11-29-2020
11-29-2020
Rev. Trevor Johnston, and Pastor Efrain Silva (East and Español)
Sermon Series: Make Room
Week 1: Prepare
English PDF file for printing
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
Our memory verse for this series is Luke 2:6-7: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Icebreaker: Tell about some practical things you’ve been doing to begin preparing for this year’s Christmas celebration.
1. John the Baptist is the “other baby” in the Christmas story. John and Jesus were cousins born just a few months apart, and they probably played together as kids. John’s mother Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy was one of the signs to encourage Jesus’ mother Mary’s faith; and Mary stayed with Elizabeth during her pregnancy to get her help and guidance. God often gives us another person who is going through a similar experience to help us get through a challenging time in life. If you’ve experienced that in your life, share about that.
2. Advent is intended to be a season when we prepare our hearts for Jesus’ coming. Read Luke 1:17, which was prophesied about John the Baptist before he was even born. “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
What do you notice in this passage about the assignment John the Baptist was given by God?
3. Read about how John the Baptist lived out this ministry in Mark 1:1-8:
“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”- 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John the Baptist taught us how to prepare for Jesus Christ’s coming in three ways:
We prepare by admitting our brokenness.
4. How does confessing or admitting our sin and brokenness make more room for God in our lives?
5. A lot of people have an aversion to the idea of “confession” because of bad past experiences with organized religion. If you have any negative feelings about “confession,” share with your group where that came from.
6. Confession is a good gift from God. Read 1 John 1:8-9: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Why does God want confession to be part of your life?
We prepare by changing direction.
7. John the Baptist spoke a lot about repentance. Some people misunderstand that word thinking it requires self-loathing or doing penance. The word “repentance” simply means “a change of direction.” What are some ways that your life changed direction when you came to faith in Christ?
8. The direction we are headed determines our destination. As you consider the goals you would like to arrive at this Christmas, what directional changes do you sense God nudging you to make in your life? How might you approach December differently this year as a result of this sermon?
We prepare by asking for the Spirit’s power.
9. Read Mark 1:8, where John prophesied that Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside each believer so that we can experience God’s love and receive His power to live life God’s way. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life?
10. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, so if you’re a believer, you can be confident He lives in you. But it’s always good to ask for more of Him and to submit more of yourself to His control. Name some things that can happen in a person when they give the Holy Spirit more room in their life.
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.
· COH App: Be sure to download our app so you can stay connected with our church and get sermon notes, announcements and more!
· Blue Christmas: Streaming online on December 7th. If you’re grieving any kind of loss or hurt this year, join us for our online Blue Christmas Service. Pastor Trevor will lead us through a time of remembrance, lament, and hope. Invite friends and family, and share it on social media. For more information go to: https://communityofhope.church/bluechristmas.
· 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.
· College & Career Group: Sundays at 7pm at our West Campus and Mondays at 6:30pm at Commons Park in Royal Palm Beach. If you’re a young adult (out of high school through mid-20s), we invite you to attend our College & Career Group. Even if you’re just home from school for a short time over the holidays, we would love to have you come and connect with us. For more information, go to https://communityofhope.church/cohcollegecareer
· 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.