Sermon Notes for August 30/31, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Livin’ for the City
Pastor Richard Johnson, Children’s Pastor
August 30/31, 2008
Jeremiah 29:4-7

Outline
I. God is sending us (Jer. 29:4; Psalms 137:1-4)
II. To serve in the city (Jer. 29:5-6)
III. So we can worship together (Jer. 29:7).

Content
1. The city has experienced the flight of the economically astute (businesses left), the relationally available (neighborhoods disintegrated), and the spiritually accessible (churches withdrew).
2. Jeremiah 29:5-6 encourages serving in the city by building houses, planting gardens, marrying and multiplying.
3. Jeremiah tells the people of God to serve rather than to teach or preach or plant a church.
4. Seek the peace (shalom) of the city, wherein shalom reflects love and peace within strong families, a safe and decent living environment, and spiritual peace.
5. Pray for the “enemy” by seeing them not as the enemy, but as the called ones of God acting in rejection and yourselves as givers of God’s grace.
6. When the city prospers, we prosper, because it brings us into repentance and it strengthens us for missions.
7. We should see our place in the city and become deeply involved in it, with our prosperity blessing the city.

Aim
We should love the city because God loves the city and wants to redeem that which is lost.

Application Questions
I. What is your attitude towards the city? How can you change any negative attitudes you may have?
II. How do we influence the city without being influenced by the city? How do your children view the city today?
III. How do you pray for the enemy? How does the suburb prosper with the city? Why should we love the city?