Alice Drive Baptist Church Podcast

Alice Drive

Alice Drive Baptist Church Podcast

  1. 12/23/2024

    December 22 Faith for Christmas: Pay Attention

    ·      Matthew 2:1-12 - 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. ·      When God interrupts your world, are you willing to go see what He is doing?  ·      Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ·       They were willing to accept the King as he was, not as they wished him to be.  ·       Will you accept Jesus as he is? ·       They worship.  ·       Don’t just celebrate the birth of Jesus; worship the King of Kings! ·       They give.  ·       This Christmas, what will you give to Jesus?  ·       If you ever think of yourself as an outsider, Jesus is for you.  ·       They are playing it safe. ·       “…have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof…”  ·       Are you all in with Jesus? ·       Is Jesus a threat to you?    ·       How do you react to Jesus? ·       Heavenly Father, today I ask you to forgive my sins.  Please come into my life and forgive me.  I now commit to following Jesus forever.  Amen.  LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: In your opinion, why would people look to a politician to solve their problems?  Is that a wise course of action?  1.      Read Matthew 2:1-12 2.     Imagine the conversation among the wise men.  What was the discussion before they set out on their journey? 3.      Describe the wise men’s emotions at Herod’s palace and at Joseph and Mary’s home.  What did they have to overcome to worship Jesus? 4.      What moments in your life do you need to bow down and worship? 5.      Notice the chief priests and teachers of the law know the scripture, but they do not make the journey to Bethlehem themselves. What do you think that might be? 6.      Herod sees Jesus as a threat.  Do you know anyone who is threatened by Jesus and who he is?  Why are they threatened? 7.      When Jesus grew up and heard these stories, what do you think was his reaction?

  2. 12/17/2024

    December 15 Faith for Christmas: Good News

    Budget Goal: $4,012,812 Given so far: $3,219,475 Expected next three weeks: $300,000. Shortfall: $493,337 You gotta see this!  PIX: Dog praying.  8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  Jesus is for ordinary folks.  Do you pay attention to God’s interruptions?  10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  You can choose to let fear control you or you can control your fear. Don’t lose sight of the good news of Christmas. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Jesus is Savior. Jesus is Messiah.  Jesus is Lord.  We are the good news people!  13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Are you willing to see what God is doing?  "I am your life. You thought that your life was your history, your name, your personality. You thought that your life was the fact that your heart beats. But that is not your life. I am your life. I am the foundation of everything else in your life 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  When God interrupts you, is it important enough to tell?   19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  Do you know Jesus is for you?  Do you need to remember Christmas is about Good News?  Do you need to see what God is doing?  Let us go and see this thing that has happened…  LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: If you were at work, what interruption would be good news?  1.      Read Luke 2:8-10 2.      Imagine yourself as a shepherd.  What questions would be running through your mind as the angel spoke?  3.      Read Luke 2:11-12 4.      What does it mean to you that Jesus is given three titles: Savior, Messiah, and Lord? 5.      Read Luke 2:13-14 6.      Why do you think God allowed a host of angels to chant to the shepherds?  7.      What does the phrase “Peace on earth to all those God graces” mean to you? 8.      Read Luke 2:15-20 9.      What would it mean for you to go and see what God is doing?  When should you do this? 10.  In your opinion, what experiences of God need to pondered over long periods of time?  What stops us from doing this?

  3. 12/09/2024

    December 8 Faith for Christmas: Say Yes

    -     Our obedience speaks louder than your words. -     Humbly say yes to God’s will. -     Luke 1:26-29 - 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. -     “favored one” - to make graceful; to pursue with grace; to honor with blessings -     This is humble curiosity of unexpected grace. -     Luke 1:30-33 - 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” -     Charis “Grace" - pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness -     Luke 1:34 - 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” -     Luke 1:35-38 - 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. -     “No word/saying from God will ever fail” -     Faith -     Does your fear ever get in the way of you saying yes to His will? -     Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -     Obedience follows when we humbly say yes to God. -     Say Less, Say Yes -     God help me to understand -     When God invites you to take a next step will you say yes? -     “No word/saying from God will ever fail” -     Luke 1:46-55 46“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.     For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,     and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him     from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm;     he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones     and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things,     and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,     in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers,     to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”   LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: Do you find it easy to give God your yes?  1.    Read Luke 1:26-38 2.    When is a time that you were surprised by God’s grace? 3.    How should Mary’s faith Encourage us? 4.    Read Luke 1:5-25 5.    What are some differences you see between Zechariah and Elizabeth? 6.    When is a moment God called you to something big and you had to simply trust no matter the outcome? 7.    “No word/saying from God will ever fail” How should this shape the way we live?

