01-24-2021

01-24-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West and Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East), Jose Marerro (Español)
Sermon Series: Get Your Life Back
Week 4:  Get Outside
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.

Icebreaker:  What’s your favorite outdoor activity? 

1.  Our memory verse for this series is, 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.”

If you tried the spiritual discipline we learned last week – taking a one-minute pause while repeating the words, “Jesus, I give everyone and everything to you,” – share with your group how this impacted you. 

2.  Read Psalm 19: 

     The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

     7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
     12 But who can discern their own errors?  Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

The Psalmist tells about two ways God reveals Himself to us:

1.   We connect with God through his Word.

3.  In Psalm 19:7-11, David talks about God’s Word.  The word “Law” is the English translation of the Hebrew word “Torah,” which means “to guide, teach, instruct, or be driven by.”  Each of us chooses what we’re going to be driven by.  Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, writes:  “Everyone’s life is driven by something.  Most dictionaries define the word, “drive” as guide, control or direct.  And so the question becomes, what is the “driving force of your life?”  It may be a problem a pressure, or a deadline.  It may be a painful memory, a haunting fear, or an unconscious belief.  It could be guilt or resentment, or anger or fear or materialism or sexual pleasure or approval.  We’re all driven by something.  In fact, we may remember that Jesus himself said that, ‘No one can serve two masters.…’”

What are some other things (outside of God’s Word) that people in our world might be driven by? 

4.  What does David say in Psalm 19:7-11 about God’s Word? 

5.  What are the benefits of basing your life on God’s Word?

6.  Life’s most essential question is: “What is the meaning of life?”  How would you answer that question, if someone asked you? 

7.  What does Psalm 119:105 add to your understanding of what God wants to do for you through His Word?    “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

2.   We also connect with God through his world – or through creation.

8.  The first 6 verses of this Psalm are about how God reveals Himself in creation.  What are some things you can know about God through His creation? 

9.  Sometimes Christians are suspicious of science and think of it as our enemy.  But modern science actually originated from Christians, whose belief that God made the world caused them to want to discover how it works. 

Rodney Stark wrote in his book, The Victory of Reason:  “It is not an accident that science arose at a specific time and place, at the end of the Middle Ages in Europe, within the context of a Christian worldview that saw nature as the product of a rational God….  This was the eco-system needed to create science.  The giants of that enterprise:  Newton, Galileo, Kepler, and Des Cartes saw nature as a book written by God.  Science was a way to know God….”

What do you think of what Stark writes here?

10.  Read what Paul says about Jesus in Colossians 1:16:  “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

What does this communicate to you about Jesus and His relation to creation?  

11.  Read each of the following quotations, and discuss each of them with your group:

·      John Eldredge:  “The beauty of nature reassures us that goodness is still real in the world, more real than harm or scarcity or evil.  Beauty reassures us of abundance, especially that God is absolutely abundant in goodness and in life.  Beauty reassures us there is plenty of life to be had, and it reassures us that the end of this Story is wonderful.”

·      George Washington Carver:  “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will take the time to tune in.”

·      Mother Teresa:  “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature, trees, flowers, grass all grow in silence.  See the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence.  We need silence to be able to touch other souls.”

·      Anne Frank:  “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.  Because only then can one feel that all is as it should be, and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.  As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know then that there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstance may be, and I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” 

12.  John Eldredge wrote, “The average person now spends 93% of their life indoors.  This includes your time in transportation.  So this means if you live to be 100, you will have spent 93 years in a little compartment and 7 outside in the dazzling, living world God created.  We live most of our lives in a “fake” world.  Artificial lighting instead of the warmth of sunlight or the cool of moonlight, or the darkness of light itself.  Artificial climate rather than wild beauty of real weather – our world becomes a perfect 68 degrees with dull hum of our HVAC in the background.”

Throughout this coming week, your spiritual practice assignment is to get outside and use creation as a way to connect with God.  We invite you to send us your photos of outdoor beauty that helps you connect with God this week. Send the photos to:  info@communityofhope.church. 

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.

·      COH App:  Be sure to download our app so you can stay connected with our church and get sermon notes, announcements and more!

·      Financial Peace University:  Starts tomorrow night, January 25 and meets 9 weeks on Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm at our West Campus.  The cost is $129 per family at Dave Ramsey’s website www.fpu.com/1129861, but you can try it out for the first week at no cost.  Register here so we know you’re coming. 

·      All-Church Family Picnic:  Join us on Saturday, February 6th from 4-6pm at Commons Park for an afternoon of fun with other COHers.  (Note the date change!!). Bring your own chairs, blankets, picnic, and outdoor games.  Come prepared to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the park.  Invite your friends and family!!!

·      Men’s BBQ:  Saturday, February 27, 10am – 1pm.  Hey Guys! You won’t want to miss this chance to experience a great BBQ lunch, axe throwing, horseshoes, cornhole and classic cars – all at no cost.  Invite your friends!!  Register here so we know how many to expect.

·      Year-end Giving Statement:  For instructions on how to get a your year-end giving statement for tax purposes, go to communityofhope.church/give

·      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.