ERCC Sermons

East Renton Community Church

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ERCC Sermons

This podcast contains audio from sermons given at East Renton Community Church.

3 DAYS AGO

Extending God's Forgiveness

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) When we look at relationships in our lives, we often struggle to see our own faults clearly. We tend to minimize our mistakes while magnifying the wrongs done to us. This perspective can skew how we view both forgiveness and the need to be forgiven. What area of your life do you find it most challenging to admit when you're wrong? 3) In our culture, we often talk about justice and making things right. The concept of debt and repayment runs deep in human relationships, whether emotional, social, or financial. Many people live with the weight of past hurts because they're waiting for justice to be served. How has your understanding of justice influenced your ability to forgive others? 4) The magnitude of forgiveness we've received should impact how we treat others. When we truly grasp how much we've been forgiven, it changes our perspective on the debts others owe us. This can be especially powerful in close relationships where hurts can run deep. What has been your most meaningful experience of receiving forgiveness from someone? 5) Pride often stands as a barrier between us and forgiveness - both in giving and receiving it. Sometimes we resist asking for forgiveness because we don't want to admit the full extent of our wrongdoing. Other times, we withhold forgiveness because we want others to fully feel the weight of their actions. What makes it difficult for you to ask for forgiveness when you've wronged someone?

57 min
FEB 9

The Power of Forgiveness

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We often try to earn forgiveness through good deeds or making amends. This transactional approach to forgiveness is deeply ingrained in human nature and shapes how we view both giving and receiving forgiveness. What makes it challenging to accept forgiveness that comes without any requirements or conditions? 3) Our modern culture tends to reject the idea of inherent human brokenness. Instead, there's a strong emphasis on self-acceptance and viewing our desires and inclinations as fundamentally good and natural. How does acknowledging our fundamental brokenness actually lead to greater freedom than denying it? 4) When we see others struggling, our natural impulse is often to try to fix their problems through advice, solutions, or programs. We can feel pressure to have all the answers and make things better through our own efforts. What might change in our relationships if we focused on pointing people to God's restoration rather than trying to fix them ourselves? 5) Having received extraordinary forgiveness from God, we're called to extend that same kind of costly forgiveness to others. This often means absorbing the debt ourselves rather than demanding repayment. When has someone's unexpected forgiveness impacted you in a meaningful way?

1 hr
FEB 2

Depending on God's Provision

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) In our modern world of abundance and instant access to resources, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of daily dependence on God. Many of us rarely experience genuine uncertainty about where our next meal will come from. The comforts and securities of modern life can inadvertently distance us from the experience of trusting God for daily provision. What specific aspects of modern life make it most difficult for you to maintain a genuine sense of dependence on God? 3)We live in a culture that highly values self-sufficiency and independence. Financial advisors encourage multiple backup plans, and conventional wisdom suggests having several months of expenses saved. While wisdom and stewardship are important, there's a delicate balance between responsible planning and genuine trust in God's provision. How do you personally navigate the tension between wise planning and complete trust in God's provision? 4) The Israelites received perfect provision in the form of manna, yet they still grumbled and complained, wanting something different. Their dissatisfaction wasn't about the quality or quantity of provision, but rather about their own hearts and attitudes toward God's care. What helps you maintain an attitude of gratitude even when God's provision doesn't match your preferences? 5) Our relationship with material resources often reveals deeper spiritual truths about our hearts. The way we handle abundance, scarcity, and everything in between can show where we truly place our trust. Sometimes what feels like a crisis of resources is actually an invitation to deeper faith. What has your response to financial ups and downs revealed to you about your trust in God?

49 min
JAN 26

Surrendering to God's Will

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) We often approach prayer with our own plans and desires already firmly in mind. Sometimes these desires feel deeply right and good to us, making it particularly challenging to hold them loosely. Even Jesus, in his humanity, expressed his genuine desire to avoid suffering while still submitting to God's will. When was the last time you had to wrestle with surrendering something that felt right and good to you? 3) Many people develop a habit of turning to prayer primarily during times of crisis or urgent need. However, just as athletes train consistently to prepare for major competitions, regular prayer builds spiritual endurance for challenging times. What obstacles currently prevent you from developing a more consistent prayer life outside of crisis moments? 4) The idea of being completely vulnerable with God can feel uncomfortable or even frightening. We often sanitize our prayers, saying what we think we should say rather than expressing our true thoughts and feelings. Yet God invites us to pour out our hearts honestly before him, just as Jesus did in Gethsemane. What keeps you from being fully honest with God in prayer? 5) The distance between crisis and resolution can feel unbearably long. Even Jesus experienced a three-day gap between his surrendered prayer in Gethsemane and the resurrection victory. God's timing rarely matches our preferred timeline, yet His faithfulness remains constant. How do you maintain trust in God's timing when the wait feels overwhelming?

