Hope For Los Angeles
4. Hope For Forgiveness
April 28, 2024 • Brian Colmery • Psalm 32:1–7
Many thought that as religion declined, humans would experience less guilt in their lives. Instead, guilt has increased in surprising ways. We all want to experience the freedom of forgiveness, but the options to deal with guilt in our culture don’t satisfy. Christianity, by exposing the reality of our guilt and showing us the reality of God’s grace, provides genuine freedom from guilt not just for a moment but forever. Application Questions: 1. What does the experience of guilt look like for you? 2. What of the current options—denial, rationalizing, atonement—are you most tempted to use to deal with guilt? 3. How does the gospel provide a better way to handle guilt? 4. What can you do practically to enjoy forgiveness this week?
3. Hope For Spirituality
April 21, 2024 • Brian Colmery • Acts 17:16–34
Despite what many think, Los Angeles is a very spiritual city. While many do not consider themselves religious, most pursue spirituality in various ways. In Acts 17, Paul explores Athens, another very spiritual city. Instead of presenting Christianity as one spiritual option among many, he shows that their approach to spirituality cannot satisfy them. Only an unadjustable God who saves us by grace can satisfy the spiritual longing of our souls. Application Questions: 1. How do you see a desire for spirituality in your own life—whether you’d call it that or not? 2. How have you seen yourself or others “remix” spirituality to suit their desires and preferences? 3. Why does Paul think the gospel provides a true spirituality that nothing else can? How might that apply to your life this week?
2. Hope For Morality
April 14, 2024 • Matt Kleinhans • Luke 15:11–32, Judges 17:6, John 18:38
How do we know what is right or wrong, good or evil? Who has the right to say? God in His perfect goodness and authority speaks to a world so often confused about good and evil. Application Questions: 1. How does authority relate to morality? 2. How does truth relate to morality? 3. Why is the "I choose" approach to morality empty? 4. How does the "we choose" approach to morality fall short? 5. Why is it better for us if "He chooses" our morality?
1. Hope For Meaning
April 7, 2024 • Scott Mehl • Ecclesiastes 1:1–11
Los Angeles is a city filled with people striving to find their own meaning in life. The options seem endless, and the idea of discovering our own purpose seems exciting. But can we really have the deep purpose we crave if we are making it up ourselves? Only Jesus can give us a stable purpose that we don't have to earn. Application Questions: 1. In what ways do you see those around you in our city striving to invent meaning in life instead of inheriting it? 2. Which of the 7 "C's" are you most tempted to find your ultimate purpose in life in? 3. How does the gospel free you to enjoy that area in life without it carrying the weight of being your ultimate purpose? 4. In light of the gospel, what is the purpose of your life (hint: there is one right answer)? 5. How might this week look different if you remembered your ultimate life purpose?