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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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?

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.