27/11/17 CORNERSTONE VISION SERIES WEEK 7 – OUT (PART 1)

COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY AND DAILY STUDIES BASED UPON OUR VISION SERIES AT COMMUNITY CHURCH PUTNEY
You can listen to all the messages at Link to audio content

GROUP STUDY 7 – OUT (PART 1)

THOSE BUILT ON CHRIST MAKE HIM THEIR MESSAGE

We have looked at being ‘Gospel Centred’ ‘up’ and ‘in’; we need all three if we are to maintain an evangelistic lifestyle (Out): Our connection to God’s Spirit and the encouragement of the church are vital for this difficult work.  On the day of Pentecost, after being empowered by the Spirit, Peter stood up and told the crowds about Jesus. He challenged them,

Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’

Like Peter, those built on Jesus, the cornerstone, make Him their message; they know that only the the gospel that can save people.

What does Peter tell us about our message?

·      What was Peter’s message? (Acts 4:8-12)

·      Jesus must be our message. He saves as we ‘come to Him’ (1Pet. 2:4)

·      Who are ‘never put to shame’? (2:6) (‘Shame’ – God will never ‘shame’ us)

·      How does one become a Christian? (2:7)

·      What happens to those who disobey the message? (2:8) (To ‘disobey the message’ implies there is a message! Our message is the gospel)

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

The gospel is Good news about salvation through Jesus. The gospel message could be explained in 3 POINTS:

·      Who is Jesus? Incarnation – Jesus is God and man

·      Why did Jesus die? Substitution for restoration  (justification, sanctification and glorification)

·      Response? Repentance – turn to God for salvation and follow Him

·      Read Paul’s testimony from 1 Timothy 1:12–17. Discuss how he weaves his story together with the gospel message?

APPLICATION – LET’S MAKE JESUS OUR MESSAGE

·     Prepare to share: Read 1 Peter 3:15 and think through how you would tell the gospel to someone, weaving your story with the 4 POINTS: Incarnation, Substitution, Restoration and Response.  

·      Pray to share: Pray for opportunities to tell the good news.

·      Invite: What could you invite someone to? Who could you bring to the carol service on the 10^th December?

PERSONAL BIBLE STUDIES WEEK 7 – 1 PETER 3:18-4:11

MONDAY: JESUS’ ONE SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 

1.    GC – Jesus’ offering of Himself only needed to happen ‘once’. Jesus’ substitutionary death has taken away your past, present and future sin. It cost Him suffering, curse and death but it was ‘finished’! He has risen as declaration of the acceptance of His death for sin and His victory over it. We need never fear the wrath of God.

2.    UP – This verse is so rich in gospel truth. Put aside some time to meditate on this.

3.    IN – How would you council someone who is struggling with feeling forgiven?

4.    OUT – Outside of Christ we are all ‘unrighteous’. In our lives it is vital that we do not communicate that we are better than anyone. We are all sinners in need of grace.

TUESDAY: BUILD AN ARK BY PREACHING CHRIST

1 Peter 319-22 After being made alive (‘in which he went…’ is a better translation), he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand ­– with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1.    GC – Through Noah Jesus preached a gospel (salvation by getting into the ark) to the people at the time (who are now ‘spirits’ because they are dead). We are saved from God’s wrath through faith in Christ – symbolised by believers’ baptism.

2.    UP – Jesus commands us to be baptised (Matt. 28:19-20). Therefore, believers’ baptism is an act of worship.

3.    IN – Noah is a great example of persistence through a period of poor results (only 8 responded) and ridicule (Heb. 11:7). Let’s be prepared and ready to use the heroes of scripture to encourage one another.

4.    OUT – Read Matthew 24:37-39 and pray for a heart of mercy in yourself and the church to ‘build an ark’ – present Jesus the Saviour.

WEDNESDAY: DEATH IS THE DOOR TO LIFE IN SPIRIT REALM

1 Peter 4:1-6 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.  As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.  For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.  They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.  But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

1.    GC – Christians who have heard and received the gospel are ‘judged in the flesh the way people are’ (ESV) that is, Christians die physically like all people.  But, because of Jesus, ‘they live in the spirit the way God does’ (ESV) that is they are alive spiritually like God and with Him. Death is the door to life!

2.    UP – We are to ‘arm ourselves with the same attitude’ as Christ – a life of obedient worship in the body.

3.    IN – How can the truth of life after death give comfort (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13)

4.    OUT – Peter says, ‘They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you’. Let’s keep our eyes on the reality of the spirit realm so stand under pressure to live for now.

