Southside Lexington Podcast

6-30-24 (Barrett Coffman) Adversity As Opportunity

Acts 21:1-14

1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing through to the south of it, we sailed to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. 7 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10 After we had been there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (NIV 84)

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FROM THE LESSON

William Willimon: “This notion that only good things happen to faithful people was put to rest on a Friday afternoon at Calvary.” 

Paul’s perspective on suffering: He did not view adversity as an oddity, instead he viewed adversity as an opportunity. 

Paul’s four responses to suffering:

1 Adversity is an opportunity for conformity.
2 Adversity is an opportunity for community.
3 Adversity is an opportunity for Christianity.
4 Adversity is an opportunity for clarity.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker - can you think of any other examples from the Old Testament when a prophet acted out the word of God for the people of God? Share with the group your favorite example. 

2 Have you ever asked the Father to give you a spirit of resolve like Jesus or like Paul on their way to Jerusalem? What kind of character traits can only be learned and developed through adversity?

3 We must never go down a difficult road alone. Share an example when you experienced the importance of community during adversity. 

4 Following the example of Paul in verse 13, how might you fill in this blank this morning, “I am ready to __________ for the name of the Lord Jesus.”?

5 When you pray for “the Lord’s will to be done” what does that mean to you?

6-23-24 (Barrett Coffman) The Supreme Beatitude

Acts 20:32-38

32 Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' 36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. (NIV 84)

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FROM THE LESSON

The supreme beatitude - Pastor and author, Dr. Earl Pierce, called these words of Jesus the "supreme beatitude" because unlike the other beatitudes found in the New Testament, this one tells us that we are more blessed.

It is blessed to receive -  "Faith is empty hands held open for God to fill."

It is not blessed to want what others have received - When we are content with what we do have, then we will not covet what we don't have.

It is more blessed to live to give - "A disciple is someone who has moved from being the recipient of the church's mission to being responsible for the church's mission."

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker - can you remember a recent question that you have asked Google? Share with the group.

2 Are you a good receiver? Read verse 32. It is absolutely necessary for salvation that you are a good receiver. Discuss this statement with your group. Ask the Lord to help you become a good receiver. 

3 Read verse 33 and then ask this question to yourself: Can I honestly and genuinely say as Paul does here that I do not want what someone else has? Instead of Paul's three examples, come up with your own examples that might actually tempt you. 

4 Read verse 34-35. Based on Jesus' teaching in verse 35, Paul believed it was more blessed to live to give. What can you learn from his example in these verses?

6-16-24 (Barrett Coffman) Watch Over Yourself

Acts 20:28-31

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. (NIV 84)

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FROM THE LESSON

The farewell speech - this speech given by Paul to the elders at Ephesus it is a kind of speech that is very familiar in Scripture. We have farewell speeches given by Moses, Joshua, and Jesus. The purpose of a speech like this one is for the leader who is giving the speech to review his life as an example for the others to follow.

Put your oxygen mask on first - this phrase is always shared by a flight attendant during pre-flight instructions. In case of a change in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat, and if you are traveling with children, then you are instructed to put your oxygen mask on first before helping your child. 

Choose to cheat - this phrase is from pastor/author Andy Stanley. It means that you should choose who you are going to cheat because you are going to cheat someone. Someone is going to be cheated of your time and effort. It is not about better time management. Because there are only so many hours in a day, someone is going to be cheated. Who is it going to be?

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker - do you have a crazy story about something that happened to you at the airport? Share with the group.

2 In verse 28, Paul reminds them to "keep watch over yourselves." In between the Holy Spirit's compelling them to serve and the words of Jesus convicting them to sacrifice, Paul reminds them to "keep watch over yourselves." Discuss your thoughts about this reminder with your group.

3 The instruction to "put your oxygen mask on first" is not just good instruction on an airplane but serves as a good metaphor of taking care of yourself so that you will be in a better position to help others. Talk about how you have seen this to be true in your life. 

4 The phrase used by Andy Stanley is "choose to cheat." It is a call to intentionally order your life in such a way that your job is last in priority. It isn't a call to not work hard at your job, but it is a call to not prioritize your work over the important relationships in your life. Discuss this principle with your group.

