Small Group Guide

In this sermon, Pastor Cody Bren explores the concept of righteous anger through the story of Lazarus's resurrection in John 11. He distinguishes between destructive human anger and Jesus's holy anger, which is directed not at people but at death, devastation, and unbelief. Jesus's anger at Lazarus's tomb wasn't merely sadness but righteous indignation against the enemy who brings death and despair into God's world.

In this sermon, Pastor Mike explores the concept of righteous anger versus rage, using Jesus's example as a guide. He begins by showing disturbing images of global injustice, pointing out how society has become desensitized to suffering. The sermon centers on the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10, where Jesus challenges the definition of 'neighbor' and demonstrates how true compassion crosses social boundaries. Mike emphasizes that Jesus's anger was always directed at injustice and hypocrisy, never weaponized against sinners themselves.

In this sermon, Pastor Mike explores the concept of righteous anger through the lens of Jesus' actions in the temple. He distinguishes between human rage and Jesus' 'salty anger' - anger that purifies, heals, and preserves rather than destroys. The sermon focuses on Jesus clearing the temple of money changers, showing how His anger was directed at corruption that distracted from worship. Unlike our often petty or selfish anger, Jesus' anger came from a place of love and a desire for correction. Pastor Mike challenges the congregation to be angry about the right things, to be open to correction, and to use anger as a catalyst for positive change rather than destruction.

In this sermon titled "Triggered by Depression," Pastor Mike explores how depression can either bury us or lead us back to God, using King David's story as an example. He begins with the story of Aaron Ralston, who was trapped by a boulder and eventually had to amputate his own arm to survive - a powerful metaphor for how we sometimes need to make drastic changes to escape depression. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus never promised an easy life but did promise to be with us through our struggles. He discusses how David's overwhelming grief over his son Absalom's death affected not just him but his entire kingdom, illustrating how depression can impact those around us. The sermon concludes with practical advice about connecting with others, being authentic about our struggles, and recognizing that God can use our painful experiences to help others who are suffering