. After the peace offering was made a meal was shared. Describe a time when you shared a celebratory meal with family or friends? What was the occasion? Was God a part of your time together? Did it bring you closer to one another? 4. -The sin offering, Leviticus 4, (mandatory): the mandatory sin offering was made to cover the sins of the people. What do you offer to God to atone for your sins both unintentional and intentional? Is there a difference between the two? Please share. 5. -The guilt offering, Leviticus 7, (mandatory): Leviticus 7 tells us this offering is especially holy. Why is this? Pastor Steve stated that the guilt offering had to be made for a breach of faith such as trusting in something other than God. How are we guilty of trusting in things other than God during our time? Is there something you tend to trust in rather than God? Is it ever OK to do so? 6. Take some time to read the following verses out loud and discuss how they parallel the five ritual sacrifices of Leviticus. 1 Peter 1:19, Ephesians 5:2, John 12:24, Colossians 1:20, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:10, Hebrews 10:11-12 & 14.

Fellowship with God

Pastor Steve Ruetschle New "Highlights in Leviticus" Sermon Series on Preview 1. In preaching on Leviticus today, Pastor Steve noted that the Hebrew title of the book is “He (God) Called”. What was God calling the Israelites to do? What is God calling you to do at this point in your life? 2. The main theme of Leviticus is a call to holiness. Please look up the word ‘holy’ and share your findings. Do you consider yourself holy? (1Peter 1:13-25). Please find some other verses or passages on holiness and discuss them with the group. 3. Pastor Steve shared seven ways in which Leviticus helps us to become holy. What are they? 4. One of the paths to holiness is ‘ritual sacrifice.’ The word ‘sacrifice’ means to ‘bring close’ and often involves bringing a gift to repair a relationship. Share a time when you brought a gift to someone to help repair a relationship. What gifts do you bring to demonstrate your gratitude for the gift(s) God has given you? 5. Another path to holiness is becoming a priest. Even though Aaron sinned greatly with regard to idolatry (the golden calf), Leviticus tells us he was made the High Priest. How do you think Moses felt about this? Why do you think God commanded that Aaron become High Priest? What does it mean for us to become priests? (1Peter 2:5) 6. The celebration of the ‘Ritual Feasts’ created lifetime rhythms in the Israelite’s lives. What rhythms, both secular and religious, do you or your family celebrate? Please share why you celebrate them.

Holiness

Pastor Steve Ruetschle Exodus 32-33 1. In Exodus chapter 24, a sacred-blood covenant was made between God and the Israelites. In verse 3 the Israelites promised with one voice…”Everything the Lord has said we will do.” What was the nature of this covenant? Why was it necessary? What would happen if the covenant was broken? Have you ever made a covenant with God? Please share. 2. In Exodus 32 we find that as Moses was “so long” in returning from the mountain, the people beseeched Aaron to “…make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” So Aaron made an idol, the golden calf. It’s interesting to note that the Israelites returned to the god that was worshiped during their captivity, Apis the bull god. What ‘golden calves’ are worshiped in our culture? Has there been a time when you returned to an old habit or practice while waiting for God? What was the result? 3. In Exodus 32:24 Aaron broke the 9th commandment is a big way. Is it ever okay to tell a lie? Even to spare someone’s feelings? How about a “little white lie?” 4. Read 32:17-33:6. What were the consequences of the Israelite’s sin of idolatry? (we count six) What consequences to sin have seen in your life? 5. Read Exodus 33:12-17. What is the significance of God knowing Moses by name? Moses interceded on behalf of the people and God granted Moses’ request. Given how angry God was with the Israelites (see 33:5) what did God do and why? Name one person you’ve prayerfully interceded for? What happened?

The Golden Calf

Pastor Steve Ruetschle Exodus 25-40 1. This morning Pastor Steve noted that Exodus 25:8 is a key verse for this sermon. Why? Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai receiving instructions from God. There are nine chapters in Exodus about the tabernacle which God commanded them to build. Why is the tabernacle so important? 2. God commanded the building of the tabernacle with very explicit instructions. There were to be seven furnishings as seen in Exodus 25 - 27. They are the ark, the curtains, the table, the lampstand, the altar of incense, the altar of the burnt offering and the washbasin. What was the significance of each of these? Does one of these particularly resonate with you? 3. How does each of the seven tabernacle furnishings point toward Christ? Please see John 1:14, John 20:2, Hebrews 10:19-20, John 6:35, John 8:12, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:28 and Hebrews 10:22. 4. Please read Ephesians 2:19-22. How does this passage relate to today’s sermon? 5. Today Pastor Steve said the ark and its furnishings were a shadow of the advent of Jesus. Hebrews 10:1 states, “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves…” What realities do you think Paul is referring to? Please share.

