C3 Zurich Sunday Sermons

Blank Space - Making room for God

Last week, we began the exciting series entitled "Blank Space." The focus is on learning to listen to God; in our busy and often self-directed life, when does God get to speak, and if He does, will we hear him. and most importantly obey what He says? This week, we continue with this life-changing series by focusing on one key ingredient...

Blank Space - Making space for God

Our live has the potential to become God's masterpiece. The question is, can we make room on the canvas of our lives? How do we navigate listening on God in time full of noise? How can we hear the voice of God? We are excited to dive into Blank Space - Making room for God.

We all need friends in our orbit, people we can gravitate to. But what can you do, when you are loosing orbit and a friendship ends?

Also, are there any valid reasons to distance yourself from someone? And what does that even mean? How can we find healing instead of drama and hurt? Yann is finishing this sermon series alongside these questions. We think you don't want to miss this!

Orbit series "build this village"

Explain:

Simon introduced the historically true story of Rosetto, a village in the US, where the health was outstanding, while none of the classical determinators could account for it. (The food wasn't more healthy, not everyone did more sports, etc.) But they had a healthy community.

being part of a healthy community is life bringing!

3 Keys to build a healthy community

- be present: Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Love and good works only work, when we are present! Be physically present (going to church, going to connect group, etc.), but also be mentally / spiritually present: pray when we pray, worship when we worship, engange during the sermon, connect after the service.

- be transparent: 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Fellowship (community) is only possible, when there is a level of transparency (walking in the light). Let's show your true colors, but expect change!

- be inclusive: Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Never stop bridging the chasms that we have in our society: between old and young, progressive and conservative, etc.

Orbit series

"the three friends we need, --> the three friends we need to become"

Explain:

We all need friends in our lives. But instead of waiting until they come to our corner, we need to become the friend people need, and friendship will come to us. C3 Zürich (an therefor your connect Group) is not just a really friendly church, it's a church of real friends. Jesus was an amazing friend to other people:

He saw more in them

He lifted people up

He spoke truth in love

He saw more in them

- He saw Simon and said: You are Peter the rock.

- He sees Nathaniel and says: A righteous man (before he's proven anything)

- He spent time with sinners, because yes, they were sinners, but that wasn't the whole story. Like you and I, everyone is a sinner, only, some are saved and changed by grace.

real friends see more than is seen to the eye.

He lifted People up

- He lifts Lazarus from the dead. How much faith does a dead man have? How much discipline? Sometimes we lift people up, sometimes they lift us up.

Real friends pick each other up

He spoke the truth in love

When Lazarus comes and betrays him, he says the truth: "Friend do what you came to do." That must have cut Lazarus deeply. But in proverbs it says: "Wounds / Cuts from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Prov. 27:6)"

Real friends speak the truth because the truth sets us free.

Orbit series: Psalm 1

Explain:

there are levels of influence in our lives:

- WALK: casual contacts

- STAND IN THE WAY: deliberately run into

- SIT: Have communion with.

There are levels of lack of relationship with God

- THE WICKED: People without a relationship with God

- THE SINNERS: People with an ongoing practice of evil

- THE SCOFFERS: People that deliberately dispise God

The alternative to giving the wrong people the wrong levels of influence:

- Having delight in the word of God and meditating on it on and on.

You asked for it topic "Simply 10"

A lot of people look at Christians and say it's all about 'can't do this, can't do that.' What's that all about?

How is living according to them make us more human, more alive and more free?

Exodus series "Fight right"

Explain - Last week Simon preached about what made the Amalekites attack the Israelites, who were descendants from the same origin: Envy and rebellion against God.

Not every battle has to be fought. The new testament is clear about what battles are ours to fight.

- not against people but a spiritual battle: Ephesians 6:10-13

- fleeing battles that are just a distraction from our real battles: (1. Timothy 6:1-11)

Now, Israel HAS to fight. The good fight of faith is won on two dimensions:

Joshua fights with action, which requires power. Power comes as he submits to the leadership of Moses, and trusts. Power comes as he steps out of the blue and follows the "GO" of Moses. Power comes as he engages.

Moses fights in prayer which requires authority. This is where the battle is won. Yes, the engagement of Joshua was needed, but the battle was won in the lifting of hands. We get tired in private devotion way more quickly than in public engagement. This is why even heroes of faith like Moses need people left and right to keep their prayer up.

Exodus series "Middle Child Syndrome/sandwich kid"

Explain - A big reason Amalek attacked Israel out of the blue, was they were envious. Amalek and Israel came from the same root and could be seen as family. But since they cam from Esau and saw the blessing on Jacobs descendants and kept comparing, envy grew hatred.

Their envy and comparison in the end killed them. A lot of what hinders growth, blessing and development in our lives comes from comparison and and envy.

Ways out of envy:

- celebrating the other persons blessing: Instead of comparing and seeing where God "overlooked us", we can thank Him that he sees everyone. thankfulness kills comparison.

- getting a bigger vision, having a Kingdom mindset: God blesses other people because his plans are way more vast than our gifts, talents, calls and ideas. If we can trust him, we wont envy.

Exodus series "Complaining"

Explain - The groaning of the people in Exodus 15:24, and later on again and again, wasn't just "needy people, always complaining". But people without water for 3 days, or without food for 7 days. So in the wait, they came to the limit of their faith.

Complaining is a sign that you have reached the limit of your faith! (amazing statement from Yann's sermon).

But God is about stretching our faith and increasing.