12 Aug “Seeing the Good News” | Jim Shekleton
You can view the 15 Wishes by clicking here: 15for15
You can help support a wish by clicking here: Wishes
You can help send someone to Guatemala by clicking here: Missions
If you would like to sign up for the informational session on Guatemala, visit Info Central on the Weekend.
Backpacks Deadline is August 26th – Get a card for a free sandwich at Chick-Fil-A in Attleboro when you bring your backpack filled with school supplies and drop off in the box in the lobby!
AUGUST 25 – SATURDAY SUMMER SPLASH: Waters Kids Baptisms, Free Chick-Fil-A (and a special appearance by the Cow) plus Jumpy Water Slides and more!
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Key Verse James 1:19-27
We are ‘seeing’ people. We like to look in the mirror and see ourselves. We tell people to come and see our church. ‘You have got to see this_____’. Seeing is believing. Whatever it is we just want to see it. As Christians, we want to see God move. We want to see the power of God heal, transform, reconcile but when we get caught up in the seeing, we can miss what happened before the seeing. The simple truth is that the Gospel is done, we just need to see it. We don’t need to overcomplicate the Gospel. God moves mightily through 2 things: a response that is rooted in the Gospel and a willingness rooted in faith no matter how we feel.
Q. In what ways to people overcomplicate the Gospel? What is the danger of basing our willingness to do the will of God based on feelings?
WHEN OUR FAITH DEMONSTRATES THAT OUR GOD IS ALIVE, WE WILL SEE HE IS ALIVE, ACTIVE AND AT WORK IN PEOPLE’S LIVES.
We have all heard the saying: ‘Garbage in Garbage out’ Jesus’s version of that might be:
Compassion in Compassion out. Love in, Love out, Patience, Faith, Grace...
Life Change #1: GOD MOVES MIGHTILY IN MY LIFE WHEN HEAR.
James is saying we should listen, then speak and then anger (this anger is something that is deeply rooted inside). Our society has turned this around. People are quick to talk and anger before hearing (you need to hear why I’m offended, why I am smarter etc.).
Q. Do you consider yourself a good listener and why? How has being quick to speak and quick to anger got you into trouble?
We are to listen to God speak to us through prayer and through His Word. We should be listening to Gospel centered messages not those message on how to make good in your life or woe is me messages.
What am I hearing in my life?
If it is outside of God, it probably isn’t good.
Q. What things do you listen to that have a negative effect on you and why?
The result of wisdom through the Good News of Jesus is faith.
The Good News of Christ is Able to Save Me.
LIFE CHANGE #2: GOD MOVES MIGHTILY IN MY LIFE WHEN I AM A DOER OF WHAT I HEARD.
We are blessed in our doing.
Others know we are happy, sad, or confused because we do something to show these emotions. No one knows unless we demonstrate them. In this same way, no one sees our faith unless we demonstrate it. When we do something, then others see it.
Q. What is the relationship between listening to God’s word and doing it and how have you demonstrated this in your daily life?
SOMEONE ELSE WAS A DOER WHICH PROVIDED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A HEARER AND I HAVE BECOME A DOER.
Doing is rooted in the Gospel, the good news of Jesus. He left His throne in heaven to be sacrificed for our sin so we could be reconciled to God.
LIFE CHANGER #3: DOERS OF THE GOSPEL EXPECT NO RECIPROCATION.
Reciprocation is return or giving back something of equal value.
The NLT replaces ‘visit’ with ‘caring’.
The only one that has a religion that is pure and undefiled before God is Jesus. We cannot care for widows and orphans and keep ourselves unstained from the world without Christ. Orphans and widows were unable to reciprocate the caring that was given to them.
Q. When has someone done something for you where you were not expecting them to require reciprocation? What kinds of things do you expect to be reciprocated for and why is it a good idea not to in some cases?
If Jesus sets us free, then we are free! It is simple. No complexity. Faith comes from hearing when we hear the word of God and then we do the good work of Christ because of the faith we received from hearing.
I CAN BE A GOSPEL DOER WHEN I’M ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL, REGARDLESS OF RECIPROCATION.
When compassion goes out it does not matter if it comes back at you.
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, THE LOST, WOONSOCKET AND OTHER UPCOMING CAMPUSES, THE CHURCH, THE NATION AND LEADERS AND 15 WISHES AND GUATEMALA MISSION.
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