“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 6:11.

If someone asked you to define your relationship with sin, what would be your answer? Do you see it as an ongoing battle: a battle that involves a struggle against temptation, evil desires, and the influence of opposing forces, both internal and external? You may see it, for example, in the story of David and Goliath. Sin is Goliath, and you’re David, and you have to defeat sin using nothing but a smooth rock to fight with. Or maybe it is something more dramatic, like an out-of-control train heading toward a canyon? Sin is the engine, and you’re the passenger car desperately trying to unhitch yourself from it before it takes you over the edge.

However you define it, the Bible is clear: all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard. This truth, while uncomfortable, is the starting point for understanding our need for a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Paul, in his letter to a church in Rome instructs believers to “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11). Being “dead to sin and alive in Jesus” means recognizing that through Christ’s sacrifice, believers have died to their old life of sin and are now empowered to live a new life in fellowship with God. The good news is that sin no longer has power over us. At the moment of conversion, God works to change our motives, goals, and desires one by one. God reveals what we were and points us toward the person we are meant to become.

Being dead to sin and alive in Christ is not merely a theological concept but a transformative reality for believers. It means recognizing the freedom from sin’s dominion and actively choosing to live a life of righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit. This shift from old to new means that we have a different life ahead of us, one marked by a love for God and others, repentance, mercy, grace, benevolence, humility, generosity, forgiveness, justice, and faithfulness.

Ephesians 2:5 says, “that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”  Being alive in Christ does not mean that you must have your life together. Being alive in Christ does not mean that you are happy all the time. It does not mean that your life is as beautiful and put-together as our Facebook posts. Being alive in Christ means the opposite. Ephesians 2:5 states that even though we were dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ. It is in imperfection that grace appears. God is at work in the mundane and the everyday messiness of life..

Being alive in Christ does not mean we will always be in a state of constant smiles and joy. Being alive in Christ means our foundation is so strong that even when storms come, we can weather them. Even when we were dead in our sins, God gave us life through Christ.

Take a moment right now to remember that Christ invites you to live a life in Him. Know that, in Christ, your feet are firmly planted on an unshakable foundation: Christ’s unconditional love for you. In both ordinary and extraordinary ways, Christ invites us to live free from sin and free from guilt.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we practically apply the concept of being “dead to sin” in our daily lives? 
2. What does it mean to “consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus?”
3. How does this understanding of our identity in Christ affect our daily choices and actions?
   

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” – Psalm 37:3-5.

The Psalm 37 passage begins with the phrase ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good.” But what does that mean to do good? The short answer is doing good is actively engaging in acts of kindness and compassion as an expression of faith and a reflection of God’s character. Doing good is not just a suggestion, but a calling for believers to live out their faith through tangible deeds, serving others, and glorifying God.

The concept of “doing good” was virtually number one on the apostle Paul’s list. In his letter to Titus, he writes that God, in Jesus, “…gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds” (Titus 2:14 ). This emphasis appears several times throughout the letter, culminating in Paul’s closing exhortation: “Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive” (Titus 3:14).

Our ability to do good is a learned behavior as Paul tells us to “learn to do good by meeting the needs of others.” Our actions shouldn’t just be the result of an emotional tide. It should be a daily endeavor to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Being the hands and feet of Jesus means actively living out one’s faith through practical service and love, demonstrating Christ’s compassion and presence in the world. It involves embodying Christ’s love, mercy, and justice in everyday actions, showing kindness and compassion to others, and meeting their needs as Jesus would.

The vulnerable are so close to God’s heart that He considers our care for them to be caring for Himself. In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus praises His followers who saw people in need and responded in love. “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” (vs 40). That’s what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus: observing the needs around us, assessing our resources, and giving what we’re able.

We want to meet the needs of those around us, but where do we start? The starting point is rooting our lives in love. Doing something to help people is ultimately a display of God’s love. Like Jesus said in John 15:12, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” We need to pray and be on the lookout for opportunities to express God’s love to others around the world. By simply taking time to ask God, He can make you aware of ways to serve that you never would’ve come up with on your own.

Jesus reminds us that serving others doesn’t have to be complicated. In Luke 3:11, he says, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” By praying for awareness, God can open our eyes to even the simplest opportunities to demonstrate His love for others.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to “do good” in the context of your daily life? (Consider how this extends beyond simple acts of kindness and includes your work, relationships, and interactions.)
2. How can you identify opportunities to do good that align with your unique skills and passions? 
3. What are some practical ways to overcome the barriers or challenges that might prevent you from doing good?

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

What if this kind of humility that Paul showed in this passage defined the church today? What if we were comfortable sharing our weaknesses and embraced vulnerability? What if we didn’t worry about the opinion and approval of others because Jesus has already secured our approval?

