Posted on

One Lord // Ephesians 1:15-23

This week we uncover the story of an unstoppable movement grounded in love and its sovereign leader who’s head can’t be severed. This isn’t the tagline for a new movie about a geopolitical uprising, but the very real Kingdom of God and its King who we joyfully serve.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What helped you?
  2. What challenged you?
  3. What implications does this teaching have on my life?
One Lord // Ephesians 1:15-23 // April 3, 2019
[VIDEO] One Lord // Ephesians 1:15-23
Posted on

One God // Ephesians 1:1-14

Is it possible the most loving, unifying, compassionate, and tolerant thing we could believe and live our lives by is actually found in the exclusive message of Jesus? Our study of “ONE” is a look at the book of Ephesians in the New Testament where the promise of unity and oneness for a new humanity is achieved in the exclusive worship of the one true God.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What fears do you struggle with? If you’re able, identify the false idols or paradigms that you have believed because of those fears.
  2. From the list of promises, what specifically speaks against those fears, false idols or paradigms, and leads you to trust in God more?
  3. We’re called to live on mission with Jesus. How might your life become an object lesson (example) in sharing or demonstrate to someone that, “there is One God”?
One God // Ephesians 1:1-14 // March 27, 2019
[VIDEO] One God // Ephesians 1:1-14
Posted on

Traditions and Commands // Mark 7:1-23

“The way of Jesus is to give priority to the biblical command over the tradition.”

The problem of rethinking church is that it has the potential to become a scary and upsetting endeavor. Everything is put on the table and questioned when we get serious about seeing our faith, the church, and the definition of what it means to be a follower of Jesus exclusively through the lens of Scripture.

Traditions & Commands // Mark 7:1-23 // February 28, 2019
[VIDEO] Traditions & Commands // Mark 7:1-23
Posted on

Disciple-Multiplying // Acts 1:6-8

“The Kingdom becomes a movement when disciples multiply.”

In this episode, learn what it’s going to take to re-ignite a Kingdom-movement in North America and how Restoration Church seeks to join Christ in His mission for the world. WATCH this week’s message from Pastor Matt on “Disciple-Multiplying” from our church-defining series, “Re:Defined”.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Do I see myself as having a role in the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God? What might that role be?
  2. Schedule some time in silence and solitude (20-30 minutes is ideal). Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you on the topic of disciple-multiplying. Then listen. At the conclusion of your time with the Lord, what might you need to confess, repent of, change, or begin doing to be obedient to God’s will?
Disciple-Multiplying // Acts 1:6-8 // February 12, 2019
[VIDEO] Disciple-Multiplying // Acts 1:6-8
Posted on

Disciple-Sending // John 17:18

“The Kingdom expands when disciples are sent.”

In this episode, learn how Restoration Church seeks to be a training center for disciples that share in the mission of Christ as messengers of the gospel. In other words, we are “messengers on mission”.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Do you see yourself having the same mission on earth as Christ was given, to share the message of the gospel?
  2. What role have you played in the direct or indirect expansion of the Kingdom of God?
  3. Have you experienced a season of apathy (indifference) to seeing the Kingdom of God expand?
  4. How might you participate further in your calling as a ‘messenger on mission’?
  5. How can you be more aware of God’s on-going work in the world?
  6. Where is the Holy Spirit sending you as a ‘messenger on mission’?
Disciple-Sending // John 17:18 // February 5, 2019
[VIDEO] Disciple-Sending // John 17:18
Posted on

Disciple-Making // Matthew 28:18-20

At Restoration Church we are inviting people to have an encounter with the living God by responding to the call to follow Jesus Christ and experience real spiritual transformation. We are everyday disciples of Jesus that are always learning, always growing, and always going.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Have I responded to the call to follow Jesus Christ?
  2. Have I experienced a real spiritual transformation?
  3. Have I been baptized?
  4. Am I apart of an authentic discipleship community?
  5. Am I sharing the gift of a new life in Jesus with others?
  6. Pray: “Lord, where do I need to grow, be challenged, or begin obeying all that you have commanded me?”

Related: “Where We Belong // John 3:1-8”

Disciple-Making // Matthew 28:18-20 // January 28, 2019
[VIDEO] Disciple-Making // Matthew 28:18-20
Posted on

Keeping it Simple // Acts 2:42-47

What is Restoration Church and what makes us different? One word: “simplicity.”

This is the first message in our series “Re:Defined”, all about the mission and purpose of Restoration Church in Lake Zurich.

Related blog post: “The Four Essential Functions of the Church”

Reflection questions:

  1. What might the benefits of being part of a simple church be?
  2. What excites you about the idea of a simple church?
  3. What are your fears and anxieties of such an experience?
  4. How do you think the Lord might specifically challenge you in such an experience?
Keeping it Simple // Acts 2:42-47 // January 23, 2019
[VIDEO] Keeping it Simple // Acts 2:42-47
Posted on

Free to Love (Addressing an Evangelical Crisis) // Galatians 5:13-15

If love is the defining outcome of the gospel, shouldn’t it be the defining mark of what it means to be a Christian?

In this passionate end-of-year message, Pastor Matt looks at the growing crisis in the Evangelical Church, invites his listeners to take an honest assessment of themselves, and provides a redemptive pathway forward for the Church and the world that Christ has come to save.

This sermon was preached live at Village Church of Barrington in Barrington, IL on Sunday, December 30, 2018.

Free to Love // Galatians 5:13-15 // December 30, 2018