LifeGroup Leader Podcast

Compass Bible Church Hill Country
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Pre-Sermon Podcast for LifeGroup Leaders of Compass Bible Church Hill Country.

  1. 13h ago

    The Seven Woes of Summer: Combating Deception | Matthew 23:16–22

    Main Text: Matthew 23:16–22 (ESV) 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Preaching Point: Knowing that every word is spoken before God should remind us to reject all forms of deception and to speak with honesty, clarity, and integrity. Teaching Points: Know God Hears Every Word (vv. 21–22)Refuse to Employ Deception (vv. 16–20)Aim for Simple Honesty (vv. 20–22) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Psalm 19:14 and Matthew 12:36–37. What do these passages teach you about the weight and accountability of your words before God?Where in your life do you speak carelessly, acting as though God is not listening? What would have changed in your conversations over the past seven days if you remembered that God heard every word you said?Read Proverbs 12:22, Acts 5:1–11, and 2 Corinthians 4:1–2. What do these passages teach about God’s view of deception and his desire for truthfulness?Where are you most tempted to employ deception, even subtle kinds, at work, at home, at church, or online? What is one specific habit of deceptive speech you need to put away this week, and what truthful alternative should replace it?Read Matthew 5:33–37 and James 5:12. Why does Scripture call Christian’s to a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ rather than a system of oaths, qualifiers, and assurances?In what kinds of conversations are you most tempted to avoid plain, straightforward honesty?What is one practical way you can grow in simple, straightforward honesty this week, and who can help hold you accountable? Title: The Seven Woes of Summer: Combating Deception Main Text: Matthew 23:16–22 (ESV) 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Preaching Point: Knowing that every word is spoken before God should remind us to reject all forms of deception and to speak with honesty, clarity, and integrity. Teaching Points: Know God Hears Every Word (vv. 21–22)Refuse to Employ Deception (vv. 16–20)Aim for Simple Honesty (vv. 20–22) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Psalm 19:14 and Matthew 12:36–37. What do these passages teach you about the weight and accountability of your words before God?Where in your life do you speak carelessly, acting as though God is not listening? What would have changed in your conversations over the past seven days if you remembered that God heard every word you said?Read Proverbs 12:22, Acts 5:1–11, and 2 Corinthians 4:1–2. What do these passages teach about God’s view of deception and his desire for truthfulness?Where are you most tempted to employ deception, even subtle kinds, at work, at home, at church, or online? What is one specific habit of deceptive speech you need to put away this week, and what truthful alternative should replace it?Read Matthew 5:33–37 and James 5:12. Why does Scripture call Christian’s to a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ rather than a system of oaths, qualifiers, and assurances?In what kinds of conversations are you most tempted to avoid plain, straightforward honesty?What is one practical way you can grow in simple, straightforward honesty this week, and who can help hold you accountable?

  2. Jul 14

    The Seven Woes of Summer: The Danger of False Teachers | Matthew 23:13–15

    Main Text: Matthew 23:13–15 (ESV) 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Preaching Point: Because false teachers zealously lead people away from Christ and toward judgment, we must reject their teaching and faithfully embrace the biblical gospel. Teaching Points: Guard Yourself from False Teachers (v. 13)Don’t Mistake Sincerity for Truth (v. 15a)Protect Others from False Teachers (v. 15b) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read John 14:6 and Galatians 1:6–9. What do these passages teach about why a message that distorts the gospel of Jesus is not simply another path to God but a false one that keeps people out of Heaven?Which false gospels are most common in our community, and why do you think people find them attractive? What Scriptures help you address the false gospels you mentioned above?Read Romans 10:1–3 and Acts 26:9–11. What are some of the dangers of zeal, sincerity, and religious devotion that are not guided by a biblical gospel?How can you keep yourself and help others from being misled about beliefs that might be held with sincerity or zeal, but are contrary to the gospel? Read Matthew 7:21–23 and 2 Peter 2:1–3. What do these passages teach about the danger of following, or becoming a teacher whose message is not rooted in the biblical gospel?Not every gospel distortion is immediately obvious. What are some subtle ways a person can drift away from the biblical gospel without immediately realizing it?Read Jude 3–4 and Jude 23. What responsibility do you have to protect others from false teaching? How can you improve your ability to help protect people from the pervasive problem of false teaching in our culture?

