12-20-2020
12-20-2020
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West and online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East), and Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Make Room
Week 4: Inn Every Room
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.”
1. The 4th Advent candle represents love. When you think about Jesus’ love for you, what comes to your mind?
2. The Apostle John’s Christmas account is captured in 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.” John calls Jesus “The Word.” What do we learn about Jesus in this verse?
3. Read John 14:15-23:
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
4. What do the words “make our home with them” mean to you? What thoughts come to your mind when you think of the Triune God making His home with you?
The disciples teach us some things about how to make room for Christ in our lives:
· It begins with willingness.
5. Experiencing life with God begins with willingness. God can do amazing things with a willing heart. What are some ways to develop a willing heart, so that you can experience life with God?
· The 2nd stage is awareness.
6. What impact does it have on a person’s life, when they begin to get in tune with and become aware of God’s presence with them?
7. When something is new in your life, you’re excited about it. But after a while, “habituation” can set in and you go on auto-pilot and just view it as ordinary. If you’ve ever experienced “habituation” with regard to your spiritual life, what helped you come out of that and grow more aware of God’s presence in your ilfe again?
· Stage 3 is participation and practice.
8. When we give God a try, it enables us to experience more of His presence. John Donne said “Christianity hasn’t been tried and found wanting, as much as it’s been found difficult and left untried.” What did he mean by that?
· The 4th stage is surrender.
9. Note in John 14 that Jesus named some conditions for experiencing God’s presence. What are those conditions?
10. Note what Jesus said about the God’s presence in John 14:17b: “…But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Consider the difference between the prepositions “with” and “in.” What do you think Jesus meant by this statement?
11. Read Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
What hints are in this prophesy about some positive ways that Jesus could impact your life? Which of these resonates the most with you, and why?
12. Read Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
What does this verse reveal about the heart of Jesus? What does it say about how to experience His presence?
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: On-demand online. If you’re grieving any kind of loss or hurt this year, join us for our online Blue Christmas Service as Pastor Trevor leads us through a time of remembrance, lament, and hope. Invite friends and family and share it on social media to help others find hope. For more information: https://communityofhope.church/bluechristmas.
· Christmas at COH is going to be indoors, outdoors and online this year! On 12/24, we’re offering two indoor services at our East Campus on Military Trail - at 5pm in English and 7pm in Spanish. At our West Campus in Loxahatchee, we’re offering outdoor services, weather permitting, at 5 and 7pm (bring your own chair or blanket to sit on). And beginning 12/21, you can watch our online service whenever it fits best for you. We encourage you to share our online service on social media. It could make a big difference in someone’s life!
· Our Christmas Missions Offering this year goes to support our missions partners and our outreach into our community and will also help us get the equipment and staff to better reach people through online teaching. For more information on our Missions Offering, go to https://communityofhope.church/missions-offering
· Our Sunday, December 27 service will be online only. There will be no in-person services at any of our campuses. If you know someone who has a computer or phone, but needs help understanding how to watch the service, contact Jeff@communityofhope.church.
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