God's Masterpiece

In one paragraph

This was a gathering of the whole Tribe fam under one roof, a bar called the Saloon, rather than the usual two-service Sunday at the TMC. Pastor Brian worked through the closing stretch of the series "A Full Reward," grounding the conversation in 2 John 1:8, before turning to the death of Charlie Kirk and what it means for people trying to live out their faith. The service closed with communion...

Read together

1. 2 John 1:8 core text of the series, read aloud by a congregation member, about not losing what was worked for and receiving a full reward
2. Psalm 139:16 cited to show that God recorded every day of a person's life in a book before they were born
3. Ephesians 2:10 quoted to describe believers as God's masterpiece, created to do good works, with the Greek word poema noted
4. Ephesians 2:8 referenced to explain that salvation is by grace through faith so that no one can boast
5. James 4:8 paraphrased in the opening prayer: if you draw close to God he promises to draw close to you
6. 1 John 1:9 paraphrased during communion invitation: if we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness

What was said

• Go back and listen to the earlier sermons in the A Full Reward series so you can follow where Brian is taking the conversation next week.
• Sign up for the Wind River missions trip October 2 through 4 at tribejh.com before spots fill up.
• If there is unconfessed sin or unresolved offense weighing on you, take a few minutes this week to get honest with God about it and receive the forgiveness he has already promised.
• Reach out to a family member or close friend you have been meaning to connect with, the way many in the congregation leaned on family this week when the news hit hard.
• Ask God this week to show you something specific from the plan he has written out for your life, rather than defaulting to good works you have defined on your own.

Talk about it

1. Brian said that reward is based on how closely your life is aligned with God's plan for your life, and that God has written a unique assignment for each person. What does it look like practically to figure out what that assignment is for you?
2. Brian drew a distinction between working to be saved and working because you are saved. How have you seen that difference play out in your own life or in people around you?
3. Brian shared that Charlie Kirk's murder has been hard for a lot of people, and he named three reasons why it hits so deeply. Which of those three reasons resonated most with you, and why?
4. Alex said the Lord told him that the battle for dominance is not between God and the enemy, but between us and the enemy, and that our part is surrendering so God can fight. How does that framing change the way you think about what is happening in the world right now?
5. Communion was described here as Jesus picking up the cup of proposal and saying he would not drink again of the vine until he drinks it anew with us in his kingdom. How does thinking of communion as a response to a proposal rather than just a remembrance change how you receive it?