Living in Our Next Season: Stand!

South Bay Community Church

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Living in Our Next Season: Stand!

November 3, 2024 • Minister Philip Thompson • Ephesians 6:10–18

Sermon Quick Summary

As highlighted last week, in the bible verses “you” is not always individual action in doing something alone. Rather “you” is also plural referring to collective action of a community with the “you” meaning “you all.” There will be the times we are taken out of our comfort zones and stretched in all sorts of ways. Do not fight it, but grow with God. Ephesians 6:10-18 emphasizes unity and collective action for the Church despite diversity in language and culture. There are four things in the letter to the Ephesians that leads up to our scripture in Ephesians 6:8-10: God has a plan; God chose us to be part of God’s plan; God is still at work according to God’s plan; God’s plan is already accomplished, but it is not fully actualized. Paul has encouraging words for the Ephesians and for us today; God’s Holy Spirit works in us so that God can work through us. The Holy Spirit requires us to Stand! Stand morally in the Lord’s strength, the Lord’s power, and the full armor of God. Stand Against Evil. Stand On the Word of God. The application to our life now is how we will respond and Stand!

Living in our Next Season: Hubris, Hype, Hope & Biblical Hope

November 10, 2024 • Tony DeGruy • Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:15

During this 2024 election cycle, there was plenty of hubris (excessive pride), hype, and hope displayed. The Bible has God’s Word for Republicans, Democrats, all the candidates, and for us, too. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart…” (Hebrews 3:7& 3:15). Here is guidance for Republicans and others who voted for Donald Trump; Jesus’ kingdom is not and never will be of this fallen world system. Here is guidance for Democrats and others who voted for Kamala Harris. Actions in listening, sharing truth, mutual feelings and values, and worshipping God with them will help get connected with the image of God that God created in them. God is on God’s throne; this does not exonerate human evil. We are hope carriers as the body of Christ that leads to unity. We need to look to the Prophet Amos and consider why what we feel today could be a clear, inspiring, or clarion call from God. God interrogates Job to clarify God’s role as creator. God calls us to lament in honest questions about our pain, to repentance, to fasting, and to prayer. There is worldly hope and biblical hope. Worldly hope can sustain through difficult times, but it ultimately falls short when expectations are not met. In contrast, biblical hope (divine hope) is grounded in God’s character and promises. Biblical hope requires us to neither shrink back in fear nor strike out in hate. Life applications require us to respond to the 2024 Election with biblical hope in action of loving mercy and doing justice.