CPC Blog
New Sermon Series!
Pastor Eric returns to the pulpit next week to begin a new sermon series on prayer. Like most of us, you probably have struggled with prayer (both the practice and the guilt of not doing it). This sermon series is designed to free you to enjoy prayer, perhaps for the very first time!
July 25: Don’t Give Up on Prayer
August 1: Assuming the Prayer Position
August 8: Confronting the Prayer Defeators
August 15: The Powerful Powerlessness of Prayer
August 22: Praying in the Middle of Life
August 29: Prayer and the Presence of Jesus
Taking Worship Home Summer Break
This summer we will be taking a break from our Taking Worship Home series. Inside your bulletins is a summer reading guide through the Psalms, which we encourage you to do with your families or in your private devotions.
Taking Worship Home
Meditation: Read Psalms 3-4
1. What causes the Psalmist to look to God in each of these Psalms?
2. What reasons does the Psalmist give for looking to God for help?
3. When you are desparate, is this how you view God? Why or why not?
4. How do these Psalms point to Christ?
5. As you pray, remember that God is a rescuer. He sent Jesus to save us from the ultimate desperation of sin and death. He cares for you, so give thanks!
Taking Worship Home
Meditation: Read Psalm 1-2.
1. What do these Psalms say about the wicked? About the righteous?
2. How does each Psalm point to Christ?
3. Apart from Christ, how would these Psalms condemn you? With Christ, how do they comfort you?
4. As you pray, thank God that you are counted among the righteous in Christ. Ask that he continue to transform you into his image.
Taking Worship Home
Meditation: Read Colossians 1:1-23.
1. What is Paul’s prayer for the saints?
2. Who is Christ according to this passages? Why is this important?
3. What has Christ done for us? How does he keep us?
4. As you pray, thank God that you hear the gospel preached every week. Pray that God would prepare you to receive his word preached tomorrow.
Taking Worship Home
Introduction: Read Colossians 2:16-23.
Meditation: Read 2 Timothy 2:1-13.
1. In Colossians, Paul speaks of us having died with Christ. How does he use this truth in 2 Timothy to encourage Timothy to stand firm in the faith?
2. What is our security based upon (see v. 13)? Why is it important to know that when we are faithless, he is faithful?
3. Both passages allude to the fact that it is easy for us to lose sight of the gospel. Why is this? What happens if we lose the gospel?
4. Pray that God would draw you to his gospel and keep you there. Remember that he is faithful, even when you are not. Thank him for his mercy.
Taking Worship Home
Introduction: Read Colossians 2:16-23.
Meditation: Read Galatians 3:1-14.
1. The Galatians are a good example of what happens when God’s people begin with Christ, but try to grow on their own. How does Galatians 3 relate to Colossians 2?
2. How do we receive the Holy Spirit? What does this say about the importance of hearing Christ preached?
3. Do you ever find yourself in a position of foolishness when it comes to living the Christian life? What usually trips you up? How can you deal with the temptation to rely on your own works instead of those of Christ?
4. Pray that God would keep you from relying on yourself to grow in the Christian life. Thank him for his grace to you. Continue to hear Christ and rest in him.
Taking Worship Home
Introduction: Read Colossians 2:16-23.
Meditation: Read Philippians 3:1-11.
1. What is similar about these two passages?
2. Where does Paul place his hope in the Philippians passage? How does this help us in understanding our own righteous deeds?
3. It is a terrible thing to find oneself trying to live the Christian life and yet missing Christ. How can you avoid this?
4. As you pray, thank God for providing a righteousness not your own. Pray that he would keep you in Christ, looking away from yourself. Enjoy the life you have in Christ.
Taking Worship Home
Introduction: Read Colossians 2:16-23.
Meditation: Read Hebrews 10:1-18.
How has Christ replaced the shadows of the Old Testament?
Why is it foolish to return to the shadows once the reality to which they point has arrived? What happens to the gospel when we attempt to return to the shadows?
In what ways do you try to replace Christ? Why do you think you do such things? How do you avoid turning to shadows?
Pray that God would keep Christ ever before you and protect you from replacing him with your own shadows. Thank him for his grace and mercy.
Taking Worship Home
Meditation: Read Isaiah 43:1-13
1. How is the Lord unique among all gods?
2. How does God use his power for his people?
3. God’s love for sinners is an amazing and troubling thing. It is a mystery that a Holy God could be a savior to sinners. It is this reality however, that allows us to worship God in peace. Take some time to meditate today on your sin and the forgiveness offered in Christ. Prepare to worship tomorrow with thanksgiving.