Sunday, November 27, 2022
John 1:1-3, Phil. 2:5-8, John 6:38, Exodus 3:7-8
Key Verse: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
- Jesus pre-existed his birth
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3)
- Jesus left heaven to come to earth
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:5-8)
- Jesus fulfilled the mission of God
The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:7-8)
What does “leaving” mean for us?
- leave our Christian bubble
- leave our homes and routines
- leave what’s easy, comfortable, and familiar
Practical ways we can practice leaving:
- Skip church one Sunday morning to have brunch with a non-Christian friend
- Pick up a hobby or join a club
- Hang out on your front porch
- Go for walks in your neighborhood
- Become a regular at a restaurant, bar, or coffee shop
- Invite people over for dinner
- Go out of your way to foster relationships
- Look for chances to run into people
Reflection:
What are some things you love to do that would be easy to invite non-Christians to do with you?
What are some things that might be a struggle to give up in order to spend time connecting with people?