Special thanks to Amy Klassen for writing this week’s discussion questions!!
This week we had to make some tough decisions about how much longer we would continue to do church digitally. We feel like it is in the best interest of everyone to remain apart physically for now, BUT we want to continue to do everything we can to stay connected! ( You can get an update on our decisions here)* link to covid coffee episode*
While we continue to social distance, we want to hear from our lifegroups! Take a moment this week to give us an update on how the coronavirus is effecting you and your group by encouraging everyone to submit a digital response and let us know how they are doing!
All news hasnt been bad news! I’ve heard some really cool stories about fun ways people are enjoying this time together. From family fun nights and learning new things, to getting creative at dinner time! This week, we would love to hear how the families in your group are adjusting during this time! Please take a moment to feel out our digital respond and let us know the good, the bad, and the ugly of how the coronavirus has changed your routines! How can we be praying for you during this time? Respond together by clicking here:
This week, we looked at how we Gentiles are “grafted in” to the family of God. We were without any hope for inheritance from God, but we are now called HIS CHILDREN!
And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.
Romans 11:17
But this should NEVER make us prideful or arrogant. This should make us humble and grateful.
But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not
Romans 11:18
the root.
In Ephesians, Paul tells us that we are called to “lead a life worthy of our calling.” (Eph 4:1)
But how?
John MacArthur looks to the greek translation to help us understand what being worthy might look like-
“Axios (worthy) has the root meaning of balancing the scales—what is on one side of the scale should be equal in weight to what is on the other side. By extension, the word came to be applied to anything that was expected to correspond to something else. A person worthy of his pay was one whose day’s work corresponded to his day’s wages. The believer who walks in a manner worthy of the calling with which he has been called is one whose daily living corresponds to his high position as a child of God and fellow heir with Jesus Christ. His practical living matches his spiritual position.”
Sounds like a tall order, right?? What does it look like for our daily living to match our spiritual position? Is our walk worthy of our privilege?
To be able to evaluate this, I think we have to better understand what is on the other side of the scale. What are we called to do?
Jesus is our example, and lays out a pretty clear job description:
“ I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
And Paul does it again in Romans:
“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.”
Romans 1:5
How is Paul’s commission to the church at Rome the same as the Great Commission we receive from Christ?
What does Paul mean when he talks about the privilege and authority that God has given us as apostles?
When I am reminded of our privilege and our God-given authority, I must recognize that I am a CHOSEN representative. We are not only grafted in as His children, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ in this world.
When I let that sink in, it becomes easy for me to see exactly how unworthy I am. Paul faced this truth as well. Paul, one of the greatest apostles of all time was quick to say he was the greatest sinner. In Ephesians 3, he says he is the very least of God’s people.
How does this put things into perspective?
How does it help us define “a life worthy of our calling?”
Paul highlights the fact that we are not naturally worthy. Yet, Jesus grafted us in anyway. He called us worthy and paid an inconceivable amount for us. He gave us value, despite our worthlessness. He covered our shortcomings, he paid an inconceivable amount for us. He gave us value, despite our worthlessness. He covered our shortcomings, he paid our debt, and freely extended His authority to us!
We are only worthy through Jesus Christ. Our privilege and authority are gifts.
So, how do we begin to live up to this outpouring of grace and mercy?
Paul tells us in Ephesians where to start:
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Ephesians 4:2-3
How are these things relevant to our church during our current season?
Paul helps up to see how important these principles are to the church as a whole when he writes to the people at Colossae.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:12-17 NLT
Which character trait do you struggle with most out of the traits that Paul presents?
What can we do to cultivate these things in our lives, our church, and our community?
Would “allowing the message of Christ to fill our lives” change how we interact with others? How could it change our relationship with God?
I don’t think that God is asking us to think less OF ourselves but simply to think less ABOUT ourselves.
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
John 3:30 NLT
If we humble ourselves and function from a place of gratitude, how would our attitude this week change?
In verse 17 of Colossians 3, Paul seems to tie being a representative of Jesus directly to giving thanks to the Father! Is it fair to say that a grateful heart is not only a requirement of a representative, but also the very evidence of one?
What are some things we can do to continue to cultivate grateful hearts while being bold ambassadors in a world that needs the gospel more than ever?
What can we be most grateful for today?
The jews saw the gentiles as completely unworthy of a relationship with God, yet Jesus saw fit to extend his gift to the entire world even when we are all equally unworthy.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 5:2-6 NLT
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
This week I challenge you to begin each day giving thanks for the grace we receive. Even during a pandemic, what else do we have to be grateful for? How can we make the most of the privilege we have been given?