F. Building Healthy Mission: Avoiding Distractions and Finishing Well (T...

Bridge Community Fellowship Sunday 08-17-25 Worship Service

Building Healthy Mission: Avoiding Distractions and Finishing Well (Titus 3:9-15)

Big Idea for This Week: God calls His church to stay focused on the mission, refuse distractions, and finish well

Sermon Outline:

1. Avoid Pointless Disputes (v.9) - Don’t get caught in arguments that distract from the mission.
2. Address Divisive People Wisely (vv.10–11) - Protect the unity of the church through loving but firm correction.
3. Live with Missional Intentionality (vv.12–14) - Support gospel partners and devote yourself to good works that meet urgent needs.
4. End with Grace (v.15) - Healthy mission finishes well in loving fellowship and gospel partnerships

Application Questions for Study and Discussion:

• What are some modern “pointless disputes” that can distract churches from gospel mission? What are some ways that you can get distracted from the tasks God has given you to accomplish? • Why is it important to address divisive people, and how can we do it with wisdom and grace? What happens if we never address divisive people? How can addressing, while awkward, be loving? • How can you personally live with greater missional intentionality this week? What is one “good work” you can pursue to meet an urgent need around you? • Where do you need to let grace be the “last word” in a relationship, conversation, or ministry situation?

Recommended Resources for Further Study:

The What Is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung & Greg Gilbert, The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall & Tony Payne, Center Church by Timothy Keller, Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper, The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield, Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne, Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, Finishing Our Course with Joy by J.I. Packer

#31 Mark 16:1-8 "Jesus, The Risen Lord! " (Easter Sunday 2022)

#13 Mark (Mark 8:1-26) "Seeing Jesus Clearly"

The Gospel of Mark: Servanthood, Discipleship, and Following Jesus #13 Mark 8:1-26 “Seeing Jesus Clearly” Sunday, November 28th Discussion/Study Questions Big Idea: Seeing and Responding to Jesus for who he truly is! (Mark 8:1-21) Jesus Shows us the Character of God (Mark 8:1-10) Will we respond like the Pharisees: Resist and Demand (Mark 8:11-13) Will we respond like the Disciples: Doubt and Forget (Mark 8:14-21) Will we respond like the Blind Man: Slowly See and Change (Mark 8:22-26) Ice-Breaker Questions - How was everyone's thanksgiving? What are you looking forward to this Christmas season? Which subjects did you enjoy in school? Which subjects required a lot of instruction and assistance before you "Got it?" Jesus Shows Us the Character of God (8:1-10) - How does Jesus feeding the four thousand show the compassion of God? How does the story of Jesus' miracle feeding show the provision of God? The Disciples of Jesus doubted that anyone could feed the crowd despite the fact that they had already seen Jesus feeding an even larger crowd. How can we doubt God for the very things he has already provided in our life? The people all eat the bread and fish and were satisfied. How does God satisfy our desires for relationship, forgiveness and hope for the future? Will we respond like the Pharisees: Resist and Demand (Mark 8:11-13) - The Pharisees has seen the miracles of Jesus but they resist following Him and continue to demand a sign. How people create an intellectual smokescreen to avoid Jesus in their life? How can we be tempted to make demands on God? Will we respond like the Disciples: Doubt and Forget (Mark 8:14-21) - The disciples are focused on making sure they have enough bread to get through the day while Jesus is trying to teach them deeper spiritual truths. Have you ever been too focused on your immediate physical needs that you didn't see what God was trying to teach you? The disciples doubt Jesus' ability to feed the crowds and they forgot about the ways he already feed others. How can we be tempted to doubt God's goodness and forget how he has provided for us? Will we respond like the Blind Man: Slowly See and Change (Mark 8:22-26) - Ironically, the only person to see Jesus clearly in these stories is the blind man. The blind man obeyed Jesus, didn't give up in the process of healing, and stayed with Jesus until he was transformed. How can we be tempted to give up in the middle of the work that God is doing in our lives? The blind man sees partially, how can we be tempted to be discouraged with the slowness of our spiritual growth? How can we support, encourage, and pray for one another this week? Take Time to Pray Over What You've Learned - Pray to remember that Jesus cares, provides and satisfies. Pray against pride that would resist what God is doing or make demands of God. Ask forgiveness of God for the doubts and spiritual forgetfulness that you experience. Praise the Lord for the ways that he has provided for you, opened your eyes to spiritual reality and showed you compassion.

