01-30-2020
01-30-2022
Dr. E. Dale Locke (Loxahatchee & Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: How Life Works
Week 4: Beautiful Resistance
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. 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.
As we go through Jesus’s very challenging words in this sermon, you might think it would be impossible to actually live this way. What is Jesus communicating in this verse?
2. Read Matthew 5:38-48:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Pastor Dale said that this weekend’s message may be the most challenging one of all. Why did he say that?
3. The gravestone of John Wesley Hughes, the founder of Asbury College has the statement on it: “Tell Asbury preachers to preach the whole truth and be true to the Bible.”
Why might it be tempting for a preacher not to preach the whole truth, especially in light of today’s passage?
4. Karl Barth, a Swiss theologian wrote, “The church exists to set up in the world a new sign which is radically dissimilar to the world’s own manner, and which contradicts it in a way which is full of promise.” What did he mean by that?
5. Getting even with our enemies almost feels like a “right” we don’t want to give up, and we may feel as though we’re justified if we fight the way the world fights. But Pastor Dale said Jesus’ isn’t so much asking us not to fight - he’s asking us to fight his way. What did he mean by that? What is Jesus’s way to fight?
Unlimited Revenge:
6. The ancient world lived by the code “survival of the fittest” and “unlimited revenge.” If someone wronged you, it was your right – in some cultures, it was even your duty – to destroy that other person by doing something worse to them than they did to you. When you observe human history, how has that type of back-and-forth revenge worked out?
Limited Revenge:
7. In the Old Testament, God limited his people’s revenge when he gave what some call the “law of proportional response” – meaning you could not do more to someone than they did to you. For example, if someone took out your eye, you could only take out their eye; or if they knocked out your tooth, you could only knock out their tooth. This was a big improvement on what was going on in the culture of that day, so why did Jesus go a step further than this law?
Unlimited Love:
Jesus ended the cycle of retribution completely, asking his followers to be known for unlimited love. He described this in three areas:
The Cheek – an assault on your personal dignity.
8. How does Jesus’s teaching of offering the other cheek communicate to the other person, “You cannot take my dignity”?
The Coat – an assault on your personal property.
9. Pastor Dale said when you give the thief even more than they try to take from you, you take control of the situation, saying, if you need my help, you can ask me. Do you agree? Why or why not?
The Second Mile – an assault on our personal liberty.
10. How far would you be willing to be inconvenienced and lose your personal freedom to be an effective witness for Jesus?
11. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus continues by saying: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” He is referring to the importance of our sanctification, that we should become more and more like God. How does Jesus teaching on how to treat our enemies reflect God’s character?
12. Pastor Dale said that spiritual perfection is possible. How is it possible?
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Prayer Night: Thursday, February 3 at 7pm. In English at our Loxahatchee Campus. In Spanish at our WPB Campus. This will be an evening of prayer, pursuing more of God together and asking God to move in big ways in our church and community. It’s going to be powerful!
New Monthly Sunday Evening Service: Starting February 6, on the first Sunday of the month at 5pm, we’ll offer an outdoor service, weather permitting. Bring your own chair or blanket. Communion will be served. Kids are welcome, and there will be a special children’s moment in each service.
Night to Shine: Friday, February 11. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs, ages 14 and older to show them God’s love. This year, due to the pandemic, we will bring this experience to our guests’ homes. If you want to volunteer to put together goodie bags or delivering them to our special friends. Register to participate as a guest or a volunteer at https://communityofhope.church/nighttoshine
Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, is coming to the Community of Hope West Palm Beach Campus (2341 S Military Trail) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 7-9pm! Space is limited! Purchase tickets online at https://moody.regfox.com/date-night-west-palm
Human Trafficking Conference: February 17, 6pm. View Place of Hope's film, "Invisible" and learn how to be part of the fight against this very real issue of human trafficking in our area. Learn more at https://communityofhope.church/cht
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