The Call to the Great Community 2
Lesson #2:
The Church is One in Christ!
Our new sermon series, “The Call to the Great Community,” is a series of discipleship teachings about the body of Christ and our call to be fellow members of the body of Christ. This is an important call to answer for us individually and corporately for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ (why He came!) for the glory of God. You have a purpose for belonging!
The big idea from the first teaching last week was that the church is God’s idea; not mine nor yours! From the Scriptures, we learned that the church is the Body of Christ because we exist for the mission of Jesus to the glory of God. The mission of Jesus is the great rescue mission; He came from Heaven to Earth to show us the way to the Father; this has always been God’s Plan A; therefore, the church exists for the mission – to make Jesus known and to continue His mission, as His body for the glory of God. We have a purpose for belonging!
Finally, last week you were invited to find unity with your fellow member by participating in the 150-day Pray the Psalms Discipleship Challenge. Today is Day #7, which means we are praying through Psalm 7. I pray you are finding it meaningful to do this just as you found it meaningful to read through the New Testament together. Belonging doesn’t happen by accident!
Today’s big idea: The Church is One in Christ!
Romans 12:4-5, “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
+ How can we demonstrate our unity within our diverse functionality?
Ephesians 4:1-6, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
+ How should we treat one another to preserve the unity of the Spirit?
John 17:20-26, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
+ How do we pray for one another to see the fulfillment of John 17 in us?
RESOURCES:
You can download this week’s notes in a PDF format by clicking HERE.
You can watch the message by clicking HERE.
If you would like to view the entire broadcast including music, click HERE.
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The Call to the Great Community 1
Lesson #1:
The Church is God’s Idea!
+ INTRO: “The Call to the Great Community” is a series of messages about the body of Christ and our call to be fellow members of the body of Christ and why that is an important call to answer for us individually and corporately for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ (why He came!) and the glory of God.
+ BODY: The BIG IDEA for today is THE CHURCH IS GOD’S IDEA; NOT MINE OR YOURS!
1) THE CHURCH is the BODY OF CHRIST!
2) BECAUSE THE CHURCH EXISTS FOR THE MISSION OF JESUS TO THE GLORY OF GOD
+ We are redeemed to fulfill the Genesis Commission (Genesis 1:26-27) as the heirs of the Abrahamic Promise (Genesis 12:1-3). To bless all things as Ephesians 1:19b-21 proclaims.
3) THIS IS GOD’S PLAN A!
RESOURCES:
You can download this week’s notes in PDF format by clicking HERE.
To view the video for this message, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire broadcast including music, click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 10
Everyday Discipleship with Real People
How to Share the Hope of Jesus!
2) Use the S.O.A.P. Bible journaling technique: Y or N
3) Pray & meditate upon the Lord’s Prayer daily: Y or N
4) Review all assigned memory verses, to include learning last session’s memory verse of Luke 9:23-25: Y or N
5) Manage your calendar for the “Big Three” and for gathering with your church: Y or N
Review of major concepts:
+ Discipleship = intentional journey and life-long commitment to learn and manifest the fruit of who I am in Christ
+ The “Big Three” transformative practices = Bible intake, prayer intimacy, and spiritual friendships
+ Church = intentional community of disciples who are called in love, gathered for love, and sent on the mission of love
+ Walk by the Spirit = empowered lifestyle of focused surrender
+ Walk in the easy yoke of Jesus = covenant faithfulness
+ Disciple’s Desire = “Well done, good and faithful servant”
+ Spiritual Warfare = a reality of everyday discipleship that must take seriously and plan for
AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST,
YOU ARE CALLED TO SHARE THE HOPE OF THE
RESURRECTION IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.
+ Read the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew 28.
+ Memorize the Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20.
+ Did you notice the bookends of the church’s mission:
“All authority…” and “I am with you always…”?
THIS IS HOW YOU SHARE THE HOPE OF JESUS
AS YOU GO…
+ God will assist you! Read Luke 12:11-12. Invite Him daily!
+ Partner with others! Read Luke 10:1-2. Pray for workers!
+ Make this your lifestyle! Read 1 Peter 3:8-18.
MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS…
+ You are enlisted for the mission! Read 2 Timothy 2:1-4. Don’t get distracted! (Philippians 3:8-17)
+ Disciples carry the message! Read 2 Cor. 3:2-6 & 5:17-20. You are called to embody the message! (1 Cor. 4:16-17; 11:1)
BAPTIZING THEM … AND TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT JESUS COMMANDED…
+ We do this together as fellow members of the body of Christ. Read Ephesians 4:11-16. You are invited to learn more.
Action Items moving forward:
2) Once you are done, start afresh with the New Testament or begin the epic journey through the Old Testament.
3) Take the 40 Days of the Easter Season to review all ten handouts. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
4) Memorize and live out Matthew 28:18-20.
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 8
Everyday Discipleship with Real People
How to Do Spiritual Warfare!
