Icebreaker Option: What is your go-to dance move when you're in a celebratory mood?
HOPE: Where have you seen God at work in the last week?
SERMON SUMMARY:
Pastor Justin Kendrick spoke on the implications of Jesus Christ's resurrection. By drawing from 2 Timothy 1:8-10, he delves into two thieves of the truth of the gospel: salvation by self-invention (relativism) and salvation by good deeds. Both, he argues, lead to unfulfilling pursuits, either a continuous craving for validation or the impossible attainment of perfection. The solution is found in the third way, salvation by substitution, which lies at the heart of the gospel. He invites listeners to embrace the transformative power of believing in the resurrection of Jesus, receiving hope that changes everything.
HEART:
• How does the concept of being trapped in a 'fog' of shame and hopelessness relate to your own life and experiences?
• Have you ever tried to navigate by self-invention (relativism) or salvation by good deeds? What was the outcome of that pursuit?
HEAD: Read 2 Timothy 1:8-10
• What does Paul tell Timothy not to do? What does Paul tell Timothy to do?
•The Lord saves His people “according to His own purpose and grace” from all eternity (1:9). What do these two words mean here and what relevance do they have on our salvation and calling?
HANDS:
• How would your relationships, decisions, and mindset be different if you deeply embraced the hope and power of the resurrection?
• How can you daily remind yourself of this unshakable hope and allow it to transform you?
HOPE: Prayer
• Pray for God to show us where the thieves of self-invention and good deeds are evident in us.
• Ask God to help us fully understand and embrace the truth of the gospel.
• Ask God to help us live out the implications of the resurrection throughout this week.
GOING DEEPER: Questions to reflect upon and encourage the conversation to go deeper.
• Study further the doctrine of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement. Consider: Isaiah 53; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24
• Reread the accounts of Jesus death and resurrection based on this truth.