Quest: First Free St. Louis » Messages http://questblog.org Quest is a community of people at First Free Church Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:54:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Quest exists to be a place where those who are skeptical, inquiring or are already convinced of who Christ is, can find room and reason to believe, belong and be transformed. Join us on the journey of living a life following after Christ. Kevin Hughes no Kevin Hughes abarnard@efree.org abarnard@efree.org (Kevin Hughes) 2008 Sunday service of Quest, a service of First Free Church, Manchester MO faith, Christ, discussion, talk, message, sunday, church Quest: First Free St. Louis » Messages http://questblog.org/images/questlogo144.jpg http://questblog.org/category/messages/ Do You Love Me? http://questblog.org/2011/02/12/do-you-love-me/ http://questblog.org/2011/02/12/do-you-love-me/#comments Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:54:55 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=316

Peter was a follower of Jesus and part of his most intimate group of followers. He was very confident in his commitment to Jesus and reassured him that he was ready to follow him to the death! The Lord told Peter that that wasn’t the case – and that very soon he would instead deny him. We see this exchange in John 13:36-38:

Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

The lack of confidence Jesus had in Peter’s commitment must have hurt him, but it paled in comparison to what he’d experience over the next several days. The Lord had a plan to change Peter deeply – a call God has to each of us that are his followers.

As Jesus stated, Peter indeed denied him three times before he was murdered. Peter abandoned the one he loved in word and deed. After Jesus was resurrected from the grave, he met his disciples and gave Peter a chance to reaffirm – three times – his love for him. Jesus asked Peter in three different ways if he loved him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”. The book of John records that Peter was hurt the third time Jesus asked. Maybe Peter perceived Jesus was reminding him of his three denials. Regardless, these clever questions were part of a process to change him into the rock that the Lord would use to build his church.

Peter was a changed person and it was reported he clung to Christ even as he was killed for his faith. May each of us as Christ followers strive to encounter the Lord in a way that we walk away deeply changed.

Listen in on Kevin’s Message from Last Week
(great insights on the meaning of these 3 questions)

]]> http://questblog.org/2011/02/12/do-you-love-me/feed/ 0 - Peter was a follower of Jesus and part of his most intimate group of followers. He was very confident in his commitment to Jesus and reassured him that he was ready to follow him to the death! The Lord told Peter that that wasn't the case - and that... Peter was a follower of Jesus and part of his most intimate group of followers. He was very confident in his commitment to Jesus and reassured him that he was ready to follow him to the death! The Lord told Peter that that wasn't the case - and that very soon he would instead deny him. We see this exchange in John 13:36-38: Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! The lack of confidence Jesus had in Peter's commitment must have hurt him, but it paled in comparison to what he'd experience over the next several days. The Lord had a plan to change Peter deeply - a call God has to each of us that are his followers. As Jesus stated, Peter indeed denied him three times before he was murdered. Peter abandoned the one he loved in word and deed. After Jesus was resurrected from the grave, he met his disciples and gave Peter a chance to reaffirm - three times - his love for him. Jesus asked Peter in three different ways if he loved him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?". The book of John records that Peter was hurt the third time Jesus asked. Maybe Peter perceived Jesus was reminding him of his three denials. Regardless, these clever questions were part of a process to change him into the rock that the Lord would use to build his church. Peter was a changed person and it was reported he clung to Christ even as he was killed for his faith. May each of us as Christ followers strive to encounter the Lord in a way that we walk away deeply changed. Listen in on Kevin's Message from Last Week (great insights on the meaning of these 3 questions) Kevin Hughes no 41:05 Let’s Go There – Part 5 http://questblog.org/2010/05/12/lets-go-there-part-5/ http://questblog.org/2010/05/12/lets-go-there-part-5/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 15:26:44 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=201 How Can We Believe in a God Who Permits Suffering?

Everyone understands suffering in that they experience it personally. The fact that suffering exists in spite of a perfect creator often causes people to question why God allows it. This is a reasonable question!

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/05/12/lets-go-there-part-5/feed/ 0 god,lets-go-there,suffering How Can We Believe in a God Who Permits Suffering? - Everyone understands suffering in that they experience it personally. The fact that suffering exists in spite of a perfect creator often causes people to question why God allows it. How Can We Believe in a God Who Permits Suffering? Everyone understands suffering in that they experience it personally. The fact that suffering exists in spite of a perfect creator often causes people to question why God allows it. This is a reasonable question! Kevin Hughes no 35:08 Let’s Go There – Part 4 http://questblog.org/2010/05/03/lets-go-there-part-4/ http://questblog.org/2010/05/03/lets-go-there-part-4/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 15:16:50 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=195 How can we trust the Bible?

As we turn toward some of the tough questions people both in and outside the church have, we look first and the scriptures we trust as God’s word.  Are they reliable? Can we trust them as authentic? Listen in for more!

