The Simplicity of Grace (Matthew 23)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s message, Insoo talks about the simplicity of grace, and how even in our being “good” people we can still miss God’s grace. However, we are in desperate need of grace; the world is in desperate need of grace! And this grace is available to us through Jesus! Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more! Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less! Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love us!

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1.Have you ever forgotten about something valuable or left something in the rain or winter months and it was ruined as a result? What was the story? How might our spiritual lives mirror that experience?
2.Does anyone have a story about sharing God’s love or grace with someone this past week? Was it worth it?
3.Have you ever bitten into a rotten piece of fruit or boxed candy, or anticipated some wonderful experience, but were sorely disappointed by the reality? Please share.

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Philippians 3:7-14:

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

•For context, read 3:1-6. (v. 1) “same things to you again”. The church in Philippi was in danger of abandoning the hope of salvation by grace alone through faith alone by returning to hope for salvation through the Law. Paul is really “upset” (v. 2) - it’s not a minor issue. Other preachers were distorting the Good News Paul had preached to the Gentile believers. (v. 3) Rather than an outward sign through circumcision, Paul alludes to the inward transformation of the heart. What 3 identifiers of “inward circumcision” does Paul describe? Why is it important, still today, to continually remind and teach and unpack the message of Grace? Are there still teachers today who teach contrary to Paul’s message of salvation by grace through faith alone? Are there ways your own thoughts and practices undermine the gospel of Grace?
•(vv 3-6) Paul was a Pharisee, just like those whom Jesus challenged throughout his ministry, and particularly, in the sermon this week from Matthew 23. What were the key points about Grace? Which point resonated with you? Why?
•(v. 7) Everything changed when Paul met Jesus, particularly his values. How have your values changed? Do you see anything competing with Christ for supremacy in your life? Please explain.
•(v. 8) Now, Paul “draws a line in the sand” – what is his clear conclusion? Faith in Christ meant losing some things, but the reward was gaining what? Are the former pleasures, friendships, and patterns of living “garbage” for you? What things of value from before are now garbage to you?
•(v. 9) Paul says that the beginning point of knowing Christ is righteousness by faith. What do you think “righteousness” means? Why does righteousness matter? How is it linked to our relationship with God? Have you ever tried to pursue a righteousness of your own?
•(v. 10a) What do you think it means to experience the “power of his resurrection”? Paul desires to know it, do you share that desire? Why or why not? Have you ever experienced this power?
•(v. 10b) Through what means does Paul aim even more intimate knowledge of Christ? (Gal 2:20, Rom 6:5) While we don’t literally die on a cross like Jesus – what kind of death and suffering is Paul referring to? We tend to like the power of the resurrection, Jesus’ life in us, but why do we avoid this next part? What has Paul learned that makes this part even remotely appealing? Please explain.
•(v. 11) We can’t ever earn our salvation from sin and death, but Paul talks about “attaining to”, or living-up, to our future reality. How will Paul accomplish this?
•(vv 12-14) Paul hasn’t arrived, he’s on the journey, he’s in-process, but what does his life look like? How is he living? As you examine your life in light of this passage, would you say that you are “pressing on toward the goal”? Are you moving closer to the goal or further away?

3.Please allow time at the end of your group to wait on the Holy Spirit and to pray for one another, especially for those who are struggling as they wait on the Lord.

•Pray for anyone struggling to live a Grace filled life? What practical domains of life are missing Grace (marriage, parenting, dating, evangelism, etc)? Pray that Christ’s Grace and Intimacy would reign.
•Is your outward life separated from your inward life? Is your unity with Christ missing key dimensions? Are you ignoring them by going through the (Christian) motions? Pray that Christ’s love and power would break-in again.
•Does Paul’s description of life with Jesus challenge you? Seek God’s heart for your life and perhaps places that need surrender. Pray that your whole value system would align with Christ.

Small Group Leaders, We Need Your Help!!!

For Lent this year, we are doing a sermon series entitled, “40 Days of Drawing Near to Jesus” where we will be studying the various spiritual disciplines found in the book of Luke, which we hope will help all of us draw near to Jesus. And for Easter weekend, we wanted to do something really special and have live cardboard testimonies as part of our worship time during our services.

If you don’t know what a cardboard testimony is, please click on this link to see an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

Here is where we need your help. We are looking for about 100 people from our congregation who would be willing to share a cardboard testimony during our worship time in one of our Easter weekend services (25 people at each of our 4 services). We would like to ask if you would consider having your whole small group (or even just a few people) participate in this together. This would be a great opportunity for your small group to serve together in our church. And it would also be a chance to share the amazing Jesus stories of the people in your small group with our church.

We would like to encourage you to pray about this and talk with your small group and see if this is something that you might want to do together.

Here is one thing you can try: For worship time during your small group, show the video that I referenced above. And then you can ask people to share their own testimonies (just on a sheet of paper) during worship time. And if this is something that was meaningful for the group, you might ask if this is something that your whole group would do together on Easter (in front of 3000 people) to celebrate together what Jesus has done in our midst.

