Grace South Bay

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
     and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer…

1.     Do you think that the church faces the same tensions our broader culture does in terms of disputes, judgment and division?

2.     Paul had a clear position on the meat debate, agreeing with the strong but still refusing to weaponize it to win the argument. Is there a position you hold that you've been tempted to make a condition of fellowship? What makes it hard to hold the conviction without using it as a weapon?

3.     Diagnostic question: what are you giving God thanks for? Are there areas of your life you haven't really brought before Jesus in thankfulness?

4.     The sermon describes the "tender" places — corners of our lives where we still feel like we have to perform to keep our place. Where is that for you?

5.     Have you ever had a moment, even briefly, where you saw someone you'd been judging the way God might see them? What was that like, and did it change anything?

6.     Does applying the gospel personally to yourself, that you’ve been welcomed by Jesus, encourage and empower you to welcome others different from you? How so/why not?

1215 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…

138 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

1.Which approach to South Bay (or broader) culture do you usually lean toward: harsh rejection or thoughtless embrace?
2."You can't love your neighbor if you don't care at all about what they love." Are there people around you — neighbors, coworkers, people at your kids' school — whose world you haven't really entered? What's kept you at a distance? 
3.What's the darkness in your workplace or industry or other key community? What would you name? And is it something you've mostly accepted, or actively resisted?
4.Saying yes to a culture — being genuinely present and engaged — is what gives your 'no' real weight. Have you experienced that? A time when your presence earned you the right to be distinct? 
5.Augustine's restlessness — the inability to feel fully at home anywhere — is offered as something universal, not just his personal neurosis. Does that resonate with you? Where do you feel it most? 
6.“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh." This is preparation — what you dress for depends on what you're anticipating. What practices actually help you do that in the morning, or throughout the day? What's missing? 

Numbers 11:24–30

24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30 And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp. 

Sermon Questions

1. How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in your life or in the life of others? In what ways do you need the Holy Spirit’s power now?
2. What are the opportunities to proclaim God’s word in your life now? What is daunting about that? How do you need to the Holy Spirit to help you in doing that?
3. What ministry is the Holy Spirit empowering you to do? What are your skills, opportunities, and passions? 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1.The sermon opens with the inauguration day polling phenomenon — our view of the government flipping overnight based on who won. How much does that describe you? Is your posture toward government more shaped by who's in power than by anything else?
2.The sermon argues that a settled posture of contempt toward legitimate authority can form you and eventually shape how you relate to God. Does that connection feel real? Have you noticed resentment or suspicion in one area bleeding into others?
3.What do you want the Church to be known for?
4.“All church power…is only ministerial and declarative.” Does this expression of non-violence and separation from the government excite you or concern you?
5.Scripture draws a clear red line for when disobedience is warranted: when the government commands what God forbids, or forbids what God commands. Does that line feel clear to you in practice, or are there situations where you find it genuinely hard to locate?
6.Does “keeping our powder dry” in order to proclaim a clear gospel message feel like a cop-out to you? On the other hand, speaking and acting for or against policies could lead to being overly identified with a particular ideology or party. On which side do you seem to naturally err? Is there a better side to err on depending on the historical situation? Which kind of historical situation might we be in now?

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1.     When it comes to conflict/being mistreated, do you see yourself in any of the descriptions in the sermon: withdrawing, ghosting, “processing” with others, revving up the internal defense attorney? Share with the group if possible.

2.     Is there anywhere in your life where you believe you are seeking resolution but might actually be seeking retribution? Or is there an example of that in your past?

3.     If you are a Christian, do you ever find yourself feeling like the death of Jesus is not enough to do justice for this or that person’s sins?

4.     Do you believe that every wrong will be paid for, either by Jesus or the wrongdoer? If so, how does or should that impact the way you approach conflict and being wronged?

5.     Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep… Is there anyone in your life, or the world out there, whose humanity you are narrowing down to a one-dimensional enemy?

6.     Do you find the gospel creating space in your life to pursue forgiveness and reconciliation with others? How so/why or why not?

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

1.     Have you ever found it hard to embrace a church family? If so, why?

2.     Do you agree you need other Christians to help you fully experience God? Is that appealing or not?

3.     Is it easy or hard for you to let others serve you? What makes it difficult to receive help or show need?

4.     Are there people in this church not related to you who actually know what your life looks like?

5.     Would you say you’ve experienced the hospitality of Jesus? If so, how has that impacted you, or how would you like it to impact you?

6.     Hospitality is described as making space for others — which doesn't require a big house, just a willingness to share your life. What's one specific way you could extend that kind of hospitality to someone in this community in the coming weeks?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1.     The sermon opens with the image of a bent writing finger — your body shaped by what you've given it to. Are there ways you can see yourself being shaped by what you've given your time and attention to, for better or worse?

2.     Where in your own life have you felt most confident you were thinking for yourself, only to realize later you were absorbing a particular culture or story?

3.     Paul appeals to transformation "in view of God's mercies" — not as a demand, but as a response to compassion. Is that the frame you typically operate from when you think about changing your life? What tends to crowd it out?

4.     What feels transactional in your life? Does a relationship with God ever feel transactional?

5.     If you are interested in being transformed by God, what role can your body play in that?

1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying,

“I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
and you heard my voice. 

3 For you cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas,
and the flood surrounded me; all your breakers and your waves
passed over me. 

4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away
from your sight; yet I shall again look
upon your holy temple.’ 

5 The waters closed in over me to take my life;
the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head.

6 To the roots of the mountains I went down,
to the land whose bars closed upon me forever. Yet you brought up my life from the pit,O LORD my God.

7 When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you,
into your holy temple. 

8 Those who pay regard to vain idols
forsake their hope of steadfast love. 

9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you; what have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the LORD!”

10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

1 “But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
Israel whom I have chosen!
2 Thus says the Lord who made you,
who formed you from the womb and will help you:
Fear not, O Jacob my servant,
Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They shall spring up among the grass
like willows by flowing streams.
5 This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’
another will call on the name of Jacob,
and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
and name himself by the name of Israel.”

6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.” 

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Questions for Sermon

1.     What is frustrating--and exciting--about Mark’s conclusion that basically says, “go to Galilee to meet the resurrected Jesus”?

2.     "And Peter." Is there something in your own story that those two words might be speaking to? What would it mean to hear your name there?

3.     The disciples understood crucifixion to mean God had abandoned Jesus, and there was no coming back from that. Are there areas of your life — or people in your life — where you've essentially concluded there's no coming back? What shapes that conclusion?

4.     How do you experience scarcity? Do you find that the resurrection meaningfully addresses that for you?

5.     The sermon draws a sharp contrast between two worlds: the "real world" where death has the final word, and "Galilee" where Jesus is alive and active in the daily grind. Which world do you more often find yourself actually living in — and what pulls you toward one or the other?

6.     Where is Galilee for you specifically — the place or situation where you most need to be looking for Jesus?