​Note: I am writing this after Brian Creary's sermon on Jan. 28. -Rev. Kim Salo

Bible readings: Colossians 1:15-20
Hebrews 12:26-29

1. After saying in Col. 1:15 to 17 that the Son of God is the firstborn over all creation, and all that is seen or unseen was made in him, Colossians 1:18 says that Christ is the head of the body, the church. 
How does Christ function as the head of the church you belong to? Note how the verbs in this passage are present tense, not "was" or "will be." In other words, how does Christ's  supremacy over his church become visible and real to us in the present time?

2. We often consider our personal relationship with Christ as having primary importance. Can a church or congregation have a corporate relationship with Christ? If so, does Christ judge a local church? Or only members of it? What about denominations? How does Christ relate to denominations?

3. The church is the bride of Christ. (See Rev. 19:7, 21:2, 21:9, 22:17) He will return for his bride. Brian Creary said, "Don't mess with his beautiful bride." What do you think that means for us? Among other things, Brian said that in the end Christ's church is going to be OK. What do you think of that statement?

4. Unity in Christ is a big subject. What do you believe constitutes true unity in his church? 

5. Read Hebrews 12:25-29. We will receive an unshakeable kingdom. What things will remain after God shakes both heaven and earth (verses 28-28)? What will not outlast this final shaking? What will help us be ready for this time?

Read John 17: 20-26

Reflection Questions:
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1. In Jesus’ final earthly prayer, he prayed for the oneness of the Church. Why do you think unity was his transcending concern?
2. What is the nature of this unity? (Verses 21a, 22b and 23a)
3. What are some ways that you struggle with having unity with others in the church? What can you do to overcome these struggles?
4. In what ways does the world try to have unity? What is the biggest difference to the unity that Jesus talks about?
5. What can you do to promote unity amongst fellow believers? How can your unity with other believers be a testimony of God’s love to the world?

 

This blog is based on Rev. Kim's sermon "Jesus Took My Place", preached on Sunday, January 7th, 2024:

Readings:  Matthew 3:1-2, 11-17   Acts 19:1-7

1. Read Matthew 3:1-17. Why did Jesus tell John to baptize him, saying, “We must do this to fulfill all righteousness”? The sermon title is “Jesus took our place.” In what sense do you personally understand Jesus taking your place before God?

2. As John the Baptizer was baptizing Jesus, after he came up from the water the Holy Spirit came down on him, and the Father said from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, I am delighted in him.”  Why, then, did Jesus go immediately into the desert to be tempted by Satan? Why did this have to happen right away? 

3. What may happen to a church that mainly teaches repentance from sin, but doesn’t teach what comes after repentance? What steps come after repentance?

4. Read Acts 19:1-7. In this encounter, Paul meets disciples in Ephesus whose only baptism was a baptism of repentance from John. They haven’t even heard of the Holy Spirit. So, Paul baptizes them, and they are filled with the Spirit and manifest his gifts. If you met some Christians who had not heard of the Holy Spirit, what could you or your church do about it? What would you say?

5. Why do some people resist change with every fiber of their being? Do you ever see that tendency in yourself? When?

6. Can you name a specific and concrete move of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life that brough about concrete and specific change in their behavior?