Today we launch an exciting Next Step towards our 2020-2025 Vision. An initiative to empower you in your mission in the home, family, community and workplace. Our Almighty God has ordered our lives, giving us responsibilities for people, work, and places, that we might seek the prosperity of the City. We take the stance of servants of the City, not users of the City. The first act of service: pray for one citizen everyday.
Sermon Reflection Questions
1. In Genesis 1.26-30, what is the key way humankind is made to ‘image’ or reflect God?
2. What kind of rule over creation does God express in Genesis 1? Therefore how should humankind express the power and authority God has given them? How should we ‘rule’ over creation?
3. Genesis 1-2 calls humankind to take on a variety of roles and responsibilities. For example, the roles of husband and wife (Genesis 2.18-25), parents raising children and children honouring parents (Genesis 1.28), the responsibility to care for and bring fruit from the earth (Genesis 2.15). We could expand to speak of the roles of elders in a family or community, all kinds of meaningful work and especially that work which seeks to undo the consequences of Adam’s fall (healing, working for justice, restoring creation).
What roles and responsibilities has God put in your life?
Do you see these roles and responsibilities as God’s call on your life, or something to escape in order to be closer to God? Give reasons for your answer.
4. Read Jeremiah 29.1-14. Why are God’s words to the exiles so relevant to the church today? What are the parallels to our experience? How are we in exile?
5. What new country are we waiting for?
6. How should the disciple seek the prosperity of their corner of the globe? (See Jeremiah 29.5-7)
7. Ask God to guide you to one neighbour, citizen, friend or family member to pray for each day, for the duration of our 2020-2025 Vision.
Praise and Worship
Sovereign Grace Music, ‘O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer’.
Sing along with Sovereign Grace Music, ‘Jesus Thank You’.
‘Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty’ from the Hymns Project.