23 Feb ‘Dressing Properly in Faith” | Woonocket
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
TALENT SHOW THIS SATURDAY, COME OUT TO SUPPORT WATERS YOUNG ADULTS PERU MISSIONS TRIP!
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND – TICKETS ARE $5 AND THERE WILL BE PIZZA AND SNACKS FOR PURCHASE!
SAVE THE DATE NEW ENGLAND: April 12 from 11-2 (rain date April 19). Waters Church in NA is hosting a Waters Easter Event (this is not the Egg Drop). It will be more like a fair with crafts, games, an egg hunt, and, simultaneously, telling the Resurrection story.
You won’t want to miss this, but we will need lots of help! Registration will be coming out around mid-March for you to sign up to serve!
NEW ENGLAND: UPCOMING CONCERT – TAYA (of Hillsong UNITED, singer of Oceans (Where Feet May Fall))
EVENT INFO:
Join TAYA on May 4th at North Attleboro for the Come Into The Light Tour, a transformative worship experience featuring her latest single by the same name, as well as other new songs from her upcoming record. “This tour is something I felt God drop in my heart over 2 years ago to do here in the United States, but for different reasons, it never eventuated…until now. I believe God’s timing and His alignment is perfect — and without either, I wouldn’t be walking into these nights with the stories and songs I now am.” Each night will be an invitation to pause and lay your life before God — every good, messy, broken, and sweet piece — and allow Him to have it all. You won’t want to miss these powerful nights of surrender in the Presence of Jesus, where we can Come Into The Light together and rediscover that He truly is everything He promised to be.
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Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Key Verse: Colossians 3
Ice Breaker Question:
“What’s one item of clothing that you have had for years and can’t seem to give away? Why is it special to you?”
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Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, guide us as we explore what it means to be dressed in faith. Help us to shed our old selves and embrace the new life You offer, clothed in Your grace and righteousness. May our discussion and understanding deepen our relationship with You. Amen.
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Being dressed for the occasion is essential. However, there are also times when you may dress a little extra for the occasion, adding something special to your outfit. This addition may make you feel better, more confident, etc.
Dressing properly is essential in the physical, and the same is true in the Spiritual. What we ‘put on’ or ‘clothe ourselves’ in faith is imperative.
Q. What ways does the world encourage people to ‘clothe’ themselves regarding values and behaviors, and how does this differ from being ‘clothed’ by faith in Jesus?
1. Dressed with Faith Means I Focus on the Eternal God of Heaven
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV
- A mind focused on the eternal rather than the temporal puts Heaven’s priorities into daily practice.
- You are hidden with Christ in God. Concealed in a safe place.
What you used to do, you no longer enjoy or want to do. This is where guilt and conviction come in when we attempt to live the dead way rather than in the new life in Jesus.
Thinking about heavenly things and leaving your old life behind is why the things that once satisfied you no longer do.
John 14:1-3 NLT
We are not only supposed to think about our home in Heaven that Jesus is preparing for us, but we should also think about the following:
- The fact that Jesus left His place in Heaven to come to Earth and serve as the only acceptable sacrifice to God for the payment of sin.
- There is a Host of angels rejoicing when one sinner repents, and Jesus is interceding for us at the right hand of God.
- Earth is not our home—we were always intended to be with God, and one day, we will be able to praise Him and beat Him for eternity!
Q: How does focusing on God’s eternal perspective change how you handle daily challenges?
Practical Application: Set aside a few minutes each morning to meditate on these scriptures and ask God to help you keep your mind set on things above throughout the day.
2. Dressed with Faith Starts with the Death of My Old Life
Colossians 3:5-11 NIV
“Put to death” requires physical action by us, and we trust the Word of God that in Christ, these things are dead now. You need to make a conscious effort to rid yourself of fleshly sins and that God is merciful and faithful to forgive and restore.
Colossians 3:8-10 NLT, Galatians 5:24 NLT
As Christians, we must make physical changes in our lives, which may also mean changing our friends, habits, hobbies, etc.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV, Galatians 6:14 NLT
Q: In what ways must you actively put to death your old behaviors to truly live in the new life Christ has given you?
Practical Application: Identify one old habit or sin you struggle with. Commit to accountability with a fellow group member and pray for each other regularly to overcome these old patterns.
3. Dressed with Faith is to be Clothed by God Daily
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
As a Christian, you are chosen, holy, and dearly beloved by God!
For the non-Christian, it is not too late! God rescues, heals, and restores!
Colossians 2:13-15 NLT
Jesus found us dead, and He is the one that gives us life. All of the evil spiritual authorities in your old life are dead because Jesus conquered them!
Galatians 2:20 NLT
We live our lives by faith, not reliant on knowledge but reliant on the Spirit by faith.
Q: What qualities listed in Colossians 3:12-14 do you find most challenging to put on daily? Why?
Practical Application: Focus on one attribute of the new self (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience) this week. Share your experiences and progress with the group.
4. Dressed with Faith is Sustained by the Peace of Jesus Ruling Me
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
Anxiety cannot function in your brain when you are practicing gratitude and being thankful. God made our brains this way.
Rely on Jesus’s power to transform you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV, Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Live your life as if you rely on Jesus’s power. Honor His word that gives you life, and give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Q: How can the peace of Christ rule in your heart in practical terms during times of conflict or stress?
Practical Application: Whenever you feel anxious or unsettled this week, pause to pray, recite Philippians 4:6-7, and ask for Jesus’ peace to fill your heart.
Sermon in a Sentence:
Dressed with faith in Jesus means my OLD LIFE is DEAD, my sinful FLESH continually DIES, my NEW LIFE in Jesus is CLOTHED by God, and I live my life to BRING HONOR to Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
Q. What are the most important insights or takeaways you gained from this message, and how can you apply them to your life?
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for clothing us in Your righteousness and for the peace that comes from Your rule in our lives. Help us live out our faith daily, honoring You in all we do. May our lives reflect Your love and grace to others. Amen.
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