Pastor James will post his Sermon Study Questions every Tuesday with the previous Sunday’s sermon. Our hope is for these study questions to promote deeper personal study and further edify our church body.
Sermon Study Questions – July 19, 2026
1. Read Isaiah ch.46
2. In Isaiah 46 the Lord brings to a close His polemic against idols. What is His goal in attacking idols? What is an idol? Why is it tempting to worship idols?
3. In v.1-2 Isaiah tells how the two greatest gods in the Babylonian pantheon, Bel and Nebo, can’t carry their worshippers, but they themselves need to be carried. The point to be made here is that idols burden us. How do idols burden us? Give an example.
4. The great contrast here with the idols is that whereas idols burden us, v.3-4 make it abundantly clear that the Lord bears our burden. How does the Lord emphasize this reality in these verses? What do you learn from this, and how can you apply this principle?
5. The Lord also points out how idols are created by man, whereas He has created us and governs the entire world. How does He demonstrate this in our text, and how should this impact you as you consider life in this world and the current events going on in the world?
6. Perhaps the most significant point of contrast between the Lord and idols is that idols are powerless to save whereas the Lord is mighty to save. In the broadest sense, what does salvation (tishua in Hebrew) speak of in the OT? What are the various ways it is used?
7. Regardless how salvation is used in the Hebrew OT, the significant thing about it is that it always happens because of the intervention of another. In light of that, how has your salvation as a Christian come about? Be thorough, thinking through the various aspects of what it took to save you. Did you contribute anything to your salvation? Support your answer from Scripture.
8. In your own words, why is it foolish to exalt anyone or anything to a place of supremacy and ultimacy in your heart and life other than the Lord?
9. What practical application can you make from this text/sermon?
10. Pray!
Reading of Law: Colossians 3:5-6
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Prayer of Confession:
Our Father in heaven, you are great and greatly to be praised. We thank you for the love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness that are ours in Christ. This morning we come before you confessing our sins to you. We confess that there is much that is sinful within us, as the flesh is constantly warring against the spirit. We confess that we do not fight against indwelling sin with the zeal and effort that you call us to, but we tolerate these sins rather than treating them like the deadly enemies they are, as you tell us it is on account of these sins that your wrath is coming upon the world. Father, please forgive us and cleanse us of our guilt. Please also sanctify us and help us to see sin the way you do and to war against it in the way you would have us to. We thank you for Jesus Christ, through whom we have forgiveness. We also thank you that you are at work within us, and that you will one day complete this gracious work which you began in each of us when you glorify us in your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness: Revelation 1:4-6
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 45
Q.116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians?
A. Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us, and because God will give His grace and Holy Spirit only to those who earnestly and without ceasing ask them of Him, and render thanks unto Him for them.
[1] Ps. 50:14–15. [2] Matt. 7:7–8; Lk. 11:9–10, 13; Matt. 13:12; *Eph. 6:18.
Q.117. What belongs to such prayer which is acceptable to God and which He will hear?
A. First, that with our whole heart we call only upon the one true God, who has revealed Himself to us in His Word, for all that He has commanded us to ask of Him; second, that we thoroughly know our need and misery, so as to humble ourselves in the presence of His divine majesty; third, that we be firmly assured that notwithstanding our unworthiness, He will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, as He has promised us in His Word.
[1] Jn. 4:22–24. [2] Rom. 8:26; 1 Jn. 5:14. [3] Ps. 27:8. [4] 2 Chron. 20:12. [5] Ps. 2:10; 34:18; Isa. 66:2. [6] Rom. 10:14; Jas. 1:6. [7] Jn. 14:13–16; Dan. 9:17–18. [8] Matt. 7:8; Ps. 143:1; *Lk. 18:13.
Q.118. What has God commanded us to ask of Him?
A. All things necessary for soul and body, which Christ our Lord comprised in the prayer which He Himself taught us.
[1] Jas. 1:17. Matt. 6:33. *1 Pet. 5:7. *Phil. 4:6.
Q.119. What is the Lord’s Prayer?
A. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
[1] Matt. 6:9–13; Lk. 11:2–4.
NT Reading: 1 Pet. 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.