Sermon Cloud

Have you ever watched The Antiques Roadshow?  It’s always exciting to see someone discover that an object that has sat gathering dust in their house for years is actually a priceless piece of history.  Realizing the value of what they have often changes their lives.  Paul thinks the same of the message that we have been given.  We have to appreciate the power of the message.

1. If you had to summarize in a sentence or two “the message” that our lives are to communicate, what would you say?

2. Paul contrasts the old “ministry” with the new.  What were the benefits/ implications of what he calls the old ministry?

If you found out today that you had an uncle you had never known who died and left you a multi-million dollar inheritance, it would change your life.  It might be positive or it might be negative, but your life would definitely change.  Paul says that when you begin to understand what it is that God is up to, you cannot help but have that impact the way that you live.  The realization yields tangible results.

4. This is a thinking question – Based on what you see in your life, what is driving you to live the way you live?

5. What are some of the subtle ways that we try to put a veil over our lives instead of reflecting the glory of God to the world?

6. How has “looking” at Jesus been a transforming influence in your life?  Is being transformed really as simple as “seeing Jesus?”

Our lives do not speak the full message alone.  There is more going on here than just you and I finding our purpose – finding fulfillment.  Lives that speak are a part of something bigger.  Something that God has been saying through His people for thousands of years.  There’s an agenda; an overarching goal to which all of this leads - the renewal of all that exists for the honor and glory of God.  The renewal of the world as it should be.  The only question for us is this, “Will we join the ripple that leads to renewal?”

7. When you think about God’s process of renewing His image in all of creation, what are some of the implications of that for you personally?

8. If our lives are to be a part of the renewal of God’s image in those around us, what does that mean for our day to day interactions with people?

9. Does this idea of the ripple that leads to renewal cultivate within me a deep yearning or desire to be a part of what God is doing?