Worlds Apart
How to Transform Your City | Week 8
July 21, 2024 | By Mark Moore
Can the Gospel really transform a city? In Acts 19, Paul’s ministry in Ephesus shows us that it can. Ephesus was a city steeped in wealth, violence, sexual immorality, and power struggles. Yet, the message of Jesus offered something greater than wealth or tradition. Paul’s bold preaching led to extraordinary miracles, the spread of the Word, and a city-wide transformation. Even the mighty temple of Artemis couldn’t withstand the power of the Gospel. Discover how the teachings of Jesus can offer not just a new way of living but a revolutionary change worth dying for.
SETLIST
"Take You At Your Word" by Aodhan King, Benjamin Hastings, and Cody Carnes
"Firm Foundation (He Won't)" by Austin Davis, Chandler Moore, and Cody Carnes
"Good Plans" by Jake Espy and Kory Miller
"Holy Forever" by Brian Johnson, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham
GROUP QUESTIONS:
Discussion Questions
- Read Acts 19:2,6. In this passage Mark identifies authentic life change as the difference between religion as a ritual and religion as a relationship. Looking at your own life, what aspects of your walk with God have become more of a ritual? What can you do to reconnect those aspects to a real relationship with Jesus?
- In the sermon Mark relayed the story of Kristi, who’s story of immense personal tragedy ultimately turned into a story of healing after Kristi found an authentic relationship with Christ. What areas of your life need healing? How can you invite God into the dark areas of your life? Can you commit to sharing that area of your life with the group so they can join in praying for you this week?
- Read Acts 19:13 Pastor Mark communicated an authentic relationship comes with the power of the Holy Spirit to address the issues we are facing. What would it look like to turn those problem areas of our lives over to Jesus? What might be holding us back from doing so?
- Read Acts 19:27, 33-34. Mark conveyed that the truth of God will outlast the current culture of our time. To illustrate Mark read the biblical account of the local Ephesian’s intense dedication to Artemis the fertility goddess. In contrast, he showed a recent picture of the ruins of the temple of Artemis, demonstrating the temporal nature of even the most intense cultural values. How can we keep perspective on current cultural values? What are some current cultural values that might be in opposition to the truth of God? How can respond to opposing cultural values with the love of God?
- Mark retold the story of Michelangelo's “The David” and how Michelangelo took a ruined piece of marble and sculpted it into a masterpiece. If we are being honest, what areas of our lives or past mistakes do we believe are beyond redemption? What would it look like to let God take those messy areas of our life and turn them into an example of His grace and love?
// Challenge: In his sermon Mark encouraged us to invite people to Flatirons so they could see what an authentic relationship with Christ looked like. Who is someone God is asking you to invite next week?