Sermon Tone Analysis

*TITLE: WHAT LIFE COULD BE LIKE*

 

A.

INTRO

 

a.

Last week we finished a series on the /freedom/ we have when we choose to forgive.

b.      Jesus uses some really strong words, Forgive or your heavenly Father will not forgive you.

c.

And we asked the question, why would Jesus say such a strong statement?

d.

We found that Jesus’ mission was entirely based on God’s mercy, and that Jesus would go to great lengths to pay for our debt.

e.       Mission Mercy

f.

So, just as Jesus’ mission was acted out of mercy, so too, our mission is to be acted out of mercy.

g.

When we look at achieving this mission, not one person is incapable of being merciful.

God’s mission is so much bigger than us, yet, every single follower of Jesus is necessary for his mission.

h.

This leads us to this week,

                                                              i.

We mentioned briefly last week that, within the average Australian Church, only a minority are active toward the mission of Christ.

ii.

The smaller the church, the more likely people will be involved.

iii.

So today, we are going to talk about our heart for Life Groups, and why we think this adds to the mission that we are called to as a church.

iv.

Life Group is simply made up of ten to fourteen people who meet regularly.

1.

You may have used different terms for this, such as Cell Group, Home Group, Small Group, or Connect Groups.

a.

I do like the term ‘cell’ by the way, because of it’s organic nature.

2.      Or perhaps, this is totally new to you.

3.      Either way, today, we want to express why we think this is for you.

B.

ME

 

a.

Ill: My experience with Life Groups

                                                              i.

I love Life Group.

ii.

It is a place where the truth of God’s word is applied to life.

iii.

We have had some of the best Life Groups in the last few weeks where some great questions have come up and certain people have responded with their experience.

iv.

Hearing how people have applied the truth of God’s word to their life is so encouraging, and I grow every time I hear another faith story.

1.      /Learned truth/ is simply someone better informed.

2.      But, /applied truth/ is faith in action.

v.

Some of the questions that have come up over the last few weeks are:

1.

If Jesus says those who do not forgive will not be forgiven by our Father in heaven, then, does that mean we can loose our faith?

2.      If I keep on forgiving people then they may just walk all over me.

Is that what I am meant to do?

How do I stop someone from walking all over me?

                                                          vi.

Even hearing stories at the workplace where one of our guys got told that the quality of his work was really poor, he shared how he responded – different to how he would normally have responded.

vii.

I take notes when we are in Life Group, because I am so encouraged by how God is stretching and moulding others.

b.

One of the best Life Groups I was a part of was when Liz and I were in the young marrieds group.

i.

I distinctly remember one particular night when our Life Group leader was sharing how God wants to talk with us, and then he said, “So, we want you to take a piece of paper and a pen, find a quiet spot and ask God what he would want to say to the person on your right.”

ii.

What if I am the only one who doesn’t hear from God?

                                                          iii.

My faith was so stretched that night.

iv.

Taking seriously that Jesus wants to speak to me.

                                                            v.

When I look back, most of the guys who came out of that Life Group were fired up for Jesus and are making a kingdom impact right now.

C.

WE

 

a.

I don’t know what your experience has been, but think for a minute what benefit a recovering alcoholic has in a group such as Alcohol Anonymous?

i.

AA helps admit that they have a problem.

ii.

It helps them to turn their life over to a /higher power/.

iii.

The support they look to with each other is not to kick their habit, because otherwise, they would need to hold hands 24-7.

But the support they get from each other is in encouraging each other to look to that higher power that can help them kick the habit.

b.

Their goal is not to build community, although that happens.

i.

Their goal is not to grow their numbers, although as a person finds help they are quick to help others.

ii.

Their goal is not to grow in their knowledge of what to do to become free of addiction.

iii.

Their goal is to /become/ free of their addiction.

c.       Life Group is very similar to AA in this respect.

i.

The goal is not community, growth or bible knowledge.

ii.

The goal is supporting each other toward the mission of Jesus.

d.

What would Jesus be like as your Life Group leader?

e.       Would he invite you to be a part of his Life Group?

f.

Who else may he invite?

i.

Well, he kind of puts the Life into Life Group.

g.

If you were Jesus, who would you invite to be a part of your very first Life Group?