RVC Baptisms & BBQ Celebration

Enjoying the video from Rainier Valley Church's special Baptisms & BBQ Celebration service at Seahurst Park in Burien, Washington. Rejoice with us in the baptisms of Arvie, Rose, Stephanie, Melissa, and Isabelle. We are thanking God for his incredible power at work in the lives of those who have been baptized on Sunday, August 29th.

Knowing You Know God #5 "Knowing You Are A Child of God"

The 2021 Olympics have begun in Tokyo, Japan. Christians can learn much from these incredible athletes who have had their identity, activity, and community shaped by goal for Olympic Gold.

As Christians, we have our identity, activity and community shaped by the cross of Jesus Christ.

Open your Bibles to 1 John 2:28–3:10 and let's learn what it means to grow as disciples of Jesus.

Let's sing, study, and partake in the Lord's Supper together as Jesus' People!

Pictures from Sunday, July 29th at Rainier Valley Church

New Episode of Life Together on the Psalms w/David Libby

I really enjoyed discussing the book of Psalms and it's application in the Christian Life with Pastor David Libby on the latest episode of the #LifeTogether podcast at Summit View Church, Vancouver, WA

Check out all the current Life Together episodes here http://summitview.net/life-together-podcast/

#SummitViewChurch #TheBookofPsalms #SummerPsalms #VancouverWA#MakeDisciples #Meditation 

#Prayer #Worship #JesusInThePsalms

"Transforming Prayer" Series - Week #9 "Amen!" (Matthew 6:9-13)

Sunday, November 8th sermon by Pastor Kyle Van Tine 

Transforming Prayer Week #9 "Amen!" - Matthew 6:9-13

Listen to Sunday's sermon by following this link 

Summit View Church Announcements 11/15/15

CG Coaching for Transforming Prayer  

Sunday, November 15th  - Pastor Kyle Van Tine - Transforming Prayer "Amen!"   

RESOURCES FOR THE "TRANSFORMING PRAYER" SERIES

            

Growing deeper

Ice Breaker Questions

What are your plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s this year?

What are you most looking forward to in the Christmas season?

Questions for Study

Transforming prayer transforms our prayers

How has your view of prayer changed throughout this series?

What has been the most important biblical insight you received throughout the eight weeks of Transforming Prayer?

How do the biblical prayers we examined each week compare to your own personal prayers?

Transforming prayer transforms our character 

How has God used prayer to transform your heart, mind and will?

Which of these categories (praise, confession, request, intercession) do you need to grow in and why?   

How have you experienced the presence, guidance and love of God through prayer?

Transforming prayer transforms our future 

How will you begin to apply what you’ve learned throughout this series? What insights, techniques, or approaches will you use?

What people, decisions, situations and issues will you pray about and how will you pray about them?   

If, in the future you have the opportunity to teach someone about prayer, what you would you teach them?

"Transforming Prayer" Series Week #8 "Boldness" (Acts 4:23-31)

Sunday, November 8th sermon by Pastor Kyle Van Tine 

Transforming Prayer Week #8 "Boldness" - Acts 4:23-31

Listen to Sunday's sermon by following this link 

Summit View Church Announcements 11/8/15

CG Coaching for Transforming Prayer  

Sunday, November 8th  - Pastor Kyle Van Tine - Transforming Prayer "Boldness"   

RESOURCES FOR THE "TRANSFORMING PRAYER" SERIES

            

Growing deeper

Ice Breakers

What would be the strangest or silly thing you’ve ever prayed for?

Looking back on your childhood, what kinds of ordinary or silly things actually scared you?

Questions

1. Praying boldly to the God who created all things (Acts 4:23-24)

Who is the boldest person you know and where would they say their boldness comes from?

Discuss this definition of boldness – Boldness is behavior born out of belief.

