Bible Study

Names of God: El Roi

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Genesis 16 (Genesis 16:1-11 & 13; Matthew 10:30; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalms 33:6, 8-9 & 13-15)
 
We can feel alone in life sometimes. We can feel overwhelmed with life, and yet, nobody even notices.
In Genesis 16 we learn about a name of God from an unexpected person. In her darkest time, she learned that God was El Roi: The God who sees! God is Elohim...He made everything. But God is also El Roi, the God that sees you in the midst of your darkest times.
 
Bible study description:
Knowing someone's name is the very start of getting to know someone. It is what we use to call out to someone to get their attention. It is how we identify someone. 
Our God has many names. Each name of God reveals to us His character, His nature, and His attributes. Knowing His names brings us into a deeper relationship with Him because it allows us to know Him on a deeper level.
When we know His names, we can then call out to Him using His names. There is a reason that our God has so many names...there is power in the name of our God! Do you know our God by His names?
Names of God: El RoiEl Roi = the God who seesI. God sees youII. God cares about youIII. God helps you

Names of God: El Shaddai

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Genesis 12:1-4; 15:1-6; 16:1-2; 17:1-6, 15-17 & 19-21; 18:6-15; Romans 4:18-21
 
Knowing someone's name is the very start of getting to know someone. It is what we use to call out to someone to get their attention. It is how we identify someone. 
Our God has many names. Each name of God reveals to us His character, His nature, and His attributes. Knowing His names brings us into a deeper relationship with Him because it allows us to know Him on a deeper level.
When we know His names, we can then call out to Him using His names. There is a reason that our God has so many names...there is power in the name of our God! Do you know our God by His names?
Names of God: El ShaddaiI. El ShaddaiA. MeaningB. Definitions
II. Application: El Shaddai brings hope when there is noneA. El Shaddai does the impossibleB. God is not limited by your thinkingC. God is not limited by your circumstances

Names of God: Elohim

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Genesis 1 (Philippians 2:9-10; Matthew 6:9; Exodus 6:2-6; 20:7; Psalms 18:6-19; 29:2; 45:5; 69:30; 95:3; 103:1; 148:13; Revelation 1:18; 22:13; Romans 10:13; Acts 4:12; Deuteronomy 10:17; Genesis 1:1-3 & 26; 1 Corinthians 10:28; Mark 4:41)
 
Knowing someone's name is the very start of getting to know someone. It is what we use to call out to someone to get their attention. It is how we identify someone. 
Our God has many names. Each name of God reveals to us His character, His nature, and His attributes. Knowing His names brings us into a deeper relationship with Him because it allows us to know Him on a deeper level.
When we know His names, we can then call out to Him using His names. There is a reason that our God has so many names...there is power in the name of our God! Do you know our God by His names?
Names of God: ElohimI. Why study the names of God? + Why so many names?A. His name is greater!B. His name should be honored!C. His name holds power!D. His name should be known!
II. Names of GodA. Jehovah (Yahweh)B. ElohimC. Adonai
III. ElohimA. MeaningB. Application

Names of God: Introduction

Pastor Chris Andrews (Discipleship + Missions Pastor) - Psalms 19:1 & 9-10; Exodus 20:7; Proverbs 18:10
 
Knowing someone's name is the very start of getting to know someone. It is what we use to call out to someone to get their attention. It is how we identify someone. 
Our God has many names. Each name of God reveals to us His character, His nature, and His attributes. Knowing His names brings us into a deeper relationship with Him because it allows us to know Him on a deeper level.
When we know His names, we can then call out to Him using His names. There is a reason that our God has so many names...there is power in the name of our God! Do you know our God by His names?
Names of God: Introduction
Why should we learn and understand the names of God?I. The names of God help us understand and reverence God.II. The names of God build our trust in God.III. The names of God are anchors for the soul.

