06-12-22
06-12-2022
Rev. Trevor Johnston (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB & Español), Pastor Brandon Weaver (LW)
Sermon Series: Re-assembly Required
Week 2: The Second Half
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
Read the theme verse for this series. Matthew 16:18b: “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
1. Read Community of Hope’s mission statement out loud together: “We exist to interest disinterested people in Jesus Christ and grow together into fully devoted followers of him.”
The first half of this statement is about helping people start a relationship with Jesus Christ, which we celebrated last weekend at our beach baptism. If you were there, what did you notice in the testimonies that were given? If you weren’t there, share about your own baptism and how it impacted you.
2. This week’s sermon explored the second half of this statement – what does it mean to be a “fully devoted” follower of Jesus Christ? How would you answer that question?
3. 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.”
Jesus’s words here are often called “The Great Commission,” and every church’s mission statement should be based on it. Look again at COH’s mission statement above, and note how the two halves correspond to the Great Commission.
4. Dallas Willard described a “disciple” as “a close follower of Jesus, an apprentice who is learning to become like their master.” How does this definition help you in your understanding of how you can be Jesus’s “disciple”?
5. In the second half of the Great Commission, Jesus said to teach people to “obey everything I have commanded you….” Some people might think this sounds like legalism, as if Jesus were infringing on our freedom. What would you say to someone who had that concern?
6. Elsa in the Disney movie Frozen captures the world’s view of freedom when she sang: “No right, no wrong, no rules for me, I’m free!” What’s the problem with this view of freedom?
7. Scripture’s view of freedom is different from what Elsa sang. It’s where we have the power to choose what’s good and say “no” to destructive things in our lives. Share about how you’ve experienced this kind of freedom in your own life.
8. Read Solomon’s words from 1 Kings 8:61 – “And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands.”
What do you notice in this passage about God’s desire for your life? Be specific.
9. The New Testament often uses the Greek word “teleios” regarding the goal of the Christian life. That word is often translated “perfect” or “complete.” In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Look at the surrounding verses in Matthew 5. Given the common saying in our culture – “Nobody’s perfect” – what do you think Jesus means here?
10. Pastor Trevor defined full devotion as “the lifelong realigning of your whole heart and life to Jesus.” What do you notice in that definition?
11. Some people think there are two categories of Christians: (1) “Christian light,” which refers to ordinary Christians who are just saved, and (2) “holy-roller” super Christians. What would you say to someone who sees Christianity this way?
12. A 2011 Barna research project asked Americans about where they were in the steps that people generally go through in their spiritual journey. The results showed the following percentages of Americans at each stage.
1. Unaware of sin – 1%
2. Indifferent to sin – 16%
3. Worried about sin – 34%
4. Forgiven from sin – 9%
5. Forgiven and active in church – 24%
6. Holy Discontent – 6%
7. Broken by God - 3%
8. Full Surrender and Submission – 1%
9. Profound Love for God - .5%
10. Profound Love for people - .5%
89% are somewhere in the process of the first half of Jesus’s Great Commission (steps 1-5); and only 11% are in the second half (steps 6-10). Why do you think this is the case?
13. The heart of Jesus is that every one of his followers would become fully devoted, because it’s the best way to live. What is it like when someone lives as a half-hearted Christian?
14. During the pandemic, it became clear that many American Christians hadn’t been pursuing full devotion to Jesus; but had been formed and apprenticed more by social media, their news network, and their podcasts than by Jesus. In the 1700’s, a church leader named Count Von Zinzendorf said, “Many people will follow the Lord half way, but not the other half. They will willingly give up property, possessions and wealth; but it will touch them too deeply to give up themselves.”
What do you think of this?
15. Pastor Trevor shared about a time in his life when he outwardly claimed to be a Christian, but he had some secret sins he hadn’t dealt with. But then his life was changed by a prayer he read in Oswald Chambers’ book, My Utmost For His Highest, “Lord make me as holy as you can make a sinner saved by grace.” Talk about what you notice in this prayer.
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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Fam Jams – June 21 & July 19 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm at all our campuses - Fam Jams are fun, high-energy evenings for our families with pre-school and elementary-age children! Come and spend time as a family and enjoy dinner, activities and bible teachings! We will have lots of outdoor games and activities set up for the kids to run around, too. Dinner will be served for $3 and if you invite a friend, their meal will be FREE!
Kids of Hope Around Town – Watch for the fun events we’re planning around Palm Beach County for kids and families all summer long. Next event is a picnic at the LOX Campus on Thursday, June 16 at 11:30am. Bring your own lunch! More information at https://communityofhope.church/kohsummer
Hope in Action Food Pantry – Bring in nonperishable food items on the first Sunday of any month to donate to our Food Distribution Ministry.
Kids of Hope Volunteer Luncheon – WPB – Sunday, June 26 at 11:15am - 12:30pm – For those who currently serve in KOH WPB and for those who are interested in learning more about it.
Summer Suppers are an opportunity to get to know some new people over a meal! Sign up, and we’ll connect you to a group of 8 people who will simply share a meal and enjoy some conversation! Get more information specific to your campus at https://communityofhope.church/groups/
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.