How should knowing God is the Creator of the universe affect our boldness?

2. Praying boldly to the God who controls all things (Acts 4:25-28)

How have you experienced persecution, insults, put downs, ridicule or suffering because of your faith?

How should knowing God is sovereignly working all things together for good inform and shape our boldness?

When we’re not bold, what are we afraid of? 

3. Praying boldly to the God who enables all things (4:29-31)

Have you ever experienced God giving you a boldness that wasn’t your own? What was the situation and what happened?

What situations and circumstances in your life do you need to pray for boldness?

How would your Christian walk change if you weren’t scared of anything (finances, persecution, failure, etc.)?

Transforming Prayer Week #6 "Expectation" (2 Kings 19:14-19)

Sunday, October 25th sermon by Pastor Kyle Van Tine 

Transforming Prayer Week #6 "Expectation" - 2 Kings 19:14-19

Listen to Sunday's sermon by following this link 

 New Lead Pastor Announcement

Summit View Church Announcements 10/25/15

CG Coaching for Week #6 "Expectation"   

RESOURCES FOR THE "TRANSFORMING PRAYER" SERIES

            

Growing deeper

Ice Breakers

Share a funny story from a situation when reality was completely different than your expectation.

How can expectations be helpful or harmful?

Questions

Pray expectantly to the God who CREATES (2 Kings 19:14-15) 

What was your view of prayer growing up (tradition, ritual, lucky charm, solution)?

What is the role of expectation when it comes to praying biblically?

Do you have a “place” (room, park, backyard, coffee shop) that is your primary prayer spot? How would this benefit your prayer time?

Why do biblical prayer stories almost always start with the prayer praising God before making requests?

Pray expectantly to the God who HEARS (2 Kings 19:16-18)

How does it change our expectations of prayer to know that God hears everything we pray?

How is it practically encouraging to know that God doesn’t just listen to our prayers, but actually sympathizes and feels our heartaches?

Pray expectantly to the God who ANSWERS (2 Kings 19:19)

Share stories of times God has answered your prayers.

Do you have any examples of a time God didn’t answer your prayers the way you asked because He had something better in mind?

Summit View Church - CG Coach Week #6 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

CG Coaching for Week #6 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Sunday, July 12th  -  Pastor Kyle Van Tine  -  "Compelled by Christ's Love" 

Many times, we are blind to the motivations of our own heart - fame, money, power, acceptance, love, shame, guilt… the list could go on for a while. God knows. God sees our heart, piercing its depths and seeing the very attitudes and motives that drive our outward actions. Paul knows what motivates him. He is motivated by fearful awe and love for God because he has been stripped of being motivated by the things this world offers. Paul understands that he is deeply known by an infinite God. Paul knows that his sin separates him from his Creator and that his sin destines him for God’s just wrath. God is not impressed by the things people are impressed with - gifts, accomplishments, knowledge, eloquence. We cannot reconcile and make peace with God ourselves through anything we do, no matter how impressive we think they are. Instead, God did it all Himself. God fixed it. He created a way for us, sinners destined for justice from a just God, to be reconciled to Him. By our repentance and faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are made free from shame and guilt. Free from alienation from God. Free from eternal condemnation. We are people who are motivated by the good news that Christ paid the cost for us so we can live in peace with God. We are freed from bondage to the worldly idols that used to motivate us and can, instead, live a deeply revolutionary life, a reconciled life, fueled by a missionary heart. We are a new creation filled with wondrous new desires. The controlling force in our lives is now Christ, who compels us to see beyond the shallow self-filled life, and who gives us rest in the joy of a God-centered life. Out of the desires of our new life, we can use our spiritual eyes to look past the external image people around us strive to maintain, to look deeply at them as souls known by God and in need of a Savior. 

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Romans 5:10-11 and Romans 12:1-2.

The gospel is transforming; our thoughts and deeds are changing. We have been given Christ’s perfect righteousness, counted by God as belonging to us. 

What kinds of motivations have you seen that cause people to get involved in church?

How does the knowing that we will be accountable to Jesus as our Judge motivate us to live sincere and holy lives?  