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/05/03/lets-go-there-part-4/feed/ 0 bible,lets-go-there,trust How can we trust the Bible? - As we turn toward some of the tough questions people both in and outside the church have, we look first and the scriptures we trust as God's word.  Are they reliable? Can we trust them as authentic? Listen in for more! How can we trust the Bible? As we turn toward some of the tough questions people both in and outside the church have, we look first and the scriptures we trust as God's word.  Are they reliable? Can we trust them as authentic? Listen in for more! Kevin Hughes no 31:44 Let’s Go There – Part 3 http://questblog.org/2010/04/26/lets-go-there-part-3/ http://questblog.org/2010/04/26/lets-go-there-part-3/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:59:28 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=193 Hypocrisy. It seems to be something we hate in others yet it’s often something we practice personally. If we have a real message in the Gospel is it being diluted by hypocrisy?

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/04/26/lets-go-there-part-3/feed/ 0 hypocrisy,lets-go-there Hypocrisy. It seems to be something we hate in others yet it's often something we practice personally. If we have a real message in the Gospel is it being diluted by hypocrisy? Hypocrisy. It seems to be something we hate in others yet it's often something we practice personally. If we have a real message in the Gospel is it being diluted by hypocrisy? Kevin Hughes no 30:09 Let’s Go There – Part 2 http://questblog.org/2010/04/19/lets-go-there-part-2/ http://questblog.org/2010/04/19/lets-go-there-part-2/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:53:38 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=191 Jonah exposes how we sometimes wish that there were limits to God’s grace.  Listen to Steve share some interesting insights on how maybe we aren’t so different than Jonah at times when it comes to “those people”!

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/04/19/lets-go-there-part-2/feed/ 0 jonah,lets-go-there,steve Jonah exposes how we sometimes wish that there were limits to God's grace.  Listen to Steve share some interesting insights on how maybe we aren't so different than Jonah at times when it comes to "those people"! Jonah exposes how we sometimes wish that there were limits to God's grace.  Listen to Steve share some interesting insights on how maybe we aren't so different than Jonah at times when it comes to "those people"! Kevin Hughes no 36:33 Let’s Go There – Part 1 http://questblog.org/2010/04/12/let%e2%80%99s-go-there-part-1/ http://questblog.org/2010/04/12/let%e2%80%99s-go-there-part-1/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:51:41 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=189 We tend to trust in political systems rather than God to solve our cultural and moral problems. No matter what political groups or movements we stand with God is the solution, and praying in faith for our country is our best hope.

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/04/12/let%e2%80%99s-go-there-part-1/feed/ 0 church,culture,politics We tend to trust in political systems rather than God to solve our cultural and moral problems. No matter what political groups or movements we stand with God is the solution, and praying in faith for our country is our best hope. We tend to trust in political systems rather than God to solve our cultural and moral problems. No matter what political groups or movements we stand with God is the solution, and praying in faith for our country is our best hope. Kevin Hughes no 38:14 The Dangerous Life Message – Week 10! http://questblog.org/2010/03/22/the-dangerous-life-message-week-10/ http://questblog.org/2010/03/22/the-dangerous-life-message-week-10/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:37:52 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=184 Wow, we finished our last week in the Dangerous Life Series!  We’ve spent a lot of time getting to know this book and be challenged by Peter to live a lifestyle that identifies with Christ for God’s glory.  This week we closed with 1 Peter 5:6-25 and learned in the midst of this difficult life knowing your opponent is key – but knowing your advocate is even more important!

So what were your conclusions about yourself after considering our discussions on 1 Peter the last several weeks?

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/03/22/the-dangerous-life-message-week-10/feed/ 0 advocates,opponents Wow, we finished our last week in the Dangerous Life Series!  We've spent a lot of time getting to know this book and be challenged by Peter to live a lifestyle that identifies with Christ for God's glory.  This week we closed with 1 Peter 5:6-25 and l... Wow, we finished our last week in the Dangerous Life Series!  We've spent a lot of time getting to know this book and be challenged by Peter to live a lifestyle that identifies with Christ for God's glory.  This week we closed with 1 Peter 5:6-25 and learned in the midst of this difficult life knowing your opponent is key - but knowing your advocate is even more important! So what were your conclusions about yourself after considering our discussions on 1 Peter the last several weeks? Kevin Hughes no 35:52 The Dangerous Life Message – Week 9 http://questblog.org/2010/03/21/the-dangerous-life-message-week-9/ http://questblog.org/2010/03/21/the-dangerous-life-message-week-9/#comments Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:30:08 +0000 MarkG http://questblog.org/?p=178 This week Kevin covered 1 Peter 5:1-5 and focused on the role of leadership in the Christian community.  In the midst of difficult times leadership is of paramount importance!

1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”[a]

]]> http://questblog.org/2010/03/21/the-dangerous-life-message-week-9/feed/ 0 dangerous-life,difficulty,leadship This week Kevin covered 1 Peter 5:1-5 and focused on the role of leadership in the Christian community.  In the midst of difficult times leadership is of paramount importance! 1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, This week Kevin covered 1 Peter 5:1-5 and focused on the role of leadership in the Christian community.  In the midst of difficult times leadership is of paramount importance! 1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."[a] Kevin Hughes no 40:28