  4. 12/02/2024

    December 1 Faith for Christmas: Obey

    ·      When you feel betrayed, what next?  ·      Matthew 1:18-19 - 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. ·      More curiosity, less judgment.  ·      Deuteronomy 22:23-2423 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24 you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death—the young woman because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you. ·      Matthew 1:20-21 - 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ·      How many times does your fear stop you from following Jesus? ·      Peace comes from following Jesus, not understanding.  ·      Matthew 1:22-23 - 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). ·      Will you obey without knowing the outcome?  ·      Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ·      Do you have confidence that God knows your biggest need more than you do? ·      Will you say yes to God?  ·      Matthew 1:23-25: 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. ·      When God gives you a clear message, more messaging is not needed.  Obedience is. ·      Mark 6:3 – Isn’t this Mary’s son…  ·      Is your faith larger than your hurt?  ·      Your obedience speaks louder than your words. ·      What words is your obedience speaking?    LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: Do you find it easy to obey or hard to obey?  Why?  1.      Read Matthew 1:18-19 2.      What emotions do you think Joseph experienced?  3.      Read Matthew 1:20-21 4.      If you were Joseph, how would you know you could trust this dream from God? 5.      Read Matthew 1:22-23 6.     Matthew pulls Isaiah 7:14 into the story of Jesus’ verse.  He is writing this after Jesus’ death and resurrection.  What do you think Matthew is trying to point out? 7.      Read Matthew 1:24-25 8.     Joseph obeyed.  As the years went buy, what price do you think he paid for his obedience?

  5. 11/26/2024

    November 24 Sovereign: King

    ●     Because God is Sovereign, he is able to do what he wants, when he wants. ●     Someone or something will be the king of your life. ●     Who should be your king?    ●     Psalm 47 1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.  ●     2 For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. ●     3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. ●     4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.[b] ●     Have you ever asked God to choose your inheritance for you?   ●     What does it mean to receive inheritance from the king? It means you are His child!   ●     The King is not stingy but he is generous. The King is not passive but he is active.  The King is not careless but he is protective.    ●     5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy the Lord amid the sounds of trumpets   ●      The house of our King won’t go down!    ●      6-7, sing praises to God, sing praises;   ●     sing praise to our king, sing praises.   ●     For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of Praise.   ●     We are made to praise.   ●      8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. ●     9 The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings[c] of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. ●     All other kings are measured by their faithfulness to the true King ●     The world’s kings are either temporary or soul crushing.   ●     Jesus is not a king who rules from a distance, but one who comes close, knows us by name, and leads us to eternal life. ●     Who is your true king?   ●     There is a sovereign king, true royalty. He wants you. LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: What’s the most complicated relationship you’ve ever experienced?”  Read Psalm 47:1-4 1)    Why was it so difficult for God’s Children to trust their kings? 2)    What is the most awesome thing you’ve seen God do? 3)    How does the writer's reference to Jacob (vs. 4) offer you confidence in the Lord and His plan?   Read Psalm 47:5-9 4)    What is your “go to” way of praising God? 5)    What steals your affection for King Jesus? 6)    How does seeing Jesus as sovereign King bring rest to your anxious heart? 7)    What is your main takeaway from the Sovereign series (Creator, Shepherd, Savior, King)?

  6. 11/18/2024

    November 17 Sovereign: Savior

    ·      Who has the power to save you?  ·      PIX: 3 Circles. ·      We repeat the pattern of brokenness.  ·      Philippians 2:12b - … continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. ·      1I waited, waited for the LORD;  And he stretched out to me; He heard my cry. ·       There are no silly prayers. 2He lifted me from the roaring cistern, from the mud and the mire;   He set my feet on the cliff. He set my steps. ·          3He gives my mouth a new song, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and they will fear, and they will trust in the LORD. ·        You are not just saved from something; you are saved for something.  4Happy is the man who sets the LORD as his confidence, And does not turn to the arrogant or swerve to lies. ·       Salvation means putting your confidence in the LORD.  5You, LORD my God, make many extraordinaries; Your thoughts toward us – no one can compare to you! I will declare and I will speak: they are too numerous to tell. ·       Heavenly Father, please forgive all my sins.  Enter into my life.  Take charge and I will follow Jesus.  ·       Heavenly Father, I need you to save me from _____________.                 ·      The course of my life has now brought me through a stormy sea, in a frail ship, to the common port where, landing, we account for every deed, wretched or holy. So that now I clearly see how wrong the fond illusion was that made art my idol and my king leading me to want what harmed me. My amorous fancies, once foolish and happy: what sense have they, now that I approach two deaths- the first of which I know is sure, the second threatening. Let neither painting nor carving any longer calm my soul turned to that divine love that to embrace us opened his arms upon the cross.   LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: What does the word “Salvation” mean to you?”  1.      Read Psalm 40:1 2.      When have you experienced God stretching his arm to you? 3.      Read Psalm 40:2 4.      In your opinion, what is the best way for you to see where Jesus is leading you? 5.      Read Psalm 40:3 6.      How is the new song God gave you sing different than the old song you sang? 7.      Read Psalm 40:4 8.     In your opinion, why might it be difficult for someone to have confidence in the Lord?  What could you share that might encourage them? 9.    Read Psalm 40:5 10.  In your life, besides God, who thinks about you most?  In what way does God’s thoughts about you differ from this person?