The Tabernacle

Guest Speaker: Ted Kober Standing in the Presence of God: The Ten Commandments 1. Please read Exodus 3:4-6. In this passage, God commands Moses to take off his shoes because he is standing on holy ground. Why do you think God required Moses to remove his shoes? What is the modern equivalent of ‘holy ground?’ What should we be removing when we enter holy ground? 2. Read Exodus 20:3-4 out loud together. What are your thoughts on reading these verses? Today Ted Kober noted that these verses involve, among other things, both fearing and trusting God. Do you agree? In addition, our idols often begin with a desire for good things. (James 1:16&17) What kinds of “good and perfect gifts” do we turn into idols? If you’re comfortable, share what kinds of things you are tempted to idolize? 3. Exodus 20:12 tells us to honor our fathers and mothers “so that you may live long in the land the Lord is giving you.” Extending this principle of honoring authority, Ted Kober referred us to Romans 13:1-7. Please read it out loud. How do you interpret Paul’s commands here? What should be our response when we believe those in authority (parents, employers, government officials) are abusing their authority? Have you ever been in such a situation? How did you handle it? Please share. 4. What is meant by “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor?” (Exodus 20:16) What kinds of communication does this involve? Is it wrong to share information about another if it’s true? When is it appropriate to share true information about another and how should it be done? 5. Ted Kober stated that in giving the Ten Commandments God demonstrates His great love for us. What do you think Ted meant by this? Have you broken any of the Ten Commandments? Which one is easiest for you to keep…about which one do you need to be very mindful? Please share.

Standing in the Presence of God: The Ten Commandments

Exodus 15 The Song of the Sea Pastor Steve Ruetschle 1. This morning Pastor Steve related how Martin Luther defied the world powers of his time when he nailed his 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Door. He was inspired by Romans 3:23-25. Can you think of another historical instance of someone standing for what is right and true in the face of implacable opposition? Has there been a time in your life (most likely in a much smaller way) when you had to stand for what is right in the face of opposition? Were you fearful? What inspired you? Please share. 2. In bringing the plagues on the Egyptians, God was confronting not only Pharaoh but all the ‘gods’ of Egypt. Can you name some of these ‘gods’ and how they were connected to the ten plagues? Do you think these connections were apparent to the Egyptians? For example, Heqet, who looked like a frog, was the goddess of fertility and God sent a plague of frogs. What are the ‘gods’ of our time that must be confronted? Share your thoughts. 3. Which plague really got Pharaoh’s attention? What kinds of trouble or difficulty has God used to get your attention? 4. Pastor Steve noted that the main point of Exodus is that God reigns supreme forever and ever. In Exodus 15 the Israelites responded to this truth with a song of adoration and praise…’The Song of the Sea.’ In what ways do you respond to God’s sovereignty? Pastor Steve challenged us to write a poem, prayer or song in praise of His sovereignty. Do you have a practice or way that you remember to praise God regularly? Please share. 5. God is sovereign and reigns forever! He redeemed Israel from captivity, He saved Israel from its enemy and brought Israel into His presence. What are the parallels with what Christ has done for us? Please read Revelation 12:9, Revelation 21:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 3:16 and share. 6. See Exodus 14:13-14. What ‘Egyptians’ are you facing today? Is it ever important for us to take action as opposed to letting the Lord fight for us and just being still? Please discuss.

The Song of the Sea

THE PASSOVER – EXODUS 12:1-17 PASTOR STEVE RUETSCHLE 1. This morning Pastor Steve noted that the Israelites began their year with the Passover, remembering what God had done for them. Do you (or how do you) pause to reflect on what God has done for you recently? Do you have a specific practice for this? Share a way in which He has blessed you in the past year or so. 2. Jesus told the disciples to go and prepare a room (a specific place) to be with Him and celebrate the Passover. Do you have a particular place where you go to pray, reflect and just be with the Lord? Why is this place meaningful to you? 3. The four ‘verbs’ of the Passover represent God’s actions in delivering the Israelites from Egypt. The verbs are; ‘bring’, ‘deliver’, ‘redeem’ and ‘take’. What do each of these refer to? Does one of them resonate with you more than the others? Please share. 4. During the Passover meal with the disciples, Jesus claimed that His blood is the blood that is poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Do you think this would have shocked the disciples? Why or why not? How did you come to believe He is the sacrifice for our sins? 5. The Passover is a tradition that passes down very important truths from generation to generation. On a personal note, what traditions and history do you hope pass from generation to generation in your family?