The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus (Week 6)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Leviticus 20, 23 & 25 (Leviticus 20:1-6 & 9; 23:1-44; 25:1-54; 2 Chronicles 36:20-21)
 
Every year, thousands of people set out to read the Bible in its entirety; every year, a large percentage stop when they get to Leviticus, a book that lays out in embarrassing detail the limits of God's law for the Israelites.
What can we learn from this strange book? Join us as we seek to understand its place in the larger narrative of the Bible, and learn how it speaks to us today.
The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus
Week 6
I. IntroductionA. “Be holy, as I am holy.”B. Holiness looks different.
II. The Holiness Code - ContinuedA. 20:1-5: No Molech WorshipB. 20:6: No divinationC. 20:9: Honoring Parents
III. The FestivalsA. 23:1-3: The SabbathB. 23:4-8: The PassoverC. 23:9-14: Feast of First FruitsD. 23:15-22: Festival of WeeksE. 23:23-25: Rosh HashanahF. 23:26-32: Day of AtonementG. 23:33-44: The Feast of Booths
IV. Jubilee (Leviticus 25)A. 25:1-7: The Land is givenB. 25:8-55: JubileeC. 2 Chronicles 36:20-21D. Stewards + Kings
V. What can we learn?A. The Holiness of GodB. The Nature of Sacred SpaceC. The Position of Israel (and of the Church)D. The Saturation of Sanctification 

The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus (Week 5)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Leviticus 18-20 (Leviticus 18:1-8, 18-19 & 21-25; 19:1-5, 9-19 & 21-25; 20:1-6)
 
Every year, thousands of people set out to read the Bible in its entirety; every year, a large percentage stop when they get to Leviticus, a book that lays out in embarrassing detail the limits of God's law for the Israelites.
What can we learn from this strange book? Join us as we seek to understand its place in the larger narrative of the Bible, and learn how it speaks to us today.
The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus
Week 5
I. IntroductionA. “Be holy, as I am holy.”B. Holiness looks strange from the outside. 
II. God’s CharacterA. God is doing something specific with the Israelites, and is preparing them for a special destiny; they are to be God’s family, and to extend that idea to all humanity through adoption. --- 1. The Levitical system emphasizes order and sustainability. --- 2. The Levitical system emphasizes difference between the Israelites and other cultures. B. God cares about separation, and expresses that concern with separation through: --- 1. Concepts of purity and cleanliness--- 2. Concepts of sacred space--- 3. The idea that the closer you draw to the presence of God / sacred space, the more separate and different you must beC. God cares about life and order--- 1. To the ancient mind, certain substances and parts of the body suggested the idea of life-force--- 2. Certain ideas and concepts are emphasized or are part of the law because of the idea of order or rightness (i.e. a return to sacred space)
III. Sexual EthicsA. Sheer:  Close relationsB. Ermah:  Prohibited activityC. Justification / reason for these concepts:  they emphasize order and sustainability
IV. The Holiness CodeA. Leviticus 19:1-18; 20:  Rules for right conduct--- 1. 19:1-4:  Revere Father and Mother--- 2. 19:11-12:  Do not swear falsely in the Lord’s name--- 3. 19:14:  The deaf and the blind--- 4. 19:15:  Partiality in justice--- 5. 20:1-5:  Molech worship--- 6. 20:6:  Mediums and the raising of the dead--- 7. 20:9 Dishonoring parentsB. Against mixtures:  Leviticus 19:19

Supernatural Reactions: How to NOT Freak Out

Pastor Chris Andrews (Discipleship + Missions Pastor) - Philippians 4:4-9 (Philippians 1:12-19; 4:1-9; James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 6:25-27 & 33-34; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 5:7; Proverbs 4:23)
 
Life is full of the unexpected. When those surprises are not pleasant, how can Christians respond in a way that displays our faith in Christ?
Listen to how we should react to negative circumstances.
Supernatural Reactions: How to NOT Freak Out1. Consider God's Goodness2. Proceed gently in your relationships3. Receive God's peace through prayer4. Think about what you are thinking about5. Take action on what you know to do now

The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus (Week 4)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Leviticus 11-15 (Leviticus 11:1-47; 12:1-8; Acts 10:1-22; 1 Peter 1:13-16; Mark 7:18-23)
 
