CALL TO WORSHIP
Together, we gather to be present to the God who is already present to us.
However you are joining us, we encourage you to participate in the work of God today as He speaks and leads us. Wherever you are, God is already present and at work all around us. Let’s join Him!
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading In every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:1,13-25 NIV
PRAYING TOGETHER
Spirit of God, lead us in every part of our lives.
Let every breath be filled with your goodness.
Let every word be filled with your love.
Let every deed be filled with your kindness.
Let every relationship have your faithfulness.
Let every decision have your peace.
Let every journey have your patience.
Let every confrontation have your self-control.
Let every thought have your gentleness.
Let every moment be flooded with your joy.
We trust that in all things, you are moving, God.
Open our ears to hear your voice speaking. Amen.
LIVE IT OUT TOGETHER
We seek to share a common way of life – a shared journey into the life of Jesus. We do so through 3 discipleship pathways: Communion, Community, and Co-Mission. Learn more at restorationlex.com/pathways!
Communion
Set aside some time to be still this week, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. As you do, slowly read Psalm 23. Read it two or even three times. What stands out to you? Where might God be inviting you to Sabbath rest through this passage?
Community
Discuss with your Home Church or friends this week the following questions: 1. What in your life is currently keeping you from walking in Sabbath rest? 2. What invitation is Jesus extending to you to practice a Sabbath way of living in your life? 3. How might we as a community bear one another’s burdens so that others can participate in Sabbath rest as well?
Co-Mission
Perhaps you know someone who’s life does not easily lend an opportunity for rest and a break. Ask God for an opportunity to serve someone in your community this week to allow them a moment of Sabbath rest.
