Helping People to the Glory of God
Key Takeaways
The church exists for God's mission in the world, not primarily for our personal preferences or needs
Sound doctrine must lead to a corresponding way of life—belief and behavior are inseparable
We need each other across generations to learn how to live faithfully
Grace doesn't lower the bar; it trains us to reach it through the power of the Holy Spirit
The church is a "small working model of the new creation"—a preview of God's restored world
Our shared life together either adorns or obscures the gospel we proclaim
God doesn't demand uncracked people—he mends broken people into something more beautiful
Study Questions
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The sermon asked, "Why do we go to church?" How would you have answered that question before hearing this sermon? Has your answer changed?
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The sermon emphasized that we need each other across generations. What relationships do you have (or need to develop) with people older or younger than you in the church?
For older members: How are you intentionally investing in younger believers?
For younger members: Who are the mature believers you're learning from?
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Verse 11-12 says grace "trains us." How is this different from simply trying harder to be good? How have you experienced grace training you?
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The culture says limits and restraints damage us, but the sermon argues they actually heal us. How have you seen biblical boundaries lead to freedom rather than restriction?
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The counselor told the pastor, "I want more from you." How is that statement an expression of grace rather than condemnation? When has someone loved you enough to want more from you?
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If the church is meant to be like Kintsugi—beautiful not despite but because of how God has mended us—what would it look like for our church to better display this reality to our community?
Seeking God’s Face Devotional
This month, we’ll be using the devotional Seeking God’s Face for our personal daily discipleship. Learn more about this devotional and how to use it, and follow along with us!
This week, we pick up in Days 6-12 of "Epiphany." In 2026, Seeking God's Face will encourage us to embrace this 43-day season "to catch sight of the uniqueness of Christ." We slow down to meditate with Jesus through specific historical events as recorded in the gospels.
Epiphany isn’t a word we use daily, but we all know what the word means when we do use it: a sudden jolt of understanding. What may be more unique is to situate the word —not just as a one-time realization— but to stretch it out over the course of 43 days!
Do you want to know him more intimately, love him more passionately, and follow him more closely? If so, may God bless you as you meditate on his life, hear his words, and respond back to him in prayer.
The arrival of these epiphany moments reminds us that we see the glory of God's face in Jesus Christ, and we, too, are changed; we, too, shine. The missional nature of Christ's arrival calls us in this season to be strengthened by him to announce this good news in every sphere of creation. Be strengthened and go to the watching world!
This Week’s Liturgy
Call to worship
Psalm 103:1-5
Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
All: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Confession of FAITH | the new city catechism question of the week
New City Catechism Q & A #2
Q: What is God?
A: God is the creator of everyone and everything. God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.
Confession of sin
Most merciful God, we confess that we want grace without change and forgiveness without formation.
We resist the limits that would heal us and cling to worldly passions that destroy us.
We have lived as though self-expression could save us, and as though obedience would defeat us.
Forgive us for trusting ourselves more than you.
By your grace, retrain our hearts, reorder our loves, and remake us into a people who adorn the gospel, all to the glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
This Week’s Playlist
Looking Ahead
Join us next week as we explore John 15:1-11.