17 Dec “The Best Christmas Gift of 2023” – New England

Announcements:

REMINDER: DISCOVER CLASS: For New Leaders, Leaders who have not taken the class, or Leaders who have not taken the class in the last couple of years.  It is held on the first Sunday of the month.

One of our Small Group Leaders- Crystel Hoyt had major back surgery a week ago, please share this meal train for the family, thank you!

Hoyt Family Meal Train

ALL LOCATIONS:

NEED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY CARE?  OR HAVE A GROUP MEMBER IN NEED OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY CARE?   CLICK HERE:  HELP RESOURCES PAGE 

Reminder:  Please check your planning center profiles for requests to join and also remove members from the list that no longer attend as well as add members not listed. Thank you.

LEADERS: WE HAVE CHANGED UP THE DISCOVER CLASS WHICH USED TO BE GROWTH TRACK AND ARE ASKING ALL LEADERS TO RE-TAKE THIS A SOME POINT.  BELOW IS THE 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

IMPORTANT***** Please add

Go to your email, add no-reply@churchcenter.com to your contacts (PLEASE ASK ME IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND) THANKS!

no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and have your members add it as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site.

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events)

Location Text Alerts:

*********************

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5

Ice Breaker:

Q. What would your autobiography be called?

We want the best gifts and we try to give the best gifts.

This simple equation is what makes a gift special: Thought, care, and love, plus something we have no way of ever providing for ourselves (Reconciliation) equals BEST. 

Paul writes to the Corinthian Church to remind them of a gift they were given.  A gift that gave them purpose. 

In those days, everyone wanted the best philosophy, teacher, following, etc. That is what gave them the label we can relate to – Social influencers.

The Corinthian church allowed false teachers to pull them away from the gift they originally received, making them weak and troubled. False teachers were prevalent and in order to solicit their false teachings they intentionally attacked Paul’s character and so the Corinthians turned from Paul’s teachings.

This is similar to the way our culture attempts to sway us and others from the Christian faith: attack the character of Christians to push their false teaching. 

Q. Can you share some specific examples of how social influences may have impacted your faith journey in either a positive or negative way?

2 Corinthians 5:11-21 ESV

Reconciliation is the process of two previously alienated parties coming to peace with each other.

TRUE AND EVERLASTING RECONCILIATION IS ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

1. Reconciliation Begins When I Admit I Need to Be Reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV and NLT

Outside of Christ, as well as in Christ we need to know which side of reconciliation we are on.  We are on the side that does the wronging and needs to be corrected/reconciled.

I NEED RECONCILIATION CENTERED IN CHRIST

Romans 5:10 ESV; Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV

Q. How does acknowledging our need for reconciliation impact our approach to resolving conflicts and mending relationships? Can you share a personal experience?

2. Reconciliation is something I can receive.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NLT

I WANT RECONCILIATION THROUGH CHRIST.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

We will never have true reconciliation (horizontally) until we have received reconciliation (vertically).  We can search anywhere we want but nothing compares to reconciliation centered in Christ – IT IS THE BEST!

The process of reconciliation is finished in Christ.  We only need to receive the finished work of Christ.

The work to become reconciled to God has already been done.  There is only one thing that you can do to be reconciled to God – RECEIVE IT!  Believe the good news of Jesus.

Reconciliation to God through Christ is not something to work toward and earn with your works.  Jesus did the work for reconciliation to God, we simply believe and receive it.

Q. How does this principle of receiving rather than earning reconciliation to God impact your understanding of grace and faith in your spiritual life?

3. Jesus Gives Me Purpose From His Reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ESV

An ambassador is an authorized representative or messenger.

MY PURPOSE IN JESUS-CENTERED RECONCILIATION IS TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV and NLT

Thought, care, and love plus He brought me back to God = BEST GIFT EVER.

Q. Considering 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ESV, which describes believers as ambassadors of Christ’s reconciliation, discuss what it means to be an authorized representative or messenger of Jesus. How does this role influence your daily interactions and decisions?

Final Thought:

THE BEST GIFT IS TO BE RECONCILED TO GOD, I CAN RECEIVE JESUS’S RECONCILIATION,  AND I AM PURPOSED TO SHARE HIS RECONCILIATION WITH OTHERS.

You will find what you are looking for.  Confusion will be found when it’s pursued.  Anger will be found when you justify it and dwell on your rationale.  Selfishness will be found when you make it all about you. 

You will find hope when you look for it in Christ.  You will find joy when sought after in Christ.  You will find wholeness in Christ.  You will find reconciliation when sought after in Christ.  You all see someone who needs to be reconciled to God when you look for someone to share this reconciliation with.

Our hearts should be filled with joy when we watch, witness, and serve so someone can receive reconciliation through Christ.  It makes everything worth it.

Challenge: This week, focus on actively seeking opportunities to share the message of reconciliation through Christ with at least one person. This could be through a conversation, a kind gesture, or even a supportive message. Reflect on how this act of sharing impacts both you and the person you reach out to.