57 min
JAN 19

Praying for God's Kingdom

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Some of us have grown up viewing prayer primarily as presenting requests to God, much like submitting a wishlist or making appeals to a powerful authority figure. We might measure the effectiveness of our prayers by how many of our requests are granted in the way we expect. This can lead to frustration or doubt when prayers seem to go "unanswered." In what ways might viewing prayer as relationship-building rather than request-making change your approach to prayer? 3) Throughout history, humans have consistently tried to build their own kingdoms—creating spaces of safety, comfort, and control. We often invest significant time and energy into constructing these personal kingdoms, whether through career advancement, financial security, or social influence. Yet these efforts, while not necessarily bad, can compete with our allegiance to God's kingdom. What are some signs that you might be more focused on building your own kingdom than seeking God's kingdom? 4) When we encounter pain, suffering, or injustice in the world, our natural response might be to either accept it as "God's will" or to question God's goodness. However, understanding that these elements were never part of God's original design for creation—and won't be part of His kingdom—offers a different perspective. How might recognizing that suffering isn't part of God's intended kingdom change how you pray about difficult situations? 5) The idea of "dying to self" and submitting to God's kingdom can sound intimidating or even threatening to our sense of identity and autonomy. Yet the bible suggests that finding our true identity and purpose comes through this very submission. This paradox lies at the heart of kingdom living. What does dying to self mean to you?

59 min
JAN 12

The Holiness of God

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Many of us develop habits and patterns in our prayer life over time. These patterns can become so familiar that we follow them without much thought, potentially losing sight of the deeper purpose behind them. Sometimes we need to step back and examine why we pray the way we do. What tends to be your primary focus or starting point when you begin to pray? 3) The concept of holiness can feel abstract or distant from our everyday experience. How has your understanding of God's holiness influenced your relationship with Him? 4) In our achievement-oriented culture, we often measure success by results and outcomes. This mindset can seep into our spiritual life, leading us to evaluate prayer by whether we receive the answers we seek. However, the eternal picture of prayer shown in Revelation focuses on declaring God's glory rather than making requests. What would it look like to measure the "success" of prayer by how it transforms our perspective rather than by the answers we receive? 5) The 24 elders in Revelation cast their crowns before God's throne, symbolizing how they lay their achievements and honors before Him. This action demonstrates a profound understanding that everything they have achieved or received ultimately belongs to God. We face similar opportunities in our daily lives to acknowledge God's supremacy. In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "cast your crown" before God?

1 hr
JAN 5

Calling God Our Father

Discussion Questions: 1) Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? 2) Many people feel they need to use formal language or specific formulas when praying. This can create anxiety about "praying correctly" and may prevent people from praying altogether. The focus on technique can overshadow the relational aspect of prayer. How has your understanding of prayer as a child speaking to their Father changed your approach to personal prayer time? 3) Our culture often promotes self-sufficiency and independence as ultimate virtues. There can be significant internal resistance to admitting our limitations and need for help, even (or especially) to God. What makes it challenging to approach God with complete vulnerability about our weaknesses and needs? 4) The transformation from viewing God primarily as a transcendent, holy judge to understanding Him as an intimate, loving Father represents a profound paradigm shift. This new identity as God's child affects every aspect of spiritual life. In what ways does seeing yourself as God's beloved child change how you view your daily challenges and struggles? 5) The Holy Spirit's role in prayer includes taking our imperfect, sometimes selfish prayers and translating them into perfect communications with the Father. This process gradually teaches us to pray more aligned with God's will. When have you experienced your prayers changing over time as you grew in your relationship with God? 6) The concept of suffering as part of our inheritance with Christ challenges many popular ideas about faith and prayer. Rather than eliminating suffering, prayer often helps us engage with it more meaningfully. How does understanding suffering as part of your spiritual inheritance affect your perspective on difficulties in your life?

1h 1m
12/29/2024

Why We Pray

Discussion Questions Was there anything from the sermon or the passage that stuck out to you? Many people feel pressure to pray with perfect words or follow specific formulas when talking to God. This can create anxiety about praying "correctly" and may even prevent people from praying altogether. Some believers worry their prayers won't be effective unless they use the right language or technique. What holds you back from praying more openly and freely with God? Children often approach their parents with complete trust, expressing their needs and feelings directly without worrying about proper form or presentation. This natural, unfiltered communication demonstrates the kind of relationship God desires with us. Their simple faith and dependence can teach us much about prayer. How might viewing God as your perfect Father change the way you pray? In our social media age, we often feel pressure to present a polished version of ourselves to others. This can carry over into our spiritual lives, where we might focus more on how our prayers sound to others rather than on genuine communication with God. The desire for recognition can subtly influence even our most sincere spiritual practices. What difference do you notice between your private and public prayers? Trust requires vulnerability, and bringing our real needs and struggles to God can feel risky. Opening ourselves up to disappointment if God doesn't answer in the way we hope takes courage. Yet this vulnerability is essential for developing a genuine relationship with God. What makes it difficult to be completely honest with God in prayer?

40 min

This podcast contains audio from sermons given at East Renton Community Church.

Creator

East Renton Community Church
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

206
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 East Renton Community Church
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ERCC Sermons