12-12-2021
12-12-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (Loxahatchee & Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español) Sermon Series: Come Home; Jesus left home so that you could come home
Week 3: It’s Personal
English PDF file for printing.
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1. Think back to when you first moved out of the home of your family of origin. What made you decide to leave home? Share with your group.
2. Read the theme verse for this series together: John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
3. Our third Advent candle that was lit this week represents forgiveness. Pastor Dale shared that forgiveness is never a one-time event, it’s more of a process. Do you agree or disagree? Why do you feel that way?
4. Last week we examined Mary’s story, and this week we will focus on Joseph’s story. Read Matthew 1:18-24: 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
5. Talk about all that you can learn about Joseph from this passage of Scripture. What adjustments did he make in his life at this time that indicate his forgiving heart?
6. Review Matthew 1:21 - 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
From this verse, what is the reason Jesus came to earth?
For God, sin is personal!
Sin is an illegal offense before a Holy God.
7. Usually people think about sin as simply a mistake, or infraction, or something that can be easily rectified by us through a simple payment or apology of some kind. Why is thinking about sin in this simplistic way offensive to God?
8. Read Colossians 2:13-14 - 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
According to this verse, who alone has the authority to forgive and cancel our sin?
Sin is a form of Bondage
9. Read John 8:34 - 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Read Romans 7:14-20 - 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Can you relate to Paul’s struggle with the bondage of sin? Talk about the ways you have experienced the bondage of a sin in your life.
Sin is a disease that causes Death
10. Read James 1:13-15 - 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Talk about the path to “full-grown” sin according to this scripture, and the consequences.
11. Read Colossians 2:13 - 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins...
Now read Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
From these verses and any others that you know about, discuss why sin is personal to God.
12. Read together Psalm 139: 23-24 - Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Share how asking God to reveal our sin will free us from the bondage and death of sin. Pray for one another regarding freedom and restoration from sin.
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12 Days of Christmas Devotional – Family Ministries Team created a 12-days of Christmas Family Devotional to help you and your family see how the entire Bible leads up to and points to Jesus. You can pick one up this week at our Christmas movie night on December 3rd, or any time after that. There’s no cost, but you need to register at communityofhope.church/12days to reserve your devotional.
Connections – Sundays, January 9-30, 2022 at 10:15am. This 4-week class is the best way to get more connected here and grow in your understanding of how to live the Christian life. You’ll also have the opportunity to discover your own spiritual gifts and consider how you might like to get involved in our church’s ministries. You’ll learn about our church’s mission, values, and statement of faith and what partnership involves. If you wish, at the end of the four weeks, you can become a Community of Hope partner, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. Register at https://communityofhope.church/connections
Christmas Missions Offering: As we do every year, we’re inviting everyone to give an extra amount this Christmas to support our missions and outreach over the coming year. This year’s goal is $150,000 to expand our ministry to the poor in our community by purchasing a box truck with a lift and a also pick-up truck. We will use any additional funds as seed money to build a facility on our Loxahatchee Campus that would enable us to have cold food storage and additional space for our “Love the 561” ministries and for other needs we have as our church grows. You can give all throughout Advent and at our Christmas Eve services.
Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! If you haven’t already, 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.