06-13-2021

Written By Cindy Nehemias
06-13-2021Dr. E. Dale Locke (West, East & Online), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)Sermon Series: UnityWeek 2: Jail TimeEnglish PDF file for printing. Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español  1. Read our memory verse for this sermon series, Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”What does “unity of the Spirit” mean to you? Share your thoughts. 2. Read the following portion of the last prayer Jesus prayed while he was with the disciples:  John 17:20-21 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.Do you think this prayer of Jesus has been answered? Why or why not?  3. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he is reminding them of Jesus’ prayer for unity and how we can live in unity. Read Ephesians 4:1-7 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” What stands out to you in these verses of scripture? 4. Pastor Dale mentioned the things that are required for an explosion: Fuel, a spark and containment. He used that analogy to describe some ‘hot’ issues that seem to keep us from being united in the Body of Christ. Do you think that is a helpful analogy? Explain your answer.5. Pastor Dale talked about a few topics or issues in our current culture that have served as fuel and sparks for an explosion that disrupts Christian unity: COVID, Race, Politics, & Sexual Identity. Remembering that our focus is about unity, would you agree that these topics have been fuel for disunity with other Christians you are in relationship with? How can Christians be ‘salt & light’ and have constructive conversations about these topics?  6. Another ‘spark’ Pastor Dale mentioned is Freedom.  He said: “We have a Bill of Rights – should we also have a ‘Bill of Responsibility’?” What do you think he means by that?  7. One more ‘spark’ Dale mentioned is ‘Our Own Stuff’. If you are willing, share what breaks the unity of your spirit. What is the ‘stuff’ in your life that flavors how you respond to the conversations you enter into online or in person?  8. Review Ephesians 4:2-3 As followers of Christ, we are required to be completely humble and gentle, and to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  What does that mean in a practical sense – for our social media posts, our conversations, and our prayer life? 9. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul uses the term “As a prisoner for the Lord”. Dale explained that he was actually describing a relationship as one who had been a slave, but had been set free, yet chooses to continue to be in service to his master. Dale says Paul is looking for cell mates! Why is this an important perpective to keep in mind as it relates to our responsibility to maintain unity?  10. Jesus was silent before his accusers. Why is this fact important to remember as we consider what to post on social media or how we react to conversations we are involved with regarding the topics or issues that can potentially spark and explosion that destroys unity?  11. If you are willing, invite those with you now to pray as Jesus prayed, for the Body of Christ to live in unity, as one.   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 “hello” to 561-264-6079.·         Who Needs God? Summer Discussion SeriesWest: Tuesday, June 29- August 3, 7-8:30pm – English only East: Wednesday, June 30-August 4, 7-8:30pm – Spanish and EnglishA 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·         Kids of Hope Summer Fun – Join us for this year’s summer activities for pre-school and elementary families! We have daytime “Kids of Hope Around Town” outings, as well as evening “Fam Jams” planned for you! More info at https://communityofhope.church/summer·       Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community!  As summer approaches, 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.

06-13-2021

Dr. E. Dale Locke (West, East & Online), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)

Sermon Series: Unity

Week 2: Jail Time

English PDF file for printing.

Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español

 

1. Read our memory verse for this sermon series, Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

What does “unity of the Spirit” mean to you? Share your thoughts.

 

2. Read the following portion of the last prayer Jesus prayed while he was with the disciples:  John 17:20-21 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Do you think this prayer of Jesus has been answered? Why or why not?

 

3. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he is reminding them of Jesus’ prayer for unity and how we can live in unity.

Read Ephesians 4:1-7 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

 

What stands out to you in these verses of scripture?

4. Pastor Dale mentioned the things that are required for an explosion: Fuel, a spark and containment. He used that analogy to describe some ‘hot’ issues that seem to keep us from being united in the Body of Christ. Do you think that is a helpful analogy? Explain your answer.

5. Pastor Dale talked about a few topics or issues in our current culture that have served as fuel and sparks for an explosion that disrupts Christian unity: COVID, Race, Politics, & Sexual Identity.

Remembering that our focus is about unity, would you agree that these topics have been fuel for disunity with other Christians you are in relationship with? How can Christians be ‘salt & light’ and have constructive conversations about these topics? 

6. Another ‘spark’ Pastor Dale mentioned is Freedom.  He said: “We have a Bill of Rights – should we also have a ‘Bill of Responsibility’?” What do you think he means by that?

 

7. One more ‘spark’ Dale mentioned is ‘Our Own Stuff’. If you are willing, share what breaks the unity of your spirit. What is the ‘stuff’ in your life that flavors how you respond to the conversations you enter into online or in person?

 

8. Review Ephesians 4:2-3

As followers of Christ, we are required to be completely humble and gentle, and to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  What does that mean in a practical sense – for our social media posts, our conversations, and our prayer life?

 

9. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul uses the term “As a prisoner for the Lord”. Dale explained that he was actually describing a relationship as one who had been a slave, but had been set free, yet chooses to continue to be in service to his master. Dale says Paul is looking for cell mates! Why is this an important perpective to keep in mind as it relates to our responsibility to maintain unity?

 

10. Jesus was silent before his accusers. Why is this fact important to remember as we consider what to post on social media or how we react to conversations we are involved with regarding the topics or issues that can potentially spark and explosion that destroys unity?

 

11. If you are willing, invite those with you now to pray as Jesus prayed, for the Body of Christ to live in unity, as one. 

 

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 “hello” to 561-264-6079.

·         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

·         Kids of Hope Summer Fun – Join us for this year’s summer activities for pre-school and elementary families! We have daytime “Kids of Hope Around Town” outings, as well as evening “Fam Jams” planned for you! More info at https://communityofhope.church/summer

·       Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community!  As summer approaches, 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.

Cindy Nehemias
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