Church of The Open Door Sermons

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Getting Stronger1 Thessalonians 3:1-10“Getting Stronger in Faith”

We need to get stronger in our faith so we can:

Endure disappointment and misunderstanding

Persevere in trials

Stand firm in persecution

Fight against temptation

How to get stronger in faith (both for ourselves and others):

Prepare for trouble and hardship

Practice encouragement

See trials as opportunities to trust

Use the Word of God

Pray: Ask God for strengthened faith

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: Who is the strongest person you know?What makes that person strong?

What one word would you use to describe the strength of faith in America?What word would you use to describe your own faith?

How do you know when your faith has become weak?

What does it mean to “strengthen yourself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6; Psalm 42:5)?

Read Luke 22:31-32.Based on how Jesus responds to His disciple Peter, how do you think God responds to us when our faith is weak or failing?

The trials that test our faith are the trials that can strengthen your faith.What opportunities have you had in the last month to trust in God?How did you respond to those difficulties and trials?

Look back through the five applications under point two of the sermon outline.Which one will help you respond to trials in the coming weeks?

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The Sacred Overlap“It’s Good to see you”1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Believers love and long to see believers.Intensely. Making every effort.To convict. To encourage.

Obstacles are present:Satan.God.Ourselves.

Our mission in the sacred overlap is to seek and save the lost.With His Spirit. With His eyes.

Followers of Jesus follow Jesus.

Christlike characteristic: Relates with other-centered love.

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: What is one hassle that you’re happy technology has removed?

How are our relationships with other believers similar to and different from our relationships with non-believing friends, neighbors, and family members?

What does it mean to make “every effort” to be with believers?

Read Hebrews 10:24-25.According to these verses, what should we do when we meet together with other believers?

What obstacles have you encountered recently that have hindered you from enjoying the community of the church?How can we overcome these obstacles as they arise?

Have you experienced the “Spirit” and the “eyes” of Jesus pulling you toward others?Share the story!

It can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to talking to other people about Jesus.An easy way to start is to just ask, “What has God been doing in your life recently,” and see where it goes!As you come to the end of your group time, consider practicing this kind of conversation one on one, making an effort to encourage one another as you share.

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The Scared Overlap"Suffering as Jesus’ Disciples While Waiting for Jesus’ Return"1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Three things to know about suffering in the sacred overlap.

Suffering is proof that God is at work — it is not meaningless.

Discipleship is costly.

Our willingness to suffer demonstrates deep heart change.

God uses suffering to refine us.

Suffering is part of being a disciple of Jesus — we are not alone.

Suffering places us in the story of the church.

Suffering places us on the trail of Jesus.

Suffering happens within God’s sovereignty — it is not forever.

Sin has fixed “limits.”

God will set things to right.

Big Idea: When I suffer in the sacred overlap, I will be encouraged as I set my eyes on Jesus.

Core Christlike Characteristic: Spirit-led Servant, Living Surrendered.

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: Share something that you bought or received that wasn’t as advertised.

Why do you think the American church is so comfortable in comparison with the global church?

In your own life, have you seen God work in or through suffering?

When do you find that you experience the most opposition as you are trying to follow Jesus?

Of the following three points about suffering, which do you find hardest to believe as you are going through painful and difficult times:That it isn’t meaningless, that you aren’t alone, or that it is not forever?Why that point?

Which do you find most encouraging?

How can you tell if you are willing to suffer for your faith?What can you do now to prepare your heart for future opposition?

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The Sacred Overlap“How the Word Works”1 Thessalonians 2:13

The Sacred Overlap is where God calls us to live as disciples of Jesus, in the tension between living in Christ and living in the world. To do so, we must be shaped by the Word of God.

How do you respond to the Word of God?

When it’s preached, taught or read?

Hear/Receive/Accept/Believe

Ignore/Resist/Reject/Refuse to believe

How does the Word of God work in our life?

Leads us to Christ (John 5:39)

Convicts and regenerates us (Acts 2:37 & 1 Pet. 1:23)

Energizes and strengthens us (Heb. 4:12 & Ps. 119:28)

Encourages and builds us up (Rom. 15:4 & Acts 20:32)

Nourishes and helps us grow (1 Peter 2:2 NASB)

Guides and gives us direction (Ps. 119:105)

Corrects and instructs us (2 Tim. 3:16)

Trains and equips us (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Warns and protects us (1 Cor. 10:11 & Ps. 119:114)

Heals and restores us (Ps. 107:20 & Ps. 19:7 NASB)

Sanctifies and cleanses us (John 17:17 & Eph. 5:26)

How do you cooperate with the work of the Word of God?

Read it daily

Hear it preached weekly

Accept and believe it

Meditate on and memorize it

Live it out

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: Share a time that you fell asleep when you should not have fallen asleep.

What one word would you use to describe your Devotion to God’s Word?

What goes into whether a person hears or ignores the Word of God?