If your group is willing and able to help out in this way, can you please respond back to us at your earliest convenience and let us know how many people from your group will share a cardboard testimony on Easter? As noted above, we are looking for about 100 people.

We would appreciate it if you can respond back to us with the number of people from your small group who will be participating by 3/11/2011.

To respond, please contact Miriam Gray at 614-259-5235 or Miriam.Gray@vineyardcolumbus.org.

How Much Must I Forgive? (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON

Pastor Rich preached a sermon in response to Peter’s question of Jesus – (paraphrase) “how far must I go in my forgiveness of others?” How far do we push this Christian forgiveness theme? How bad do things have to get before we say, “Enough, no more forgiveness”? He contrasted the world of Lamech (law and justice) and the world of Jesus (grace and forgiveness). If we start with the un-repayable debt we owe God – we reconnect with the source of forgiveness. Without starting there we can’t even imagine a world of grace and forgiveness – we act like the manager believing we can somehow make it right (pay back the debt). The challenge of this message is not to be Christian-like in our forgiveness, but to be Christ-like.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED

These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Can you think of a great movie about forgiveness/reconciliation? What particularly was appealing about the movie? Please share why.
2. Do different personalities respond differently to being hurt? Is there a personality type that forgives more easily? What would you say about yourself, and why?
3. Have you ever been the recipient of much forgiveness?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON

1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21:

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

· What does Paul indicate is his reason for attempting to persuade the people? (vv. 11-12) How are your motivations for sharing Christ with others similar? Are they different? How do you believe one’s motivations for sharing Christ impact the receptiveness of the hearer? Can you share a personal experience where your heart motivation negatively or positively impacted the success of an evangelistic effort?
· What do you believe might have caused people to believe that Paul and Timothy were “out of their minds”? (v. 13) Have you ever been misunderstood or faced criticism because of your faith? How did you respond? What can we learn from Paul’s response to this issue? Thinking back to this week’s sermon on forgiveness, how might choosing to forgive seem “crazy” to unbelievers?
· When was the last time you felt compelled by the love of Christ? (v. 14) Describe that experience. Do you think being “compelled by the love of Christ” describes your daily interactions with others?
· In verse 15, Paul states that Christ died that we would live for Him, not for ourselves. What do you think it means to live for Christ, not for yourself? How does your life reflect this principle?
· What do you believe it means to view people “from a worldly point of view”? (v.16) What is the alternative that Paul is suggesting? Consider all of the ways that life is different as a “new creation” in Christ. (v.17) Is there any aspect of life that isn’t affected by new life in Christ?
· Describe the “ministry” and “message of reconciliation”. (v. 18-19) How might a Christian’s personal experience of being reconciled to God impact his/her relationships with others? How might this impact our ability to love and forgive others?
· How often do you think of yourself as an “ambassador” for Christ? (vv. 20-21) How do you feel about the fact that you were meant to represent Christ to others? Do you feel that you are up to the task? Why or why not? Can you think of some passages of Scripture that might help us when we’re not feeling like a very good representative of Christ?

3. In his sermon, Pastor Rich quoted Brian Zahnd, who wrote in his book, “Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness”, that “You can become a Christian in a moment. But to become Christ-like is another matter. In our evangelical churches we are very adept at teaching people how to become a Christian – how to receive the forgiveness available in Christ. We’ve not been nearly so adept at teaching people how to become Christian – how to become Christ-like in a way that helps flood a world hell-bent on vengeance with the grace of forgiveness.”

· Does this quote resonate with you? As a small group, consider some ways that you can cultivate this kind of Christ-likeness in your lives.
· Ask the Holy Spirit to increase your capacity for forgiveness towards others in your small group and in your community. Encourage one another to truly represent Christ to the world around you.

The Grace of Being Tender-Hearted (Matthew 25:31-46)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, Pastor Rich talked about caring for and being tender-hearted towards immigrants, and those who are poor and needy. When we experience God’s grace, it changes who we are and how we view others. Our care for others is evidence of our salvation. True faith is accompanied by action.

How can we have heart inclinations that are like Jesus’ so we respond to life the way that Jesus did? Jesus called the needy and those who are strangers his brothers and sisters. How we speak about these individuals can change our hearts to be more like the heart of Jesus. Jesus personally identified with the stranger and those in need. We should also be saying, “as you’ve done to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you’re doing it to me.” And we can have heart inclinations that are like Jesus’ when we actively welcome immigrants and those who are in need.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Have you ever said something that you wish you could have taken back? What affect did those words have on the person you spoke them to? What did those words tell you about what was in your heart? Briefly share.
2. Have you ever been the outcast or “labeled” person in a given situation? How did people respond to you? What response would you have preferred?
3. Have you ever had the opportunity to really get to know someone after you had “labeled” them an outcast or similar? How where they different from your first impression / stereotype of them? What lessons can we learn from this?
4. How can you know if someone has a good heart? Do you consider having a good heart yourself? Why or why not? Briefly share.

