Beyond Sunday - Week 14
Beyond Sunday
Week of April 28, 2024
“I Didn’t Want to But I Did” When in Rome-Week 14, Romans 7
Thought: Sunday’s message reminds me of the Native American legend of an elder passing wisdom to a young listener. The elder describes a battle raging within all humans between two wolves—the good wolf which represents peace, love, humility, kindness, …and the evil one which represents pride, anger, envy, greed, self-pity, resentment…When the listener asks which wolf wins, the elder answers, "Whichever one you feed." I must choose which to feed and strengthen, my new spiritual nature which pulls me in the direction of good and God’s will, or my flesh—my old sinful nature—which pulls relentlessly in the opposite direction. How do I make that choice?
Pastor Nathan Teegarden gave us some helpful points: Recognize what is happening; Keep in mind our goal is progress, not perfection so we don’t give up when we fall short; Victory is found in relationship with Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Nathan shared a personal story about choosing obedience motivated by a relationship. Allow me to share one of my own.
Several years ago, my fondness for a particular liqueur grew to the point that my wife was troubled. She lovingly expressed her concerns, so I stopped altogether. Then came the time she was going to be out of town for a few days. My thought process went like this. “Ooh, I could buy a bottle of my favorite liqueur and have it all gone by the time she returns home! She would never know.” I believe it was the Holy Spirit that whispered into my mind, “And what does that say about your relationship with her, and for that matter, with me?” I chose not to buy the bottle.
Thanks be to God that His Holy Spirit helped me choose wisely. How will you choose which nature to feed?
Read: Ephesians 4:17-32, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 1:7
Discussion Questions:
• Jesus, God incarnate, told all disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever… the Holy Spirit…[He] will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14) What does that reveal to you about God, and about us?
• Ephesians 4 gives us a partial list of things we should “put off” and others we should “put on.” What are some things you would add to those lists? With which from both lists do you most need the help of the Holy Spirit, and why do you think that is?
• Describe what it would look like to “restore gently” a fellow Christ-follower who was hurting themselves, others, and God through sin. What would that require of you? What would it not require of you?
Pray: Praise God for who He is, and thank Him for the gift of His Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit directly for help in choosing to feed and strengthen your new Spirit-led nature. Tell Him of specific areas where you need His help.
Next Steps:
• If you haven’t entered into a relationship with Jesus, start your faith journey today by accepting Him as your Savior1. If you want more info or help with taking that step, or just want to share your news, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com
• If you put your faith in Jesus, but have not yet declared that publicly by being water baptized, you can sign up to take that step here. Our next baptism will be on Sunday, May 12.
• We all need to surround ourselves with a community of others fully surrendered to God, a community that will support us as we walk closer to Him. Summer groups will be forming soon. Check the website here to see what groups might fit your schedule.
(1) If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the biblical method of salvation. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God. Tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice. Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing salvation for you. That is the biblical connection between salvation and prayer.
Week of April 28, 2024
“I Didn’t Want to But I Did” When in Rome-Week 14, Romans 7
Thought: Sunday’s message reminds me of the Native American legend of an elder passing wisdom to a young listener. The elder describes a battle raging within all humans between two wolves—the good wolf which represents peace, love, humility, kindness, …and the evil one which represents pride, anger, envy, greed, self-pity, resentment…When the listener asks which wolf wins, the elder answers, "Whichever one you feed." I must choose which to feed and strengthen, my new spiritual nature which pulls me in the direction of good and God’s will, or my flesh—my old sinful nature—which pulls relentlessly in the opposite direction. How do I make that choice?
Pastor Nathan Teegarden gave us some helpful points: Recognize what is happening; Keep in mind our goal is progress, not perfection so we don’t give up when we fall short; Victory is found in relationship with Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Nathan shared a personal story about choosing obedience motivated by a relationship. Allow me to share one of my own.
Several years ago, my fondness for a particular liqueur grew to the point that my wife was troubled. She lovingly expressed her concerns, so I stopped altogether. Then came the time she was going to be out of town for a few days. My thought process went like this. “Ooh, I could buy a bottle of my favorite liqueur and have it all gone by the time she returns home! She would never know.” I believe it was the Holy Spirit that whispered into my mind, “And what does that say about your relationship with her, and for that matter, with me?” I chose not to buy the bottle.
Thanks be to God that His Holy Spirit helped me choose wisely. How will you choose which nature to feed?
Read: Ephesians 4:17-32, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 1:7
Discussion Questions:
• Jesus, God incarnate, told all disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever… the Holy Spirit…[He] will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14) What does that reveal to you about God, and about us?
• Ephesians 4 gives us a partial list of things we should “put off” and others we should “put on.” What are some things you would add to those lists? With which from both lists do you most need the help of the Holy Spirit, and why do you think that is?
• Describe what it would look like to “restore gently” a fellow Christ-follower who was hurting themselves, others, and God through sin. What would that require of you? What would it not require of you?
Pray: Praise God for who He is, and thank Him for the gift of His Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit directly for help in choosing to feed and strengthen your new Spirit-led nature. Tell Him of specific areas where you need His help.
Next Steps:
• If you haven’t entered into a relationship with Jesus, start your faith journey today by accepting Him as your Savior1. If you want more info or help with taking that step, or just want to share your news, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com
• If you put your faith in Jesus, but have not yet declared that publicly by being water baptized, you can sign up to take that step here. Our next baptism will be on Sunday, May 12.
• We all need to surround ourselves with a community of others fully surrendered to God, a community that will support us as we walk closer to Him. Summer groups will be forming soon. Check the website here to see what groups might fit your schedule.
(1) If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the biblical method of salvation. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God. Tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice. Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing salvation for you. That is the biblical connection between salvation and prayer.
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