Love and Discernment - 3 John

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 31, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 3 John. The Apostle John wrote this letter to a faithful church member named Gaius. This man’s love and hospitality became an example for everyone to follow. However, John mentions another man whose example was not worth following. These two examples helped the early church understand the virtue of discernment. Some men are worth following, but others are not. We need discernment to know who is walking with genuine faith, and we need discernment for healthy, Biblical correction.

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Reflect

1. Do you find yourself struggling with the ability to discern right from wrong? What issues or in what areas of your life are you experiencing this struggle?

2. Where are you seeking the answers? Are you spending time in God’s word each day to discern the truth?

3. In 3 John we see a man named Gaius who walked in the truth, filled others with joy and showed hospitality to others. What do you think others see when they look at your life?

4. John shows us the contrast between Gaius’ life and Diotrephes’ life. Diotrephes put himself first, spread rumors, wicked talk, was not hospitable, was condemning and manipulative. Do you find yourself struggling with any of these issues? If so, repent and ask God to guide your footsteps toward humility.

5. We must imitate God and not evil. We must not listen to, follow or imitate those who claim to follow Christ and do not reflect His character. Who are you listening to? Do you believe what others tell you or do you check it against God’s word?

6. Discernment shows us the difference between right and wrong and how to respond. There may be times when we are called to have tough conversations with another believer, and other times we are called to not speak. These conversations are best done privately. Pray and ask the Lord if there is someone He desires for you to talk with or if He is asking you to simply pray about the situation.

Love and Discernment - 2 John

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 24, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 John. The Apostle John wrote this letter at the end of the 1st century and his goal was to remind the church to walk in love. False teachers were trying to deceive the early church and bring division among the members. John’s letter encourages believers to love one another through faithful obedience to Jesus.

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Reflect

1. How will you discern what the real truth is? If we are not in the Word, we won’t be able to discern Biblical truth from false doctrine. How much time are you spending in God’s Word?

2. Out of the understanding of the real truth of who Jesus is – (“I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE...” John 14:6), we are taught that truth and love are inseparable in the Christian life. We are instructed to love each other. In what ways is the Holy Spirit leading you to love Him and others?

3. John tells us that if we love God, we should obey Him and keep His commandments. In what ways is the Lord speaking to you about walking in His commandments? Is there an area in your life that needs to be surrendered to what He is asking you to do?

4. If we spend time in God’s Word, praying and seeking Him, we will better recognize the counterfeit when we encounter it. Pray and ask God to show you His truth in His Word, to love Him more, follow His commandments, love others with His love and give you the discernment to recognize false doctrine.

Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 132-134

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 17, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 132-134. These are the final chapters in the Psalms of Ascent. They cover the themes of identity, unity, and worship. These themes are tied together with the rich history of the Hebrew people and serve as an invitation to participate in this identity.

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Reflect

1. David’s life’s goal was to find a place where God would be among His people. Prayerfully reflect on your life’s mission. Is it to be in a close relationship with God?

2. We see in this Psalm; that David’s actions prompted the entire nation to worship. Does your life influence others in this way?

3. Will you commit to going to God’s dwelling place and worshiping at His footstool? Worship is not meant for just Sunday corporate gatherings. Worship should fill our lives.

4. I love learning to pray through Scripture. Psalm 132:8-12 teaches us to pray. Will you pray this prayer over your family and Red Hills Church? O LORD, visit us with your presence again, clothe your priests in righteousness, let the people shout for joy!

5. Psalm 133 gives the imagery of unity as a precious oil running down the head, beard, collar, and robe; nothing it doesn’t touch. Do your life and actions bring unity or division? Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to any ways you are not walking in biblical unity, whether in your family or His church.

6. And as we closed this week’s service, I can’t think of a better way to complete this devotion than by spending time in unabandoned worship to our King Jesus! Will you worship Him in song and truth?

Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 130-131

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 10, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 130-131. These chapters continue the Psalms of Ascent and cover the themes of repentance and rest. The Psalmist gives us a picture of crying out to God in the middle of chaos and waiting for His steadfast love to cover him with forgiveness. The Psalmist also outlines the necessary steps to live a peaceful life before God. These steps include a heart not lifted up, eyes no raised too high, and a mind not occupied with the cares of this world.

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Reflect

1. Are there any blessings God has given you that has slowly transitioned into idols or validation trophies? Will you spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to search your heart, and as He leads, will you repent and lay those at the feet of Jesus?

2. What are the things you choose to meditate on? Do those things lead you to peace or chaos?

3. Are you waiting and hoping in the Lord, with the image of watchmen waiting in the night? Or is your hope in something or someone else?