Where do you tend to find yourself when it comes to the Word of God?(refuse to believe → reject → resist → ignore → hear → receive → accept → believe)

How do you know when the Word is “working” in your life?

What do you do when you don’t feel like it is “working?”

The sermon outline from Sunday provides an opportunity to continue exploring how the Word of God works in our lives by assigning one or two passages per person.Spend a few minutes exploring the following passages in the NIV, or in whatever translation is specified, and then share what you found!Ps 119:105; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Cor 10:11 & Ps 119:114; Jn 17:17 & Eph 5:26

What is your next step in being Devoted to God’s Word? (Read it daily, hear it preached weekly, accept and believe it, meditate on it, memorize it, live it out.)

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The Sacred Overlap“Core Fathering Skills”1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Fathering is discipling/Discipling is fathering

Fathering is using loving authority to help your kids live lives that honor God

Discipling is helping people follow Jesus

Your kids have been called into God’s kingdom to follow Jesus

How do you disciple them?

Fathers disciple their kids by encouraging them

Presence: Fathers come alongside their kids to help them follow Jesus

Words: Fathers speak into their kids’ lives to help them follow Jesus

Support: Fathers strengthen their kids to help them follow Jesus

Fathers disciple their kids by comforting them

Words spoken to calm them

Words spoken to comfort them

Words spoken to cheer them on

Fathers disciple their kids by urging/challenging them

Challenge them from your life

Urge them to never give up following Jesus

Urge them to keep trusting God

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-centered Love/Loving People

LifeGroup Questions

If you’re a father, what’s your favorite tool?If not, what do you think was your father’s favorite tool?

What is your favorite memory of your father cheering you on?

Why do you think the Bible uses the language of family and parenting so much when it talks about spiritual growth, discipleship and helping others grow spiritually?

When you’re discouraged or down, do you respond best to someone encouraging you, comforting you or urging/challenging you?

Paul isn’t writing to fathers in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, he’s using an analogy of how he acted like a father among the Thessalonians as he helped them grow in Christ.As such, this is applicable to all of us. With that in mind, of the three ways Paul said he acted “like a father” (encouraging, comforting and urging), which one of the three do you find yourself doing the most for those you are helping to grow in Christ?

Which of the three do you find yourself most in need of today?If you’re comfortable, share why.

Close your LifeGroup together by praying for each other based on the responses to question 6.

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The Sacred Overlap“Loving in the Overlap”1 Thessalonians 2:7b-10

As we live in the tension of the overlap, how do we live out of the love of God?

Paul’s example with the Thessalonian church teaches us that:

Love is essential | serving (Mark 10:45)

It is nurturing

It is unique

It is affectionate longing

It selflessly shares

The good news of God

On the soul level

Love leaves an impression | working (John 5:17)

Unforgettable

identity

effort

thoughtfulness

message of God’s good news

Love demands a response | glorifying (John 12:28)

Witness of man and of God

Witness to actions and motives: “holy, righteous, blameless”

The Church (ekklēsia):“A gathering of disciples ‘called out from’ others for the purpose of making disciples”

We are called out and gather in response to His gracious love and through His unbelievable love we sacrificially walk with and care for and train up other disciples for the glory of God!

Core CHRIST-like Characteristics: Connected to God through the Word and prayer, Heart of Worship, Relates with other-centered love, Spirit-led servant.

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: Share a time in your life when you *almost* got in trouble.

How have you experienced the kind of “nurturing” that Paul is talking about?What are the marks of someone who is nurturing well, and how does that play out in discipleship?

According to 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-10, what did the love of God prompt Paul to do?How can we emulate that response today?

What keeps us from vulnerably sharing “our very lives” with one another?

What is something that you have selflessly shared recently?Can you recall a time when you selflessly shared the Gospel or your very life?

What kind of impression is your love leaving on those around you?

Where are you applying what you’re learning from God? Is what you’re learning demanding a response from you?

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Sermon Notes

The Sacred Overlap“Tension”1 Thessalonians 2:1-7

Church (Ek-klesia) – “A gathering of disciples ‘called out from’ others for the purpose of making disciples.”

Dare to tell the gospel even in the face of strong opposition.

When telling the gospel don’t speak with:

False informationImpure motivesIntent to misleadIntent to please peopleIntent to flatterIntent to cover greedIntent to gain praise

God has called us out so that we may dare to tell the gospel in the face of strong opposition to glorify God.

We need God if we are to ever live in the sacred overlap.

Are you willing to say “Here I am Lord, send me”?

Christ-like characteristics: Relates with other-centered love. Intentional evangelism. Spirit-led servant.

LifeGroup Questions

What was your take away from the message today?

Out of the seven things that Paul says they didn’t do, what is the hardest thing for you not to do?

What is the hardest thing for you when it comes to daring to share the gospel?

What area of your life needs “soap”?

Are you willing to say “Here I am Lord, send me”?Please explain your answer.

Conclude group praying God would make V-town a place known where people say “Here I am Lord, send me”.

