Sunset Presbyterian Church Sermons

Pastor Steve Ruetschle How to Handle Tests Genesis 22 Pastor Steve explored the story of Abraham and Isaac and how it can serve as a guide to handling the trials and temptations we all face from time to time. Steve gave us five lessons to learn when encountering these trials and what to do when they come. 1) Steve noted that God’s purpose is to test our faith and train us in our walk with Him, while Satan’s purpose is to cause us to fail. Please read James 1: 2-4 and James 1:13-15. Contrast these two passages and discuss what stands out to you. 2) An important factor in facing trials is to faithfully obey God’s word. Read aloud Hebrews 11:8. Tell about a time when you faced a trial and obeyed God’s word. What scriptures were important to you during this trial? 3) During times of trial we must trust that God will provide. In Genesis 22:7-8 and 13-14 we are given an example of faith in God’s provision. Do you ever get “spiritual amnesia” when undergoing trying circumstances? What are your thoughts o

1. Have you ever been on a mission trip or served in the mission field, either in your city, in your nation, or abroad? Describe one transforming experience you’ve had while serving. 2. Read Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23, the parable of the sower. In the context of missions, in Alaska or elsewhere, why might the seeds of the gospel fail to flourish? 3. Steve Ristow talked about the large vegetables and crops that are grown in Alaska, despite the harsh conditions. The secret, he revealed, was the use of greenhouses to protect the plants from the harsh elements. How are missionaries like spiritual greenhouses for the seeds of the gospel? What might we do to partner with them in preparing the soil and protecting the seeds? 4. Read 2 Timothy 2:10. Steve Ristow talked about the cost of delivering the gospel. Missionaries in Alaska give up their family, their friendships and fellowship opportunities in order to serve under harsh conditions in the villages. What might motivate them to make such big sacrifi

Special Speaker: Ted Kober of Ambassadors of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 1. This morning Ted Kober stated, “Here’s the first most amazing thing . . . God knows everything about you. And nonetheless, He loves you.” How do you react to that statement? Share the ways in which you experience God’s love…how does He communicate His love to you? 2. When you have a disagreement with someone how do you respond? Is your worst nature sometimes revealed as Ted noted? What scripture do you go to for guidance in dealing with disagreements? 3. As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Using the example of the U.S. ambassador to India, Ted asked the following: Who does an ambassador represent? Where does an ambassador primarily live? Does it make a difference in how an ambassador acts when not at the embassy? What is he responsible to communicate? Answer and discuss these questions as they apply to your role as a follower of Christ. Where are your areas of strength and of weaknes

God's Covenant with Abraham – Genesis 15 – Pastor Steve Ruetschle 1. Today Pastor Steve began his sermon asking, “What does God do with fears and doubts?” What verse or verses do you cling to in times of fear or doubt? 2. Please read verse Genesis 15:1 out loud together. Can you think of a time when you believe God shielded you from harm or danger? Please share it with the group. 3. In Genesis 15: 4-5 God gives Abram a tangible reminder of His promises. What was it? What tangible things cause you to stop and remember the Lord and His promises to you? 4. Pastor Steve noted that Genesis 15:6 is the most important verse in the Old Testament. Why is that? Please look up and read Romans chapters 3 and 4, Romans 5:1-2 and Galatians 3:7-9. What stands out to you when reading these passages? 5. See Genesis 15 verses 2 and 8. Abram questions God; “What can you give me…?” (verse 2) and “…how can I know…” (verse 8). Abram doesn’t shy away from asking God pretty direct questions! Do you do that? Share y

Speaker: Dr. Gerry Breshears, Western Seminary ABRAHAM'S CALL – GENESIS 12 1. Please read Genesis 3: 4-6. Dr. Breshears noted that, in eating the fruit, Adam and Eve wanted to be like God. What did this look like? How, in our society today, do we want to be like God? 2. After Adam and Eve’s sin, Genesis 4 tells us that Cain became angry and further sins followed. Please review chapters 4,5 and 6 and list some of these behaviors. 3. In Genesis 11, the people built a tower “that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves….” What sinful behavior is evidenced here? What was the Lord’s response to this? What parallels do you see in our time? 4. Please read Genesis 12:1-9. The Lord says to Abram, “Go from your country, your and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Abram demonstrated trust and obedience in his response to God. In your life experience does trust come before obedience or obedience before trust? Please share a time that you trusted God when you had no i

GOD REMEMBERED NOAH – GENESIS 6-9 – PASTOR STEVE RUETSCHLE 1. In Genesis 6:5 God looks and sees “how great the wickedness of the human race had become.” What are the parallels between the state of humanity in Noah’s time and our own? 2. In Genesis 6:6 we learn that God regretted that He had made human beings. Does God actually have regrets? Please discuss. 3. Genesis 6:9 tells us that Noah walked faithfully with God, and Steve noted that one characteristic of these chapters is poetic parallelism…repetition to emphasize a point. Find the passages that indicate that Noah repeatedly did as God commanded and discuss the following: What is the connection between walking faithfully with God and obedience to Him? Why would Noah obey God’s unusual request? 3. Has God ever requested you to do something that you thought was risky, frightening or didn’t make sense? What was it and what did you do? 4. Steve noted that the story of Noah and the Ark is a foreshadowing of God’s saving work through Jesus. As

