08-29-2021

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08-29-2021 Rev. Trevor Johnston (West, East and Online), Rev. José Marrero (Español) Sermon Series: Rooted Week 5: Y’all English PDF file for printing Para imprimir el archivo PDF1. We’re exploring together as a church family what it looks like to grow a deeply rooted faith. Community of Hope started in 1997 and in the early days, it grew fairly quickly to about 700-800 people; but when the hurricanes of 2004-2005 shut down the schools where we had been meeting for multiple weeks, the size of our church was cut in half. Pastor Dale realized that he had grown a crowd, but not a congregation, and when he thought of Pastor Rick Warren’s statement that “All living things grow,” he was discouraged. But then he sensed God telling him that instead of growing up and out, it was a season for our church to grow deeper roots by developing our small group system. Since then, we’ve gone from a handful of small groups to over 1,500 people in groups.   If being part of a small group has helped you grow deeper spiritual roots, share about that.   2. Read Colossians 2:1-7:      I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.     6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. What do you notice in this passage about how we grow spiritually? 3. Reading these verses in English, we may not realize that each time in this passage that the Apostle Paul says “you” it’s not talking about us as individuals, it’s actually plural -  like y’all.  What difference does knowing that make in your understanding of this passage? If you want to grow deeper faith you have to be alone with God and together with people.  4. Our last sermon series, Speak Lord, was about learning to be alone with God. You cannot grow until you do this. But Christianity is not a solo sport. You won’t grow as rooted as God wants you to be unless you do it together with other people.  What are the disadvantages of doing faith alone?   5. Susan Williamson writes: Redwood trees rarely fall over. They withstand strong winds, earthquakes, fires, storms, and prolonged flooding….  The interesting thing about the redwood tree is that their root system is intertwined with the other redwood trees, literally holding each other up. The trees grow very close together and are dependent on each other for nutrients, as well. Only redwoods have the strength and ability to support other redwoods.  So, beneath the surface of these humongous, tall, statuesque trees are roots like an army of people who have their arms interlocked, standing and supporting each other. They are preventing the adversaries of life from knocking each other down. They are also making sure there is plenty of nutrients for growth to continue. Who are your redwoods?  Who are the other people in your life who support you spiritually? 6. Notice the words “strengthened” and “overflowing” in Colossians 2:7. These are some beautiful things that happen when we are rooted together with others – we’re strengthened in difficult times and overflow with joy and thanks in good times.  Christian Community multiplies joys and divides sorrows.  Share about a time when you had something to celebrate, and doing that in community multiplied the joy for you.   7. Christian community also divides sorrow. Heavy things get lighter when we carry them together.  Share about a time you experienced this truth.   8. If you’re already in a group, re-engage with them this fall. Recognize the value they have in your life.  Commit to attending group faithfully and going deeper with each other spiritually.   9. If you’re not yet in a group.  Register at communityofhope.church/groups and we’ll help you get connected to a group that fits you.   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 “connect” to 561-264-6079. ·      Groups Launch Season:  If you’re not in a small group, we want to help you find one. We know it’s a weird season right now, so we are offering groups in-person and online. Everyone can pick what you're comfortable with. Don't let it keep you from signing up!  We can get you into a group even if you decide you want to start a little later. We've got lots of new groups launching including a young adults group, a group for dads, and more.  Just fill out the form at communityofhope.church/groups. Tell us what you are looking for, and we’ll get you connected!  It’s that easy! ·      Community Care Center Grand Opening – Join us 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, September 8 at our West Palm Beach Campus on Military Trail as we celebrate the official opening of our new Community Care Center.  The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 6pm.  ·      If Gathering – Women’s Weekend is being postponed until October 15-16.  All women ages 14 and up are invited to join us at the West Campus in Loxahatchee as we tune in to this global conference, hear from some of our nation’s best Christian speakers, and grow in our faith together as women.  Cost is $25 and includes a continental breakfast, snacks, and all event costs.  No childcare. Register at communityofhope.church/if·      COH Has Job Openings!  Learn more at https://communityofhope.church/employment ·      Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community!  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.