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The Sacred Overlap“Marks of a Disciple”1 Thessalonians 2:1-7a

How you respond to opposition and suffering says a lot about what motivates you.

When we are motivated by a selfish desire for approval, we… live in order to be filled.

give up in the face of opposition.

manipulate others with our words in order to gain something for ourselves.

perform for people rather than really loving them.

When we are motivated by the truth of what God says about us, we… live out of the love of God.

aren’t dominated by the drive for self-preservation.

relinquish our rights for the sake of others.

live with gentle compassion toward others.

reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.

Big Idea: If we are to endure through opposition in the sacred overlap, we must remember and be motivated by God’s approval of us in Christ.

Core Christlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love.

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: Share a book, movie, or video game you weren’t allowed to read, watch, etc. as a kid.

Have you ever spent time considering your motivations?What did you discover?

As you listened to the sermon, did you more closely identify with the motivations that come from the world (like the charlatans) or the motivations that come from Jesus (like Paul)?Why do you think that is?

Do you find your motivations to be black and white, either all good or all bad?Why or why not?

What differences do you see in your life when you are living in order to please God versus living out of the fact that God loves you?

When do you feel most loved and accepted by God? Read Romans 5:8-9.What seemed to stick out to Paul about God’s love?

Do you set aside regular time to hear God say, “I love you”?Before you leave, make a plan to get alone with God sometime this week and meditate on how deep His love is for you.

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Sermon Notes

The Sacred Overlap“What do you know?”1 Thessalonians 2:1-7a

You know: (vs 1-2a)

Who you are as disciples: “brothers and sisters” (adelphoi)

Our visit was not without results (a failure)

What happened in Philippi? (Acts 16-17)

You know: (vs 2b-4)

Sharing the gospel requires:

Boldness and courage in the face of opposition

The help of God alone to faithfully share His gospel

Sharing the gospel is an appeal:

“Paraklesis” - a word of encouragement and comfort

Not sourced in error, wrong motives or deception

An ‘earnest request’ sourced in truth

Sharing the gospel requires a right perspective:

We must speak

Knowing God alone approves us

We are entrusted with His message

We are not people pleasers

We live to please God alone who tests our hearts

You know: (vs 5-7a)

The gospel should never be compromised by:

Flattery

Cloaked greed

Lust for people’s praise

Added burdens placed on the hearers

The gospel should be shared with the conviction that:

God is witness

We are messengers sent by Jesus having authority to ask for more, but instead

We bring the good news in gentleness just like Jesus

Bridging the gap between “you know” and “you do”

It’s a matter of life and death

Core CHRIST-like Characteristics: Relates with other-centered love, Intentional evangelism, Spirit-led servant.

LifeGroup Questions

Begin Life Group with prayer — invite the Holy Spirit to speak and move among you.

Identity in Christ takes us from being a slave to sin and makes us his children (John 8:34-35).When we internalize that, how does it change the way I look at and treat other men and women in the church?

Describe a time in your adventure with Jesus when, at the time, you felt something was a ‘failure’ but over time, you now see the ‘fruit’ of that moment and understand God’s perspective on it.

How would you share the good news with someone?Put it into words and share your approach with the group?

Why are motives so important to Paul here and even more so to God?

As disciples who share the good news and build up others, how do we guard against error, wrong motives and our own selfish desires?

Read Matthew 11:25-30.How does Jesus’ prayer and invitation illustrate well what Paul is teaching in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-7a?

Finally, close your time in prayer together.Begin the time with silence and an invitation to God to search your heart, test it and rid it of any motives not of Him and invite Him to shape it more and more like Jesus’ heart!

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The Sacred Overlap“Marks of a Disciple”1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Do you display these marks of a disciple?

You’re being changed by the power of the Holy Spirit

You revel in God’s love

You welcome the Gospel

You submit to the Word of God

You respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit

You’re taking discipleship seriously

You followed/imitated your leaders

You’re following/imitating the Lord

You’re following the way of Jesus

You’ve not been derailed by suffering

You’re looked to as a model of trusting God

You’ve turned from idolatry

You’re serving God

You’re anticipating Jesus’ coming again

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Spirit-led Servant/ Living Surrendered

LifeGroup Questions

Icebreaker: Do you find that you have taken more after your mom or your dad?

Which of the marks of a disciple are most true of you?Which one or two do you want to grow in?

What practical impact would it have on your family, coworkers, and neighbors if you were deeply defined by all seven marks of a disciple?

In your lifetime, has anything caused you to say “I hope Jesus doesn’t come back until…”?How have you confronted those idols?

Are there any idols in your life right now that the Holy Spirit is convicting you of?

In Romans 12:2, Paul calls us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.How can you tell when you are imitating the mold of this world instead of imitating Jesus through following Him as His disciple?

Are you following Jesus in such a way that you would be comfortable with someone else modeling their walk after you?Why or why not?

What is your next step as a serious disciple of Jesus?

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