We’ve entered into a new season together where we will begin exploring deeper more meaningful conversation with God and with people. Words are powerful! God created everything and sustains it all by his word. God sent his WORD to redeem us and awaken life-giving conversation that transforms us and everyone around us. In this season will grow in more effective conversation with God and with others.
Picture two executives sitting in an airport coffee shop, briefcases open, papers spilling out all over the table, in conversation about something important. Or two ladies sitting in a coffee shop over a pot of Earl Grey. Or a young couple on a romantic stroll hand-in-hand down a beach as the sun is setting. Or two older men sitting in a boat with fishing poles in their hands. Or two little children playing in a sandbox, making sounds like engines and front-end loaders and bulldozers. Or two older women sitting in rocking chairs on a front porch reminiscing. Or two teens with cell phones that just can't seem to stop talking with something to discuss nonstop.
All of these are reflections of this amazing gift of conversation God has given us. I can't imagine a day without meaningful, relational conversations. There is something deeply theological about our desire to converse, communicate and have relationships. We are created in the image of trinity God, community God.
Communication within the trinity is revealed in Genesis 1:26 where God says, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule." So there's a conversation about how we, male and female, are going to be created in the image of God with the ability to carry on conversations and to have relationships with other people in community. This is why we believe so strongly in Community Groups where we grow deeper in relationship with God and each other together.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. NIV
You can find the details of “The Turn The Page Challenge” here: pastordude.com/turnthepage/. It is our desire to see you grow in your understanding of God’s Word and your awareness of God’s presence. There are illustrated faith Bibles available in the lobby to consider giving as Christmas presents.
Last week we commissioned everyone to Purpose sacrificial devotion to experiencing the heart of God every day of the week as our action point. Hopefully you have been diligent to do this and are growing in your hunger for the deeper things of God.
In last week’s message we talked about how air is to the body what prayer is to the spirit. We tend to treat Jesus like vitamins but we should treat him like oxygen. Without his purpose in our lives we do not live but merely exist.
Many Hebrew scholars teach that the name of God, Yahweh (YHWH) is the sound of breath. On one hand, His name is too sacred to pronounce. On the other hand, it’s whispered w every breath we take. By design God’s name is the first word we speak and the first breath we breathe. God’s name will be the last word we speak and the last breath we breathe. Every word and every breath in between the day of our birth and the day of our death we are speaking his name by our God-given design.
When you choose to live a life that is inspired by God daily you awaken your destiny. Otherwise, you settle for a mundane existence! #turnthepage Let’s press in!
It was spoken of Charles Spurgeon that he just seemed to live in an atmosphere of heavenly conversation. Dr. Cuyler, one of Spurgeon’s friends, described taking a walk with Spurgeon through the woods. Spurgeon had a tremendous sense of humor, and something he said caused them both to laugh. Their hearts were knit deeper together in their laughter. Suddenly Spurgeon stopped him, and said, "Come, Theodore. Let's thank God for laughter."
Cuyler explained this incident saying, "This is the way it was with Spurgeon. He moved from a jest to a prayer and back again at the breadth of a hair."
This is how it should be with all of us just constantly living, and moving, and having our being in the presence of God. Enoch walked with God. Noah walked with God. We can walk with God in this conversational atmosphere of prayer.
If prayer is so great and central to God's purpose for the universe and for your life, it is not surprising that God would tell us, "Devote yourselves to prayer."
Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer."
What does this mean? You pray often and you pray regularly. Prayer is not some infrequent practice but prayer becomes our way of life. We can live in a state of constant communication with God.
This means you take steps to see that it is part of your regular life, the same way you purposefully eat and sleep.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose a conversational pursuit with God every day this week!
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. NIV
CREATED FOR CONVERSATION: HEAVENLY CONVERSATION
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Words are powerful! God created everything and sustains it all by his word. God sent his WORD to redeem us and awaken life-giving conversation that transforms us and everyone around us. In this season will grow in more effective conversation with God and with others.
God’s plan is for us to hear his voice together as a family. This is why we start each group with the first question:
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Ask each person in your group to answer the discussion questions below after reading the verses. Don’t move on to the next question until everybody who is willing to share has had the opportunity to give their perspective.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Have each person give a 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, in their own words.
What do these verses teach us about God?
What do these verses teach us about people?
What should you do this week in response to what we are reading and what God is revealing?
Who comes to mind when considering a person you might share this with this week?
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose a conversational pursuit with God every day this week!