05-30-2021
05-30-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West, East & Online), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Mistaken Identity
Week 8: All Dogs Go to Heaven god
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. To get the best picture of what God is like, Hebrews 1:3 says to look at Jesus: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
2. Which of the topics/half-truths about God that we’ve covered in this sermon series has helped you the most, and why?
Problematic Idea: Everybody goes to heaven. Or – as many people might express it – only really bad people go to hell.
3. Why do a lot of people think this? What reasoning lies behind this idea?
Disclaimer: We’re NOT saying that God is not merciful.
4. Read the following verses and talk about what you notice in each one.
· Luke 23:43 – Jesus answered him [the criminal on the cross next to Him], “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
· 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
This week’s truth is: Jesus said it’s possible to miss heaven.
5. Read John 3:1-21:
There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
What insights or questions come to your mind as you read this passage?
Living a strictly religious life never satisfies the human soul.
6. A lot of people think Christianity is about living a religious life. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, which meant he was extremely religious and had even taken a vow to commit his life to obeying the Ten Commandments. Yet it appears he came to Jesus secretly at night because his striving to follow religious rules wasn’t satisfying him. Dallas Willard observed, “Religion or spirituality wrongly pursued is one of the major sources of human misery and/or rebellion against God.” What did Dallas Willard mean by that?
7. Pastor Dale said: “Nicodemus’ problem was that he viewed Jesus as a teacher who came from God, not as God who came to teach us.” Explain what Pastor Dale meant by that. Why is this distinction important?
8. The conversation in John 3:3 was the first time anyone ever used the expression “born again” to talk about the Christian life. This has become so commonplace that we can easily forget what it means. Why did Jesus choose this expression to talk about the Christian life? What did He mean by it?
9. William James observed that some decisions are:
· Live – There is a limited amount of time in which to make the decision, and it’s up to you to make it.
· Momentous – The decision is about something that really matters.
· Forced – We can’t avoid the decision. Not to decide is to decide.
Talk about how these three things relate to our decision about Jesus.
10. John 3:16 is a very familiar verse. None of us has lived a perfect life, and we all need forgiveness. Jesus offers us forgiveness and life. That’s a good deal! How does a person accept it?
11. Read Hebrews 9:27-29 – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
What does it mean to be “waiting for Jesus”?
12. Read 1 John 5:13: “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”
It’s encouraging that it’s possible to know we have eternal life. How can a person have that confidence?
13. Read through the “Won by One” card together as a group, then take a few minutes for each person to write some names on their “Won by One” cards, and then pray together as a group about the people you’ve listed and the process on the card.
Ready for your next step?
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· Our next Connections Class starts Monday, June 7 - Mondays 7:00-8:15pm in-person at the West Campus and simultaneously online. 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. At the end of 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. Register at https://communityofhope.church/connections
· Milestone Middle School
West: June 2, 9, 16, 23 | 6:30-8:00pm
East: June 1, 8, 15, 22 | 6:30-8:00pm
A 4-week class for parents and your student who is going into 6th grade in the Fall. The students will learn about 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 will help your student transition from children’s ministry to student ministry. Parents, you’ll be equipped and given resources to have important conversations with your pre-teen. This class will meet for parents and students during COH Students at each campus. Register at https://communityofhope.church/milestones
· Who Needs God? Summer Discussion Series
West: Tuesday, June 29- August 3, 7-8:30pm – English only
East: Wednesday, June 30-August 4, 7-8:30pm – Spanish and English
A 6-week series where you can discuss faith questions, doubts and reasons why some don't believe. With video teaching from Andy Stanley and table discussion designed to provide a safe place to deepen your own faith foundation or to invite a friend who struggles with faith or doesn't attend church. ("Deeper" for 4th-6th graders will be offered simultaneously on the West Campus only.) Register at https://communityofhope.church/whoneedsgod
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