06-27-2021

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06-27-2021 Rev. Trevor Johnston  (West, East & Online), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español) Sermon Series: Unity Week 4: Clashing Clothing English PDF file for printing. Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español  1. Icebreaker:  Name one of your favorite things about the 80’s. 2. Read our theme verse for this sermon series, Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”·      Jesus said that our unity is how the world will know that He is God’s Son. ·      Pastor and author Tony Evans said, “Jesus did not come to take sides; he came to take over.”·      Theologian and missionary E. Stanley Jones said, “Talk about what you believe, and you have disunity. Talk about Whom you believe in, and you have unity.” In this sermon series, we’ve talked about some things currently causing disunity in our world, even among Christians: COVID, race, politics, sexual identity, and different views of what freedom is.  As we close out this series, and as you consider the above words, what thoughts come to your mind? 2. Last week Pastor Dale pointed out a metaphor Biblical authors often use. The Apostle Paul urges us in Colossians to “put on” godly moral attributes like we put on clothing. Today we’re talking about the second half of how we live in unity in the Body of Christ – by “putting off” certain things.   Read Ephesians 4:17-32:      So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.     20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.     25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.     29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 3. Just as it doesn’t work to put on new clothes over old clothes, we can’t really put on godly characteristics until we first “put off” some things in our lives. List the things that the Apostle Paul says to put off, and talk about what each one means.  Put Off Outrage:4. Outrage has become common lately.  Stirring up outrage is actually a way to make money in today’s world. What causes people to feel outrage? 5. Ed Stetzer, Dean of the Ministry and Leadership School at Wheaton College, wrote in his book Christians in the Age of Outrage: “The age of outrage has succeeded in trapping Christians by wrapping itself in one very appealing lie... that MY anger is righteous anger.”   Pastor Trevor pointed out that “Righteous anger has to be righteous.” What did he mean by that?  Consider the current type of outrage sometimes being expressed by Christians. Name some ways it is not in line with biblical righteousness.   6. Read James 1:19-20 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” What do you notice in these verses? What is James saying here? 7. Pastor Trevor said anger may feel good in the moment, but it is not your friend. What did he mean by that?     Put Off Harmful Speech:8.  Read the following words of Jesus about our speech, then talk about them with your group.·      Matthew 12:36 – “Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”·      Luke 12:3 – “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” 9.  One tip for avoiding harmful speech is to imagine that the person is present with you before you speak or write anything.  What difference would it make if you did that?Put Off Relational Rifts:10. Note in Ephesians 4:26-27 above that Paul indicates it’s not a sin to feel angry; but when we let anger linger in us, it’s like letting the devil set up a base in our backyard.  What is it about anger that causes it to give the devil a foothold in a person’s life?     11. Read Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”What does this verse add to your understanding of how to live in unity? 12.  Read Psalm 133:1-2 - “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.” If you’ve experienced what it feels like to reconcile with someone after a time of division or tension in your relationship, what was that like?  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 it’s hard to believe. With video teaching from Andy Stanley and table discussion designed as a safe place to deepen your own faith foundation and 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. Register at https://communityofhope.church/whoneedsgod or just show up for any of the 6 sessions.­­­­­­·      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!  Our first Fam Jam is this coming Thursday, July 1st from 5-7:30pm at either our East or our West Campus.  Fam Jam includes dinner and fun activities to do as a family. Register and get more info at https://communityofhope.church/summer ·      We need you! – In order to start a 3rd service at COH, we need more people serving. We invite you to join a serving team that fits you. Go to https://communityofhope.church/serve ·      COH Has Job Openings!  - Learn more at https://communityofhope.church/employment ·      Hurricane Preparation – Hurricane season has arrived.  If you would be willing to help people prepare their home for a severe storm, register for our Hurricane Preparation Team at https://communityofhope.church/missions ·      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.

06-27-2021
Rev. Trevor Johnston  (West, East & Online), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Unity
Week 4: Clashing Clothing
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español

 

1. Icebreaker:  Name one of your favorite things about the 80’s.

 

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

·      Jesus said that our unity is how the world will know that He is God’s Son.

·      Pastor and author Tony Evans said, “Jesus did not come to take sides; he came to take over.”

·      Theologian and missionary E. Stanley Jones said, “Talk about what you believe, and you have disunity. Talk about Whom you believe in, and you have unity.”

 

In this sermon series, we’ve talked about some things currently causing disunity in our world, even among Christians: COVID, race, politics, sexual identity, and different views of what freedom is.  As we close out this series, and as you consider the above words, what thoughts come to your mind?

 

2. Last week Pastor Dale pointed out a metaphor Biblical authors often use. The Apostle Paul urges us in Colossians to “put on” godly moral attributes like we put on clothing. Today we’re talking about the second half of how we live in unity in the Body of Christ – by “putting off” certain things. 

 

Read Ephesians 4:17-32:

     So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

     20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

     25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

     29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

3. Just as it doesn’t work to put on new clothes over old clothes, we can’t really put on godly characteristics until we first “put off” some things in our lives. List the things that the Apostle Paul says to put off, and talk about what each one means.

 

Put Off Outrage:

4. Outrage has become common lately.  Stirring up outrage is actually a way to make money in today’s world. What causes people to feel outrage?

 

5. Ed Stetzer, Dean of the Ministry and Leadership School at Wheaton College, wrote in his book Christians in the Age of Outrage: “The age of outrage has succeeded in trapping Christians by wrapping itself in one very appealing lie... that MY anger is righteous anger.”  

 

Pastor Trevor pointed out that “Righteous anger has to be righteous.” What did he mean by that?  Consider the current type of outrage sometimes being expressed by Christians. Name some ways it is not in line with biblical righteousness. 

 

6. Read James 1:19-20 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

 

What do you notice in these verses? What is James saying here?

 

7. Pastor Trevor said anger may feel good in the moment, but it is not your friend. What did he mean by that?    

 

Put Off Harmful Speech:

8.  Read the following words of Jesus about our speech, then talk about them with your group.

·      Matthew 12:36 – “Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”

·      Luke 12:3 – “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”

 

9.  One tip for avoiding harmful speech is to imagine that the person is present with you before you speak or write anything.  What difference would it make if you did that?

Put Off Relational Rifts:

10. Note in Ephesians 4:26-27 above that Paul indicates it’s not a sin to feel angry; but when we let anger linger in us, it’s like letting the devil set up a base in our backyard.  What is it about anger that causes it to give the devil a foothold in a person’s life?    

 

11. Read Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

What does this verse add to your understanding of how to live in unity?

 

12.  Read Psalm 133:1-2 - “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.”

 

If you’ve experienced what it feels like to reconcile with someone after a time of division or tension in your relationship, what was that like?

 

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 it’s hard to believe. With video teaching from Andy Stanley and table discussion designed as a safe place to deepen your own faith foundation and 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. Register at https://communityofhope.church/whoneedsgod or just show up for any of the 6 sessions.

­­­­­­

·      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!  Our first Fam Jam is this coming Thursday, July 1st from 5-7:30pm at either our East or our West Campus.  Fam Jam includes dinner and fun activities to do as a family. Register and get more info at https://communityofhope.church/summer

 

·      We need you! – In order to start a 3rd service at COH, we need more people serving. We invite you to join a serving team that fits you. Go to https://communityofhope.church/serve

 

·      COH Has Job Openings!  - Learn more at https://communityofhope.church/employment

 

·      Hurricane Preparation – Hurricane season has arrived.  If you would be willing to help people prepare their home for a severe storm, register for our Hurricane Preparation Team at https://communityofhope.church/missions

 

·      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.

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