  3. Jun 30

    The King and Counterfeit Kingdoms: Rightly Identifying Our King | Matthew 22:41–46

    Main Text: Matthew 22:41–46 (ESV) 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? 45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Preaching Point: If we want to rightly worship Jesus, we must embrace him as both David’s Son and David’s Lord. Teaching Points: Reject Inadequate Views of Jesus (vv. 41-43a)Use Scripture to Define Jesus’ Identity (vv. 43b-45)Allow Scripture to Have the Final Word (v. 46) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read some of these passages: Romans 1:3–4, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 1:1–3, Isaiah 9:6-7, Psalm 2, Luke 1:30-33, Psalm 110, Daniel 7:13–14, Philippians 2:5–11, John 1:1–5, and John 1:14. What do these passages together teach about the full identity of Jesus?Why is it spiritually dangerous to reduce Jesus to merely a great moral teacher, a spiritual guide, a human hero, or even only your personal Savior? What aspects of his identity would you be ignoring?Which aspect of Jesus' identity do you most naturally overlook — his humanity, his deity, his kingship, his authority, his coming judgment, his compassion, his lordship, or some other aspect? How should a fuller understanding of who Jesus is change the way you worship, obey, and follow him this week?Read John 5:39–40 and Hebrews 1:1–3. Why does Jesus insist that the Scriptures are the proper place to discover who he truly is? What are some specific ways you’ve seen people defining Jesus outside of Scripture using — their experience, culture, personal preference, or tradition. Why are those definitions insufficient? What are some ways scripture has clarified your view of Jesus? And how are you cultivating the habit of letting Scripture shape your view of Jesus rather than the other way around?Read James 1:22–25 and Hebrews 4:12–13. What are the dangers of being confronted by Scripture and yet refusing to let it have the final word? What can this kind of silent resistance to God’s Word look like in everyday life, and where in your life are you most tempted to hear clear biblical teaching yet walk away unchanged?How will you commit to allowing Scripture to have the final word this week rather than simply acknowledging it or ignoring it?

  4. Jun 23

    The King and Counterfeit Kingdoms: The Great Commandment | Matthew 22:34-40

    Main Text: Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV) 34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." Preaching Point: Jesus teaches us to measure genuine faith by how comprehensively we love God and how sincerely we love others. Teaching Points: Ask: What Does God Expect from Me? (vv. 34-36)Love God with All You've Got (vv. 37-38)Love the Person Next to You (vv. 39-40) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Deuteronomy 10:12–13 and 1 John 3:23. Although there are specific ways God asks us to love, how do these summaries help clarify your role as a Christian and simplify your understanding of God’s general expectations for you? How might your daily decisions and commitments change if you viewed every decision through the lens of “how will this love God and love others?”Read Deuteronomy 6:4–5. What does it practically look like to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength?Which area of your life most clearly reveals a lack of wholehearted love for God right now?Read Deuteronomy 30:6. What hope does this passage give Christians concerning their ability to grow in love for God?How does God's promise to transform your heart encourage you to keep pursuing Him?Read John 15:12–13 and Mark 12:31. How would you honestly evaluate your love for all of the people God has placed around you?Make a list of ways Christ has loved you and ways you naturally care for yourself. How can you intentionally show those same kinds of love to others this week?Read 1 John 4:7–12 and 1 John 4:19–21. What do these passages teach about the connection between loving God and loving others?What areas of loving others have you neglected, avoided, or need to improve? What specific step can you take this week to improve in your love for those around you?

  5. Jun 2

    The King and Counterfeit Kingdoms: Getting it Right About God and Government | Matthew 22:15–22

    Main text: Matthew 22:15–22 (ESV) 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. Preaching Point: Jesus’ words should corner our rebellious hearts and cause us to regularly submit to our God-given earthly authorities, while reserving our ultimate allegiance and submission for the King of Kings. Teaching Points: Address Your Rebellious Heart (vv. 15-18)Honor Your God-Given Earthly Authorities (vv. 19-21a)Supremely Honor Your Heavenly King (21b-22) Application Questions: Write down one insight or application that you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you? Read Matthew 22:15–22. How would you honestly describe your attitude toward authority in your home, workplace, church, government etc.?Read Romans 8:7. Where do you see rebellion most clearly? Is it outward defiance, quiet grumbling, outward compliance with inward resistance, or something else?What does that pattern reveal about your heart?Read Mark 7:9–13. In what ways are you tempted to look for apparent loopholes, exceptions, or different interpretations of scripture in order to dismiss the authorities God has placed over you? How can you fight this temptation?Read Romans 13:1–7 and 1 Peter 2:13–25. What objections to submitting to earthly authority do these passages directly address? How can these passages reshape your attitude toward imperfect leaders and institutions as you strive to live for Christ?Read 1 Chronicles 29:11 and Colossians 1:15–17. What are the implications of these passages in your life?Write down five practical applications that these passages bring to mind when it comes to supremely honoring God’s authority in your life.

