Irreplaceable-Am I Accepted?: Week 2
THE LIES WE BATTLE
Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT) 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
THIS WEEK’S TWO LIES:
1. I am ruined, and there is no coming back from this.
• Too much has been done to me, or happened to me. I’m damaged goods.
o betrayal, abuse, divorce, mental health problems, etc.
• I’m too hurt, and I can’t heal.
- I have made too many mistakes, and I can’t be forgiven.
• Before Christ versus after Christ
THE AFFECT:
• How does someone feel who is worthless? Who related to last week?
• How does someone feel if they are ruined and feel they can’t recover?
• How does someone feel if they can’t be forgiven, that they are filthy?
o I can’t do enough. I’m not valuable. I’m alone. There is something wrong with me.
• This could lead to anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.
• This world has an effect on us: diseases, mental disorders, hopelessness.
o It affects our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and actions.
Does God Care?
Mathew 9:35-36 35Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
THE TRUTH:
1. I am ruined, and there is no coming back from this.
• 3 Examples: abuse (done to me), addiction (my choice), mental health (circumstances out of my control)
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them
2. I have made too many mistakes, and I can’t be forgiven.
• We are known, and we have value to God.
• God can work for the good.
• We are accepted and loved. We haven’t done too much. There is forgiveness and hope in Jesus.
• God can’t just keep forgiving my sins. God has a judgement system.
• What is this system? How did God do that for me? (The Holy of Holies story, scapegoat, sacrificial lamb, mercy seat)
• Hebrews 10:11-12 It was forbidden to sit down, signifying they have nothing left to do.
Hebrews 9:11-15
WHAT DO WE DO?
• We capture every thought. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
• We stand in the truth (the Word of God) and continue to believe. (Hebrews 10:23)
• We stand with God’s people, walking in the light and bearing each other’s’ burdens.
• We realize we weren’t just saved from something but for something.
• We’re on mission. Our lives are living sacrifices in light of God’s love all He has done.
• We are ambassadors sharing our struggles, our lives, and the hope we have, pleading for people to come back to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
CLOSING QUESTIONS:
1. What is standing out to you?
2. What lies are in your life that have been weighing you down? How can you give those to God?
3. What people do you have around you in your life? Are you seeking out people to help?
4. Do you believe your sin is paid for, conquered, and forgiven?
5. Do you believe God can work good out of anything that we go through?
6. What would it look like to believe you’re saved not just from something but for something?
7. Do you need to accept Christ?
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Genesis 3:8-13 & 21; John 3:16,17; Hebrews 9:11-14, Revelation 12:10-11, 1 John 1:9-10 Icebreaker: What is the heaviest thing you have had to lift? What is the worst thing you have had to carry?
• What from the sermon encouraged you or challenged you?
- Read Genesis 3:8-13, Genesis 21, and John 3:16,17. What do you see about God’s heart towards brokenness and people? A) What kinds of lies do you see in the man and woman’s response to the situation?
- What kinds of lies can separate us from each other and dull our abiding relationship with God?
- How do you recognize “isolation” and “disconnection” in your own patterns of thinking, feeling, and/or actions?
A) What helps you to fight disconnection and re-engage in being connected in relationship with people and God?
B) How do you be aware of those you care about in your Home, Church, and World spheres becoming isolated? - Isolation, disconnection, and shame can happen for a variety of reasons. Often being forgiven and extending forgiveness are part of the process toward reconnection and healing. Read Hebrews 9:11-14, Revelation 12:10-11, and 1 John 1:9-10. A) What stands out to you about forgiveness in these verses? B) What truth do you want to embrace more deeply?
- Hard things happen. Read Psalm 23 and Hebrews 13:5-6. What promises does God give to His children? A) What truth do you need to meditate on from these passages? B) What helps you grow in having your identity as one whom God cares for?
- We need one another to help each other experience the truth God has spoken. Who will you be more real with this week? Who will you reach out to to express the truth that God values them because He made them?
Resources:
Grieving Suicide – A 30 day devotional for healing after loss and grief