Small Group - Sunday October 12th, 2008

Man-Centered Religion

Acts 14:8-18

Sermon

Questions

I believe question #4 is perhaps the most challenging question that I have heard anyone make. That is:

"4. Pastor Travis talked about "colluding with each other to pretend that we are holier than we actually are." Have you ever been tempted to do this? How is that sinful and what are the dangers?"

Our desire to hide our sins and to avoid at all costs transparency is to avoid the Lord's command to all, i.e.:

Luke 10:27 (English Standard Version)

27And he answered,(A) "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and(B) your neighbor as yourself."

Cross references:

1. Luke 10:27 : Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30; Deut 6:5

2. Luke 10:27 : Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   The part of the command that I never really think too deeply about is the "and your neighbor as yourself."

   " And" seems to get me.....but Travis's question really grabbed me. Now the question may be.....how do we start obeying our Lord? How do we lose our pride and selfishness and gain the humility to love our neighbors as ourselves despite all of the sin. How do we love each other so much that we desire to help our neighbors through their sin. How do we stand by them when they don't seem to want to stop their sin? How do we that without seeming to enable them?

   Ah, it is not easy at all to be a Christian.....guess that is why I feel so miserable when I think about how poorly I follow my Master's lead.

   
   

   Prayer Requests:

   
   

   Gaby - Pray that the Lord will give her wisdom and strength as she starts to work full time teaching. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to her about taking the job and as to whether or not to have a full time job. Please also pray that the Lord would speed up the healing for all injuries resulting from the recent car wreck.

   Travis - Pray that the Holy Spirit would be especially clear in guiding Travis to develope good habits for his sleep and work cycles. Also pray that the Lord would give Travis wisdom and maturity.

   David - Please pray that the Lord would free David of a problem that continues to plague him. Pray that the Lord shower David with mercy and love.

   Billy - Praise that the job decision was made for him by the closing of the plant where the opening was available. Praise the Lord that Billy did not accept the job offer before the plant closed.

   Bekah - Pray that the Lord will raise up those around her in her new work environment that she will be able to draw on for support. That they would be lovers of Christ and have their eyes firmly on Him first and the world second.

   Dennis - For the Lord to make clear what it is that he needs to do.....with the loss of the income....concentrate on finishing the course on Grant Proposal writing, or job hunting. How can I best serve the Lord?

   Rae - Please pray for the Lord to provide for Rae's wheelchair.

   
   

   Thank you, Miss Bekah for your hospitality and please extend our thanks to your roommates for their generosity in opening your home to all of us in the small group.