6-9-24 (Barrett Coffman) Compelled To Serve

Acts 20:17-27

17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. 25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (NIV 84)

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FROM THE LESSON

The farewell speech - this speech given by Paul to the elders at Ephesus it is a kind of speech that is very familiar in Scripture. We have farewell speeches given by Moses, Joshua, and Jesus. The purpose of a speech like this one is for the leader who is giving the speech to review his life as an example for the others to follow.

Servant - literally it is the Greek word "doulos" that can be translated as "slave." For Paul, embracing the life of a servant is what Christianity is all about.

Compelled by the Spirit - literally this phrase means "bound by the Spirit" (NLT) or "constrained by the Spirit" (ESV)

Three characteristics of a Servant:

1 The servant is compelled to speak without hesitation (verse 20, 27)
2 The servant is compelled to go without consideration (verse 24)
3 The servant is compelled to live without resignation (verse 24)

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker - can you recall a time that you participated in a gathering like the one between Paul and the Ephesians elders? A time when you got together with a group one last time prior to someone being gone for a significant amount of time? What was the occasion? Share the details with your group.

2 If you were asked to summarize your Christian life into one sentence so that someone else could follow your example, what would that one sentence be? Spend some time with this individually and try to summarize it in a sentence. Then share these sentences with your group.

3 Paul summarized his life in this way in verse 19: I served the Lord with great humility. For Paul, embracing the life of a servant is what His life was all about. Discuss this summary with your group. How does this summary of Paul's life influence your life? How is it an example for you to follow?

4 In verse 22, Paul writes that he was "compelled" by the Spirit. Have you ever felt compelled by the Spirit to serve the Lord in some way? The word literally means "bound" and "constrained." Talk about this understanding of the word with your group.

5 Three characteristics of a servant that the Holy Spirit compels us to embrace are listed above. Which one of these characteristics encouraged you this morning?

6-2-24 (Kevin Wooten) Like His Son

Romans 8:28-30

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (NIV 84)

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 What do you think about being "predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son"?

2 In John 5:36-40 how do these words strike you: "...yet you refuse to come to me to have life?" What have you seen and heard which compels you to follow Jesus?

3 "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven." What do yo think about that line? What might have initially prompted someone to say that?

4 Take a look at these three statement (from Dallas Willard). How is this challenging to you?

Jesus never taught that we can decide to just enjoy forgiveness at his expense and have nothing more to do with him.

If we don't become disciples, we remain locked in defeat as far as moral intentions are concerned.

Only avid discipleship to Jesus through the Holy Spirit brings inward transformation to our thoughts, feelings, character.

5 What do you think about this line: "Satan is drastically shortening the distance between temptation and participation by doing everything he can to keep our senses in a state of awakeness." (from Beth Moore)

6 When has following Jesus been difficult for you recently?

5-26-24 (Kevin Wooten) Amazed By Jesus

Mark 15:1-15

1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. 6 Now it was the custom as the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. 13 "Crucify him!" they shouted. 14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (NIV 84)

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker: when was the last time you were amazed? For many of us, why does it take more to amaze us than it used to?

2 Share something contained in the Bible which amazes you today? More specifically, talk about what amazes you about Jesus? What have you experienced? What have you seen in others' experiences? What have you read in your Bible?

3 Pilate asked this question: What shall I do with the one you call King of the Jews? With what you know, what you've seen, what you've read...how do you answer this question?

5-19-24 (Barrett Coffman) Eutychus and You

Acts 20:7-12

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. (NIV 84)

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FROM THE LESSON

10 Examples in Scripture of Someone Being Raised from the Dead:

1 The widow of Zarephath's son by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24)
2 The Shunammite woman's son by Elisha (2 Kings 4:18-37)
3 The man who touched Elisha's bones (2 Kings 13:20-21)
4 The widow of Nain's son by Jesus (Luke 7:11-17)
5 Jairus' daughter by Jesus (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56)
6 Lazarus by Jesus (John 11:1-44)
7 Holy people at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:50-53)
8 Tabitha (Dorcas) by Peter (Acts 9:36-43)
9 Eutychus by Paul (Acts 20:7-12)
10 Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)

How these examples are the same:

In each example, someone was literally dead - not seemingly dead, not playing dead, not thought to be dead, they were dead - and by the authority and power of God, they were raised from the dead.

How one is different from the other ones:

The first nine were raised to their old lives. They were all raised from the dead back to how things used to be. They were raised from death to old life. They were brought back from death to their old life. This is called resuscitation from the dead.