Loving accountability from the first 7 sessions:
2) Use the S.O.A.P. Bible journaling technique: Y or N
3) Pray & meditate upon the Lord’s Prayer daily: Y or N
4) Memorize the assigned Bible verses, to include last week’s memory verse of Matthew 11:28-30: Y or N
5) Manage your calendar for the “Big Three” and for gathering with your church: Y or N
Review of major concepts:
+ Disciple = intentionally following Jesus’ way and teachings
+ Discipleship = intentional journey and life-long commitment to learn and manifest the fruit of who I am in Christ
+ The “Big Three” = transformative practices of Bible intake, prayer intimacy, and spiritual friendships
+ Church = intentional community of disciples who are called in love, gathered for love, and sent on mission
+ Walk by the Spirit = empowered lifestyle of focused surrender
+ Walk in the easy yoke of Jesus = covenant faithfulness
+ Disciple’s Desire = “Well done, good and faithful servant”
THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW IS
A SUPERNATURAL ONE, SO LET’S LEARN
HOW TO DO SPIRITUAL WARFARE!
Let’s look at the big picture to start.
+ Colossians 1:13-14
+ Acts 10:38
+ Matthew 17:14-21
+ Mark 5:1-20
Four Steps to Effective Spiritual Warfare
Step 1: Know there is an enemy.
+ 1 Peter 5:8-9
+ Matthew 12:43-45
Step 2: Discern/test/examine the spirits.
+ 1 John 4:1-4
+ 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
+ 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Step 3: Take cover by submitting your life to God.
+ Memorize James 4:7.
+ Acts 19:13-20
Step 4: Stand firm in your faith – the victory!
+ Ephesians 6:10-20
+ 1 John 5:1-5
+ John 16:33
Action Items for this week:
2) Write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day. Bring your notebook to take notes.
3) Review this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 7
Teaching #7: “How to Work with Christ and Do All Things for God’s Glory!”
(If you are just beginning your journey, please click HERE to read the introduction
2) Use the S.O.A.P. Bible journaling technique: Y or N
3) Pray & meditate upon the Lord’s Prayer daily: Y or N
4) Memorize the assigned Bible verses, to include last week’s memory verse of Galatians 5:25: Y or N
5) Manage your calendar for the “Big Three” and for gathering with your church: Y or N
6) Did you “start your engines,” “keep your chin up,” and “trust His promises”?
+ Disciple = intentionally following Jesus’ way and teachings
+ Discipleship = intentional journey and life-long commitment to learn and manifest the fruit of who I am in Christ
+ The “Big Three” = transformative practices of Bible intake, prayer intimacy, and spiritual friendships
+ Church = intentional community of disciples who are called in love, gathered for love, and sent on mission
+ Walk by the Spirit = empowered lifestyle of focused surrender
Jesus doesn’t ask you to work for Him! He invites you to have life with Him! Memorize Matthew 11:28-30.
+ Come to Me… (Same invitation as Mark 1:17)
+ “I will give you rest” (How does this promise connect to Mark 1:17? How does 1 John 5:3-4 inform your answer?)
+ Take My yoke upon and learn from Me (Discipleship!)
+ I am gentle and humble in heart (Spiritual Formation!)
+ Jesus quotes Jeremiah 6:16. Read it in its context, then check out the context of Jesus’ gracious promise in Matthew 11:20-24.)
+ My yoke is “easy” = custom-made / well-suited (your personal relationship with Jesus) Read Acts 15:10-11.
Do all things for God’s glory! Read Colossians 3:23-24.
+ Whatever you do… (Does that exclude any activities?)
+ with your whole living being (soul) = Wholeheartedly!
+ as for the Lord, not for men (Read Galatians 1:10. How does this free you up from people pleasing tendencies?)
+ What reward are you hoping to receive from Jesus? Think about 2 Timothy 2:4 and Matthew 25:21.
Jesus’ teaching on the vine and the branches brings it all together – you need a trellis if you are going to bear fruit in the Kingdom of God! Read John 15:1-8.
+ “My Father is glorified by this…” (8)
Action Items for this week:
1) Bible intake for this week: 1 Cor. 7-16 & 2 Cor. 1-9.
2) Write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day. Bring your notebook to take notes.
3) Review this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 6
Teaching #6: “How to Walk by the Spirit!”
(If you are just beginning your journey, please click HERE to read the introduction
grace abounds! Don’t quit; keep going! Find a pace that works for you.]
3) Pray & meditate upon the Lord’s Prayer daily: Y or N
4) Memorize the assigned Bible verses of Mark 1:17; Gal.5:22-3; 1 Thess. 5:17; John 13:34-35; and Mt. 5:14: Y or N
5) Manage your calendar for the “Big Three” and for gathering with your church: Y or N
+ Discipleship = intentional journey and life-long commitment to learn and manifest the fruit of who I am in Christ
+ The “Big Three” = transformative practices of Bible intake, prayer intimacy, and spiritual friendships
+ Great Community = intentional community of disciples who are called in love, gathered for love, and sent on mission
+ “I am with you always…”
+ Interceding! Read context starting in Romans 8:26.
+ The Helper will be with us forever.
+ The Helper is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27; 16:5-15).
+ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
+ 1 John 4:1-4
+ Ephesians 4:17-32
+ Galatians 5:16-25 (Memorize Galatians 5:25)
+ Hebrews 12:1-3
+ Galatians 2:20-3:3
+ Philippians 2:1-13
Action Items for this week:
2) Write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day. Bring your notebook. Are you willing to share?
3) Review this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
4) Memorize Galatians 5:25 and intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to lead you in your daily walk with Jesus, moment by moment, and decision by decision.
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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