01-10-2021
01-10-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West and Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Get Your Life Back
Week 2: I Could Never….
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
1. New Year’s is a time when many people seek to start new habits. If you’ve made any New Year’s resolutions, share about those with your group.
2. This sermon series was inspired by a book by John Eldredge called Get Your Life Back that addresses God’s plan for how to do life in a world that tends to steal the life out of our souls. As important as our physical bodies and minds are, our souls are the most essential part of who we are. Jesus said in Mark 8:36-37: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul. Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
What thoughts come to your mind when you read these words of Jesus?
3. Read our memory verse for this series, Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Does your life demonstrate that you believe this?
4. Read Luke 5:1-16:
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
This passage shows four common misunderstandings about Jesus:
· He can’t understand me.
5. Look again at verse 5. Peter seemed to feel like Jesus didn’t understand what it was like to be Peter. Have you ever had the feeling that Jesus couldn’t understand you or your life situation? If so, share about that.
· He’ll never accept me.
6. Look again at verse 8. Peter seemed to doubt that Jesus could accept him because of how sinful his life had been. Many people feel like they’re not good enough to receive Jesus’ grace and begin to grow in his holiness. If you or someone you’ve known has felt that way share about that.
7. Read Luke 7:36-50:
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
What does this story tell you about Jesus’ forgiveness?
· He doesn’t really want to help me.
8. Look again at Luke 5:12-13 where the leprous man wondered if Jesus would be willing to heal him. What does Jesus’ response communicate to you?
9. Why do you think some people doubt that God wants to help them?
· I could never be like him.
10. Sometimes we think Jesus was able to do what he did because he had special advantages as God. But Scripture teaches that – even though Jesus was God in his identity – while he was on earth, he was like us in every way, except that he resisted temptation and never sinned. Look at Luke 5:15-16 to see what Jesus did to recharge his soul. What does that tell you about how to recharge your soul when you’re depleted?
11. Throughout this coming week, try using the spiritual discipline of the one-minute pause, where you simply stop everything and quiet your soul for 60 seconds. Set a reminder to do this at least once each day, and share with your group next week how this impacted your soul.
Ready for your next step?
If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
· New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “hello” to 561-264-6079.
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· Groups Launch Season: If you’re not in a Community of Hope small group, but would like to find one, January is a perfect time to do that! Lots of new groups are starting in the next few weeks. Some will meet online, some outdoors, and some in person following CDC guidelines. Go to communityofhope.church/groups to see a complete list of available groups and sign up for the one that fits you.
· All-Church Family Picnic: Join us on Sunday, February 7th from 4-6pm at Commons Park for an afternoon of fun with other COHers. Bring your own chairs, blankets, picnic, and outdoor games. Come prepared to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the park. Invite your friends!!!
· Connections: Our next Connections class series will be on Sundays, from 10:30-11:45 a.m. beginning January 17th. This 4-week class is the best way to get more connected at COH and grow in your understanding of how to live the Christian life. If you wish, at the end of the four weeks, you can become a Community of Hope partner, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. The class will take place in room 104 on our West campus with participants wearing face masks. Or if you prefer, you can attend over Zoom. Register at https://communityofhope.church/connections
· Night to Shine – Shine Through: Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, this is an incredible event for our special needs friends ages 14 and older. Each year, this has been an unforgettable prom experience, centered on God's love. Due to COVID-19, Night to Shine will be a virtual experience this year. On February 12, 2021, COH will host a choice of a Shine-Thru Experience or a Shine at Home Experience. For more information or to register to attend go to https://communityofhope.church/specialfriends. To volunteer, go here.
· Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community! To give to Community of Hope, go to https://communityofhope.church/give.