THURSDAY: BE DEVOTED TO PRAYER, THIS IS NOT PEACETIME YET!

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

1.    GC – Jesus is coming again. The gospel promises the restoration of the ‘heavens and earth’ and even our bodies to God’s designed perfection. Let this hope fill you.

2.    UP – The seriousness of the hour leads to prayer. Pray for the perseverance and flourishing of the church; pray for the success of her mission. Let’s be aware of our need, and responsibility as ‘priests’ to pray.

3.    IN – Both personal prayer and corporate prayer are very important. Too often we aren’t  ‘alert’ or ‘sober minded’ and so are lulled into a false sense of peace when we are at war and should be devoted to prayer together.

4.    OUT – Let’s pray for our mission as a church. Pray that we would see more and more people being invited to our various events and brought to faith.

FRIDAY: LOVE LIKE YOU’VE BEEN LOVED

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 

1.    GC – Being gospel-centred enables us to love deeply, as Jesus has loved us, as we ‘cover over a multitude of sins’.  Christians know that this is how God has treated them in Christ and so are able to offer grace in like-manner to others.

2.    UP – use Ps. 32:1-2 as a guide to thanks that your ‘multitude of sins’ are gone!

3.    IN – What does this verse say about our relationships? Ask God to help you to be such a person.

4.    OUT – Hospitality reflects God’s love as we welcome people into our lives. How might loving hospitality be a great aid in reaching those outside of Christ?

SATURDAY: GOD GIVES GRACE THROUGH US

1 Peter 4:10-11 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1.    GC – Christians know something of the riches of God’s grace. They have been lavished with undeserved acceptance. Any gift we have or good we do is, ultimately, a result of God’s grace in us and through us.

2.    UP – Are you prepared for God to receive the ‘the glory and power’ for every good you do? We will limit God’s work through us to the extent that we are jealous of others and seeking praise for ourselves.

3.    IN – Do you see yourself as God’s means of giving His grace to others? Let’s be open to serve others, not allowing fear or pride to hold back the grace that God wants to pour out from you.

4.    OUT – In these verses we can see that we should expect God to lead us in our speaking, and will give us and the strength to say it! Let’s be prayerful and ready to speak of Jesus to those we meet.

Read More

20/11/17 CORNERSTONE VISION SERIES WEEK 6 – IN (PART 2)

COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY AND DAILY STUDIES BASED UPON OUR VISION SERIES AT COMMUNITY CHURCH PUTNEY

You can listen to all the messages at Link to audio content

GROUP STUDY 6 – IN (PART 2)

THOSE BUILT ON CHRIST VALUE INTERDEPENDENCE

The Holy Trinity teaches us about the essential place of unity and community in God. The word of God, the history of Israel and the example of the Acts church show us that it’s God’s plan that God’s community depend on one another. We cannot and are not meant to do it alone!

What does Peter teach us about our need for one another?

·      It is not possible to become the ‘spiritual house’ or ‘priesthood’ that God intends unless we are built together! How will our growth will be stunted if we are disjointed from God’s family? (2:4-5)

·      Peter encourages us to work hard at relationships because they are challenging. What good and bad things can stop us from relational devotion? (3:8 and 4:8)

·      What are we to ‘offer’ one another and how will this help the church to be healthy and grow? (4:9)

·      As the ‘body of Christ’ we have different gifts. Difference in the church, as in a body, is vital! What do our gifts, if used, provide one another (4:10)

·      What does 1 Corinthians 12:20-27 tell us about God’s value and the value that we should place on one-another.

Your brothers and sisters need you! You may feel that you don’t have much to contribute, people in the church may not treat you as well as you would like, no matter what you think, or others think, God has created you, He has gifted you to bless your local church.  And, likewise, you need them!

APPLICATION – LIVE LIKE YOU NEED AND ARE NEEDED IN THE FAMILY OF GOD

·      Offer hospitality – Following on from last week - how can you meet informally with other Christians to make them feel loved by God?

·      Community Groups – Be the best Community Group member or leader you can be. Don’t let the devil steal your faith for the importance of meeting in small groups!

·      Join a serving team – This is a great way of finding and using our gifts. It is a great way of being built into the church, and it makes what we do possible. (1 Peter 4:10, Mark 10:45)

PERSONAL BIBLE STUDIES WEEK 6 – 1 PETER 2:25-3:17

MONDAY: THE GOOD SHEPHERD

1 Peter 2:25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1.    GC – We were ‘lost sheep’ – This is an allegory of us before salvation. But now ‘you have returned’ to God and all the good that comes with that. Let’s say with Isaiah (53:6), ‘We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him   the iniquity of us all.’

