ADVENT Sermons - click on a specific sermon or scroll through

The Love That Sustains Our Hope

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 5:6-11

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The Love That Sustains Our Hope — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:6-11
Sermon Series: Romans (36th sermon)
December 20, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   Comparing v. 5 with vv. 6-8, what two aspects of God’s love does Paul describe?
2.   What is the human condition, and what makes God’s love so distinctive and marvelous in light of it?
3.   How does the statement that “Christmas is about a baby born to die for his enemies” provide greater depth to your celebration this year?
4.   What does this passage teach about God the Father?
5.   How does the content of vv. 6-8 relate to Paul’s argument in vv. 9-10? How does this text speak to assurance of salvation?
6.   Where does Paul leave the reader in v. 11? How does this help us to better understand the Christian life?

References: Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:1, 4; Titus 3:3-5; Romans 1:18, 30; 8:1, 34; John 14:19.

The Results of Right Standing

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 5:1-5

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The Results of Right Standing — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:1-5
Sermon Series: Romans (35th sermon)
December 13, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How should the Christocentric language of chapter 5 inform our understanding of salvation and the Christian life?
2.   What does it mean to have peace with God? How does this transcend our feelings at any given moment?
3.   How does Paul describe the access that we have to God? How does it encourage you to know that this is where you “stand”?
4.   What does Paul mean when he uses the word translated “rejoice”?
5.   How does suffering produce hope in the Christian life? How should this affect the way you process trials?
6.   How does Paul present the relationship between hope and love in v. 5? What does this tell us about assurance of salvation?
7.   How does this passage help us to rightly celebrate Christmas this year?

References: Romans 1:4; 5:10; Psalm 7:11-13; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; Habakkuk 2:14; Mark 13:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:30; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 25:3.

Abraham Applied

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:23-25

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Abraham Applied — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:23-25
Sermon Series: Romans (34th sermon)
December 6, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does this passage fit into Paul’s overall message in chapters 1-4?
2.   To use Hodge’s language, how is Abraham a “representative person”? Discuss how vv. 23-24 relate to passages like Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11.
3.   How is the content of our faith the same as Abraham’s? How does it differ?
4.   How does this passage contribute to your understanding of the gospel? What does it teach us about the role of the Father and of the Son in saving us?
5.   What does it mean that Christ “was raised for our justification”? How does this increase your gratitude for him?

References: Genesis 15:6; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 8:56; Romans 10:9; Genesis 22:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 3:24-25.

The Faith of Abraham

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:17-22

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The Faith of Abraham — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:17-22
Sermon Series: Romans (33rd sermon)
November 29, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does Paul describe the object of Abraham’s faith? Discuss the importance of Scripture in filling out the object of our faith.
2.   What does it mean to say that Abraham’s situation was a “perfect blend of impossibility”? How do “can” and “cannot” come together in this passage?
3.   Calvin describes it, how is Abraham’s condition similar to ours?
4.   What are some of the words used to characterize Abraham’s faith in this passage? How does this challenge you?
5.   How does Paul’s description line up with the depiction of Abraham in Genesis? How does Abraham’s weakness encourage us?

References: James 5:11; Deuteronomy 32:39; Jeremiah 32:17; Genesis 17:5; 15:5, 6; Hebrews 11:17-19.

Love In Five Directions

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Philippians 2:5-11

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Love In Five Directions — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Philippians 2:5-11
Sermon Series: Advent 2019, Christmas Eve
December 24, 2019

The Son Goes Up

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Philippians 2:9-11

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The Son Goes Up — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Philippians 2:9-11
Sermon Series: Advent 2019, Week 4
December 22, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are your expectations for this life? In what ways do you find it hard to embrace humiliation before exaltation?
2.   How is the Christian life future-oriented?
3.   What events are involved in Christ’s exaltation? How is it past, present, and future?
4.   How does the lordship of Christ practically play out in the Christian life?
5.   How does the Father’s glory shine bright through the exaltation of Christ as Lord?

References: Matthew 23:12; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6; Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 1:21-22; Acts 5:30; Luke 24:51; Ephesians 1:20; Acts 2:33; Romans 8:34; 10:9; Isaiah 45:22-23.

The Son Comes Down, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Phillipians 2:8

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The Son Comes Down, Part 2 — Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 2:8
Sermon Series: Advent 2019, Week 3
December 15, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What two words stick out in verse 8 which highlight the Son’s submission?  How do these words connote submission?
2.   How does the humility of Jesus point back to Paul’s exhortation in verses 1-4?  What interests of ours did Jesus have in mind?
3.   Discuss Jesus’ wills prior to and after the incarnation.  How does this work in conjunction with the obedience of Jesus? How does Gethsemane illustrate this concept?
4.   How do we see the descent of Jesus in 2:5-11?  What is meant to say that the depth of Jesus’ descent is infinite?
5.   What is the purpose of Jesus’ descent and how does the Incarnation lead us to Good Friday?