This passage reminds us that our weaknesses are canvases for His strength—they are where we see Christ move, work, and transform. We can be open about our weaknesses, for they showcase Christ’s work within us. But how do we embrace vulnerability when every fiber in our being is fighting us to share our weaknesses? And that is understandable: the fear of judgment surfaces whenever we try our hand at being vulnerable.

Ann Voskamp once said that “Shame dies in safe spaces.” In other words, people will be more open in a forum where they genuinely feel safe. So, creating such a safe space within the church is vital. It’s about creating an environment where people who share freely are met with trust, support, and guaranteed confidentiality.

God modeled vulnerability by becoming human in Jesus Christ, experiencing pain and temptations. Jesus humbled himself, experiencing rejection, loss, disappointment, loneliness, and pain. He knew what it was like to be fully seen and not always understood, sharing His deepest feelings with His closest friends. We are called to imitate this example, showing love and acceptance as Christ did.

Vulnerability can be challenging because we often want to hide our brokenness from others.  But what feels like weakness in admitting our brokenness becomes strength when placed in the redemptive hands of God.

Every community of believers is comprised of a diverse group of people, each on their unique spiritual journey. Most of us find ourselves in that messy in-between space of growth, where we are painfully aware of our weaknesses. The challenge is navigating this journey while fostering an environment where openness and honesty are encouraged and everyone feels safe enough to admit they have things to work on, but want to work on them together.

Discussion Questions:

1. How is vulnerability personally defined? Does it seem like a strength or a weakness?
2. Can someone recall a time when someone demonstrated Christ-like vulnerability? What was the impact on others?
3. What fears or anxieties might hinder vulnerability in a faith community?

What life have you if you have not life together?
There is not life that is not in community,
And no community not lived in praise of God . . .
-Choruses from the Rock: T.S. Eliot.

Poet and playwright T. S. Eliot penned those words in 1934. Although society has undergone significant transformations over the past 90 years, driven by factors such as technological advancements, globalization, and shifts in cultural values, his words remain relevant. Eliot knows what we all know to be true today: a vibrant life needs community.

We were not created to go about this life apart from a relationship with other believers. In community, we discover our place in the body of Christ. In community, we learn what it is to serve out of love, honor, and respect. And in community, we receive the healing and love that can only come from those who share in the same Spirit.

Acts 2:42-47 describes the early Christian community in Jerusalem, highlighting their devotion to the apostles’ teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. This passage describes the community we all strive for. We were made for honest, vulnerable fellowship. We were created to help each other, eat together, worship our God, and love others. The Acts passage describes the result of God’s saving work. When God saves people, God forms those people into a dynamic community whose members share their lives. God’s saving work produces a dynamic community in which those who share in the spiritual life of Christ also share in the everyday stuff of life.

God intends for us to be supported, strengthened, encouraged, and empowered through the community of believers. As we face the storms and temptations of life, we should draw strength from one another.

Scripture is clear that true community requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and accountability. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 says, “This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”  Accountability within a church community is vital for spiritual growth and maturity. It involves a commitment to transparency, vulnerability, and mutual encouragement, fostering an environment where believers can confess sins, seek guidance, and receive correction from one another. This practice helps believers stay on track, avoid falling into sin, and grow in holiness, reflecting the love and grace of Christ.

Charles Spurgeon once said of the Church, “Imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us… All who have first given themselves to the Lord should, as speedily as possible, also give themselves to the Lord’s people. Being in community, in constant fellowship with other believers, helps refine our lives and intentions so that they more consistently align with Christ. This enables us to spiritually mature to the point where we can confidently encourage others to follow our example as we follow the example of Christ.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the benefits of being part of a strong church community? 
2. What are some of the challenges of maintaining a healthy church community? 
3. How does the church community help us live out our faith in the world? 

Summary: On his way to Rome to appeal to Caesar, and under the supervision of Roman centurions, Paul and company run into a storm on the Mediterranean. After days of tumultuous winds, little food, and constant fear of death, the ship is finally broken apart, and the crew and prisoners need to swim for shore on a nearby island called Malta. Miraculously, everyone survives.

In part 1, we looked at the bad news of Paul’s shipwreck on the way to Rome. In part 2, we will look at the good news. The good news is that we can trust God’s promises.    

God had promised Paul that He would get to Rome. He told Paul he would stand before Caesar and would be given the opportunity to share God’s truth with him. God sends an angel to Paul to say, “Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you” (Acts 27:24). God fulfills His promises, doesn’t He? Throughout Scripture, we see that God’s promises are true. Even when, in the moment, it makes no sense or little sense from a human perspective, we can trust that God will see us through.

And we don’t need a new promise for a new storm. God promised you will reach your destination safely through Jesus Christ. But in Paul’s case, they were still going to run aground. God didn’t suddenly make everything calm and easy. Storms are still storms, but we can trust in the middle of them that God is faithful to do what He said He would do. Consider the promise He gives us in Philippians 1:6, where Paul wrote, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” The good news is what God already said he would do.