The Passover

God's Faithful Plan to Redeem Exodus 4-6 1. See Exodus 4:13. Have you ever felt God calling you to do something and responded with, “Pardon me, Lord. Please send someone else.” What happened? Please share with the group. 2. In Exodus 4:29-30 we read that when the Israelites learned that God was concerned about them, they knelt down and worshiped Him. Soon thereafter, the troubles began. Discuss what happened then. How do you respond when it seems God is not fulfilling His promises to you? 3. This morning Barb noted the importance of taking our worship experiences into the week. Share how you live your worship experience throughout the week. Please give a specific example. 4. In Exodus 6:6 the word ‘redeem’ is used for the first time in Scripture. Why do you think this is the case? Is there a shift taking place in the Israelite’s perception of who God is and what He is like? Please discuss. 5. Today Barb stated that truly great leaders must have the ‘heart of a shepherd.’ What does having the heart of a shepherd look like? Can you think of a leader who has one? Who do you know personally that has such a heart? Please share.

God's Faithful Plan to Redeem

Pastor Steve Ruetschle Exodus 3:1-15 1. Moses must have been utterly surprised when he encountered God in the burning bush! If you can, share a time when God has surprised you. 2. Pastor Steve noted this encounter was the defining moment in the life of Moses. What has been a defining moment in your life? 3. God’s assignment for Moses involved a task too big, an enemy too strong and a people too much for him. When at home, at work or at church have you been assigned a task too big, an enemy too strong and people that were too much for you? How did you handle it? Please share. 4. Pastor Steve shared 10 things that Moses learned in his experience with the burning bush: 1) God reveals Himself (in fire), 2) God is great (greater than nations), 3) God speaks, 4) God is holy, 5) God is awesome (and being in awe of Him helps us to resist temptation), 6) God sees and hears us, 7) God is compassionate, 8) God rescues and delivers, 9) God sends people to do His work, and 10) God is present. Which of these resonates and is very meaningful to you? Why? 5. During Moses’ encounter, God instructs him to tell the Israelites that His name is ‘I AM WHO I AM.” (Check out Exodus 3:14-15.) Take a moment to look this name up in a commentary or other biblical reference book. Share what you learned with your group.

Moses and the Burning Bush

Acts 7: 17-38; Exodus 2:1-3:15 1. For the earliest months or years of Moses’ life, Moses was nursed by his own mother. What might she have prayed or sung or spoken over her child during those frequent and intimate encounters? 2. Moses grew up as a Hebrew in the court of the Egyptians. He was both an outsider to the Egyptians and an outsider to the Hebrews. How might this unique upbringing have molded Moses’ sense of self? 3. Read Acts 7:23-29. When Moses, in his forties, desired to encounter his own people, they did not welcome him. What do you think was going on in Moses’ heart as he fled to Midian? 4. Barbara remarked that this first time, Moses sent himself to save his people, while later God would send him to save his people. Have you ever rushed or forced a sense of calling? What was the result? 5. Moses spent forty years in Midian as a foreigner, humbly tending sheep in the desert. Though Moses might have thought he was lost or forgotten, Barbara pointed out that all along, he was acquainting himself with the very landscape and area through which he would lead his own people to freedom. Though he may have felt he was outside of God’s plan or purpose, in fact, God was using and preparing Moses for what would come next. How might this encourage you on your own faith journey? 6. Moses struggled deeply with his sense of identity (who am I?). Then, in his encounter with God in the burning bush, God names Himself as “I am.” How does God’s identity as “I am” answer our own deepest questions of identity? 7. Barbara ended by observing that nothing was wasted in Moses’ life. What areas of your own life seem wasted? How might God use them one day for his redemptive purposes?

