03-06-2022
03-06-2022 Dr. E. Dale Locke, (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: Who Cares? Growing a Heart Like Christ
Week 1: Lost and Found
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. Given the current world situation, what are some reasons why people might wonder whether God really has the whole world in his hands and loves the whole world?
2. Read John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
What would you say to someone who thinks that difficulties are a sign that there’s no God?
3. Read our theme verse for this series 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
What do you notice in Paul’s description here of what God is like?
What do you notice about God’s plan for how people in our world will receive comfort?
4. This year throughout Lent, our sermon series will focus on Jesus’s love for the world and how to grow hearts like his so we can be involved in loving the world with him. Read Luke 15:1-24 -
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
What do all three of these parables have in common?
What is Jesus’s point here?
Lost is a Thing
5. When God looks at the world, He sees two categories of people: lost and found. If you’ve ever lost something that was very important and precious to you, briefly share about that experience and especially the emotions you felt.
6. J.B. Philips, in his book, Your God is Too Small, says that most of us see God as a benevolent grandfather, a cosmic Santa Claus, or a resident policeman. How would you describe your picture of God?
7. Read Psalm 103:10–14 – He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear [respect] him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
What does this Psalm communicate to you about what God is like and how he deals with people?
8. Jesus gave his mission for coming to earth in Luke 19:10. He says there, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Think of some people you know who (as far as you know) don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How do you think Jesus feels about those people? How do you feel about the idea that they are lost?
Found is a Thing
9. John Newton was a slave trader until March10, 1748 when he became a Christ-follower and changed his life direction. He later wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” Share with your group your experience of being spiritually lost and how Jesus found you.
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 “connect” to 561-264-6079.
Easter Egg Hunt: We are excited that we will be holding our annual Egg Hunt at all three of our campuses! This is our biggest outreach to our community as we invite families to enjoy games, activities, inflatables, crafts, egg hunts and more – all at no cost. Please help us by volunteering and by bringing lots of filled eggs. More information at https://communityofhope.church/egghunt
Lent at Community of Hope: Go to http://www.communityofhope.church/lent for ideas on how to observe Lent including a brief video of Pastor Dale explaining what Lent is about.
Prayer Walk: Throughout Lent, we invite you to make use of our beautiful Prayer Walk on our Loxahatchee Campus. You can use it alone, with your family, or with your small group. Find the entrance at the edge of the woods on the west side of our parking lot, then follow the 14 crosses along the pathway through the woods. Each cross has a Scripture reminding you of Jesus’s sacrifice on your behalf. At the end of the pathway, there’s a pavilion with picnic tables where you can meditate and pray alone, or enjoy a picnic with your family or small group as you discuss what you experienced. This is a wonderful activity for small groups and families to do together during Lent.
Connections - Connections is a 4-week class on how to live the Christian life, and it’s also the best way to get more connected at Community of Hope. You’ll learn about our church’s mission, values, and statement of faith. After the four weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to become a Community of Hope partner, if you wish, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. Two options for taking Connections are coming soon:
(1) Our WPB Campus will have a class on Zoom only Mondays, 7-8:15pm starting March 7th.
(2) Our Loxahatchee Campus will have a class that will be both in-person and over Zoom on Wednesdays, 7-8:15pm starting March 23rd.
Register for either class at https://communityofhope.church/connections
Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! If you haven’t already, consider setting up automated giving to help you be consistent even when you’re traveling. To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give.