Hungry To Make A Difference | Hungry | Week 3

Hungry To Make A Difference | Hungry | Week 3
Pastor Dave Pretlove
2 Corinthians 5:14-6:3

When I am compelled by Christ’s love:

• My selfishness decrease 
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
• I see people through God’s lens 
  • 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 
• I have a different agenda 
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20a
• My gospel urgency will be obvious 
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:3

Article | Theology of Work | Reconciling the Whole World (2 Corinthians 5:16–21) 
“Every day as we go out to do our work we are to be ministers of this rec­onciliation. This includes reconciliation between people and God, between people and people, and between people and their work.”

Article | BibleProject | 2 Corinthians: Paradox of the Cross 
“Are we truly living in line with the core values of the cross? … As Jesus-followers, we’re called to reject the world’s value system and conform our lives to the great paradox of the cross.”

What is one thing that stood out to you about Christ’s love from Sunday’s message?

One idea from this weekend was that most people don’t make a difference in this world because they’re living for themselves. How have you seen this play out in your own life or the lives of others? 

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul refers to us as ambassadors for Christ and reminds us that we don’t act on our own agenda, but on the Lord’s agenda and mission. What are some ways you can align yourself with Christ’s agenda and live out his mission in your everyday life?

Pastor Dave shared some of LifeChurch’s vision for the next few years. What areas of that vision are you most excited about and how will you be involved in the vision of our LifeChurch family?

What about your personal vision for making a difference? What are some ways this group can help you make a difference and be an ambassador in your family, at your work, or with your friends?

“Having Acts 1:8 power means God will empower your life and words in the sharing of the gospel in ways you will often not perceive. To put it another way, the Holy Spirit may grant much power to your witness in an evangelistic encounter without giving you any feeling or sense of power in it.”
Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

This week, practice the spiritual habit of evangelism. You don’t have to have all the right words or know a bunch about apologetics. The same Holy Spirit that lives inside you will empower you this week to share with someone. Ask God to give you fresh eyes to see how to make a difference. Pray Acts 1:8 this week and ask God to reveal an opportunity to share how Jesus has changed your life.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 ESV

“Let me be content to minister regardless of visible outcomes, trusting that the small mercies I extend will be woven into the larger theme of redemption at work in the lives of others as you woo them to yourself, drawing their hearts by graces offered.”
Douglas McKelvey, Every Moment Holy, "A Liturgy Before Serving Others"

We are so grateful to begin 2023 with a season of prayer and fasting and to focus back on increasing our hunger for the Kingdom of Heaven. We have focused in on the heart of God which has led us to other people! Last week it led us to one another as we look to grow our hearts for community and spiritually-healthy relationships. And now God has led us to our community and those that haven’t experienced him yet.

As we pray and fast this week for a greater heart to make a difference, I found myself reading further into 2 Corinthians. We left off at 6:3 on Sunday, but in 6:13, Paul encourages the church at Corinth to “widen [their] hearts”. What a beautiful phrase to use when asking the Lord to renew our sense of ambassadorship this week. As we’re praying and fasting to make a difference, let’s ask the Lord to widen our hearts. Widen our hearts to see the person in need. Widen our hearts to see the family that is desperate for hope. Widen our hearts to see the co-worker that needs kind truth. Lord God, we pray to widen our hearts to make a difference this week and this year.

Grace and Peace,
Lydia Long