Moses

This morning Barbara Feil provided a powerful way for us to reflect on the past year and to prepare for the new year. She exhorted us to reflect and prepare using four steps: Looking Back, Looking In, Looking Up and Looking Forward. As you discuss these steps please read each passage of Scripture out loud. Looking Back - Deuteronomy 8:1-2 1. These verses remind us that God leads us through our years. Was there a wilderness experience for you in 2019 or was it smooth sailing all the way? In either case, list a couple of events included in your 2019 and share how God has led you. Looking In – Psalm 139:23-24 2. Barb noted that we are often hesitant to ‘look in’ and, as a result, avoid ourselves. We should ask the Lord to “take the flashlight of the Holy Spirit” and show us who we are. Are there places of anxiety, shame, unresolved conflict, putting our own comfort first or taking the easy way out in our lives? This is a time for repentance and confession. If you are comfortable, share any area in which you’re in need of repentance and confession. Note that Barb said praying these two verses daily will gradually yield powerful results! Looking Up – Ephesians 3:14-21 3. These verses teach us that as we kneel before God we can be strengthened with power and Christ can dwell in our hearts through faith. Barb noted that several things can prevent us from feeling worthy of God’s love and power in our lives. She stated the following: believing we need to earn our worth; feeling the need to reach a point of spiritual maturity before we are worthy; believing our worthiness is measured by status, money, and possessions; and believing we are somehow not qualified to be considered worthy. Can you think of other roadblocks to experiencing God’s love and power? What roadblocks have you experienced? Looking Forward – Isaiah 42:9; 43:19 4. What ‘new thing’ do you hope God will do for you in 2020? Instead of New Year’s resolutions, Barb asked us to consider dedicating the coming year to the Lord. Share one way in which you will commit to do this in 2020. What ‘new thing’ will you do for the Lord?

Reflection and Preparation for the New Year

Joy - various scripture utilized for today's sermon. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause GREAT JOY for all the people.’” Luke 2:10 NIV 1. In her prayer today, Claire Efird asked God to help us enjoy ‘the wonder of the mundane.’ What kind of ‘mundane things’ cause you to wonder and bring you joy? Share why with the group. 2. Today Pastor Steve made a distinction between happiness and biblical joy. How would you define that difference? 3. Pastor Steve gave examples of what ‘sparked joy’ for several biblical figures. Please read the following verses and discuss what sparked joy. John the Baptist- Luke 1:41, the angels- Luke 2:10, the magi- Matthew 2:1-2. 4. There are many NT verses regarding joy. As a group please read these verses out loud and discuss what causes joy in each. Matthew 13:44, Luke 15:1-10, Luke 10:17-20, Matthew 28:8, Luke 24:41, Luke 24:52, Acts 13:48-52, 1 John 1:1-4. 5. Pastor Steve noted that biblical joy is a container that can hold our sorrows. What does that mean to you? 6. 1 Peter 1:8 tells us, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy….” Even though you “have not seen him”, why do you believe and how does this fill you with joy this Christmas season?

PEACE - various scripture utilized for today's sermon 1. Barbara said that peace is not merely the absence of conflict. In the book "Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin", Cornelius Plantinga, defines shalom (the Hebrew word for peace) this way: “In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight--a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.” Was there anything about this definition that surprised you? How does this definition expand your understanding of Jesus as the Prince of Peace? 2. Barbara shared how when mechanical things in her home break, it disturbs her sense of shalom. What disturbs your shalom (peace)? And what fixes it? 3. Read 2 Cor 5:17-21. What does it mean to follow Christ into death, resurrection, and peace-making? 4. Barbara shared four ways in which we can practice shalom during this Christmas season: 1. We can receive the peace that God offers to us “messed up human beings” that restores shalom between us and God. 2. We can embrace the call to follow him in becoming the complete human we were meant to be. (Dying to our selfish desires in order to follow in Christ’s footsteps.) 3. We can recognize the core idea of peace/shalom/eirene is that life is complex, full of lots of moving parts - relationships and situations - and when any of these are out of alignment or missing, our shalom breaks down. Life is no longer whole and needs to be restored. (Open our eyes to compassion for the needs in our greater world or in our own lives.) (Romans 8:22-24) 4. We can receive the call of Jesus to give away and create peace. Which of these four ways speaks to you the most? Why? 5. We need shalom (or wholeness) in our lives and in our church. What is one small way that you can bring a taste of restoration or wholeness to your life or to the church this Christmas?

PEACE

Sermons and teachings from Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland OR.

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Sunset Presbyterian Church Sermons

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