March 21, 2010 I Peter 2:11-12

¹¹Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. ¹²Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1. How do you define who you are? Where does your passport say you’re from? Does your identity play a big role in this identity? What role do your parents play in this and your heritage?  Was there a time, like Paul being a Roman, you used this to your advantage?

2. Verse 11 repeats the term “strangers in the world” found in chapter 1:1. How does this phrase help us be clear about who we are? Cross-reference with Phil 3:20-21. How does this citizenship play out in your life? Do you have an eternal perspective? Why or why not?

3. How are you managing the realm of your heart (sinful desires which war against your soul, worldly goods and ones that harm the soul)? Matters of the heart are never easy, especially sometimes with friends – accountability often helps us. Bring these things to the Lord for strength and the courage to fight.

4. Are you living a good life that is visible to those you’re around? You are often the only face of Jesus they see – pray to invite them into your life; be willing to be an open book and let the world see Jesus' love and compassion.

5. This quote was read at the end of the sermon Sunday :

Earnest Southcott “The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people – strengthened by preaching and sacrament – go out of the church door into the world to be the Church. We don’t go to church we are the church!”

How would you answer “This week, what kind of church will we be?” Name the different ministries Waterstone is involved in – are you passionate about any of them or does something else move you to get involved? If you haven’t, why not and what will help you take that step?

SONG FOR THOUGHT

"Temporary Home"  copy this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LraOiHUltak

Lyrics by Laird, Maloy and Underwood, performed by Carrie Underwood

A little boy, six years old
A little too used to being alone
Another new mom and dad
Another school, another house that will never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home

Young mom, on her own
She needs a little help, got nowhere to go
She's looking for a job, looking for a way out
'Cause a halfway house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
"Someday we'll find our place here in this world"

This is our temporary home, it's not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we're passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is our temporary home

Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers
"Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday"
He looks up and says
"I can see God's face"

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This was my temporary home

This is our temporary home