Phos Church Messages

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
—Mark 2: 1-12

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
—1 Corinthians 12: 21-26

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
—Matthew 5: 14-16

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”
—Galatians 6: 1-5

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
—1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14

“Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
—1 Thessalonians 4: 18

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
—1 Thessalonians 5: 11

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.”
—Romans 12: 9-16

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
—Colossians 1: 19-20

Galatians 5

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

We were called to be FREE

But, just because you’re called to freedom it doesn’t mean there’s no discipline or that ‘anything goes’

Paul says the entire law is fulfilled by loving your neighbor as yourself
How do you show - How do you measure if someone truly loves God?

Mike’s Gospel puts it this way

Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, strength
and you PROVE it by loving your neighbor as yourself

Some thoughts to think through during this week:

1.) It is true of men and women that we all at times of our lives deal with shame, fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Why is that? What lingering shame do you struggle with and why?

2.) What does it mean to you that God had given you a Spirit of power, love, and self-control? Knowing that, how can you battle shame and trust that God approves of you and values you?

3.) If you were free of shame and fear, how would it affect your life, your family, your friends, your goals and dreams? How would it affect your relationship with God and your ability to love your neighbor?

Bonus thought: Maybe you don’t struggle with shame or fear… but you most assuredly know people who do. What or how can you help speak truth into their lives and therefore strengthen and honor them?

1.) How do you define love? Does it line up with God’s definition of love? When is a time that you have felt the love of God most deeply? How did you know it was the love of God that you were experiencing?

2.) Is loving people the way God loves people easy or difficult? Why? Is it possible to truly love people the way God does, even if they don’t love us back? How can we do this?

3.) What does love require of us, and you, this week? Who do you need to love this week and how can you do that?