FollowUp 10-31-17

Message Title: Why Are There So Many Denominations?

Series: Questions

Key verses: Jn. 17:20-23, 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Eph. 2:8-9.

Sermon Notes:

The Bible teaches that we are saved by: 

1. Jesus’ work on the cross plus nothing!
2. If you add something to what Jesus did on the cross, then you are subtracting from what He accomplished on the cross.

Principles of the Reformation:

3. Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone .(2 Tim. 3:14-17)
4. Sola Fide: Faith alone. (Eph. 2:9)
5. Sola Gratia: Grace alone. (Romans 3:23, 6:23, Eph. 2:8)
6. Solus Christus: Christ alone. (Acts 4:12,1 Tim. 2:5-6)
7. Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God alone. (1 Cor. 10:31)

8. The Christian Church isn’t a building we walk into, but a movement we become a part of.

Follow up questions from Sunday:

Icebreaker: Who gave you your first Bible?  Do you know where it is today?

1. Read Romans 1:16-17. Martin Luther said that this verse changed the course of his life as he read it one night in his monastery.  “It is not a righteousness that is by works or by penance or by indulgences or by absolutions or by prayers to the saints, but a righteousness that comes only by faith. By faith!” That was the truth that set him free.  How do you think can we practically apply this verse in our spiritual lives today?
2. Read Jude 1:3. In 1521AD, Martin Luther was willing to die for the faith. Who would you say is the most courageous Christian that you  have met in your spiritual journey?  When was the last time you stood up for the faith?  How did it make you feel?
3. God used the new technology of the printing press to bless the Reformation, how do you think God is using technology to bless the Church today? How is he using it to bless you today?
4. Do you think having different denominations is a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
5. Read 1Peter 5:1-5. What does Peter say a leader should be like in God’s Church? During Martin Luther’s time, there was religious corruption among the leaders of the church. Have you ever encountered religious corruption in your journey with Jesus? If so, how did it affect you and how did you overcome it?
6. Read John 21:15-17.  Pray for the leaders of our church that they will continue to love Jesus, follow Jesus, and continue to lead our church as He directs us.