22 Sep Who’s Next? | PART 3 “KAYNE WEST, C.S. LEWIS, AND JESUS WALK INTO A BAR”
Key Verse: John 1:43-51 ESV
SGL Announcements
eFam Groups: If you have an apprentice that may be interested in becoming an eFam leader, direct them here: eFam Group Leader Application
Action Groups: If you have an apprentice (or someone you think may make a good action group leader) who would like to lead an Action Group, direct them here: Action Group Leader Application
WOONSOCKET PERMANENT LOCATION: As you know we have a permanent location for Woonsocket Campus – your talent is needed. If you have any experience in carpentry, HVAC, etc., let us know.
TESTIMONIES: Looking for your testimonies! If you have group wins to share from your Small Group, please email them to me! maparsons@waterschurch.org
SMALL GROUP VIDEOS: If you need members, please send me a 30-second video of you (refer to the one of the Manolios that is posted on social media – click here to watch).
The Deep End Podcast: GET YOUR (FREE) TICKET TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT!
The Deep End is a weekly live simulcast hosted by Pastor Tim. Every week we dive deeper in Faith, Politics, the Bible and the world we live in. Be part of the audience as we study the Book of Acts on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8:00p. You can click here to register: The Deep End. Take a Tuesday and have you and your small group register and you can all be in the audience together!
PLEAST NOTE: ONLY THE LEADER NEEDS TO RESERVE AS MANY TICKETS AS THEY NEED. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE MEMBERS RESERVE THEIR OWN, THIS MAY CAUSE AN OVERBOOKING..
Classes
Starting Point: What is Christianity all about? Is the Bible really more than just a book? Who is Jesus? No matter where we are in life, we all have questions. Starting Point is a great place to explore the Faith and have safe and open discussions about some of life’s toughest questions.
Growth Track: This single class happens twice a month; Discover, Deepen, & Dedicate; you will get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Waters Church and have an opportunity to ask your own. This is the perfect place to get to know the “Why” behind the “What” of who we are as a church. Takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 11:30a.
Baptism Class: 4th Sunday of every month at 11:30a.
B.Y.O.B Weekend – September 26/29
Salvation is a work of God’s grace on our hearts and we do not deserve it. Jesus came to rescue those who cannot save themselves.
Kanye West is a rapper who is now starting to talk about Jesus. He was a blasphemer but over the past couple of years, God has been doing something in his heart.
1 Timothy 1:13-14 ESV
On his way to arrest Christians, Paul received mercy from God. Grace overflowed for him. We should never get offended by people who hate Jesus, God can change them by His grace.
THEME: GOD CAN CHANGE AND USE ANYONE….YES, ANYONE.
Church is a group of people invited by other people to meet the greatest Person.
John 1:43-51 ESV
Jesus is inviting people. The people get so overwhelmed they have to invite other people along with them.
Q. Can you describe a time you got so overwhelmed by what was God was doing in church that you had to invite others?
Jesus decided to go to Galilee. Galilee is the northern section of Israel. It is like being in the sticks, the backwoods. These Israelites intermingled with all types of other people. Why did Jesus choose to go there? Because He wanted to go to the nations, where there was diversity. He wanted to be where the outsiders were.
We need to learn to follow Him to the outsiders. New England is not the Bible belt. It is the least biblical area in the nation.
JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE INSIDER (TRINITY) WHO WENT TO THE OUTSIDERS AND MAKES THEM INSIDERS BY HIS GRACE.
Q. What is an example of where you went to the ‘outsiders’ to show them the grace of God?
Point 1: CHECK THE ASSUMPTIONS
What’s Your Assumption?
John 1:46 (MSG)
He is making a judgment about Jesus based on where Jesus was from, without even knowing Him.
- Some assume the Bible is full of contradictions
- Some assume Christianity is untrue because of a few bad apples in the Church.
- Some assume religion is all about indoctrination.
- Some assume the existence of evil in the world is proof that a good God cannot exist.
Q. Have you ever dealt with any or all of these assumptions and how (either your own personal assumptions or the assumptions others have made)?
C.S. Lewis’s assumptions. He was not always a believer. (Story of C.S Lewis)
There is absolutely no proof for any religion, and from a philosophical standpoint Christianity is not even the best. All religions, i.e., all mythologies…are merely man’s own invention-Christ as much as Loki. In every age the educated and thinking [people] have stood outside [religion].” – C. S. Lewis
“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust.”
“… Just how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?”
“Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist—in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless—I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality—namely my idea of justice—was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning.” – C. S. Lewis
We need to check our assumptions and talk to people.
Point 2: CHALLENGE THE ASSUMPTIONS
John 1:46 ESV
Nathaniel made an assumption, but Philip says ‘Come and see.” He does not argue or put Nathaniel down, He simply tells him to come and see. We are not in the business of arguing but we are in the business of introducing people to the One we have met. We should not sound miserable when inviting people to come to church. Philip had a ‘spring in his voice’ . He was most likely excited! We need to be excited when we invite others. Philip challenged Nathaniel with his joy.
We embody a powerful witness for Christ when we love Him more than we love the acceptance of approval of those who don’t love HIm.
Q. Do you find yourself getting into arguments about your faith? How has your witness been more powerful when you are not looking for the approval of others about what you believe?
Psalm 34:8 ESV
John 1:47 ESV
Genesis 28:12-13 ESV
Jacob had stolen his brother Esau’s birthright and Esau was going to kill Jacob, but Jacob has a dream and wrestled with God and won. God changes his name:
:”Jacob” – the “deceiver” – becomes “Israel” – “one who prevails with God.”
The guy who least deserved to be saved is getting saved!
John 1:48-49 ESV
Point 3 : COMMENCE THE ASSUMPTION-KILLING JOURNEY ONE STEP AT A TIME WITH JESUS.
John 1:50 ESV
The ladder is the connection between Jacob and heaven. The ladder is the connection between what we have heard and what God has done for us. We climb the ladder one step at a time. The ladder is our journey.
COME AND SEE THE ONE THAT CONNECTS EARTH TO HEAVEN ONE STEP AT A TIME.
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MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER AND FELLOWSHIP
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