05-08-2022
05-08-2022
Dr. E. Dale Locke, (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB), Pastor Brandon Weaver (Lake Worth), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: Asking For A Friend
Week 3: Isn’t my faith just between me and God?
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. Read the theme verse for this series – Matthew 22:37 - Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Mark Twain wrote: “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so!” Where does this incorrect idea about faith come from?
2. Read Matthew 28:16-20 – Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
These were Jesus’ last words before he left the earth. Parting words normally express something that’s especially important to a person. What do you notice here about what was important to Jesus?
Jesus urges his followers to do two things:
Make Disciples: This means to reproduce what’s happening in your life spiritually in someone else so that they become increasingly mature followers of Jesus.
3. Based on the definition above, describe someone you know who’s living out Jesus’s command to make disciples. How is that person helping other people connect with Jesus and grow spiritually?
Baptize Them: Baptism may seem like a strange thing to do, but throughout the New Testament, whenever someone made a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ, they were immediately baptized in obedience to Jesus’s words in Matthew 28:19.
4. Our church practices two sacraments: Holy Communion and baptism. A sacrament is something Jesus practiced that he asks us to do. We say that baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. What do we mean by that?
5. Pastor Dale said that being baptized is similar to wearing a wedding ring. How is wearing a wedding ring similar to being baptized?
6. What did Pastor Dale mean when he said, “While my faith is personal, it’s not private”?
7. How does faith become personal? Why is it important that faith be personal?
8. Why do some people want their faith to be a private matter, just between them and God?
9. Why is it important to go public with our faith? What are some benefits of going public?
10. How have you “gone public” with your faith, letting people know that Jesus is your Lord?
11. If you’ve been baptized, describe what that experience was like and why you chose to do it.
12. Pastor Dale said, “Once your faith is public, it’s important to live your faith the right way.”
Read the following Scriptures and discuss what each one says about how we should live as a representative of Jesus in the world:
Colossians 4:5–6 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
13. Read Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The word “handiwork” here means “masterpiece.” How do you feel about the idea that you are God’s masterpiece? What is the Apostle Paul communicating here about how we should live?
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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Beach Baptism Sunday, 4:30pm June 5 at Carlin Park in Jupiter – We’ve rented a large pavilion so we can gather as a church family to celebrate baptisms and enjoy a fun picnic together at the beach! Wear a COH t-shirt and bring your own chairs and picnic supper. If you haven’t yet taken the step of baptism consider being baptized. Sign up for baptism at https://communityofhope.church/baptism
First Care Baby Bottle Boomerang – First Care is a wonderful organization that COH has partnered with for many years, because of how they love and support women in a crisis pregnancy to help them choose life for their baby. Take a bottle from the lobby today, fill it with money or a check, and then bring it back by May 22 to support the ministry of First Care.
Partnership Gathering – Loxahatchee Campus, Tuesday, May 17, 7pm. WPB Campus, May 24, 7pm
This quarterly meeting is a great opportunity to learn about important matters and decisions impacting the future of our church. All COH partners are encouraged to attend this informational meeting, and all COH attenders are welcome to attend even if you’re not yet an official partner.
Connections Class – This 4-week class is the best way to get more connected here and grow in your understanding of how to live the Christian life. You’ll learn about our church’s mission, values, and statement of faith, and what partnership involves. Our next Connections series will be on Sundays May 15 & 22, June 5 & 12 from 10:15 to 11:30am at our Loxahatchee Campus and simultaneously over Zoom. If you’re coming, please 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! To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give.