Everybody on the ship is brought safely to land. But we shouldn’t be surprised. We know it is a foregone conclusion that God will keep His promises, because He always does.

The ship itself is part of the story. Acts 27:43-44 says,  “the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.…he (centurion)  ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.” The ship breaking apart provided flotation devices to get everyone safely to land, especially those who couldn’t swim. The whole of the Christian life is characterized by holding onto something when facing our personal shipwrecks.   

So that’s the good and the bad news. The bad news is that discouragement is inevitable. The good is in the midst of that; God is going to show up in big ways. It’s not often how we plan for it, or what we would suggest He do. We need to simply trust God.

The writer of Psalm 112 had this in mind as well as he wrote verse 7, “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them”  (Psalm 112:7).

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you define “trusting God”? Is it simply a feeling, or is it a choice to believe and obey even when circumstances are difficult? How does trusting in God help you cope with bad news?
2. When have you struggled to believe a promise of God? What was that experience like, and what helped you overcome that struggle?
   

“ But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea… The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. … The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.” – Acts 27:14-19.

Most people have been asked at some point whether they want to hear the good news or the bad news. Most people prefer to hear bad news before good news. This allows them to address the unpleasant information upfront and conclude on a positive note. Nobody wants to hear only bad news.

There is both good and bad news in the story about Paul found in Acts 27-28. The news is good initially, as Paul was going to leave for Rome after waiting for several years. Then there is some bad news in the form of a major storm. Then there was worse news as they sailed for days with no sun, no food, and no hope. Then there was good news: an angel came to Paul to tell him he was still going to get to Rome and that no one would lose their life. So Paul said to the crew, “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island” (Acts 27:25-26).

So why does God give us 44 verses to tell this story? One possible reason is to remind us He is sovereign. What He does often doesn’t make sense to us, nor does He do things the way we would. But that’s what makes Him God. Yet God is in this story and is in total control of everything, especially the things that don’t make sense.

Let’s look more closely at this “good news, bad news” story. After a long season of waiting, Paul was finally on his way to Rome. This shouldn’t surprise us, because God had told him he would go there. Paul’s confidence in God’s promise was strong, but as usual for him, the process wasn’t an easy one. This story should remind us that what we might see as bad news—difficult and discouraging things—is often the very means God uses to eventually encourage us as we see Him working things out in our lives.

The storm they encountered was bad. We may not have the same type of storms. Day after day went by, and they couldn’t even tell light from darkness. It is hard to imagine what that was like.  Of course, they were discouraged. They were finally heading to the destination God had called them to, to stand before Caesar in Rome, but a trip that should have taken about four or five weeks took four months, with all kinds of twists and turns where things didn’t go their way.

The greatest gift we’ve been given in the face of trials is faith. When problems are staring us head-on, it’s hard to see around them to the beneficial outcome God intends. To face trials as God intends, we must have faith. We must believe that God has a useful outcome in mind, despite the trial being hard. We must have faith that God will guide us through every problem that stands in our way and instill in us a steadfastness that enables us to experience an abundant life.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you react to bad news? How does trusting in God help you cope with bad news?
2. How can you be a source of strength and hope for those who are facing difficult times? 

  “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The glory of God is a term frequently used in the Bible, but it can be difficult to comprehend fully. What is the glory of God? And what does it mean to glorify Him in our everyday lives? And more importantly, how do I see God’s glory?   

Although we have seen some of God’s glory in the earth, and others have had more of a direct experience with God’s grace, we certainly haven’t seen God’s full glory because, as mere creatures, we couldn’t handle the full weight of His glory. A case in point is found in Exodus 33:18 where Moses ask God to “…please show me your glory.”Moses wasn’t asking for a mere glimpse; he was asking to see God–to see Him for everything He is. To see all the attributes of God– His greatness, His splendor, His majesty, His perfect holiness, His goodness. God responded by saying “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).

Defining the glory of God is impossible because God’s glory lives above and beyond any type of description or definition. The answer is as infinite as God’s glory itself, so the question can never be answered exhaustively. Now, when Isaiah 6:3 says that one angel is crying to another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts,” the next thing he says is this: “The whole earth is filled with his . . . ” People could guess that the next word would be “holiness,” but he doesn’t say that. He says, “glory.”  2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 1:3 adds, “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven”

The scriptures tell us: ”[He] has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? … all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. [to Him] …[He] spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them” (Isaiah 40: 12, 15, 22). The prophet attempts to give God’s glory some scale through word pictures. Still, even these very picturesque and helpful descriptions fall miserably short of capturing the awesome glory of God. God’s glory encompasses the greatness, beauty, and perfection of all He is. He is beyond our ability to estimate, understand, or describe.

