Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 120-121

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 5, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 120-121. These are the first two songs in collection of travel songs that Hebrews sang on their yearly journeys to Jerusalem. Psalm 120 tells the story of a Hebrew crying out to the Lord for salvation. His culture is filled with lies and deception, and he needs God to deliver him. Psalm 121 tells the story of the same Hebrew traveling the long journey to Jerusalem to worship Yahweh. He reflects on God’s power and faithfulness on the journey and invites others to reflect as well.

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Reflect

1. As parents, what are some practical ways we can fill our homes and lives with the songs of Jesus?

2. What parallels can we draw from the culture referred to in Psalm 120 to our culture today?

3. Spending time in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal things He may be asking you to leave behind. Maybe unforgiveness, bitterness, hurt, anger, ill-will, or possibly things of this world that have a stronghold over you. Are you continually unpacking the things of this world as the Holy Spirit reveals these things to you?

4. Do you find yourself more interested in people liking you than pleasing God?

5. As you live from day to day, are you just trying to survive one more day, or are you living through the lens we are on a journey with Jesus?

6. Do you live in complete Shalom, where you may not have all the answers, but you are at complete rest?

7. Do you find yourself or the people around you arguing about things that do not have an eternal impact, things that do not matter? Is God asking you to move on from something?

8. Do you see things through the lens of community, connected to God’s people, or do you find yourself in isolation or with people who do not share the hope of Jesus?

The Book of Acts - Chapter 28

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 29, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 28. This chapter completes our study in Acts and covers Paul’s final voyage to Rome. After a long winter, Paul leaves the island of Malta and is encouraged by the church in Rome. After three days of rest, Paul gathers the Jews to his home and preaches Jesus all day and night. Some were converted but others walked away unchanged.

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Reflect

1. When we encounter trials, or storms of life, do we give up or stand firm in our faith in Christ? Do we trust that He will do as He has promised? In what ways have you doubted God? In what ways have you trusted God?

2. Like Paul, we are called to be messengers for Christ. One Christian can have a great impact on society. What spiritual impact are you having in your family, workplace, school, community, etc.?

3. The enemy throws everything he can to try and destroy God’s plan. Paul didn’t let the enemy’s attacks deter him. No matter what is happening to you or around you – HE IS STILL GOD! He WILL use it for His glory! In what ways do you need to trust God more? What storms have deterred you from trusting that God can, and God will fulfill His promises to you?

4. When we encounter difficulties, we often seek to be comforted by the things of this world rather than by the Lord. In what ways have you traded your Christian walk and calling for the comforts of this life?

5. In Acts 28:24-31, we see Paul preaching to the Jews in Rome and some were convinced, and some were not. What was Paul’s response? He kept preaching! Just because we don’t see things turn out the way we wish, doesn’t mean we give up on living out our faith and doing what God has called us to do! It’s not an excuse to quit! What has God called you to do that you have given up on because you didn’t see the results you hoped for?

6. It is easy to look at this world or our current circumstances and lose hope. Paul’s life and testimony encourages us to not lose hope! Keep pressing on! Even unto death, Paul was faithful to God! We must accept the invitation to do as Paul did and keep pressing on! God is still moving in the lives of His people. What is He doing right now in your life?

The Book of Acts - Chapter 27

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 22, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 27. This chapter covers the majority of Paul’s voyage from Caesarea to Rome. This voyage was filled with turmoil and tribulation. The crew was actually shipwrecked after multiple days at sea. However, Paul kept his focus on Jesus and offered hope to a boat filled with people that had no hope. This story reminds us that Christians have a vital role to play in our world, we are like salt and light — offering hope to a world filled with turmoil.

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Reflect

1. Paul, an experienced sailor, warned that to continue sailing now would be dangerous, but according to verse 11, the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and owner of the ship than to Paul. Have you given people in your life warnings, especially in the last couple of years, that have been ignored? How did you respond to the rejection?