Jesus was raised to a new life. He was raised from death to new life. He is the only one who has been raised from the dead to a new, glorified body. He is the only one who has been brought through death to a new life. This is called resurrection from the dead.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker: what are some of the ways you have heard the story of Eutychus taught before today? Have you ever heard it used as a warning to stay alert or as a practical encouragement for better preaching?

2 Read through some of the examples in Scripture of people being raised from the dead. Is there one that has stood out to you more than another? Is there one that has been a favorite of yours? Why? How do these examples of God's power and authority over death encourage your faith?

3 Do you understand the difference between resuscitation from the dead and resurrection from the dead? Why is it important to know the difference? 

4 The gospel invitation is to a new life in Jesus Christ. It is not a call to a better version of you. It's a call to a brand new version of you. Discuss the difference with your group. 

5-12-24 (Barrett Coffman) New King In Town

Acts 19:23-41

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 he called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that manmade gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty. 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. 32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is , we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it. 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. 

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FROM THE LESSON

Temple of Artemis - it was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In fact, it was the largest building of it's time. It was 4 times larger than the Parthenon in Athens. It was 425 feet long and 500 feet in diameter. There were 127 sixty-foot marble columns many of which were overlaid in gold.

The kingdom of God - there is both a reign and a realm. As the reign of the kingdom of God transforms your life, then the realm of the kingdom of God becomes wherever you are, it goes out into the world through your life.

Three characteristics of the kingdom of God

1 The kingdom of God is subtle.
2 The kingdom of God is subversive.
3 The kingdom of God is about submission.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker: when you hear teaching about the kingdom of God what do you tend to think about? 

2 Discuss the teaching about the kingdom of God having both a reign and a realm. How did that teaching help you in the way you think about the kingdom of God?

3 The kingdom of God is both subtle and subversive. Read again the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom of God being like a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) and like yeast in dough (Matthew 13:33). Discuss these two very different characteristics of the kingdom of God.

4 The kingdom of God is about submission. The gift of salvation is an invitation into a life of submission. Share with your group about the beauty of a life fully submitted to the Lord. 

5-5-24 (Jeremy Stewart) Identities in Exodus

Exodus 5:1-18

 

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” 5 And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!” 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”

 

10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. 11 Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 12 So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” 14 And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?”

 

15 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.”

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

1 Icebreaker: Jeremy shared the example of a defiant child who wouldn’t wear their jacket as an example of someone trying to exert control over their circumstances. What are some other examples of the desire to be in control?

 

2 Over and over, Pharaoh is shown that God, not himself, is the one truly in control. Why do you think he continues to resist God’s command to release the Israelites?

 

3 The two main words used when Pharaoh “hardens” his heart mean either “to be heavy” (denoting a heart heavy with sin and guilt) or “to strengthen” (indicating a strong and resolute will). How does this help reading the challenging passages about God hardening Pharaoh’s heart? In what ways are those passages still challenging? 

 

4 We can either seek to be in control, or seek to know the One in control. What do each of these approaches look like, and how do they differ from each other?

4-28-24 (Barrett Coffman) Burn The Boats

ACTS 19:8-20

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day, the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. (NIV 84)

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FROM THE LESSON

Burn the boats - a phrase spoken by Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec Empire and won Mexico for the crown of Spain in 1519.

Ephesian writings - Ephesus was a center for magical power in the Mediterranean world. The phrase "Ephesian writings" was used in antiquity to refer to any documents that contained magical spells and formulas.

"All of life is repentance" - this is a quote from the reformer, Martin Luther. Believers commit not to a moment of repentance but to a life of repentance. 

Definition of repentance - "the call to repent is an invitation to see the world differently in light of Jesus Christ."

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Icebreaker: can you think of a motivational phrase or memorable motto that you have liked or that has encouraged you in some way through the years? Share it with your group.

2 Repentance is not a one-time event, but instead it is a commitment to a lifelong process. Discuss the difference with your group.

3 The call to repent is an invitation to rethink everything in your life in light of His life. Discuss this process with your group.

4 We looked at three characteristics of the kind of repentance that leads to spiritual breakthrough in Acts 19:17-19. Re-read these verses. The characteristics are conviction (verse 17), confession (verse 18), and conversion (verse 19). Discuss the importance of these three characteristics with your group.