Worship Guide, May 9, 2021 | Love Makes Room For Difference

May 7, 2021 | Blog, This Week

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

Worship isn’t about performance; it’s about participation. This Worship Guide serves as a weekly resource as we join in singing, praying, and celebrating the work God is doing in our community. Whether you’re at the Lyric Theatre or tuning into our live stream, we’re so glad you are joining us!
Let’s jump in.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.  For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

Galatians 2:11-14 NIV

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? … Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean…Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 

Romans 14:1-4, 13-14, 19-20 NIV

PRAYING TOGETHER

God, I am a witness to your love. You call me into life, abundant and free. Holy Spirit, thank you for pouring out what was promised. I am continually being restored by your freedom. Amen.

HOME CHURCH: GROWING TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY

Start your time together by having a few people share where they’ve seen God at work in their lives throughout the week.

God is not contained to a service or a building. We want to live with the expectation that God is present and at work in the everyday stuff of our lives. We listen, join him in his work, and share stories of how he’s moving!

Studying The Scriptures Together

Each week, we approach the Scriptures with 4 primary questions:

1. What does this tell us about God?
2. What does this tell us about ourselves?
3. How does this help us love
our neighbor?
4. How can we put this into practice?

These questions help guide our conversation around the Scripture each week, and encourage us to move beyond knowledge and into action together.

Discussion Questions:

1. In Romans 14:14, Paul shares his deep conviction about the issue of food… but then says if they see it differently, they’re free to practice as they desire. How can we hold to our convictions without compromise while also making room for disagreement on secondary issues?

2. Paul encourages us to sacrifice in order make room at the table for believers who disagree with us. What are some of the tangible ways we can be hospitible and welcoming in a polarizing climate? What are some practices that help us make room for others with whom we disagree? 

How You Can Pray:

Romans 14:19 says: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” 

Whether in your Home Church or in friendships of faith, ask God to open doors for you to build a greater peace and encouragement among one another. Ask the Spirit to reveal places where you can build and lift up a fellow brother or sister in Christ. 

NEXT STEPS AND RESOURCES

I read/listen to everything Mark Sayers writes. He’s one of the most godly and astute cultural minds in the Christian community. He’s a pastor from Australia who I lean on a great deal in helping me understand the cultural currents of our day. This is a great and encouraging word from him! 

– Justin