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!

OUR SCRIPTURE READING

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

Revelation 21:10,22-25 NIV

PRAYING TOGETHER

Gracious God, let your light shine in all the earth.
May every soul see your goodness.
Let your saving power heal and redeem.
Guide us in your justice, your merciful law,
For we long to be in the presence of your joy.

As you reconcile the whole world to yourself,
May we follow your command to love greatly.
May we boldly proclaim your salvation for all,
As your praise echoes to the ends of the earth.
In Jesus’ name, 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

 

1 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God’s desire is restoration and salvation for everyone. This should shape how we live… and how we pray. This week, be intentional about praying for someone you know who hasn’t experienced the loving embrace of Jesus and found new life. Ask God to reveal himself to them – and for him to open a door to conversations about faith! 


Community

 

Talk it over with your Home Church (or a group of friends) this week. 1. What’s been your experience with the topic of hell? Has it been a scare-tactic used by religious people around you? An off-limits conversation? Something you’ve avoided? Share your experience.  2. The New Testament is clear that God’s desire isn’t the condemnation of some, but the salvation of all (1 Tim. 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9). Yet in his love, he offers us choice; and in that choice, we are free to reject him. How does this shape the way you see the nature of God – and how might we live in light of this reality?

Co-Mission

The word Jesus uses for hell in Greek is “gehenna,” which was a very real valley that served as a ever-burning garbage dump outside of Jerusalem. When we reject the way of love, we can find ourselves in a very real hell on earth – and in some cases, this happens by no fault of our own. Who do you know that’s experiencing a sense of hell on earth right now? How might you be the hands and feet of God’s love in this place of hopelessness?

Next Steps For Growth

Surprised By Hope, N.T. Wright
This is one of the most influential and impactful books I’ve ever read – on any subject. This unpacks the fruit of the resurrection, the afterlife, heaven, hell, and about everything in between. Highly recommend! – Justin

Are You An Annihiliationist, And If So, Why?, Greg Boyd
This week, I briefly unpacked an alternative view of hell that I believe to be true to Scripture and the heart of God. This is a great exposition of the view by scholar Greg Boy that goes a little deeper. – JustinÂ