North Kona Sermons - Kona Coast Nazarene

Pastor Ryan keeps reminding us that 96,000 people on the Kona Coast are lost. When Paul wrote Romans, he said "Through Him we have received apostleship to call all the Gentiiles to obedience" (Romans 1:5). If grace is the key to our forgiveness and freedom, can we say that apostleship is what we do with that freedom? Consider that apostle means "One sent out". What do you think we are sent out to do once we receive God's grace? We celebrated Easter last Sunday—RESURRECTION! Paul speaks pretty directly about how the resurrection practically affects our lives. What are we free from in the resurrection, according to Romans 6:5-7? In what way are we free from it? Do you believe this? Can you think of any practical implications? Why do you think Paul makes such a distinction between death and life in Romans 6? He's (mostly) not talking about eternity or the afterlife in heaven; is he addressing THIS life? Does our life have any places of "death" in it? Have we fully "died to sin", as it says in Romans 6:11? Try to explain this difficult concept in your own words.

What can we lean about the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday?

Read Psalm 22 in its entirety. Why do you think that after all the suffering Jesus experienced when He was flogged (Mark 15:15) He had his mind on Psalm 22? Have you ever suffered tremendous pain? If so, what went through your mind? How is this different than Jesus' final hour? God loves us dearly! God desires relationship with us! From what you know about true love and healthy relationships, do you think that God hurts when you hurt? Why or why not? Jesus showed plenty of emotion (e.g. John 11:33-35 and Luke 19:41). Does this suggest that God has emotions when his children suffer? Is this comforting for you? Read Psalm 145:18-19.

God’s living Word is Jesus the Christ (John 1) who is both divine and human. He understands our struggles (Hebrews 4:15), and offers a solution (1 John 1:7). Does this give us hope in our current struggles? If so, why? If not, consider that at the very least he can empathize with you, knows your pain, and wants you to live free of that hurt. If Jesus’ serves as our once-and-for-all high priest, ending the need for sacrifices, then how should this affect our lives? Should anything change? Can you explain what is meant by Romans 12:1-2?