2. Luke's voyage description paints a detailed picture of chaos, panic, loss of hope, and crisis. Yet, Paul remains steadfast in his faith. How? He dwelled close to God. Are you in close communication with our Heavenly Father? Do you make time with Him a priority?

3. Paul reminded them of his previous advice yet followed it with encouragement to not lose heart. Why? Because an angel of God visited him and told him not to be afraid and all those with him would be brought to land safely. Paul was calm in the midst of the chaos. He also had the courage to speak boldly about what God had told him and his faith. Does peace and boldness describe your reaction in times of crisis?

4. Paul’s advice, prayers, courage, hope in God, and actions impacted those around him. What kind of impact are you having on the people around you? Your family, co-workers, friends, people you encounter in traffic, the store? Are you carrying the message of hope in Jesus to those who need it most?

The Book of Acts - Chapter 25-26

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 15, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 25-26. These chapters cover the hearing where Paul shared the gospel with Agrippa II, Bernice, and Festus. Paul uses a very simple outline to establish common ground with his audience, communicate his testimony, and connect the dots of God’s plan which includes an offer of salvation to all mankind. Paul’s strategy gives us a framework for sharing our faith with others and encourages us to be bold in evangelism.

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Reflect

1. We see in Acts 25:23 that Luke describes Agrippa and Bernice entering with great pomp and military tribunes. Imagine the scene and how intimidating it might have been for Paul. But God doesn’t call us to these hard places without going before us and with us. Are you in a difficult season? God is with you. Spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to cover you with His peace and boldness.

2. Would you consider taking time this week to write out your personal testimony? There is something powerful about remembering in detail how God transformed your life.

3. Paul’s testimony included three elements; established common ground, shared his transformed life, and connected his personal story with God’s larger story. Will you spend time reading Acts 26 and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how to put Paul’s strategy into practice?

4. Will you pray and ask God to give you opportunities to share Jesus? He is faithful; He will open doors and equip you with the words to say.

The Book of Acts - Chapter 24-25

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 8, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 24-25. These chapters reveal the many ways God moves in normal, everyday life. Paul was a prisoner in Caesarea for two years, but those days weren’t wasted. He preached the gospel to Felix on a regular basis. This story reminds us to pay attention to God’s invitation to join his work, even though it may not seem very spiritual or overly significant. The daily posture of following Jesus, in the smallest acts of faith, forge a life of obedience and surrender.

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Reflect

1. As we read in Acts 24, there were accusations made against Paul before the governor, but no proof was presented to support those accusations. Reflecting on this in today’s context, do you form opinions, ideologies, or make decisions based on assumptions, feelings, or accusations? Do you let society influence how you make decisions?

2. Are you in a season where you don’t see God moving as maybe in the past? Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to what He is doing in the ordinary, mundane things.

3. Are you willing to wait, suffer trials, even for long periods, to allow God to sanctify you and mold you into the person He created you to be? In Acts 24:27, two years had passed while Paul was in prison.

4. In Acts 24:25, Luke tells us that Paul reasoned with Felix and his wife, Drusilla, about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. Felix responds in a panic, not wanting to give up his way of life. Spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit if there are any parts of your life you need to give up to live a holy, righteous life.

5. As Marshall stated Sunday, when we say “yes” to something, we automatically say “no” to certain things. Will you spend time in prayer this week, asking God to guide you, order the work of your hands, and show you where He wants you to say “yes”?

6. Will you pray: Lord, open my eyes to what You are doing each day in my home, in my workplace, and in the places I go. I want to look more like You every day, learning to walk in the fruits of the Spirit.

The Book of Acts - Chapter 22-23

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 1, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 22-23. These chapters cover Paul’s trial in Jerusalem and the Jewish plot to execute him. Paul is sharing the transforming power of Jesus, but Rome only values Roman culture and the Jews only value their exaltation of religious tradition. For Paul, following Jesus requires valuing God’s revealed truth over institutional wisdom or cultural thought. This reality is also at work in our lives. Will we trust God’s word or human institutions? Will we trust God’s word or religious tradition? Will we trust God’s word or our personal experience and feelings?