08-29-2021
Rev. Trevor Johnston (West, East and Online), Rev. José Marrero (Español)
Sermon Series: Rooted
Week 5: Y’all
English PDF file for printing
Para imprimir el archivo PDF

1. We’re exploring together as a church family what it looks like to grow a deeply rooted faith. Community of Hope started in 1997 and in the early days, it grew fairly quickly to about 700-800 people; but when the hurricanes of 2004-2005 shut down the schools where we had been meeting for multiple weeks, the size of our church was cut in half. Pastor Dale realized that he had grown a crowd, but not a congregation, and when he thought of Pastor Rick Warren’s statement that “All living things grow,” he was discouraged. But then he sensed God telling him that instead of growing up and out, it was a season for our church to grow deeper roots by developing our small group system. Since then, we’ve gone from a handful of small groups to over 1,500 people in groups. 

 

If being part of a small group has helped you grow deeper spiritual roots, share about that. 

 

2. Read Colossians 2:1-7:

     I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

     6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

 

What do you notice in this passage about how we grow spiritually?

 

3. Reading these verses in English, we may not realize that each time in this passage that the Apostle Paul says “you” it’s not talking about us as individuals, it’s actually plural -  like y’all.  What difference does knowing that make in your understanding of this passage?

 

If you want to grow deeper faith you have to be alone with God and together with people.

 

4. Our last sermon series, Speak Lord, was about learning to be alone with God. You cannot grow until you do this. But Christianity is not a solo sport. You won’t grow as rooted as God wants you to be unless you do it together with other people.  What are the disadvantages of doing faith alone? 

 

5. Susan Williamson writes:

Redwood trees rarely fall over. They withstand strong winds, earthquakes, fires, storms, and prolonged flooding….  The interesting thing about the redwood tree is that their root system is intertwined with the other redwood trees, literally holding each other up. The trees grow very close together and are dependent on each other for nutrients, as well. Only redwoods have the strength and ability to support other redwoods.  So, beneath the surface of these humongous, tall, statuesque trees are roots like an army of people who have their arms interlocked, standing and supporting each other. They are preventing the adversaries of life from knocking each other down. They are also making sure there is plenty of nutrients for growth to continue.

 

Who are your redwoods?  Who are the other people in your life who support you spiritually?

 

6. Notice the words “strengthened” and “overflowing” in Colossians 2:7. These are some beautiful things that happen when we are rooted together with others – we’re strengthened in difficult times and overflow with joy and thanks in good times.  Christian Community multiplies joys and divides sorrows.  Share about a time when you had something to celebrate, and doing that in community multiplied the joy for you. 

 

7. Christian community also divides sorrow. Heavy things get lighter when we carry them together.  Share about a time you experienced this truth. 

 

8. If you’re already in a group, re-engage with them this fall. Recognize the value they have in your life.  Commit to attending group faithfully and going deeper with each other spiritually. 

 

9. If you’re not yet in a group.  Register at communityofhope.church/groups and we’ll help you get connected to a group that fits you. 

 

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 “connect” to 561-264-6079.

 

·      Groups Launch Season:  If you’re not in a small group, we want to help you find one. We know it’s a weird season right now, so we are offering groups in-person and online. Everyone can pick what you're comfortable with. Don't let it keep you from signing up!  We can get you into a group even if you decide you want to start a little later. We've got lots of new groups launching including a young adults group, a group for dads, and more.  Just fill out the form at communityofhope.church/groups. Tell us what you are looking for, and we’ll get you connected!  It’s that easy!

·      Community Care Center Grand Opening – Join us 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, September 8 at our West Palm Beach Campus on Military Trail as we celebrate the official opening of our new Community Care Center.  The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 6pm.

 

·      If Gathering – Women’s Weekend is being postponed until October 15-16.  All women ages 14 and up are invited to join us at the West Campus in Loxahatchee as we tune in to this global conference, hear from some of our nation’s best Christian speakers, and grow in our faith together as women.  Cost is $25 and includes a continental breakfast, snacks, and all event costs.  No childcare. Register at communityofhope.church/if

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

 

·      Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community!  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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