  7. 11/11/2024

    November 10 Sovereign: Shepherd

    ·      John Ortberg – Everybody has a story. Nobody gets the story they want.  ·      Because God is Sovereign, he is able to do what he wants, when he wants.  ·      PIX: 3 Circles.  ·      Revelation 21:1 – Behold I saw a new heaven and a new earth… ·      1My shepherd is the Lord, I will not lack. 2In green pastures he makes me lie down; By quiet waters he leads me. 3My soul, he brings back. He leads me in the right track for his name’s sake. ·      David chose his shepherd.  ·      John 10:14 - 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”  Only if you are known by Jesus can you be restored to God’s design for your life. ·      Who is your shepherd? ·      You see God’s care best after the crisis.  ·       Heavenly Father, show me when you showed up.  ·       Could it be the reason it is hard for you to trust God is because you don’t take time to remember when He showed up? ·      4Yes, if I walk in the valley of death, I will not fear evil; For you are with me; your club and your stick they console me.  ·      I will fear no evil (chaos), for you are with me. ·      5You set a table before me in front of the ones hostile to me; You anoint my head with oil; my cup is well-filled. ·      6Truly good and fierce love will chase me all my days of living; And I will return to the house of the LORD for the length of my days. ·      Heavenly Father, catch me with your goodness, with your fierce love. ·      John 14:1-3 - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.    LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: When have you heard Psalm 23 that it was especially meaningful to you?  1.      Read Psalm 23:1-3 2.      Look at the what the LORD as the shepherd does: He provides for the needs of the sheep; he provides rest; he keeps the sheep on the right path.  Which of these do you need most now?  Why? 3.      Read Psalm 23:4 4.      What dark valley have you experienced?  Looking back, do you see where God was at work? 5.      Read Psalm 23:5 6.      Imagine this banquet is for you.  Who would the hostile people be witnessing you being honored by your Heavenly Father?  What do you think their reaction would be? 7.      Read Psalm 23:6 8.      When did God’s goodness and fierce love chase you? Did you know it at the time? 9.      Can you imagine your home with God right now, not just in heaven.  What does that mean to you?

  8. 11/04/2024

    November 3 Sovereign: Creator

    ·      What does it really mean for Jesus to be our leader? ·      God is sovereign because he is the creator and Lord of all things, free to do as he wishes. ·      God cannot be controlled.  ·      God is Big!  ·      1Bless the LORD, my soul, the LORD my God. You are exceedingly great; you are clothed in majesty and honor. 2You are clothed like a garment of light, Stretched out like the heavens as a curtain. 3He lays beams in the waters for his roof chamber; He makes clouds his chariot; He walks on the wings of the wind; 4He makes his messengers the wind; His ministers blazing fire. ·      If you are a follower of Jesus, you have the power to bless God!  To want and work for his good! ·      2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 - 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels ·     Don’t treat God lightly.  ·     God sets the foundation. ·      5He established the earth upon its foundations. It will not be shaken from this age, until time is past. ·      How much anxiety and stress do I bring into my life trying to control things I can’t control?  ·     God wisely owns the world.  ·     24How many are your makings! All you made in wisdom; The earth is full of your things. ·     I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  ·      God keeps creation going.  ·      29You hide your face, they are dismayed. You remove your breath, they expire and to their dust they return. 30You send your Spirit, they are created. You make new the face of the ground. ·       What do you do if this is true? ·       34Let my thoughts of you be pleasing. I rejoice in the LORD. 35Bring sinners to an end from the earth; And the wicked – not any more of them. Bless the LORD, my soul, Praise the LORD. ·       God, help me really understand you.  ·       PIX: 3 circles.  ·       Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.    LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: What is the most beautiful natural place you have seen?  Why?  1.      Read Psalm 104:1-4 2.     There are so many images of God in these verses.  Which one is your favorite? 3.     What does it mean to you to bless God with your soul? 4.      Read Psalm 104:5 5.      What does it mean to you that God established the foundations of the earth? 6.     Read Psalm 104:24 7.      What would your day look like if you truly trusted God’s wisdom about how he made the world? 8.      Read Psalm 104:29-30 9.      In what ways do see God sustaining his creation? 10.  Read Psalm 104:34-35 11.  Is there a way of thinking about God you need to correct? 12.  What would the world look like without sin?

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