Southside Lexington Podcast Southside Church of Christ

ACTS 19:1-71 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. (NIV 84)









FROM THE LESSONImportance of Ephesus - Paul will stay longer in Ephesus than in any other city he visits on his three missionary journeys. Ephesus becomes the center of the Jesus movement that started Jerusalem went north to Antioch and now west to Ephesus. John the Baptist - the last in a long line of prophets who longed for the day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all of God's people. The parabola of salvation (aka. the smiley face of salvation) - the full message of the good news includes the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. 





DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1 Icebreaker: like the example of my friend, Tim, do you have friends who you could contact this week who would only know you from the first half of your life? Do you have a recent example of reconnecting with an old friend in that way? Share with the group.2 The disciples in Acts 19 had missed the announcement. Read again Acts 1:4-5. John the Baptist was the last in a long line of prophets who had longed for the day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all of God's people. Have you ever thought about Pentecost as the fulfillment of centuries of longing and hoping for this time?3 The disciples in Acts 19 had missed the ascension. The fullness of the gospel is in the shape of a parabola because it includes the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and the ascension. Discuss the importance of the ascension in understanding the good news of Jesus Christ.4 The disciples in Acts 19 had missed the anointing. Simply put, they were ignorant of Pentecost. Read again Peter's explanation of what is happening at Pentecost in Acts 2:32-33. Have you ever thought about the explanation of the ascended Jesus being the one who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit? 

ACTS 18:18-2818 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquilla. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he only knew the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (NIV 84)









FROM THE LESSONFour statements about the will of God (from the book Decision Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen):1 Where God commands, we must obey.2 Where there is no command, God gives us the freedom (and responsibility) to choose.3 Where there is no command, God gives us wisdom to choose.4 When we have chosen what is moral and wise, we must trust the sovereign God to work all the details together for good. All Christians should have a theology of the dimly seen - based on 1 Corinthians 13:12, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part: then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."





DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1 Who would you say that you know better than anyone else? Who knows you better than anyone else? Why would you say that person? Now with that in mind, how well would you say that you know God?2 How have you thought about the will of God for your life? Have you thought about it like an individual, specific, detailed plan for your life or more like the way it was presented this morning? Discuss the four statements of guidance stated above. What do you think about this understanding of the will of God?3 What do you think about all Christians having a theology of the dimly seen? Paul wrote, "now we see but a poor reflection" and "now I know in part." Can you remember a time when someone helped you have a more complete understanding of the ways of God? Can you share it with the group?4 How did you experience the eclipse on Monday? Were you in the line of totality? Share your experience with the group. Remember a time when you have experienced the wonder of God's grace. Share about this time with your group. 

John 3:1-121 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him. 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again. 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. 9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "And do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" (NIV 84)





DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1 When was the last time you allowed a long time held belief to be challenged?
2 What do you think about a salvation scale, weighing good vs bad? How has this idea manifested itself in someone you know? How about in your life?Describe a moment which helped you realize a scale isn't the way God works. What led you to this moment?
3 What do these verses say to you about this topic?
Romans 3:9-18John 3:14-18John 12:32Romans 3:21
4 In the song, "Who am I?" by Casting Crowns, the chorus reads:"Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done.Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are."What do you hear in these words?
5 What do you learn from this encounter Jesus has with Nicodemus?
Bonus question: What do you think Nicodemus ended up believing about Jesus?

1 Corinthians 15:12-2212 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dad are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam we all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (NIV 84)

1 Corinthians 15:1-111 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. (NIV 84)









FROM THE LESSON:The gospel I gospeled: verse 1 literally reads "the gospel I gospeled to you." It is the same word first in noun form and then in verb form.First importance: the announcement shared by Paul in verses 3-5 is of primary importance to our faith.Three important components of Christ's death:
Christ died "for our sins"
Christ died "according to the Scriptures"
Christ died "and was buried"
Three Scriptures concerning Christ's death:Sacrificial - 1 John 3:16 - “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” Substitution - Isaiah 53:4-5 - “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; but he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him.”Saving - Hebrews 9:27-28 - “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people.”





DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Ice Breaker - what is an example of a tradition you have received from someone else? What is an example of a tradition you have passed on to someone else? Are there any traditions surrounding the Holy Week that your family has "received and passed on"?2. Which of these would best describe how you typically think about the gospel - as a plan of salvation, a set of ideas, a theological statement, or an announcement? Why? Does it help you to think about the gospel simply as an announcement?3. As we focused on the death of Christ this morning, we emphasized three components of his death. The first one was that Christ died "for our sins." Christ's death was a sacrifice (1 John 3:16), a substitution (Isaiah 53:4-5), and saving (Hebrews 9:27-28). Which of these three aspects was good for you to think about? Why?4. The other two components of his death was that Christ died "according to the Scriptures" and that Christ died "and was buried." Discuss these components of his death. Why do you think is it important to include these components as part of the announcement?

ACTS 18:1-111 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshipper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because i have many people in this city." 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.









FROM THE LESSON:What happens in Corinth, stays in Corinth: Corinth was well-known for its immorality. It was the Las Vegas of its day. From the 5th century BC on, "to corinthianize" meant to be sexually immoral.Discouraged in Corinth: Paul arrives to Corinth greatly discouraged. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:3, "When I first came to you, it was in weakness and fear and much trembling."The Four Horsemen of Discouragement: 
Fatigue - worn out by the activities
Frustration - weighed down by the challenges 
Fear - worked up by the unknowns 
Failure - wounded within from the setbacks 
Encouraged in Corinth: Paul finds encouragement in Corinth in three specific ways. 
He experiences the presence of God through His people (v 2-3, 5)
He witnesses the power of God through the transformation of the Holy Spirit (v 6-8)
He hears the promises of God through sharing of His word (v 9-10)





DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Ice Breaker - when you are feeling discouraged, how do you typically try to manage those feelings? Is there an activity you do or a friend you call? What is your "go-to" form of encouragement when you are feeling discouraged?  2. Can you think of a specific time when you recently felt discouraged? What was the cause of the discouragement? Of the "Four Horsemen of Discouragement" which one tends to be the root cause of your discouragement more than another one?3. Paul found encouragement in Corinth. The first way he found encouragement was through experiencing the presence of God through His people. How have you recently been encouraged in this way? Share an example with the group.4 Paul found encouragement in Corinth. The second way he found encouragement was through witnessing the power of God through the transformation of the Holy Spirit. How have you recently been encouraged in this way? Share an example with the group. 5. Paul found encouragement in Corinth. The third way he found encouragement was through hearing the promises of God through the sharing of His Word. How have you recently been encouraged in this way? Share an example with the group.