The Most Excellent Way Part 4
Sermon Notes
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”
- C.S. Lewis , The Great Divorce
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:9-13
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
- Galatians 5:18
But the fruit of the Spirit is love
- Galatians 5:22
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- 1 Corinthians 13:7
Table Group Resources
Mixer
Growing up, what was your favorite meal?
Connect
1. What is something causing you anxiety right now?
2. What brought you joy this week?
Sermon Questions
1. Why do we, as Christians, love people?
2. How can you strengthen and develop your capacity for faith, hope, and love?
3. How can you better prepare for your destiny?
Reflect
What work is the Spirit trying to do in you?
Go Deeper
Read Romans 8:31-39
This week I continually heard, “God is for you, not against you.” As I really began to unpack what was going on, I realized the many times I have felt convicted by my surroundings. In my conviction I usually think, “is God punishing me or us?”
Romans 8:31-32, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
After reading Romans, I held on to “graciously.” God is a good God. He is a gracious God. So why then, knowing He gave His only Son for our sins, do we question if He is punishing us? Right before this particular passage, Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Despite that bad things happens in our lives; we know God works to conform us.
So back to, “God is for you, not against you.” If God is for us, nobody can be against us… Not politics, not social media, not ourselves… nobody can be against us when God is for us. I released my breath after what felt like 5 months of holding it. We do not know what August looks like. Where will our kids be? Where will we be? Who will be President? We can’t be sure of a lot right now, but we can find rest in knowing God is for us, not against us.
(Jaden Duncan)
Suggestions to Serve
Good Neighbor Day | The Church at RB | August 15th 8:30AM-12:30PM
Good Neighbor Drop-N-Drive | The Church at RB | Thursday 10AM-2PM
Prayer
For the month of August, partner up to pray over one another.
Reminder
If you or someone you know is struggling, our counseling ministry is taking new appointments via zoom to help navigate these unusually challenging days.