The Son Comes Down, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Philippians 2:6-7

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The Son Comes Down, Part 1 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Philippians 2:6-7
Sermon Series: Advent 2019, Week 2
December 8, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How are you feasting on the doctrine of Christ this Christmas?
2.   What does this passage teach us about Christ’s pre-incarnate existence? How does this correct or strengthen your theology?
3.   To use the language of 2:4, how did Christ not look to “his own interests”?
4.    How does Christ’s example guide us away from thoughts without actions?
5.    What does it mean that Christ “emptied himself,” and how can this be misunderstood?
6.   Summarize and discuss the four sub-points regarding Christ’s Incarnation: he adds our nature, veils his glory, enters our world, and serves our needs. Which of these strikes you the most?

References: John 1:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 3:17-18; James 2:15-16; 2 Corinthians 8:9; John 1:14; 5:18, 23; Colossians 1:15, 19; Hebrews 4:15; John 13:1-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The Practicality of Christmas

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Philippians 2:5-11

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The Practicality of Christmas — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Philippians 2:5-11
Sermon Series: Advent 2019, Week 1
December 1, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What do you plan to do at home with your family to celebrate Advent throughout the month of December?
2.   What are some of the rich “Christmas words” that you have heard tossed around without meaning in your interactions with people?
3.   How does Christmas in particular remind us of the importance of having a deep and robust theology?
4.   How does this passage taken in context show us that Christmas is “ethical in nature”?
5.   Why can’t a person merely hold Jesus up as an example to be imitated? How does the Spirit give us the mind of Christ?
6.   How should Christmas impact the way we see ourselves and the way we treat our fellow believers?

References: Genesis 3:15; 5:29; 22:17-18; 49:10; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:1-4; 1:27.

The Word In The World, Parts 1 and 2 (Advent Week 4, plus Christmas Eve service)

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

John 1:14-18

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The Word In The World, Parts 1 and 2 — Lonnie Bell
4th Sermon of Advent and Christmas Eve sermon
John 1:14-18
23 December (part 1) and 24 December 2018 (part 2)

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why does the world try to change Christmas, and in what ways do we see this happening around us?
2.  What is the Incarnation? Have you given much thought to this doctrine?
3.  How does the language “dwelt among us” push us back into the Old Testament?
4.  How do “glory,” “grace,” and “truth” relate to one another in v. 14? How does this impact the way we see and approach Jesus?
5.  Discuss some of the doctrinal errors we should avoid when thinking about the Word becoming flesh?
6.  In what ways does this passage push us to our knees?

References: John 3:19; Matthew 10:34-36; Hebrews 1:2-3; Exodus 40:34-35; Psalm 29:9; Exodus 33:18-19; 34:6-7; Romans 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 John 7; Hebrews 2:14; 4:15; Philippians 2:9-10.

Response To The Light (Advent Week 3)

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

John 1:9-13

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Response To The Light — Lonnie Bell
3rd Sermon of Advent
John 1:9-13
16 December 2018
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it mean that Jesus is the “true light, which gives light to everyone”?
2.  What is the “world” and how does it relate to Christ’s “own people”?
3.  Why do people reject Christ?
4.  What does it mean to believe “in his name”?
5.  How do divine sovereignty and human responsibility come together in vv. 12-13?
6.  What are the main truths from these verses that we can explicitly celebrate with our families this Christmas?

References: John 14:30; 1 John 2:16; Isaiah 1:2-3; 65:2-3; Acts 2:22-23; John 3:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Acts 13:48; John 3:6; Ephesians 1:3.

The Light (Advent Week 2)

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

John 1:4-8

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The Light — Lonnie Bell
2nd Sermon of Advent
John 1:4-8
9 December 2018
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  To use the words of Leon Morris, how is Christ the “life-bringer and light bearer”?
2.  How is Christ’s coming both at Christmas and in conversion like what we read in Genesis 1:2-3?
3.  What does it mean to say that Christmas is a season of power and victory?
4.   How does the fact that “darkness has not overcome” the light give us encouragement in the Christian life?
5.  How does the text lead us to compare Jesus and John the Baptist, and how would you describe John’s role?
6.  What does it look like to be a credible witness of Jesus in our daily lives?

References: Colossians 2:3; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:8; John 5:26; 8:12; 11:25; 12:46; 14:6; 17:3; Genesis 1:2-3; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 12:35; Genesis 3:15; Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 13:43; 11:11; John 20:31; 1:23.

