Five Important Lessons – Russell McCollough (Philippians 3:12-14)

Welcome to CROLCC, we are so glad you are here worshiping with us. With the technology we have today, many people began to ask this question – why do we have to go to church on Sunday? Why do we have to go to small groups? Why can’t we just stay at home in our pajamas and watch video messages and sermons? They will say, we pray, we do our devotions and we even fast and we give. We have very good communion with God, why do we still have to go to church and be a part of a church?

I was watching a couple of pastors talking about this very topic, the reasons we need to go to church.  The short answer was, well, the TV pastors are not going to come visit you.  They are not going to do your weddings or your funerals.  They are not going to pray over you when you are sick or when you are in need.  But, all kidding aside, the more important thing is that the Christian faith includes a component of community.  Theology without community is not a complete theology.  God created us to be in community with one another, only in community will you be able to live out your faith and to practice your faith.

Today we have invited our dear friend pastor Russell to be with us.  He is going to share with us five important lessons he had learned over the years as a pastor.  And I believe these are important lessons to learn together not just as individuals, but as a community.  Please give him the best welcome!

Discussion Questions

1. When we cannot give up the past failure and pain and are unable to forgive, how is that like living in a prison?

2. Explain the following. If you make a mistake or if you fall and you get back up, you are not a failure. But if you refuse to get back up you are a failure. Why?

3. What makes our faith grow?

4. According to Jesus, how do we become His disciple?

5. What is the “highest form of reality” that exists?