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Reflect

1. Our Christian walk today is much like the path that Paul and Christ took to Jerusalem. It is a path of putting sin to death, living by faith and affirming God’s authority. It is the process of moving closer and closer to Jesus. In what ways is the Lord asking you to put sin to death, live by faith and affirm His authority?

2. Scripture teaches us that we must choose God’s truth over cultural ideology. Are you willing to stand for Christ when you might suffer persecution?

3. In what ways have you compromised God’s truth in order to live comfortably with the world’s views?

4. The walk of faith in Christ is about treasuring Jesus above ourselves and the world. Have you exalted your personal desires above God?

5. You can’t follow Christ if you follow and trust the world’s wisdom. You cannot trust what you see and hear around you. You must ask God how you should think and act in every circumstance or conflict. To whom or what have you turned to for the answers to life’s questions? God or man?

6. The best way to know what God thinks is to be in His word and in community with other believers. You cannot trust what you desire or solely what you were taught. Where have you been looking for the answers to life’s questions? How much time are you spending in God’s word?

The Book of Acts - Chapter 21-22

Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 24, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 21-22. This chapter covers Paul’s return to Jerusalem and the condition of the early church. God was working in tremendous ways in the Gentile churches of Turkey and Greece, but the Jerusalem church struggled with gossip. Believers were spreading and believing lies about Paul and his ministry, and the Jerusalem elders asked Paul to associate himself with four men under a vow. This requirement was designed to quiet the gossip in church, but it didn’t work. The best way to handle gossip and lies is to respond with truth, in-person. These chapters remind us how important it is to live in close community with each other, and combat gossip with the truth.

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Reflect

1. Are you willing to follow in Paul’s footsteps and sacrifice your freedoms, pride, and comforts to gain opportunities to share Jesus and preach the gospel?

2. Are you living in such a way where accusations against you would not be believable?

3. Paul shared his testimony when he addressed the crowd. Can you articulate the transformation God has done in your life so that you minimize yourself and give God the glory?

4. Do you value living in a close community where you know what is going on in people’s lives? Does your calendar reflect that value?

5. Will you pray:

• Lord, open my eyes to how easy it is to believe a lie instead of spreading the truth.

• Lord, open my eyes to how easy it is to join the mob and compromise my convictions.

• Lord, open my eyes to how easy it is to forget my testimony and force you to prove yourself to me again.

• Lord, change me and keep on changing me.

The Book of Acts - Chapter 21

Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 17, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 21. This chapter covers Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. His path was filled with suffering and persecution, but he was not the first person to travel this path. Paul was following the footsteps of Jesus, to Jerusalem, to experience the transforming power of new life. This path is a familiar path for Christians because we also walk this path of suffering, death, and new life. This Resurrection Day message explores the Christian themes of death and new life.

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Reflect

1. The people awaiting Paul in Jerusalem were more concerned with keeping a political or religious system and maintaining their power structure than accepting Jesus as their Messiah. Do you see this in our world today? Spend time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal how He is calling you to spread the name of Jesus.

2. Paul walked a similar path as our Jesus walked, one of pain and suffering. What do you do when you know there is a road of pain and suffering ahead? Take another path, or are you willing to walk in obedience and surrender?

3. In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus tells Peter he is setting his mind on things of man and not things of God. Where do you find yourself in times of suffering, trials, and chaos? Do you set your eyes, mind, and heart on Jesus or things of this world? Things that can be seen or unseen things? Oh, may we set our minds on the promises of Jesus and His truth. Like the angel told Mary, He has risen as He said!

4. New life comes when old lives are put to death. Are you willing to get rid of your desires and allow the Holy Spirit to give you, His desires? Are you ready to put to death the things that are not of Jesus? As Pastor Marshall asked, are you tired of buying what the world is selling (in some cases literally)? Spend time in prayer this week, asking Him to align your desires with His and give you the power to die to your flesh.