A guide for your stay-at-home worship this Lord's Day

1. Sermon Texts
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.
Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we
regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has
come.
2 Cor. 5.16-17, ESV
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all
creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers
or authorities—all things were created through him and for
him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be
preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to
dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether
on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20, ESV
Reflection Questions
1. What does it mean to regard someone “according to the flesh”? What are some
ways in which you are tempted to do so?
2. The church in Corinth was socio-economically diverse. Yet, Paul was insistent that it
be unified theologically. Do you see diversity and unity as at odds with one
another? Why?
3. During times of social change the role of the church is to “consult Scripture, to pray,
to discern, to judge change against the pattern of words received from the
apostles.” Only when change has been evaluated in light of Scripture can the
church endorse it. Do you agree or disagree?
4. What does it mean that Christ, “is the head of the church”? What implications does
this have for the life of a community of faith? How does Christ govern His church?
5. Who is Christ to you? Can you write a paragraph (or share with a friend) reflecting
on your relationship with Christ and how that relationship shapes your life?
Prayer
We thank You, merciful God and Father, that You have brought us to know You and Your Son by
Your Spirit and Word and have caused Your Word to be proclaimed to us. Grant that we, having
received Christ Jesus the Lord, may live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the
faith, as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. But since we, through ignorance,
unthankfulness, and discontent, do not obey You as we should, we implore You, O Lord,
remember Your great mercy and have compassion on us. Teach us truly to know our sins,
sincerely to repent, and to amend our life.
Amen.