02-07-2021
02-07-2021
Rev. Trevor Johnston (West and Online), Jose Marrero (East), Rev. Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Get Your Life Back
Week 6: Remembering Who You Love
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
Icebreaker: What kinds of things do you tend to forget in your everyday life?
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.”
We’ve been learning some simple spiritual practices: the one-minute pause, slowing down, telling God, “I give everyone and everything to you,” getting outside, and unplugging. Which of these practices has impacted you the most so far?
2. Read Psalm 103:
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22 Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.”
3. David reminds his own soul not to drift into forgetfulness regarding God’s goodness and love. It’s easy to forget about God. If you’ve ever gone through an entire day or more without thinking about God at all, what was that like?
4. When you take time to remember God and praise Him, how does it impact your soul?
Three things to remember about God that will help rekindle your love for Him.
· Remember God is the creator of everything you love.
5. Read James 1:16-17: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
God is the creator and source of all the good things in your life. Everything you love and enjoy had its origin in Him. What are some of those things for you personally?
6. Notice that James warns his readers not to be deceived. Satan is always trying deceive us into thinking bad things are from God and good things are just luck. How does that kind of thinking impact a person’s relationship with God?
· Remember God is the God of grace
7. A lot of people have a false picture of God’s character, thinking of Him as stern and hard to please. What does Psalm 103 say about what God’s character is really like?
8. Read 1 John 3:16a: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” What does this verse add to your understanding of what God is like and how much He loves you?
9. How does an awareness of God’s true character impact a person’s relationship with God?
· Remember God is compassionate
10. When people experience something tragic or painful – such as illness, abuse, injustice, or the death of a loved one – it’s common to ask God: “Why did you let this happen to me?” What might help a person not to get stuck on that question?
11. John Eldredge shares about his friends who lost a child, but chose to keep loving God and trusting in His goodness even in the midst of their grief. Eldredge writes that as they declared their love for God, “All heaven was breathless; all hell was screeching in horror. Because they took away the enemy’s weapon and turned it against him. It wasn’t easy; there were still floods of tears. But they were not bitter tears, not angry or cynical, because they kept their hearts open to the One who could carry them through. Too many people pull away, walk through their pain alone, making it all the worse and lengthy…. [My friends] kept their souls open to God’s presence, and he was therefore able to offer himself in healing love. They made an offering of their suffering. Make an offering of your suffering. Love God in it.”
What do you think of what Eldredge says here?
12. Our spiritual practice assignment for this week is simply to say to God: “I love you too, God.” And if you’re going through a very difficult time, say: “I still love you, God.”
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.
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· Ash Wednesday, February 17, 7-8am or 5-6pm: Join us at either our East Campus or our West Campus to receive ashes in a safe drive-through experience. We encourage you to watch Pastor Dale’s online video “Why Ash Wednesday?” to help you understand the meaning behind this ancient spiritual practice.
· Parenting Workshop: February 25, 7:30pm on Zoom. Parents are responsible to provide our children with healthy, value-centered sex education based on what God values. Join us as we discuss how to teach healthy sexuality to our children. The conversation starts in pre-school and continues through young adulthood. This event will provide practical teaching for parents of children and teens of all ages. It’s never too early or too late to start! Register here.
· Men’s BBQ: Saturday, February 27, 10am - 1pm. Hey Guys! Don’t miss this chance to experience a great BBQ lunch, axe throwing, horseshoes, cornhole and classic cars – all at no cost to you. Invite your friends!! Register here so we know how many to expect.
· 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.