God’s glory will be revealed in a beautiful and powerful way in the New Jerusalem. Listen to how the Bible describes the glory of God in heaven. Speaking of the New Jerusalem that will come at the end of all things, John says in Revelation 21:23, “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.”  The glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) serves as its light, rendering the sun and moon unnecessary. This verse highlights God’s all-encompassing presence and the transformative power of His glory in the eternal state.

Discussion Questions:

1. The definition of glorifying God is to honor Him through our lives, demonstrating His splendor, love, and perfection, and showing that His presence is evident in us. In what ways does the believer do this in everyday life? Agree or disagree and why?
2. What can we do this week to glorify God? 

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.” – Exodus 33:1.

FaceTime is an application, or app, for making video and voice calls over the internet. It’s great for keeping in touch if you and most of your friends and family use devices from Apple. Can we do the same thing with God? In essence, “FaceTime with God” is a modern way of expressing the timeless desire for a personal relationship with the Lord, characterized by prayer, reflection, and a willingness to encounter God’s presence in one’s life.

There are a few people in history who have experienced the remarkable reality of seeing and experiencing more of God than others. One of them was Moses.  Exodus 33:11 says, “the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Just like with human relationships, this relationship didn’t happen overnight. In Exodus 3 and 4, we read of God igniting this relationship through the burning bush. Despite God’s display of power and authority, Moses gave reasons why he couldn’t lead the Hebrews from captivity. But, as the exodus of God’s people progresses, Moses becomes more and more intimate with God, to the point where he finds himself “face to face” with God regularly.

Let that sink in. God spoke with Moses face to face. He related and interacted with Moses in a vocal form. Moses spent significant time with the LORD, inquiring from Him on what to do, and listening to Him regarding the people of Israel. It’s the kind of intimate relationship that develops over time, and it’s tested through trials of life, and Moses experienced more than his share of trials.

Time with God is important – and most certainly not another “thing” on the to-do list. Like any relationship, if we genuinely want to know that person, we make the effort. God is always with us. Our relationship with God is the key to moving beyond knowing about God to knowing Him personally. It’s the key to living a spirit-led, fruitful, and holy life that pleases God.  And ultimately, it’s part of the process through which we’re transformed and become more like Him.

Spending time face-to-face with God will change your life. It is an essential part of a Christian’s life. It’s a time when you can rest in His presence, read His Word, and speak to Him in prayer. But the idea of connecting with God can be challenging. But, what a difference would it make if we aggressively seek the face of Jesus? One day, it will happen physically, and it won’t be a dream or a hope. God promises in 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, which says,  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

FaceTime with God can help us develop a devotional focus on creating a close, personal relationship with God through prayer, reflection, and spending time in His presence. This practice emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s face, trusting His timing, and allowing Him to transform our hearts and lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the phrase “FaceTiming with God” suggest? What kind of intimacy or connection does it evoke in a relationship with God?
2. How does the idea of seeing God’s “face” in a personal and direct way, similar to a FaceTime call, compare to or differ from other ways of conceptualizing connecting with God (e.g., prayer, Bible study, worship)?

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” – Psalm 15.

There’s nothing quite like the presence of the Lord. We read in the Bible of prophets, disciples, and followers of Christ who have experienced God’s presence, and hear stories of God’s presence in people’s lives ranging from dramatic miracles to subtle, yet impactful, moments of guidance and comfort. But there is nothing like experiencing the presence of God in your life.

Spending time in God’s presence is essential to the Christian journey. Spending time in God’s presence requires discipline and desire. Everything within you must desire to be with Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Psalm 15 serves as a clear reminder that we can never achieve acceptance with God based on our righteousness. Psalm 15 calls us to abandon our righteousness because Christ is our righteousness. He lived on our behalf. He achieved the righteousness that we could not achieve on our own. Christ purchased our righteousness, and He paid our penalty.

In Psalm 15, David asks the question of who can live where God lives. Throughout this psalm, David lists different things that are required of the person who lives where God is. The first part sums it up in that the person must be blameless and righteous. The rest of the verses give direct examples of what that means.

All over the world, there are people who are asking the same question that David asked. They want to know how they can live where God lives, how they can dwell in His presence.  So, how do we encounter the presence of God? How do we experience his nearness? Encountering God is similar to encountering another person. We don’t seek an experience with a friend; rather, we seek to know them by spending time with them and gain an experience as a result. The more we know them, the more we recognize their voice.

Timothy Keller said, “To stand in the presence of God, that is what the Gospel is. The Gospel is not primarily about forgiveness. It’s not primarily about good feelings. It’s not primarily about power. All those things are byproducts, sparks. It’s mainly about the presence of God.”

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you understand the concept of God’s presence? Is it a feeling, a location, a relationship, or something else entirely? 
2. In what ways have you experienced God’s presence in your life? What are some common obstacles that prevent people from recognizing or experiencing God’s presence?