THE STORY OF THE FALL – GENESIS 2-3 PASTOR STEVE RUETSCHLE Please read from Genesis 2:20 – 3:24. Pastor Steve asked us three questions. What were we created for? What went wrong? What are the consequences? 1. What were we created for? What are the four relationships that God intended for us? What do you think those relationships were like before the Fall? 2. What went wrong? Describe in your own words what went wrong in the Garden of Eden. What was it about Adam and Eve that caused them to do what they did? 3. Pastor Steve noted that all of us are very susceptible to temptation. The ‘serpent’ is very crafty in how he tempts us. It may be twisting God’s words and appealing to our pride, such as, “Is that what God really said? Why shouldn’t you do what YOU want to do?” Or, “You don’t have the intelligence, the talent or the skill to do the thing God is demanding of you. It’s so hard for you, why even try?” What kinds of temptation are you most susceptible to? 4. What are the consequences? Pastor

Dr. Barbara Feil – Made for Relationships –Genesis 2 1. Genesis 2:7 states, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Why do you think God created Adam? 2. Barb described three kinds of loneliness; cultural (unique to our time), situational (identifiable life circumstances) and existential (inner) loneliness. Discuss these three types as a group. Does one of them particularly resonate with you? Please share. 3. Existential (inner) loneliness is the most complicated type of loneliness and is often rooted in shame. With this type of loneliness we often isolate ourselves as we think we are alone in our need. Satan capitalizes on this with his lies. What kind of lies has Satan wanted you to believe in times of loneliness? What did you do in this situation? Did someone else help you? 4. Part of the solution to loneliness lies in our willingness to be vulnerable and choose to need other people even t

MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD – GENESIS 1 – Pastor Steve Ruetschle 1. Consider God’s creation, what do you marvel at? 2. This morning Pastor Steve began his sermon talking about receiving his father’s blessing and how important that was to him. Have you received a blessing from someone important to you? Share that experience with the group and what it meant to you. 3. The poetic pattern of Genesis 1 is “Let there be” or “Let the” (God then creates and says) “It is (was) good.” In the 8th repetition of this pattern it changes to “Let US make mankind our image…” Why do you think the pattern changes? 4. Steve noted that there are trifold blessings contained in Genesis 1. a) We human beings are the summit of creation, intentionally made in His image. b) God’s creation is VERY good and we are given authority over it. c) God has blessed us, meaning God favors us and we can be confident in His love for us. What are the implications of these blessings? Please think about and name three ways in which we

Pastor Steve Ruetschle 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV) “But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we can become more and more like him.” (TLB) “So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord.” (Contemporary English Version) 1. In 2 Corinthians 3 the word ‘glory’ is mentioned 12 times. What does ‘glory’ mean in this context? What are some of the attributes that display the glory of the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? 2. Pastor Steve noted that transformation is a major theme of 2 Corinthians 3:18 and stated that to transform we must turn to the Lord and reflect Him like a mirror. What spiritual disciplines do you use to help

Rick Terletzky, Philippians 1:21 1. In telling us stories about his children, Josiah and Noel, Rick illustrated the concepts of sin and grace. What struck you about these stories? Think about and share your thoughts on the value of God’s grace and the consequences of sin. 2. In view of God’s grace and mercy, what does it mean to you to take up your cross and follow Jesus? 3. This morning Rick pointed us to 2 Corinthian 12:9, which teaches that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. What weakness(es) do you live with? How do you handle them? Have you had an experience in which God demonstrated His power in your weakness? 4. Rick’s theme verse today was Philippians 1:21 which reads, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” How would you paraphrase “to live is Christ” to make it applicable to your life circumstances? 5. “To die is gain” could be considered a very counter-intuitive statement. As Rick noted, we fear death. Are there strongholds of fear in your life that keep you from ap

Speaker: Lindsey Smith - Isaiah 6:1-8 1. Lindsey noted that one of the main themes of Isaiah was to call the generation of that time back to God. What would you identify that is needed in our times to call us back to God? 2. In this passage, God is highly glorified and exalted as exemplified by the throne, the robe, and the seraphim. What kinds of things or experiences cause you to exalt and glorify God? 3. Lindsey stated that the content of verses 5-7 is a foreshadowing of Christ’s atonement on our behalf. What are your thoughts and comments on that? 4. In referring to Hebrews 4:16, Lindsey notes that because we have a high priest who can empathize with our weaknesses, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence…” What is the result of doing just that? In times of need are you able to approach the throne with confidence? Please share. 5. What is God calling you to do right now? Are you willing to say, ”Here am I. Send me!”

