Pacific Church

Community // People are Messy

Proverbs 14:4 NASB

4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

1) WHY? - Why engage in community even when people are messy?

Answer: The POWER

Matthew 18:12-14 NASB

12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

2) HOW? How can I really walk in community when people are messy?

Answer: The Biblical PROCESS

Matthew 18:15-17 NASB

15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private;  if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Ephesians 4:14-15 NASB

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ

James 5:16 NASB

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Matthew 18:18-20 NASB

18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

3) WHAT?  What is community all about if people are still messy?

Answer: The PICTURE

John 13:34-35 NIV

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Galatians 6:2 NIV

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Questions:

1. Is there something keeping you from engaging in genuine community? If so, what? What might you be able to do to help change that?

2. What is the Biblical outline for the process of dealing with a brother or sister that has hurt you? Is this something you practice? Why or why not?

3. How does living in healthy Christian community show people who Jesus is?

COMMUNITY // WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO GROW TOGETHER

Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 NIV

8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

1) What are the EXCUSES?

- Temperament.

- Fear.

- Past experiences.

- Busyness.

2) Why is it Essential?

Romans 12:4-5 NIV

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

3) How Does it Enrich?

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

James 5:16 NIV

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Acts 2:42-46 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.

Questions:

1. What are some of the ways that you are actively involved in community? What are some of the excuses that keep you from being more involved?

2. Why do you think it is important to be Involved in community? What does scripture say about it?

3. What are a few specific ways that you know you could benefit from being actively involved in community?

1. What if you saw rest as support in remembering?

Genesis 2:1-3 NIV

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 NIV

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

2. What if you saw rest as strengthening your relationship?

Hebrews 4:9-14 NIV

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

3. What if you saw rest as a solidifying of your reliance?

Exodus 16:21-26 NIV

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” 24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”

Mark 2:23-28 NIV

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”   25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Questions:

1. How does intentional rest play a role in your life? What are some things you do to promote healthy balance?

2. Relationships grow stronger when rest is valued. Do you agree with this? If so, describe your experience.

3. When you think of a God who created the universe and then rested, how does that make you feel? What are new ways you can embrace so that you can look more like Him?

We Worship // In Fellowship

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Questions:

1. What are we told, in Acts 2, that the early church was devoted to and why does this matter for us today?

2. How can we begin to see fellowship as another way to worship God?

3. Are you regularly engaged in fellowship with other believers? Why or why not? If not, how can you become engaged and make fellowship a priority in your life?

Mark 9:35 ESV

35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

1) On whom is my FOCUS?

Philippians 2:3-7 NASB

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

2) Do you remember the FIGHT before your FREEDOM?

1 Corinthians 9:19 NASB

9 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.

Galatians 5:13 NASB

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

3) Who do you FOLLOW?

Mark 10:45 NASB

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

John 13:12-15 NIV

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Questions:

1. Have you ever considered the idea that serving others is an act of worship unto God? How does this resonate with you? Have you experienced this in your life?

2. When you think about that illustration of Jesus being a lifeboat who rescues you from life’s dark waters, what thoughts and or emotions come to mind? How does it impact your response in helping others who find themselves in the predicament you once were in?

3. Give some examples of how you worship God through serving others. What are some new ideas or some nudges the Holy Spirit has been giving you in the area of serving your community.

Psalm 24:1 NIV

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

Psalm 50:10 NIV

10 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

1. Our Giving Reveals Our Heart.

Matthew 6:19-24 NIV

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:21 NIV  21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Samuel 16:7b NIV

7b The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Mark 12:30 NIV

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

2. Our Giving Reveals What We Already Have.

1 Kings 17:8-9 NIV 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”

1 Kings 17:10-12 NIV

10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug.

3. Our Giving Reveals What We’re Holding Tightest.

1 Kings 17:12-14 NIV

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

1 Kings 17:15-16 NIV

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

1 Kings 17:17-19;21-22 NIV 

17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” 19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.

4. Our Giving Reveals God’s Heart to Others.

1 John 3:17-18 NIV

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Questions

1. How can following how you spend your time, energy and resources reveal your heart?

2. Describe a time in your life when you obeyed the leading of the Lord and it helped you see how much He has already blessed you.

3. What are areas of your life that you are holding to tightest? How would submitting them to the Lord help show others His heart?

Acts 2:12-16 NIV

12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.

1) Because God Asked For It       

Psalm 150:1-6 NIV

1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

The root word HALAL: To shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus be clamorously foolish; to rave; to celebrate

2) Because Praise Is My Purpose

I Peter 2:9 NIV

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

3) For What He’s Done

Luke 19:37b, 39-40 MSG

37 The whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed... 39 Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!” 40 But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

4) Because Worship Changes Everything

Psalm 18:3 NLT

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Questions:

1. What does worshiping God mean to you? What have been your experiences with it?

2. When you consider worship being a part of your purpose, how does that resonate with you? How do you connect that with your daily life?

3. Have you ever experienced a situation in your life where worshiping God changed your circumstances? What was that experience like?

John 15:1-4 NIV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
John 15:1-2 (NIV)

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

1. Pruning Must Be Continual

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit

2. Reproduction is the Purpose

John 15:3 (NIV)

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

John 3:16-18a NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

3. Understand Seasons

John 15:4 NIV

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Questions:

1. Sometimes there are things in our lives that must be pruned or cut away in order for us to grow. Have you experienced this process before? What did it entail?

2. What does bearing good fruit mean to you? What are some different ways we can pursue this in our lives?

3. Understanding your current season of life is crucial in your growth. What season do you find yourself in today? How are you feeling about it?

John 14:1–7 (NIV)

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

ONLY Way

Matthew 7:13–14 (NIV)   

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Acts 4:11–12 (NIV)

11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

OUTRIGHT Truth

John 8:42–47 (NIV)   

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

John 8:31–32 (NIV)   

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

OVERFLOWING Life

Romans 15:13 (NIV)   

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Questions:

1. How does this idea of Jesus being the “only way” resonate with you? What have been your experiences with perhaps other ways or paths you chose to pursue?

2. Jesus says that He is truth.  Why is this so important? How has this impacted your own personal relationship with Christ?

3. What does that term “abundant life” mean to you?  Have you experienced it yet in your journey of faith?  What are ways you can begin today so that you can experience the overflowing, abundant life Jesus offers you?