Every year, thousands of people set out to read the Bible in its entirety; every year, a large percentage stop when they get to Leviticus, a book that lays out in embarrassing detail the limits of God's law for the Israelites.
What can we learn from this strange book? Join us as we seek to understand its place in the larger narrative of the Bible, and learn how it speaks to us today.
The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus
Week 4
I. RecapA. “Be holy, as I am holy.”B. Holiness is weird.
II. The “Holiness” Rules for Purity-ImpurityA. Being Clean versus Committing SinB. 4 Major Categories of Cleanliness Law--- 1. Leviticus 11: Clean and Unclean Food--- 2. Leviticus 12: Childbirth--- 3. Leviticus 13-14: Skin Diseases & Molds--- 4. Leviticus 15: DischargesC. Purpose--- 1. Symbolic practices reminding Israel of God’s holy presence--- 2. God is the author of life. Things connected with death: bodies, skin disease, blood, bodily fluid — create symbolic impurity. --- 3. Being “impure” is not a sin.--- 4. But barging into God’s presence in a state of impurity is a negative act.
III.  The Dietary LawsA. Classification of Animals--- 1. Beasts of the Field (11:3-8)--- 2. Fishes (11:9-12)--- 3. Birds (11:13-19)--- 4. Insects (11:20-23)--- 5. Four-Pawed Creatures (11:24-28)--- 6. Swarming Things (11:29-40)B. Why did the Dietary Laws exist?--- 1. Every meal sets the Israelites apart from their neighbors & emphasized God’s holiness.--- 2. Dietary reasonsC. Application in the New Testament--- 1. “Rise Peter” (Acts 10:9-16)--- 2. 1 Peter 1:13--- 3. The Final Word: Mark 7:18-23

The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus (Week 2)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - 1 Corinthians 3:16; Leviticus 1:1-9; 2:1-16; 3:1-5; 12; 4:1-33; 5:1-19; Hebrews 4:16; 9:1, 11-15, 21-23; 10:1-18
 
Every year, thousands of people set out to read the Bible in its entirety; every year, a large percentage stop when they get to Leviticus, a book that lays out in embarrassing detail the limits of God's law for the Israelites.
What can we learn from this strange book? Join us as we seek to understand its place in the larger narrative of the Bible, and learn how it speaks to us today.
The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus
Week 2
I. Introduction/RecapA. “Be holy, as I am holy”B. Holiness is differentC. Two basic divisions: holiness in worship versus daily livingD. “For Them” versus “For Us”
II. Holiness in Worship: the Great SacrificesA. Worship & Sacrifice in the Ancient World--- 1. Rituals Involving Idols--- 2. Sacrifice as “Magic” & ManipulationB. The Sacrifices & Sacrifices--- 1. The Sweet Savor Offerings------ a. “Whole Offering”------ b. Grain Offering------ c. Offering of “Well Being”--- 2. Purification Offering--- 3. Reparation Offering--- 4. Other Illustrations
III. ThemesA. The Supremacy of GodB. The Seriousness of SinC. The Grace of God
IV. Looking Forward: A Sacrifice for All Sin
 
Penitential Prayer to Every God

The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus (Week 1)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Exodus 25:8-9; 34:29-35; 40: 34-38; Leviticus 10:1-3; Numbers 15:32-36; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14
 
Every year, thousands of people set out to read the Bible in its entirety; every year, a large percentage stop when they get to Leviticus, a book that lays out in embarrassing detail the limits of God's law for the Israelites.What can we learn from this strange book? Join us as we seek to understand its place in the larger narrative of the Bible, and learn how it speaks to us today.
The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus
Week 1
I. Introduction
A. Author
B. Date
C. "Priestly" v. "Holiness" sources
D. The Big Themes
--- 1. Be Holy, As I Am Holy
--- 2. Holiness Looks Weird
 
II. The Positioning of Leviticus
A. Moses and the Law
B. The Tabernacle and God's Moving In
 
III. Outline of Leviticus 
A. The Five Offerings (1-7)
--- 1. Sweet Savor Offerings (1-3)
--- 2. Non-sweet Savor Offerings (4-5)
--- 3. Law of Offerings (6-7)
B. The Priests (8-10)
C. Holiness in Daily Life
D. Holy Days
E. Laws and Prophecies for the Promised Land
F. Dedication and Devotion
 
