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Sermon Notes + 11.6.2022

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11.6.2022

SERMON NOTES

Busy for Self, Lazy for God
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Taylor Mendoza, Pastor of Student + Adult Ministries

Overview: American culture is marked by busyness. It isn’t uncommon to ask someone how they are doing, only to hear, “I’m good. Just busy.” Busyness marks our individualistic culture in which we are jugglers, juggling countless responsibilities and relationships. Sadly, Christians can be like the world. They are jugglers, too, juggling all of the same responsibilities and relationships, but with the addition of church. Far too often, when we drop the ball, we drop the ball of church. This is because we are busy for self, but lazy for God. In steps the theme of love for one another. Jesus Christ calls His church to love one another by being busy for others first and then productive for God’s glory. But, in order to do that, we will need to learn how to love, grow in our love, and learn how to work.

01. Let the gospel of Jesus Christ teach you to love one another.

02. Love others at Northpoint more today than you did yesterday.

03. Work hard for others out of love for them and for our witness to the world.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY

1. Read once again the introduction on the other side of these notes. In what way do you identify with it? Explain how this works in your life.

2. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12. What immediately stands out from the passage?

3. Out of the three sermon points listed on the other side, which one is the most challenging to you? Share why you find this point the most challenging.

4. Paul says in Romans 5:8, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What is most striking about God’s love in the gospel? How should God’s love for us impact the way we love others in the church?

5. When Martin Bucer, the German Reformer, instructed his church on love, he said, “No one should live for himself but each man should out of love for God live for his neighbor and by all means be of service to him in matters pertaining to both the spirit and body.” What do you think about this quote?

6. Based on our passage (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12), is there anything you need to know personally? How can you better love others at Northpoint this week? How will you grow in your love for those at Northpoint who are hard to love?

Martin Bucer, translated by Paul Fuhrmann, Instruction in Christian Love (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 1523).