Posted on October 28, 2018 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
October 28 – November 3, 2018
Embodied Truth
By Meghan Hemenway
This sermon series has been a challenging one for everyone involved, whether they are sharing and teaching from the stage, struggling with their own anxiety or depression, or trying to figure out how to best love and support people who are suffering. The survey we filled out earlier this month showed us just how many in our community are affected by mental health issues — and it’s a significant group within our community. Our community.
Seth talked today about the role community plays in Truth. Truth is found in Jesus and Truth is formed in community. He talked about how we are taught what we know about Jesus and how this happens in community. For some, this looks like a line of caring individuals — parents, coaches, mentors, youth group leaders — pouring truth into our lives. These are people who invested in others because, out of love, they wanted to give them a foundation built on truth. My story is a little different.
One way that mental illness affected me was that people close to me who might have filled that role were suffering themselves. Truth is hard to teach through the veil of mental illness. For me and my husband this was a sermon series that hit home on all counts. We’re walking through some tough, lifelong issues with loved ones and the darkness can be a little too real sometimes. But this morning, sitting among our community, I was struck by how our church chose to talk about these tough situations — in LOVE. As a love story! How beautiful is that?
Mental illness is isolating for those with it and for those who support the ones in it. Truth is hard to hear, difficult to comprehend, and yet we all long for it. My good news today was that Heartland, in love, has brought us through a difficult journey together. This wasn’t a series for part of the church. It was for everyone in the church because we are in it together. As a community we are now better prepared to support each other where we are.
We can all take part in this love story. Maybe it’s reaching out to the Heartland Community Care Team and seeking help. Maybe it’s becoming part of that help, or using what we’ve learned these last few weeks to better support our community. We can all continue on this journey together, as a church community who helps each other find and understand Truth.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul spoke to the Athenians about their search for truth. He got to know them and their culture and then was able to tell them that God was the truth they were searching for. Do you know people who are searching for truth? Who have a longing for an answer they don’t yet understand?
CLICK HERE to access our Care page on the web, and all of the resources related to this series.
CLICK HERE for a digital version of the card we shared in this series. It lists the 32 things that Paul declares we are in the book of Ephesians. As you read the focus verses above, and this list, which name or names is God inviting you to embrace? To live into? Or to speak into someone in your life who might need encouragement? Join us this week as we pray in our community for God to unlock identity and truth in each of us.
{personal reflection and bible reading plan}
As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: This is a clear case of vigilantism at its worst. Vigilantism occurs when people perceive those in charge as weak and not capable of delivering punishment for crimes. When the Jews said to Jesus that they were not stoning him for any good work, but for blasphemy, they were taking the law of God into their own hands. They had in essence made themselves judge, jury and executioners. But Jesus told them that he and the Father were one. Are there areas in life where you judge others? Have you yourself been wrongly accused or judged? If so, what do you do during those times to seek God’s help?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: All throughout Jesus’ days people wanted to see miracles. Many, if not most, needed to see God’s work and not just hear it. Where do you struggle to see or hear God’? How can you trust more, without having to see miracles?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Christ was a man, he was the son of God, but he was man. He felt emotions, love, kindness and affection. This is proven by how he loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus. Christ was also willing to risk his own safety and life to raise his friend Lazarus by returning to Bethany where the Jews wanted to stone him. Have you ever helped a friend that in doing so you were in danger? Did you do so out of love for God?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: In comforting Matha over the loss of her brother Lazarus, Christ said that he is the resurrection and the life. He also stated that whoever believes in him will live, even though they die. How do you give your life fully to Jesus? How do you show your faith, not just profess it?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: When I read this I think that there are haters everywhere in life, and that it is not new. It wasn’t good enough for the ones who came to watch Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, they criticized him for not stopping Lazarus’s death in the first place. Jesus had to allow Lazurs to die in order to perform the miracle to show the people that he was the son of God. Jesus told them ” Did I not tell you that if you believe , you will see the glory of God?” do you criticize others for not acting the way you want them too? Or have you been criticized for your good deeds but did them anyway for the greater good?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Jesus’ life was in danger not only for what he was doing but for what he had not done. He did not go with the status quo. He spoke truth. The Pharisees (the religious rulers of time) lived in fear that his words would put them out of jobs. When confronted with doing the right thing, or going with the status quo, which do you choose? Jesus had to go into hiding for his own safety. What length would you go to in following Jesus closely?
{community discussion questions}
We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as a Journey Community group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters on your journey.
Can you name a takeaway or challenge from the Sunday message?
How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources).
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
Please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and share what you are learning, questioning or experiencing. We love conversations!