The Word (Advent Week 1)

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

John 1:1-3

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The Word — Lonnie Bell
1st Sermon of Advent
John 1:1-3
2 December 2018
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it mean to say that Christ is both predicted and present in the Old Testament?
2.  Discuss encounters that you have had with people who do not accept Christ as God. In addition to this passage, what are some other major biblical texts that support Christ’s eternality and deity?
3.  What does it mean to say that any view of Christ that does not see him as fully God steals his glory and refashions him into an idol?
4.  Why does John refer to Christ as the “Word,” and how would you explain what this means from Scripture?
5.  How does this text show that God is a plurality of persons? How would you characterize the relationship between God and his Word?
6.  How does understanding the deity and creative agency of the Word affect our worship and our love for God and one another?

References: Luke 24:44; John 5:46; 8:56; 12:41; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Matthew 1:18; John 17:5; 8:58; Isaiah 9:6; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Colossians 1:15, 19; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:1; Genesis 1; 15:1; John 17:26; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:16.

The Savior's Birth / Our Sympathizing Savior

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Luke 2:1-20

Hebrews 4:14-16

Sunday morning, Dec 24, 2017:  Sunday Morning Service -- The Savior's Birth
Sunday evening, Dec 24, 2017:  Christmas Eve Service -- Our Sympathizing Savior (16 min: 30 sec)
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The Savior's Birth -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Advent - week 4.
Luke 2:1-20
24 December 2017
  
Deep Sheet:  Sermon Study Question
1.   In what ways has our view of the first Christmas been sanitized? What does the raw reality communicate to us?
2.    How do the circumstances of Christ’s birth point us forward to his cross?
3.  At what levels do we see God’s providence at work in this passage? How does this encourage us to trust him?
4.  How does the angelic announcement to the shepherds put an end to our pride, shame, and partiality?
5.  In what ways do the angelic announcement and praise show us Christ’s majesty?
6.  Discuss the ways in which people can easily become desensitized to the great truths of Christmas. What kinds of responses does this text call us to?  

Our Sympathizing Savior -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Advent - week 4, Christmas Eve.
Hebrews 4:14-16
24 December 2017

NO DEEP SHEET

Salvation's Song

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Luke 1:67-80

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Salvation's Song -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Advent - week 3.
Luke 1:67-80
17 December 2017

Deep Sheet:  Sermon Study Questions
1.  What titles of Jesus or prophetic passages have meant the most to you as you have celebrated Christmas over the years?|
2.  What does it mean that Jesus is a “horn of salvation”? What does Zechariah mean when he speaks of God’s people being saved from their enemies? (1 Samuel 2:10; Luke 2:38; Romans 11:25-29)
3.  How does Jesus fulfill God’s promise to Abraham? (Joshua 24:2; Genesis 12:1-3; 22:16-18).
4.  Based on vv. 74-75, how does Christmas call God’s people to service and a righteous life?
5.  How did John the Baptist prepare the way for Jesus? How does Zechariah show us that forgiveness is at the center of Christmas? (Luke 3:3; 24:47)
6.  What is the image of Jesus given in vv. 78-79? In what ways does Jesus give us peace? (Revelation 22:16)

Mary's Master Magnified

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Luke 1:39-56

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Mary's Master Magnified -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Advent - week 2.
Luke 1:39-56
10 December 2017

Deep Sheet:  Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does Elizabeth confirm Gabriel’s message to Mary?  What does this communicate about God’s love and faithfulness?
2.  How does this passage speak to the issue of abortion? (Luke 1:15)
3.  What does Mary’s song of praise tell us about her view of herself and of God? (Matthew 1:21)
4.  How does Mary’s song serve as an implicit challenge to teenagers and parents?
5.  What are some of the attributes and activities of God that Mary magnifies?
6.  In light of Mary’s description of God’s might, why is Christmas both comforting and terrifying? (Matthew 23:12; 5:3-6)

The King's Conception Announced

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Luke 1:26-38

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The King's Conception Announced -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Advent - week 1.
Luke 1:26-38
3 December 2017

Deep Sheet:  Sermon Study Questions
1.  As you reflect on Luke’s purpose for writing (1:4), what would it mean to celebrate with “certainty” this Christmas?
2.  How does this passage communicate that humility is inherent to Christianity?
(John 1:46; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
3.  What does Gabriel’s greeting tell us about Mary? How is she a symbol of all who receive Christ? (Ephesians 1:6; Romans 3:24)
4.  What are some of the differences between John the Baptist and Jesus as portrayed in
Luke 1?  What do these differences tell us about the unique significance of Jesus?
5.  What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of David?  How does the never-ending nature of Jesus’ kingdom put hope at the center of Christmas?
(2 Samuel 7:12-14; Psalm 2:6-7; Isaiah 9:6-7)
6.  How does the virgin conception/birth practically increase your confidence in God?
(Genesis 1:2; John 1:1, 14)
7.  How does Mary’s response in v. 38 serve as a beautiful picture of the Christian life?