Pastor Steve Ruetschle John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV) “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.” (THE MESSAGE) “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing.” (THE LIVING BIBLE) 1) Please read the 3 versions of John 15:5 and, for a few minutes, listen quietly for God’s voice. What did you hear? How does this verse speak to you? 2) Steve mentioned he is “living in John 15” at this time in his life and noted that ‘abide in me” was quoted six times in this passage. How are you abiding in Christ? Please share. 3) This passage teaches us that we will bear much fruit only if we abide in Jesus. What does that fruit look like in your lif

Colossians 1:28-29

Pastor Steve Ruetschle Psalm 23 Today Pastor Steve taught on the 23rd Psalm in terms of three themes: REST, COMFORT and HOPE. REST 1. This passage tells us the Lord is our shepherd. How, in your life, is Jesus your shepherd? 2. Pastor Steve noted that Dallas Willard said that in order to find deep spiritual rest we “must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.” Do you agree with this? How are you doing in eliminating hurry? COMFORT 3. Verse 4 states, "...your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” What does that mean? 4. What kinds of worries and fears keep you awake at 3 o’clock in the morning? How do you find comfort during these times? Have verses 3 and 4 give you peace of mind? HOPE 5. Has verse 6 ever given you hope in tough times? Please share. What are you hoping for at this point in your life? Pastor Steve referred the following verses to us: 1 Peter 5:4, John 14:1-2, and John 6:40. Please read these verses and share your thoughts about them. 6. In closing, Steve read the

JOHN 16:33 1. This morning Seth candidly related that he sees himself as “an anxious person.” Would you say you experience anxiety? If so, what causes you to be anxious? 2. Read John 16:33 aloud together. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” What portion of this verse speaks to you? If you can, please share a difficult situation in which you forgot this promise. What would you hope to do differently when the next troubling time comes in your life? 3. See Hebrews 4:15-16. What does it mean to you “to approach the throne of grace with boldness?” 4. Seth noted that Jesus has gone before us in difficulties and suffering. He experienced the lack of a home, broken relationships, betrayal by his closest friends and difficulty with his family. Why do you think we are often surprised when we suffer problems and heartbreak? What are our natural responses to difficult times? What spiritual dis

Sermon discussion questions for July 7 – Jeremiah 15:15-19 1. Barb began her sermon stating that Jeremiah had been called by God to a very difficult task. (Jeremiah 1: 4-10). Have you ever been convicted that God wanted you to do something difficult? Did you feel you to up to the task? Please share this experience with the group. 2. Please read Jeremiah 12:1-6. Jeremiah asks God; “Why does the way of wicked prosper?” What is God’s reply to Jeremiah? Why do you think God answers in this way? 3. In verses 15 and 17 Jeremiah feels that he has been rejected by his own people (v15) and is an outsider (v17) because of his obedience to God. Have you ever experienced this? Please share. 4. During a time of trouble in your life did you complain to God? Where did you find solace? Did a particular passage of Scripture speak to you? 5. In concluding today, Barb noted that when we’re in difficult circumstances we should “extract the precious from the worthless.” What did she mean by this? If we do so,

Suggested sermon discussion questions for: JUNE 30 – FAVORITE PASSAGES – JEREMIAH 29:11 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (The Message) 10-11 This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (International Children’s Bible) 11 “I say this because I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.” 1. This morning Barb noted that Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 41:10 are the most read verses in the Bible. Why do you think this is? 2. Please read the three different translations of the Jeremiah 29:11 above. Which one speaks most powerfully

Pastor Steve Ruetschle – Mark 10:13-16 Suggested sermon questions: 1. Please read Mark 9:36-37 and Mark 10:13-16 and compare them. List all that Jesus says and does regarding children and the kingdom of God in these two passages and discuss with the group. 2. See Mark 9:37, 9:42 and 10:14. Today Steve talked about the chiastic nature of Jesus’ teaching on children in Mark 9 and 10. What did he mean by this? What is the main message of these passages? 3. In Mark 10:13-16 Jesus states that ‘the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (little children) and that “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” What does “like a little child” mean to you? What attributes do little children have that qualify them to enter the kingdom of God? 4. Please read Matthew 18:2-5. In what ways to you need to “change and become like little children?”

Pastor Steve Ruetschle – Mark 3:31-35 Suggested sermon discussion questions for: JUNE 16 – “THE FAMILY OF GOD” – MARK 3:31-35 1. Who is in your family? Where do they live? Do you have a favorite family member? Please share. 2. Steve noted that, in Jesus' time, the family was critical to one’s identity as a Jew, an Israelite and as a child of Yahweh. How has this changed in our time? What role does family play in your life? 3. In our time and culture as a society: – we are often geographically distant from one another – so many of our families are broken in various ways – we live in an age of intense individualism which creates extreme loneliness Are you or someone you know affected by one of the above? How is the church family important to you? 4. Steve told us of his many ‘borrowed’ family members. Has anyone ‘borrowed’ you and made you part of his or her family? Have you ‘borrowed’ anyone into your family? Please share. 5. In today’s sermon, Steve stated that God’s family is