I Promise – Fork Christian Church

I Promise: Jesus is Coming Back

July 30, 2023

Description: One of the greatest Promises Jesus ever made has yet to be fulfilled. It is the promise that Jesus is coming back. In light of his faithfulness in fulfilling so many other promises, do we remain confident that he will still fulfill it? If so, as believers, what should we be doing while we wait?

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

Have you been hurt or felt let down by unfulfilled promises made to you? Have you failed to keep any of your promises?
Read John 8:12, John 8:36, John 10:10, Matthew 6:31-34, Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, John 11:25. What need or circumstance does each address? Is there one or more of these that is especially helpful or meaningful for you?
How does knowing the truth of the resurrection of Jesus help you have confidence in the Lord’s second coming?
Have you considered that Jesus paid for us to have a relationship with him with his own blood? How does that make you feel? What should our response to that gift be?
Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. Since we don’t know when he is coming back, what should we be doing in the meantime?

- Be Clear (Not get caught up in dates and times and signs)
- Be Ready (Surrender to Jesus if Not saved, Live as if saved if we are)
- Be Intentional (Make our remaining days count)
- Be Faithful (Press ahead even when it’s hard)

I Promise: Presence

July 23, 2023

Description: Does presence make a difference? Does who that is watching you change how you behave? Jesus makes a promise before ascending back to heaven, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” How is he present? Does it make a difference? Join us as we discover the power of his presence and the purpose God wants to accomplish through you.

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

Does how you behave change based on who you are around? Who brings the worst out of you? Why? Who brings the best out of you? Why?
Read Matthew 28:18-20. What is significant about the promise at the end of this passage? Practically speaking, how is Jesus still “with you?”
Why do you believe the Holy Spirit is so rarely talked about? Read John 16:5-7. In view of Matthew 28:20, what role does the Advocate (Holy Spirit) play in the presence of God in our life?
If in a group, assign individuals to read the following passages about the Holy Spirit and describe together how his presence impacts believers with power and purpose. Read: John 16:7, 1 Cor. 6:11, 2 Cor. 3:18, Acts 8:29, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, Rom. 5:3-5, Rom. 15:13, John 14:26, Rom. 8:26, and Acts 1:8.
The promised presence of God accomplishes the purposes of God with the power of God through the people of God. What ways is the Holy Spirit empowering and giving you purpose in your daily life? How can you pray for one another?

I Promise: Blessings

July 16, 2023

Description: False advertisement after false advertisement, So many broken promises… it makes it hard to trust anyone or anything. Yet in what is considered the greatest sermon ever spoken, we unpack the powerful promises from Jesus and why they give hope like nothing else.

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

What are some thoughts, questions, or take-a-ways from Sunday’s teaching?
How has the world made promises it can’t keep? How has that impacted your trust?
Read Matthew 5:1-12. With Blessing here implying spiritual joy, which of these promises stand out most to you?
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. How does God comfort others in this passage?
The world promises joy through pleasures, God promises joy from His presence. Is there anything you have been chasing that isn’t the true source of joy? What is one thing that could help you focus on the presence of Jesus this week?

I Promise: God of Covenants

July 9, 2023

Description: Have you fallen short when it comes to keeping your promises?Have you experienced the hurt from others not keeping theirs?What about God? Does he promise us anything? And is he faithful to his promises? This Sunday we are reminded that he is both promise maker and promise keeper and through Jesus has ushered in a New Covenant that is available to all.

Dig In Questions

In light of this week’s message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

Read Jeremiah 31:31-34, Luke 22:19-20

What are some thoughts, questions, or take-a-ways from Sunday’s teaching?
What promises have you made to yourself or others that you have failed to keep? What about promises that others have made to you? How do the failed promises impact or affect you?
What are some popular myths about God’s promises? Which do you struggle with the most? Why? (All of them are for me, they are fulfilled on my timetable, they are fulfilled in the way I expect, I’m always going to like them, they are for both Christians and non-Christians alike)
What are the main differences between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?
As Christians, we live under the New Covenant. What happens when we start living like we are still under the Old Covenant with its rules and regulations?
How have you seen God make good on his promises?