2.    UP – Jesus says of Himself as good shepherd, “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Worship is to listen to Jesus’ voice and follow Him.

3.    IN – Let’s encourage one another that as Christians we can be confident in Jesus as our ‘good shepherd’.

4.    OUT – Confidence in God speaks of God’s worth – let’s learn to trust our good shepherd and so make Him attractive to others.

TUESDAY: TO WOMEN (Note – I will in no way cover all aspects of this text!)

1 Peter 3:1-6 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

1.    GC – Too often we get our worth from authority, power and beauty. Those who rest in God’s grace are increasingly free to be the man or woman God created them to be.

2.    UP – If you are a wife, or woman, are you inordinately focused on your outward beauty over the ‘unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit’?

3.    IN – Peter points to examples, ‘For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves’. Pray that you would be secure enough to walk in the true beauty that God gives and that would be an example to others.

4.    OUT – Peter encourages wives to prioritise evangelism through their manner that they may be ‘won over without words by the behavior of their wives’. Married or unmarried women, let your walk, and talk be in harmony.

WEDNESDAY: TO MEN (Note – I will in no way cover all aspects of this text!)

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1.    GC – Our relationship with our wives or women in the church is to reflect the ‘gracious gift of life’ God has given us. Too often men can objectify, use, bully, be violent toward women. Let our relationships reflect our loving God of grace.

2.    UP – Peter calls wives ‘the weaker partner’. We live in a world that trashes God’s word and we are forced to take on a political correctness that means that men fail to respect both the physical and emotional vulnerability of women. It is worship for men to refuse ungodly domination of women.

ESV Study bible notes: ‘Peter is probably thinking of the general truth that men are physically stronger than women and may be tempted to threaten their wives through physical or verbal abuse.’

3.    IN – Husbands and men, do you use anger or violence in any way toward women? Are you ‘considerate’ in the way you speak, being thoughtful and a good listener?

4.    OUT – Good marriages speak of the wisdom of God to a world that, in its wisdom, is failing in this regard.

THURSDAY: CHRISTLIKENESS ATTRACTS GOD’S BLESSINGS

1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1.    GC – Here we see how the message of the cross is to be actualized in our lives. Like Jesus we are to be ‘sympathetic, compassionate, humble…not repaying evil and insult’. Like the God of the gospel we are to repay ‘evil with blessing’. Those who know the God of grace will give grace.

2.    UP – God is pleased and will bless us as we meditate on and seek to live like Christ.

3.    IN – In ‘blessing’ (service, love, generosity etc.) do we give more, less or only what we receive from our brothers and sisters? What does the gospel teach you to do?

4.    OUT – Many people are lonely and feel misunderstood. Too often we fail to evangelize because we don’t see it first of all as an act of relational connection. Wayne Grudem says ‘one proper motive for righteous living is the knowledge that such conduct will bring blessings from God in this life’.

FRIDAY: LOVE LIFE

1 Peter 3:10-12 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1.    GC – As these verses teach, the unconditional salvation offered in the gospel does not mean that sin and how we live is irrelevant. God is still angry with Christians who sin whilst still accepting, loving, and disciplining them. (Hebrews 12:6)

2.    UP – A life of worship is the only way to enjoying life. If you ‘love life’ love worship.

3.    IN – Surely we all want our brothers and sisters to ‘love life and see good days’. If this is a desire you have let’s be encouraging one another to turn from sin to God.

4.    OUT – In a world of relational tension it’s a great witness to ‘seek peace and pursue it’.

SATURDAY: ALWAYS BE PREPARED

1 Peter 3:13-17 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 

1.    GC – We can even suffer whilst trying to do what is good! People misunderstand or deliberately ‘dis-understand’ us. Sounds like the way they treated Jesus! Let’s meditate and remember Jesus and so respond like Jesus.

2.    UP – Sometimes it’s ‘God’s will to suffer for doing good’; are we prepared to accept all of God’s gifts?

3.    IN – As a community let’s ‘revere Christ as Lord’. It’s easy to praise God when people praise us and the church; it’s hard, and we need the encouragement of one another, when we are being derided.

4. OUT – Peter encourages us, ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.’ Let’s get prepared through prayer and study. What would you say to someone who asked you why you are a Christian? 

Read More