  6. May 19

    The King and Counterfeit Kingdoms: Preparing for God’s Great Banquet | Matthew 22:1–14

    Main Text: Matthew 22:1–14 (ESV) 1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” Preaching Point: We must respond appropriately to God’s gracious invitation to his Son’s banquet, or risk being excluded from his eschatological celebration. Teaching Points: Don’t Neglect God’s Invitation (vv. 1-7)Prepare to Stand Before God (vv. 8-13)Call Everyone, Warn Everyone (v. 14) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application that you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Isaiah 65:12–15 and Hebrews 2:1–4. How do these passages show you that "neglect" is not a neutral middle ground but its own form of rejection? What "farms" and "businesses" (Matthew 22:5), work, hobbies, kids' activities, side projects, domestic activities, etc., are most likely to steal your attention from God's eschatological banquet? What is one specific, concrete step you can take this week to put them in their proper place?Read Revelation 19:6–8, Isaiah 61:10–11, and Matthew 22:8–13. What do these passages teach you about the significance of coming to God’s eschatological banquet with the appropriate attire? What does the speechless man in Matthew 22:11–12 expose about the danger of someone coming to God’s eschatological banquet on their own terms?Read Philippians 3:8–11 and Galatians 3:26–27. How does being clothed in Christ, rather than in your own moral performance, religious activity, or theological knowledge qualify you for the wedding banquet?Read Ezekiel 33:1–9 and Acts 20:25–27. Salvation is God's sovereign choice, but God's sovereignty does not remove human responsibility. That means not only is each person responsible to respond to God’s invitation, but each believer is also responsible to call everyone and warn everyone concerning salvation and judgment. How does Ezekiel's warning to the watchman and Paul's confident "I am innocent of the blood of all" (Acts 20:26) sharpen your sense of personal accountability for those who do not yet know Christ?

  7. May 12

    The King and Counterfeit Kingdoms: Coups, Corruption and the Vindication of the Son | Matthew 21:33–46

    Main Text: Matthew 21:33–46 (ESV) 33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. Preaching Point: Knowing that God will call our lives into account should move us from a self-focused life to one united with Christ and governed by his authority. Teaching Points: Expect God to Collect (vv. 33-34)Respect God’s Ownership (vv. 35-41)Submit to the Son’s Authority (vv. 42-46) Application Questions: Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.Read 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:12, and Luke 12:42–48. What do these passages teach you about your accountability before God for what he has entrusted to you? If Christ scheduled your BEMA judgment for next week, what specific areas of your life would you be most concerned about giving an account for? How can you prepare now to account for those areas in a way that will honor the Lord?Read Romans 1:18–25, Psalm 24:1, and 1 Corinthians 6:19–20. Why is the temptation to live as though your life is your own such a serious offense against God?Where in your life have you been treating something as "mine" when it actually belongs to God? (Marriage, money, kids, time, body, gifts, work, influence, etc.) How do you plan on surrendering these to God?Read Acts 4:11–12 and 1 Peter 2:4–10. Do you live as if Jesus is the cornerstone of your life? Explain.Where are you most tempted to step around Christ's authority rather than build your life on him? What is one specific area of your life you need to bring under Christ's authority today?

  8. May 5

    The King and Counterfeit Kingdoms: Counterfeit Confessions | Matthew 21:28–32

    Main Text: Matthew 21:28–32 (ESV) 28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him. Preaching Point: Knowing how much God despises counterfeit confessions should strengthen our resolve to come to him with genuine faith marked by repentance and obedience. Teaching Points: Understand What God Expects from You (vv. 28-31a)Respond to God with Repentance and Faith (vv.31b-32) Application Questions: Read Matthew 21:28–32. Why exactly did Jesus condemn the religious leaders?What should you take away from this parable? Read Luke 6:46–49. What does Jesus’ parable in Luke 6 teach you about the nature of genuine faith? Why must obedience be determinative in examining whether or not you truly follow Jesus? James 1:22–25. How do James’ words help you grasp what God thinks about the person who hears his words and does not act on them?Where in your life are you most tempted to say the right things to God but fail to follow through? Be specific.Read Luke 24:46–47 and Mark 1:14–15. Repentance and faith are the foundational elements to responding to Jesus. What dangers arise when faith is defined purely as “a mental ascent to the facts” and the importance of repentance is diminished or outright rejected?How would you explain the concept of repentance and faith as they pertain to the gospel to a non-Christian? How would you tell a Christian how they can apply repentance and faith in their life each day?

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About

Pre-Sermon Podcast for LifeGroup Leaders of Compass Bible Church Hill Country.

Information

  • Creator
    Compass Bible Church Hill Country
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Compass Bible Church Hill Country
  • Show Website
    LifeGroup Leader Podcast

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