03-20-2022
03-20-2022
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 3: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. At COH, we use the season of Lent each year to prepare ourselves to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection at Easter. One way Christians have done that throughout the centuries is by living out Jesus’s value of compassion to those who are suffering, and that’s our focus at COH this year. What are some ways Jesus demonstrated compassion and care for suffering people?
2. 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.
In our culture, people increasingly tend to focus on themselves. Jesus calls us to something else. In Tim McGraw’s song called “Be Humble and Kind” he says, “When you get to where you’re going, turn around and help the next one in line.” That’s what we’re talking about in this series. What are some ways you are passing on to others the comfort you’ve received from God?
3. There is a trend in our current culture for people to “de-construct” their faith. Some make the critical mistake of assuming this means they have to lose their faith altogether, but others begin to correctly realize that some of their childhood ideas of faith were actually incomplete or immature, and this opens up the glorious possibility of finding the real thing. If you’ve grown out of or abandoned any of your childhood faith ideas that weren’t really what genuine Christian faith is about, share that with your group.
4. Read Luke 10:25-37 –
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
5. Why did Pastor Dale say that an easy chair may be the most dangerous thing in your home?
6. Describe what is meant by “compassion fatigue” and why people might feel this. Have you ever felt it?
7. Luke reveals that the man asking Jesus questions was doing it to test Jesus. What does that tell you about that man’s faith and his heart?
Jesus is teaching in this parable that genuine compassion is an action, not just a feeling. The parable he tells in answer to the question “Who is my neighbor?” demonstrates three different life philosophies:
No one is my neighbor.
This was the life philosphy of the robbers in the story. They live by the ethic: “What’s yours is mine and I’m going to take it!”
8. Though you’re hopefully not as evil as these robbers were, has there ever been anything in your life that reflects this philosophy?
I’m my own neighbor.
This is the life philosophy of the religious people in the parable, and the ethic of this group is: “What’s mine is mine, and I’m going to keep it.”
9. This is more likely to be where many of us are tempted. What is the problem with living by this 2nd life philosophy?
Anyone I can help is my neighbor.
This appears to be the life ethic of the Samaritan in Jesus’s story. His motto might be described with: “What’s mine is God’s, and I’m going to manage it.”
10. How does a person’s life change when they realize that our possessions belong to God, and He’s just given them to us to manage? What does God want us to do as his managers?
11. When we exercise compassion, endorphins are produced in our body. We’ve been created to be compassionate and generous. Think of a time when you were generous and share how it felt.
12. Jesus says, “Go and do!” Pastor Dale said that we can’t do everything, but we can do for one what we wish we could do for everyone. What did he mean by that?
13. Consider giving above and beyond your regular giving by participating in a special offering to help refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. To give to that offering, go to https://communityofhope.church/give.
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Easter Egg Hunt: We are excited about our Egg Hunt, which will be held at all three of our campuses! This is our biggest outreach to our communities as we invite families to enjoy games, activities, inflatables, crafts, egg hunts and more – all at no cost. Please help us by volunteering or by donating filled eggs. More information at https://communityofhope.church/egghunt
Good Friday Experience: Friday, April 15 | 4:30pm - 7:30pm | At all our campuses - Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth – We invite you to an indoor walk-through experience designed to creatively help you reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross! Come by yourself or come with your family anytime between 4:30pm & 7:30pm. Children are welcome! Available in both English and Spanish with versions for adults or for families with small children.
Milestone Middleschool – Wednesdays April 20, 27, May 4, 11, & 18 | 6:30- 8pm at both our LOX & WPB Campuses - A 5-week class for kids finishing 5th grade and their parents. Students will learn what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ and a partner at Community of Hope. This stepping stone in your child’s faith journey is our version of the traditional confirmation class and is designed to help your child transition from children’s ministry to student ministry. Parents will be equipped and given resources to discuss sexual integrity, technological responsibility, healthy habits, and authentic faith with your pre-teen. You’ll also meet and develop community with other parents entering this phase. Register at https://communityofhope.church/milestones
Connections starts on Wednesday! – A 4-week class on how to live the Christian life, and 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 may become a Community of Hope partner, if you wish, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. Our next class will be held at our Loxahatchee Campus in-person and also simultaneously on Zoom on Wednesdays, 7-8:15pm starting March 23rd. Register 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 COH go to https://communityofhope.church/give