01-16-2022
01-16-2022
Rev. Trevor Johnston (Loxahatchee & Online), Rev. José Marerro (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: How Life Works
Week 2: Identity Theft
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. Jesus often said things that challenge us. For you personally, what’s one of the most challenging things you’ve read in Jesus’s teachings – something that (if you’re honest) you might sort-of wish you could cut out of the Bible, like Thomas Jefferson did, because it’s so challenging?
2. Read our theme verse from this series, Matthew 7:24 - Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-26:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
4. What are some of the ways that Jesus was misunderstood by people of his day?
5. What are some ways Jesus is misunderstood today?
6. Jesus redefines the commandment against murder to include anger and name calling, like when we call someone an “idiot.” What do you think of this teaching? Why does this matter so much?
7. Read verses 23-24 above and then read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Why does Jesus place such a high value on being reconciled with other people? Why does that matter so much?
8. Pastor and author, Tim Keller, points out that the early Church took the Sermon the Mount very seriously, and as a result had the following values:
Startlingly multi-racial – They viewed all humans as equal regardless of race or social status.
Radically pro-life – They defended all human life from the womb to the tomb.
Devotedly Caring for the poor – Christians started the idea of hospitals and charities.
Sexually counter-cultural – Come back next week to hear Pastor Dale teach on this!
Keller notes that two of these values are considered politically “progressive” or “left” in our country today, and two are considered “conservative” or “right” leaning today. Very few churches will talk about all four of these, but we want to be a church that talks about all of them, because Jesus did. John Mark Comer, in his book, Live No Lies, wrote:
“As a pastor, I get to sit with a fascinating array of people from across the sociopolitical spectrum. Over the last few years, I’ve watched so many people, both on the Left and the Right, be taken captive by ideology. It’s grieved my heart. Ideology is a form of idolatry. It’s a secular attempt to find a metaphysical meaning to life, a way to usher in utopia without God. The best definition I know of ideology is when you take a part of the truth and make it the whole. In doing so, you imprison your own mind and heart in lies that drive you to anger and anxiety. It promises freedom but produces the opposite. It does not expand and liberate the soul but shrinks and enslaves it.”
Share what you think about Keller’s and Comer’s statements.
9. This weekend our nation honors two important things: 1) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and his fight for racial equality, 2) Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, where we remember that all human life is valuable to God, including that of the unborn. These two things are only in competition, if people put their political identity above their identity as a Jesus-follower. If you’ve ever allowed your political identity to come before the values Jesus teaches in his Sermon on the Mount, and now recognize that, share that with your group.
10. Jesus said that all human life is valuable, so we as his followers must rid ourselves of any ideas that devalue other people. How could you be salt and light in our world with regard to both racial reconciliation and protecting the lives of the unborn?
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Partnership Gathering, Tuesday, January 18 at 7pm, Loxahatchee Campus: Our quarterly Partnership Gatherings provide an opportunity for Community of Hope partners and attenders to hear what’s going on behind the scenes and ask questions of our church leadership. All COH partners and attenders are welcome.
Dads Group: Sundays 4:30-6:00pm | Loxahatchee Campus: A weekly group for dads, step-dads, foster dads & granddads to grow in faith and as dads. Once a month we’ll do a fun activity with kids instead of our regular meeting. Register at communityofhope.church/groups
Groups Launch Season: We have lots of small group available to join. Groups are a big part of what we offer at COH, and if you’re not yet in a group, this is a great time to find one. Community Groups are a place to build friendships and grow spiritually. Find a full list at communityofhope.church/groups. There you can see videos of each leader telling what their group is about, so you can choose the best fit for you.
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