IV. Key Concepts
A. Sacred Space
B. Holiness on a local scale
 
V. What is Leviticus?
A. A Law Code
B. A Guide for Living
C. A Safety Manual
 
 
Illustration #1: Moses horned statue by Michelangelo

Seeking God: Answering questions about Prayer - Part 3

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Matthew 7:7 & 9-11; 8:8; 17:20; 19:26; 27:46; James 4:2; 5:16; Romans 8:28-29; 10:13-15 & 17; John 14:13-14; 15:7-8; Mark 11:23-24; 16:15; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 9:5-6; 26:28; Psalm 76:6; 77:14; 145:18-19
 
When it comes to prayer, we all have questions.
What does it mean to pray without ceasing?
How important is fasting?
How do we develop a burden and passion to pray more?
What does it mean to pray through scriptures?
God desires for us to understand prayer. All of these questions, and more, can be answered in God's Word. This study will address the questions that lay heavy on our hearts when it comes to our prayer life.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."Answering questions about prayer - Part 3"
XIII. Am I supposed to pray for what I want or just to be able to handle whatever He decides?XIV. How do you know when you have prayed in God's will? How long should you pray about someone or something? Pray without ceasing?1. we are instructed to pray and keep on praying2. sometimes God answers by giving us something different...something better (something good)3. pray until God says no
XV. Why does the Bible say,"Whatsover ye shall ask in my name, believing you have received it, it will be given unto you." If that does not happen, especially when it comes to healing?--- A. what does this actually mean?--- B. how do we properly apply this?1. will this glorify God?2. What is my motivation for asking for this?3. Are you asking in humility?
XVI. It is God's will that all come to repentance and none be lost - why do prayers go unanswered? What is freewill versus predestination?1. sometimes it falls on our lack of obedience to share the Gospel like we should.2. sometimes God reaches in to convict them and they resist
XVII. Jesus said that we will have tribulation in the world. So, why should we expect to get our of tribulation by prayer? If all goes well for us, how could we relate to the lost and those suffering or suffering loss?XVIII. How does prayer affect how God sees our situations? (Example: I am hurting...does my telling Him, enlighten Him?1. everyone will have difficulties, saved and lost, because of the cursed world2. we are instructed to seek God when we go through trials, tribulation, adn sickness.3. we bring God glory through our trials as we seek Him
XIX. Is praying scriptures or promises more beneficial when asking for something?1. Jesus did it2. it helps us line up our prayers with God's desires3. it brings glory to God4. it is how we claim God's promises5. it stirs up your heart and allows us to pray with confidence
 
 
 
Illustration #1-3: Prayer + Worship at Children's Hospital for Logan Liuzzo

Seeking God: Answering questions about Prayer - Part 2

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Acts 1:14; Psalms 133:1; Luke 11:1; James 5:13-14; Matthew 6:6 & 16; 26:41; 1 John 1:9; Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:18; 8:8
 
When it comes to prayer, we all have questions.
What does it mean to pray without ceasing?
How important is fasting?
How do we develop a burden and passion to pray more?
What does it mean to pray through scriptures?
God desires for us to understand prayer. All of these questions, and more, can be answered in God's Word. This study will address the questions that lay heavy on our hearts when it comes to our prayer life.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."Answering questions about prayer - Part 2"
IX. With Jesus talking so much about private prayer, like go into your closet…is there a Biblical reference to "corporate" or public/group prayer?1. corporate prayer brings unity2. corporate prayer teaches others to pray3. corporate prayer ministers to those in need4. corporate prayer leads to corporate praise (it brings glory to God)
X. As a mature Christian who truly loves the Lord, why do I not have a strong, passionate desire to designate a time of prayer to God each and every day? I feel like I "talk" to Him all throughout the day, but I am having trouble disciplining myself to have a daily prayer time.keep these reasons in mind:1. we do this to set aside time with God2. we do this to set aside distractions3. we do this so we can be real and honest with God
XI. How important is fasting?keep in mind our flesh is:- corrupt- weak- at war with the Spirit1. fasting is resisting our flesh2. fasting is telling your flesh "NO"3. fasting is how we amplify our prayers4. fasting is part of the Christian life
 
Illustration #1: Corporately praying over Logan Liuzzo