Opening Prayer:
“O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart,
who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors. . . (Psalm 15:1-3)
Read: Ephesians 4:17-5:21
Story/Illustration:
“One of the most alarming findings of recent polls is that there is very little difference between the lifestyle decisions of Christians and non-Christians. With some exceptions – but not enough – we spend money the same, we divorce just as often, we have comparable moral behaviors, and we participate in our culture in remarkably similar ways. When it comes to average lifestyle, Western Christianity in the twenty-first century isn’t very distinguishable from Western society as a whole.” (from Indeed May/June 2005, p. 34)
“In God’s charge, repeated by leaders and prophets throughout the ages through images like ‘salt and light’ and ‘a nation of priests,’ God depicts humanity’s role in the cosmos: to be his cooperative friends, caring about what he cares about… we are called to cooperate daily with God in whatever comes our way. Work to make just laws. Help those in need. Pick up trash. If someone has questions about spiritual things, converse in peace, without needing to win an argument.” (Todd Hunter in Christianity Beyond Belief pp. 102-103)
I dropped in on a TV show called “Little Miss Perfect,” a program on young beauty pageant girls. I heard a mother say to her 8 year-old who had just finished a really good photo shoot: “Whatever it takes to make your eyes sparkle like that, do that when you’re on stage.” I couldn’t help but think that it isn’t “whatever” that makes our eyes sparkle - it’s God that makes our eyes sparkle. I wanted to yell: “Tell her that! Tell her how much God loves her!” Whatever it takes to make our eyes sparkle….. that “whatever” can so often be the opposite of what living as children of Light means. (Pastor Karen)
Questions For Reflection:
* Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?
* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?
* What does the “image and likeness” of God look like? What does imitating God mean? How can we help each other do this?
* Have you ever felt persecuted for the lifestyle you live? Do you even live a lifestyle that differs from society today – other than attending church? What does “living as children of Light” mean?
* Why does an immoral life or those things “of those who are disobedient” attract people including Christians?
* Have you found the ways of God to be pleasing, giving you life more abundant? If so, what are ways or examples of that in your life?
* What does God want most from you?
Wrap up:
“What is it in God’s kingdom that you most desire? Peace? Presence? Plenty for all? Greater faith and fidelity in the world, the church, and in your own life? Certainly these are some of the gifts of the Kingdom that God is pleased to bestow on the whole creation and each of us. What would happen if we claim them for ourselves and offer them to the world today? Let’s try it and see!” (Rueben P. Job, When You Pray, p. 170) As you journey through this week prayerfully answer these questions and journal your answers below.
Closing Prayer:
“Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’
As for the holy ones, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
(Psalm 16:1-3, 11)
* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why? Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, only what is helpful for building other up – this really speaks to me. This is one of the central principles that Circles is built on – we need to build each other up every day and be intentional about it. There are enough opportunities that the world will hand us to tear us down.
ReplyDelete* What does the “image and likeness” of God look like? What does imitating God mean? How can we help each other do this? When I think of the life that Jesus lived – he lived among the “least of these” on a regular basis. Some of his disciples – his most cherished friends – were considered a part of that group. Yet, that was what He chose for His life. I want my life to be patterned after this. I want to live modestly, in community with all kinds of people, living out Christian principles – not just speaking them every single day. I want to challenge the norms the same way that Christ did and know that my salvation is my reward – not any earthy thing.
* Have you ever felt persecuted for the lifestyle you live? Do you even live a lifestyle that differs from society today – other than attending church? What does “living as children of Light” mean? Yes – regularly I have had financial troubles with the non-profit world and I have been told that I am smart enough and talented enough to make 2-3 times what I make now in the corporate world. I have been judged as “June Cleaver-like” by peers because I choose this work. Several times in my marriage it has been very rocky due to the financial and time sacrifice I have put on my husband and son. But I know I am “living as children of the Light” as I have a peace, even in the rough times, that I am doing exactly what God had planned for my life. No matter how rough it has been, I know He is always with me.
* Have you found the ways of God to be pleasing, giving you life more abundant? If so, what are ways or examples of that in your life? It is hard sometimes to be the voice of reason in the crowd. To be the one always thinking of the consequences, long-term impact, etc. At times I have been referred to as the serious or boring one in the group – but I have a peace about me that many of my friends and family do not have. I have a peace that no matter what is happening in my life – there is a purpose. I learned a long time ago to live – to live with purpose everyday because you are not guaranteed tomorrow – and I fully live that way.
* What does God want most from you? He wants most from me to be obedient, loving, a good mother, wife, daughter, friend and neighbor. He wants me to be happy, fulfilled, overjoyed and at peace. He wants me to love and know that He loves me.
Yes, it is the portion about our words. Coarse jokes or empty words, etc. Words of encouragement can be so important. Whether the reason for the "thanks" is "big" or "small," the effect can be great. All of us struggle along, and sometimes wonder about our purpose or whether we are doing anything right or important. Someone else who shares a word often helps us pick up those heavy loads much more lightly. There are sometimes forces that say our praise or thanks should be for specific things and that too many of them take away the power. My experience has been that we are all to slow to just say something encouraging. I'm trying to remember to do that with not only church members but also sales people, janitors, workers, etc. I believe we all do a better job at whatever we are doing when we hear positive encouragement regularly along the way. Those are the types of conversation that help shine God's light in the dark places of our lives and souls.
ReplyDeleteIt is so important to make sure of our focus. If our focus is outward it becomes clear that words of encouragement become an easier and better way to go. But if we are focused inward, we do all to complete the illusion mentioned earlier, in verse 5 of chapter 5, of idolatry.
ReplyDeleteWe must always remember our focus.