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Ezekiel 34:1-16:

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As shepherds look after their scattered flocks when they are with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

• Context: Ezekiel, along with the Jews, had been taken into captivity to Babylon. In the midst of this captivity, Ezekiel is called out as a prophet for God speaking of Israel’s judgment, yet at the same time, of Israel’s future blessings.
• In verse 2, who were the “shepherds” Ezekiel was referring to? Who were the ”flock”?
• According to Ezekiel, what was the shepherds´ responsibility (v. 2)? What were they doing instead (vv. 3-4)?
• What happened to the flock due to the shepherds´ actions, or lack of actions (vv. 5-6)? What danger do scattered “flock” face? How would you feel if you were the owner of the flock? How do you think this makes God feel? If this is a personal issue for Jesus (“whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Mat 25:40), should it be a personal issue for you as well? Briefly share.
• Can you identify the “flock” of verses 5 and 6 in the 21st century? Who are the “shepherds” and “flock” in your life? As someone who knows God and knows His heart for people, do you share any of the “shepherds´” responsibilities in caring for His flock? What are some of the things you could do in this regard? Briefly share.
• In the time of Ezekiel, he and his countrymen where exiled into captivity, yet, even though they were in the midst of difficult times themselves, God demands that they be good shepherds to His flock. In light of this, do we ever have a “valid” excuse to not do what God is asking of us? Due to our own life situations, can we justify delaying what we’re supposed to be doing? Briefly share.
• What judgment did God have for the shepherds who weren’t doing what God had asked of them (vv.7-10)? What does this tell you about what you should be doing in regards to caring for God’s flock? Explain.
• What do we read in verses 11 through 16 is God’s goal for His flock? What is the Church’s role in this? What is your small group’s role in this? What is your personal role in this?

3. In his message, Rich talked about our language, our identity, and our welcome as three ways that we can have heart inclinations to respond like Jesus would to those around us.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you ways that you might change how you speak about immigrants and those who are needy. Pray that He would help you to identify with these individuals as brothers and sisters.
• As a small group, consider several concrete ways that you can give evidence to the grace of your salvation. How can you be more welcoming and compassionate to immigrants in our church and community?

The Grace Of Communion (Matthew 26:17-30)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, “The Grace of Communion”, Pastor Rich talked about the meaning of the Passover and the Lord’s Supper, and how the grace of God is reflected in the communion meal. Christ’s blood sacrifice saved us from God’s judgment and paid for our sins. It’s important for us to accept His sacrifice, and “personally appropriate it to ourselves by faith.” The communion meal is for anyone who sees their need for Christ and for grace, and is willing to receive his forgiveness by faith.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Have you ever started watching a movie that was already half way through without knowing what the plot of the movie was? How did it make you feel? How did you feel after someone came alongside you and explained the first half of the movie?
2. Is there anything in your life that you do just because you’ve always done it? Maybe without even knowing why you do it? Like for example a family tradition that began way before your time… Does that tradition have any real meaning to you? How would that tradition change if you truly understood what was going on, or maybe if you were reliving something from your past through it? Would it have any meaning to you then?
3. What are some of the great accomplishments of your life? Does reliving them have a positive or negative effect on you? Why is it important to remember and relive God’s accomplishments in history and in our lives?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-32:

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

• Why do you believe the apostle Paul begins speaking about the topic of communion in the way he does (v.v. 17-22)? What is the main issue he’s addressing (v.18)?
• How is this division demonstrated according to Paul (v.21)? As a consequence of this division, what does Paul say about the way the church in Corinth celebrates the Lord’s Supper (v. 20)? Do you believe Paul is trying to make a point regarding the way they were living there lives, or was he simply being harsh? Explain.
• In verse 24 the apostle Paul reminds us of Jesus’ words: “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” What do these words mean to you? What impact have they had on your life? On your faith? Knowing what happened to Jesus after that night, what does this tell you of His love for you? Briefly share
• In the same way, in verse 25, we read Jesus’ words saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” What is the new covenant Jesus is referring to? How has that covenant impacted your life? If we are part of God’s new covenant, what should our lives look like? Explain.
• What do you believe the way in which the people of the church of Corinth were treating each other had to do with the Lord’s Supper? Briefly share.
• In verse 26, Paul says that whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. What is the significance Paul is recognizing in the Lord’s Supper? Why is your witness as a follower of Jesus important? The apostle Paul had an issue with people “proclaiming” the Lord’s death in their partaking of the Lord’s Supper, but at the same time living a lifestyle that did not proclaim this same truth. Do you believe he was right to be troubled by that? Where do you stand on this matter? Briefly share.
• Is it possible to “recognize the body of the Lord” in our communion but not recognize it in our daily lives? According to Paul, if we examine ourselves and “recognize the body of the Lord”, what is our outcome as we come before the Lord’s judgment (v. 32)?

3. In his message, Rich said: it is one thing for Christ to give his body and blood to us in death, but it is another thing for us to make his death our own.

• Take time to pray and give people the opportunity to respond to God’s grace for their live. Make sure you give people the opportunity to be welcomed into a relationship with Jesus.
• At the same time, for those who are already believers, pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to them about what it truly means to continue to make Christ’s death their own, and how to let that truth transform them. Pray for a deeper knowledge and understanding of God’s love and for a deeper relationship with the Father through Jesus.