Because Jesus loved us and died for us, He has given us the Holy Spirit and the ability to begin to die to our sinful self.  How have you died to yourself so that you can live for Jesus? What areas of your sinful life need to die this week and what will it look like to live for Jesus in those areas?

How does knowing you don’t need to impress God or earn His approval and affection liberate you to live for Him?

How does recognizing others as souls change how you see  people in your life, both the easy and difficult?

How will you live as an Ambassador of Jesus and His Kingdom this week? (Practically – Who will you serve? Who will you pray for? Who will you meet with?)

Recommended Reading: Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller

Compelled to Serve 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 Summit View Church

CG Coaching for Week #4 - 2 Corinthians 4:1-15

Sunday, June 28th  -  Pastor Kyle Van Tine  -  2 Corinthians: A Church Compelled
"Compelled to Serve" (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)

Listen to "Compelled to Serve" here

GROWING DEEPER

Being exposed to God has a compelling transformative power. As Moses’, face was physically transformed to shine when exposed to God’s glory, likewise, our hearts are transformed. For us, though, it is a permanent glory that does not fade. When we accept Christ as Lord our lives are forever changed. Daily, as we think on the gospel, God is doing a heart-work in us, sculpting us and unveiling to us His truth so that we do not lose heart when we see the word of God being distorted and watered down. We must be bold in our faithfulness to the gospel and in our prayers for those whose hearts are veiled to the truth. We must not be tempted to change our message for the hearers. John Calvin clarifies that “the blindness of unbelievers in no way detracts from the clearness of the gospel, for the sun is no less resplendent because the blind do not perceive it.” We must continually point the blind to Christ as the light they need in their lives to rid themselves of their blindness. We are fragile clay vessels that show, from our joy in the face of suffering, the everlasting power of the Creator God who does not abandon us but sustains us with his Word. God’s light grows as our weakness does. It is a strange and magnificent paradox that our weakness invites the strength of God. In our weakness we can reveal God’s light of grace into a dark and perishing world.

Read Revelation 7:9-10

• Paul’s boldness and joy in suffering for the gospel comes from his focus on the future hope of eternity with God. Do you live today with a future hope that sees eternity as our ultimate destination?
• How have the Scriptures come alive and been life changing to you? What might need to change in your life to allow this to happen?
• How have you personally experienced the unique challenges of the Christian life that Paul highlights in verses 8-9?
• How are you being daily transformed by Christ?
• How has your weakness glorified God and displayed his power? (John 12:24-26)
• How have you seen or experienced the spiritual blindness that Paul mentions in verse 4 either in yourself, your family or in the world?

Proverbs: The Art of Living Wisely (Pro 1:1-7, 20-22; 3:5-8)

Proverbs: Choose Wisely - Kyle Van Tine - Sunday, April 12

To Listen to Proverbs: "The Art of Living Wisely" 

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

What are some common “proverbs” you learned from your family and friends growing up (Sayings, truisms, maxims, mottos, etc.)?

Discuss this statement, “You make discussions and your discussions make you.”

How is it that the fear of God is the foundation of knowledge and wisdom? Why is wisdom so essential in the Christian life?

What are some examples of times you had to use wisdom to make difficult life decisions? What factors went into determining your ultimate choice?

Proverbs often describes three characters (The Simple, the Fool and the Mocker) and the outcome of resisting wisdom, rebuke and correction. Which of these characters are you most similar to and how can you be growing wiser?  

Easter 2015: "The Resurrection of Jesus Changes Everything"

Easter 2015: The Resurrection Changes Everything! 1 Cor 15:1-11

Easter Sunday, April 5th - "The Resurrection Changes Everything" -  (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

Listen to EASTER 2015 sermon here

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

What are some of your favorite Easter memories? Why?

Why is it that if you don’t persevere in the faith, you have believed Jesus in vain? (15:1-2) 

What is the difference between issues of first importance and secondary issues? What are some good examples? (15:3)

Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter?What are some of the most compelling evidences for Jesus’ resurrection? (15:4-8) 

How does the grace of God forgive, transform and empower us? How is God changing you today (thoughts, emotions, desires, plans, etc)? (15:9-11)