10-11-2020
10-11-2020
Dr. E. Dale Locke (Online and West), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East) and Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Come Alive!
Week 3: Back to the Future
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
Our memory verse for this series is Ephesians 5:14: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Icebreaker question: What was one of your favorite movies from your younger years, and what did you like about it?
1. Our culture often has a spirit of allowance, where we tend to excuse someone’s character flaws with statements like, “Well that’s just how he is....” What’s wrong with that from a Christian perspective?
2. “If we don’t work on ourselves by dealing appropriately with our pasts, we will imperil our future.” Do you agree or disagree with that, and why?
3. Ruth Haley Barton, describes the impact of some family patterns in her book, Restoring the Soul of Your Leadership:
• A person whose father was stern and demanding and who never heard an unconditional “I love you” finds himself on a performance treadmill, always working unconsciously to gain approval and a sense of self. The drivenness that results can become a debilitating source of exhaustion.
• A person who was raised in a punishing environment where there was an inordinate emphasis on “being good” and “behaving” develops perfectionist tendencies that keep feelings of shame and inadequacy at bay. The longer this is unacknowledged, the more she is likely to hurt herself and others with unrealistic expectations and ideals.
• A person who experienced not being wanted at conception or birth learns to doubt his/her basic self-worth and develops patterns of hiding their real self from others. This person remains distant and aloof because it seems easier than risking more rejection. It prevents them from ever entering into authentic community, which is absolutely essential for spiritual growth.
• A person who has experienced profound loneliness, abandonment or loss learns to keep busy as a way of avoiding the deep feelings that such experiences bring. While staying busy, they are able to maintain superficial peace – however, over time it becomes obvious that they are unable to “stay in the room” and deal honestly and rigorously with the most challenging issues that need to be faced.
• A person who was raised in an emotionally volatile and unpredictable environment develops a tendency toward fear and undue caution. Consequently, she refuses to take the kinds of risks that are necessary to become emotionally whole and spiritually fit.
Consider whether you can relate to any of the patterns she describes, or perhaps there was another pattern in your family of origin. Share with your group about how the home you grew up in impacts your thinking and behavior today.
4. Read Genesis 45:1-15:
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
5. Talk together with your group about the story of Joseph’s life (Genesis 37-50).
Like Joseph, all of us have some brokenness in our past. Rather than having shame about our past, it’s better to seek deeper understanding of it. Joseph’s life stands as an example to us that dealing with your past in the right way will involve three things.
Honesty:
6. If we’re going make progress in our current development and become the best version of ourselves, we have to face our past with honesty. One of the steps in Celebrate Recovery is to make a “fearless moral inventory” of our lives. Why is this step so important?
Perspective:
7. Over and over again through the circumstances of Joseph’s life, his perspective on each situation was to constantly acknowledge that “the Lord was with him.” Strangely, this statement comes up even in what seem to be the worst moments of his life. How could Joseph think that the Lord was with him, when such bad things were happening to him?
8. How did this perspective impact Joseph’s personality, actions and character?
9. Read Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
This doesn’t mean God wills or causes all the painful circumstances that come into our lives, but God can work in each circumstance in redemptive ways to bring good to those who love him. Talk about some difficult events or seasons of your life where you have seen God do this.
Trust:
10. Joseph viewed his past and his present with a strong sense of trust in God’s goodness.
Read Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
What do you notice in this verse?
11. How is it possible to keep trusting in God’s goodness, even when difficult circumstances enter your life? What difference does it make in a person’s life when we do that?
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:
• Thanksgiving Food Drive: Community of Hope has the exciting goal to provide Thanksgiving meals for 1,000 families in our community this year! If you'd like to help, donate any of these items Sunday – Thursday, 8pm – 4pm. before November 15. Thank you!
o $10 Publix Gift Card
o Stuffing Mix
o Cranberry Sauce
o Gravy
o Canned Vegetables
o Boxed Mashed Potatoes
o Cornbread Mix
o Boxed Cake or Brownie Mix
• Connections is a 4-week class we offer to help people understand how to live the Christian life and grow spiritually, and how to get more connected at Community of Hope. Our next Connections class series will be on Wednesdays, from 7:00-8:15 p.m. on October 21, 28, and November 4 and 11 – all online, so you can take part from the comfort of your own home. Register at https://communityofhope.church/connections
• Marriage Date Night: Friday, October 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at our East Campus, 2341 S. Military Trail. Enjoy an evening with your spouse strengthening your marriage. Comedians Amberly Neese, Leland Klassen, and recording artist Johny Diaz will engage your hearts and make you laugh. Get more information and tickets at http://marriagedatenight.com/west-palm-beach-fl/
• Pumpkin Patch: Support our Student Ministry by purchasing pumpkins and baked goods. It’s also a great place to take some fall pictures! Open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day.
• Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community! To give to Community of Hope, go to https://communityofhope.church/give.