11-22-2020

11-22-2020
Rev. Trevor Johnston (West, East and Online) and Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Attitude of Gratitude
Week 3:  Whatever!
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.

Our memory verse for this series is Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

1.  Paul taught and modeled that gratitude isn’t just for when things are going well.  In fact, gratitude is especially important when things aren’t going well.  Share a story of someone you know who’s been an example of what it looks like to have gratitude in difficult circumstances. 

2.  Read the Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 3:12-17, 23-24: 
     “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

     15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him….

     23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

List some areas of life that could be included in the words, “Whatever you do” and “do it all.”

Three areas of life where your gratitude to Christ should show up are…

Your Work:

3.  Pastor Trevor gave this principal from Colossians 3:23-24: “Who you think you work for determines how you do your work.”  What did he mean by that?

4.  Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk in Paris in 1650’s who was given the job of dish washing.  He developed a habit he called “practicing the presence of God” while doing this menial work.  A guest was so impressed by this, that he wrote a book about it that still impacts people today.  Share how you seek to experience God’s presence in the midst of the mundane tasks of life. 

5. What are some ways you could live out your gratitude to Christ in your current job?   

Your Relationships:

6.  Name some specific ways that your gratitude to Christ should show up in your relationships, according to Paul’s teaching in our Colossians 3 passage. 

7.  Read the Parable of the Ungrateful Servant in Matthew 18:21-35: 
     Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

     22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

     23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

     26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

     28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

     29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

     30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

     32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

     35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

What does this parable teach you about how God would want His forgiveness of your sin to impact your relationships with others? 

8.  Think of a tension or hurt that you are currently experiencing in a relationship.  How could the love, grace and forgiveness that God has offered you help you in your response to that person?   

Your Stuff:

9.  Scripture often uses the expression “in word or deed” (see Colossians 3:17) regarding how our faith should impact our lives.  Read James 2:14-17:  “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

What is James saying here? 

10.  Look at Acts 2:44-45 to get a taste of how the early church lived:  “All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”  What inspired these early Christians to live this way? 

11.  What are some ways you could express your gratitude to Christ with your “stuff”? 

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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·      Celebrate Recovery Night of Worship & Thankfulness: 
Monday, November 23 at 7 p.m. at the West Campus.  All are welcome!  See Communityofhope.church/events for more information.

·      Angel Tree:  This Christmas, help us love the 561 by providing gift cards for kids in foster care and for our homeless neighbors.  Donate a $25 gift card to Target, Wal-Mart or Amazon before December 7th for kids in foster care. Or donate a $10 fast-food gift card before December 17th for the homeless in our community.  Gift cards can be dropped off at the Welcome Desk or the church office.  See communityofhope.church/events for more details.

·      The Gospel According to Scrooge:  This musical production will be performed at our East Campus on Military Trail on Friday, December 4 at 7:30pm, Saturday, December 5 at 7pm, and Sunday, December 6 at 3pm.  Admission is free, but there will be a free-will offering.  For more information, go to torchandtrumpet.com.

·      Serving Opportunity:  Kids of Hope is open and kids are coming!  If you would like a place to serve where you can make a huge difference in someone’s life, join our KOH team!  For more information, go to https://communityofhope.church/kids

·      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.