4. Are you living in a way where you think more highly of yourself than you ought? Are you driven for more of this world?

5. Prayerfully reflect on where you spend your time; does it reflect what is in your scope following what Jesus has for you? Is there anything that is out of scope that you need to surrender and remove from your life?

6. Prayerfully reflect on who is modeling repentance and peaceful living in your life. Are you living this way? How can you invite others to follow in your footsteps?

Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 128-129

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 3, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 128-129. These chapters continue the Psalms of Ascent and reveal the blessed life of those who walk in God’s ways. When a person fears the Lord, the Psalmist describes their home life, work life, and personal life as abundant and happy. The psalmist also contrasts this life with the results of living a wicked life. Those who walk in God’s ways are blessed, but those who walk a crooked and wicked path are not.

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Reflect

1. Prayerfully reflect: Are you building God's kingdom in your life, work, and home? Are you doing things in God's revealed ways or your ways? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if there are any circumstances you are trying to do something in your approach?

2. God's timing is not our timing. Are you patient to do the things God has told you to do and know the outcomes and by-products of your faithfulness are blessed fruitfulness? Is there an area you don't see God working and are tempted to change tactics or try to manipulate things?

3. Are you willing to erase your schedule and let your schedule be God's schedule? Do you see everything through the filter of Jesus?

4. Do you see God's fingerprints on everything? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes to see everything through Him!

Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 126-127

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 26, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 126-127. These chapters continue the Psalms of Ascent and capture the writers journey from gratitude to participation in building God’s kingdom. These songs speak to weary travelers and those who spend too much time building vain monuments. They invite the reader to forsake the sorrows of this world and experience the joy of the Lord.

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Reflect

1. Do you have an attitude of gratitude for what God has done for you? Spend some time reflecting on what He has done in your life. Give Him praise with a grateful heart!

2. This attitude of gratitude should lead us to a place of expectation for what He is going to do next. In what ways or areas of your life are you waiting with expectation on the Lord?

3. Have you ever been, or are you currently in a desert season? Do you feel spiritually dry or weary? If so, God wants us to bring our tears to Him. Cry out to Him!

4. What does God promise us if we take our tears of our desert season to Him? We will reap a harvest of joy! Spend some time reflecting on His faithfulness and ask Him to turn your mourning into joy.

5. This joy God gives us should lead us to a desire to participate in what He is doing. Are there any areas of your life where you are trying to do things on your own or in your own power? Are you looking for His plan for your life or building one of your own?

6. It is worthless and senseless to try and build a life, career, family, etc. without God as the center of it. What is your motivation for your life? Is it to build your kingdom or God’s?

7. If we build our life according to God’s plan, His mission outlives us through the next generations to come. In your home, church and community, how are you impacting the next generation for the Kingdom of God?

Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 124-125

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 19, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 124-125. These chapters are part of the Psalms of Ascent and capture God’s faithfulness to His people. If it had not been for the Lord, His people would be swallowed up by darkness. The Lord surrounds His people like the mountains surround Jerusalem, and He creates a stable life on a firm foundation.

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Reflect

1. Spend time in prayer meditating on the faithfulness of God. Where would you be if God had not saved you?

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal if you are looking for hope in anything or anyone other than the name of Jesus.

3. Meditate on the truth that God is for us! Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. Who in your life needs to hear this truth?

4. Are there any areas in your life where you need to stop complaining and have a heart of thankfulness?

5. Is your life marked by chaos and drama or by an unmovable mountain? Not that you do not have struggles and problems, but you are not shaken.

6. Spend time meditating on the image of the Lord surrounding you as the mountains surround Jerusalem.

Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 122-123

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 12, 2022

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Psalm 122-123. These chapters are part of the Psalms of Ascent and capture the atmosphere in Jerusalem when the Psalmist arrives for worship. He sees the city as a place of redemption, peace, justice, and mercy. The city reflects the character of God, and the psalmist wants the values of the city present in his life. He looks to God as the one who can transform him, and prays for God to show mercy in answering the prayer.

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Reflect

1. Are you excited and looking forward to gathering, each week, as a body of believers? If not, then what is hindering you? How do you enter into His church for corporate worship? Are you filled with joy when we gather together?

2. Are you throwing off the things of this world and desiring the things of God? Are you looking at Him and beholding the works of His hands?

3. Are you modeling God’s character to those around you? Are you conveying redemption, peace, justice and mercy? Are you interested in building His kingdom?

4. In what ways is God speaking to you about your role in furthering the message of faith in Christ to others?