Small Groups, Big Difference

Bible Introduction (2m)

Been looking at connecting to encourage us not to give up meeting together

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

What does this mean?

Does it mean meeting together in worship? Have we fallen into this neglect by only meeting once on Sun like this?

Jesus said he would be in the midst of small group

Matthew 18:20 NLT

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

J will be amongst us wherever we meet.

Where the Church is picture

In the coffee shop, in the office, in the car, in the home - wherever.

And in small groups.

Peter reminds us Early Church met not in churches/SA halls but in homes

1 Peter 4:1-11 (Annie)

Introduction (5m)

Small things make a big difference

Any big change in life doesn’t come from one big stride.

“I want to lose weight” > weight dropping off you!

Need small actions: eating well, exercising, purging bad behaviours.

Small steps lead to larger goal.

Small groups, big difference. Small groups > steps towards holiness.

Peter encourages us to arm ourselves with Jesus’ attitude and to do God’s will

1 Peter 4:1 NLT

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.

The world still needs TSA, still needs soldiers who are armed with attitude of Christ

With upright hearts, right words, thoughts controlled by Spirit, saved and sanctified from sin, humble, passionate, calm, even tempered, gracious, fighting against injustice, loving with God’s love.

Explanation (5m)

Peter says we have a stark choice: our will or God’s will

1 Peter 4:2 NLT

You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.

Will we continue to live in a sinful way, or follow the will of God?

Peter goes on to list of vices

1 Peter 4:3 NLT

You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

Picture of Greco-Roman life morally out of control.

What would today’s list be?

Seemingly anything goes. Big cities - filled with people drinking to excess; drug use on the rise; fighting in the streets; etc.

Churches not immune: high profile pastors resigning for extra marital affairs, abuse and assaults, aggressive, abusive leadership; pedophilia, etc.

Hope none of us are involved in these kinds of vices but ...

What about entertainment choices (screen, mobiles)? Financial choices? Thinking God is pleased/displeased with us. Believing we know what the Bible says about something without studying it too deeply. More time doing than reflecting. Judgmental. Too insular (non-Christian friends?)

We can all make choices that go against will of God. How do we arm ourselves with Christ’s attitude and choose God’s will?

Shock: Doesn’t matter how many sermons you listen to. How many worship songs you sing. How many meetings you attend. How long you play your instrument. How long you read Bible. How many times you pray. It doesn’t matter how devoted to God.

Unless you connect with others.

Christianity began in a group (Barclay). Christian life is grown in relationship with others. Spiritual maturity only comes in connection with others.

But you cannot connect deeply on a Sunday

Cannot deeply connect with whole congregation. Impossible.

Amazed by number of people (many been here many years) who say, “I don’t know who that is” when I mention someone.

But because impossible to connect with whole congregation. We can only truly know and be known by a few.

Last week - Jesus understood this

Had small group of 12, and small small group of 3.

Peter understood this too

1 Peter 4:8–9 NLT

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

How do you arm yourselves with Christ’s attitude? How do you reject your own desires and accept God’s will for your life? How can you be earnest and disciplined in your prayers?

Show deep love for each other and share your home.

Small groups can help us by:

Speaking truth into our lives

As we share our lives with people who care, love, connect with us deeply we can grow in holiness/spiritual maturity.

Holding us accountable

Nudge us. Encourage us. Remind us what we said we were going to do about something.

Not because judgmental, but because they love and care deeply for us.

Caring for us in a crisis

Difficulties. Problems. Small group will be there for you. They’re the ones who will phone/text, check in on you.

Testing our spiritual fruit

Want to test your love? joy? peace? patience? kindness? goodness? faithfulness? gentleness? self-control?

Get with a small group!

However much you care for and love each other, there will be times when someone winds you up!

Maybe they had a bad week. Maybe you did. Maybe they take up a completely ridiculous position when you’re discussing something? Perhaps they dominate prayer time with a 10m prayer. Maybe they complain about the strength of the tea.

Small group gives us opportunity to choose to cover a multitude of sins with our love.

Application (5m)

Encourage you to get into a group

Find some friends you’d like to deepen relationship with in a small group.

Decide when, where and how often you’ll meet.

Sign up sheet on noticeboard or contact Patrick and let him know.

Be proactive about it. It won’t just happen.

Talked about it for weeks, now we need to take action.

Beware: Satan will tempt you to say no

We’re talking about arming ourselves with J’s attitude and saying yes to God’s will.

Satan does not like that.

He’ll try and find anything to stop you getting involved: lack of time, family, entertainment, shyness, feeling on fringe, etc.

Arm yourself against his attacks.

Pray we’ll make the right choices and get involved. Pray for deep, loving connections between us. Pray we’ll find the time. Pray our holiness will grow as a result and we’ll be a more effective force for Christ in days to come.

Next Steps

Questions for reflection/small group discussion

What insight, principle or observation from this message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or troubling? Explain.

What are some of things Peter says we need to do as Christians to survive in a world that challenges our decision to live for God? (vv.7-11).

Why would anyone complain about showing hospitality?

What gift has God given you (each of us has at least one)? What can you do to ensure you are serving in God’s strength rather than your own?

Prayer subjects for this week

Christians around the world who face suffering and persecution because of their faith.

Our young people who are bombarded with the loose moral code of today’s society. That they would arm themselves with God’s will for their lives.

For those with no roof over their head and no food on the table. May we find ways of showing hospitality to them.

Song: Holy God, in every place

1 Holy God, in every place, let us hear the call of grace. Open up all human hearts to the truth your word imparts. Let our faith's expression be love and hospitality. 2 Call to mind the way preferred by the true incarnate Word, in whose perfect life is shown grace abundant, love unknown; lead us into truth divine, signified in bread and wine. 3 Let us now the vision see of the city fair and free, built upon celestial ground, with eternal glory crowned, sunless, yet for ever bright, with the Lamb its only light. Michael L Forster (born 1946) © Kevin Mayhew Ltd 7 7 7 7 7 7 Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 30158 Copied from HymnQuest: Copyright Licence Users' Edition HymnQuest ID: 10939 CCLI#: null