Trinity's Mission & Vision

January 3, 2016 Series: Stand Alone

Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Intro: This time of year is thick with the talk of change… What (or whom) would you most like to see change this year?

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Read the sermon passage, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

THE PROBLEM

How does living for ourselves affect our motivation and distort how we view everything? Historically in philosophy, as well as practically in day-to-day relationships many doubt the possibility of real change from selfishness. How has living for yourself caused real trouble not only for you, but for others? How has selfishness affected your motivation? How has it distorted how you viewed things (and people)?

What do people in our city live for? How do the people in our city view everything through worldly lenses (i.e. what we do, value and believe)? How have you, and how do you live for yourself? Confess your selfish pride to Jesus, asking Him to cleanse you of your guilt and also to transform your heart to truly live for Him.

THE SOLUTION

How has God given us true hope for change by the Gospel? Starting with His Incarnation (a profound mystery), how is that an act of change toward change? How does Jesus’ death as your Substitute offer you hope? And how is His resurrection a miraculous proof of His power to change anything? Put v. 17 in your own words with your own summary of reasons…

What evidence is there in your life that this – Jesus – is your hope and solution to your deepest needs? What would change in our city with people who believed Jesus and trusted in His Gospel over anyone or anything else?

THE MISSION

How has God called all of His people (every single one) into His work of redemption? Author Paul Tripp has called us instruments in the Redeemer’s hand. What do you think of that as a picture of your identity and life mission?

If you trust Jesus as your God and Savior, how have you seen your motivation and perspective transformed? The Apostle Paul says, in vv. 18-20, that our work is to be reconciling ambassadors. What do you think of that? How is that encouraging? How is that scary? Significantly, to be an ambassador is not a role of creativity (though that’s not irrelevant). It is a responsibility to faithfully convey someone else’s message. How well do you know the message of Jesus? And in terms of seeing real hope worked out in your life, how has your life been transformed by Him? Whose transformed life would encourage you most? How can you pray for them? And how can you move toward them in love and hope?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US…

  1. Worship the LORD for His life-giving power and grace. Praise Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for His mercy to not only forgive all who trust Him but especially to renew us and eventually glorify us!
  2. How have you, and how do you live for yourself? Confess your selfish pride to Jesus, asking Him to cleanse you of your guilt and also to transform your heart to truly live for Him.
  3. Give thanks to Jesus for His work to be our Substitute to save us. Thank Him for bearing our guilt on the Cross, and for giving His Spirit to us in order to renew us from the heart.
  4. Who do you know that if they were changed would encourage you? Pray for them, asking the Lord to work in them the same kind of heart transformation that you need and desire.
  5. Ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you His work of new creation. Pray, especially in terms of where you yearn to be different, for the Spirit’s work in you, your family, your friends, your co-workers and in Trinity.

More in Stand Alone

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