Covenant Naples

Covenant Church of Naples

Sermons from Covenant Church of Naples

  1. Living with the End in Mind

    4D AGO

    Living with the End in Mind

    Peter reminds us here that we are living in the last stage of God’s plan to bring all things to their culmination in his glorification through Jesus Christ and the victory he has already accomplished. Nothing and no one will be exempt from this process that will bring salvation to some and condemnation to others. Because this is the end toward which all history is moving, Christians should live today in a way that reflects that reality.  Sermon Outline: I. Be sober-minded for the sake of prayer. II. Love one another persistently because sin will happen. III. Show genuine hospitality. IV. Use your gifts to serve one another. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. In what ways do you think Christians today are (or are not) paying attention to the fact that we are living in the last days? How does that awareness (or lack of it) shape how we live day to day? 2. What tends to dull your mind and draw you away from a consistent prayer life? What is one practical step you could take this week to press more intentionally into prayer such as praying at set times, praying the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, or some other rhythm? 3. Peter says that love “covers a multitude of sins.” between covering sins and covering up sins. How do you personally navigate the tension between bearing with others’ faults in love and knowing when something needs to be brought to light? 4. If you came to church each Sunday looking to extend hospitality rather than receive it, what would you do differently? What one change can you implement this week? 5. Spiritual gifts are not self-serving but given for the good of others. Are you currently using your gifts to serve the body? If not, what is holding you back, and what can be done about it?

    38 min
  2. Living for the Will of God

    FEB 15

    Living for the Will of God

    What we expect when we go into suffering greatly impacts how we experience it. If we expect that following Jesus is going to be an easy journey, we will be unprepared for the suffering which is a normal part of the Christian life. Sermon Outline: I. Arm Yourself with the Mindset of Christ. II. Leave the Past Behind. III. Live in Light of the Future. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What would it look like for you to consciously “arm yourself” with the mindset of Christ in your daily life? Can you think of a situation where choosing obedience to God would likely bring suffering or loss? How might preparing your mind ahead of time help you endure it? 2. Being a Christian isn’t primarily about what we avoid, but what we actively pursue. What might it look like to shift from a “don’t do this” mentality to a “pursue this” approach? For us who are parents, how can we implement this in our parenting? 3. In what ways should Christians look a bit crazy to the world around us? Are there areas where you’ve compromised to avoid looking different? What might it look like to more boldly dance to the music of the gospel? 4. What are some “respectable” ways people (including Christians) can live for themselves rather than for God? How can we recognize and resist these more subtle forms of self-focus? 5. How does keeping the future judgment and resurrection in mind help you endure present suffering or rejection for your faith? In practical terms, how can we live in light of the future this week?

    41 min
  3. The Good Life

    JAN 25

    The Good Life

    The Bible teaches us that a good life is a godly life. Here we find not only the importance of relationships, but how to be godly in relationships, how to be godly in our speech, and how to be godly even when we suffer for it, and how to become the kind of people who have healthy relationships, even amid circumstances like suffering and persecution.  Sermon outline: I. How Godly People Live in Christian Community. II. How Godly People Live the Good Life. III. How Godly People Suffer Well. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Which of the qualities in 1 Peter 3:8 do you find most difficult to practice in Christian community, and why? How might remembering Christ’s love toward you help you grow in that area? 2. How does this biblical vision of “the good life” challenge our culture’s (and perhaps our own) assumptions about what leads to happiness? What practical changes might that truth call for in your relationships this week? 3. Peter instructs us to bless those who revile us rather than repay evil for evil (v. 9). Can you think of a current relationship where you’re tempted to “fight or flight” rather than bless? What might it look like practically to bless that person this week? 4. Why is it so hard to see suffering for doing good as a blessing? How does Jesus’ own suffering “the righteous for the unrighteous” reshape our understanding of the good life and give us courage to endure? 5. When people see your life, what do you hope they notice that might make them curious about your faith? How can gentleness, respect, and integrity make your witness more compelling?

    42 min
  4. Holy Wives

    JAN 11

    Holy Wives

    Many women and wives go through life hearing the message that they’re not good enough or somehow always doing it wrong. Is 1 Peter 3:1-6 more of the same or is there incredibly good news in this passage? Join us to find out. Sermon Outline: I. Holy wives practice submission rather than manipulation. II. Holy wives focus on character over appearance. III. Holy wives are marked by courage more than fear. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. How does remembering we have one ultimate authority free us from the impossible burden of meeting everyone’s conflicting expectations? In what areas of your life do you find yourself most tempted to prioritize others’ approval over God’s? 2. How does viewing submission as an act of faith in God (rather than merely obedience to a husband) change your understanding of this passage? What fears might prevent wives from practicing this kind of trust? 3. Why might persistent verbal witnessing sometimes harden rather than soften an unbeliever’s heart? How can this principle apply beyond marriage to other relationships where we want to influence someone toward Christ? 4. What practical rhythms or habits could help you cultivate “the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”? How can we pursue appropriate care for our physical appearance while keeping our primary focus on developing godly character? 5. What specific fears might tempt Christian wives (or any believer) to disobey God’s design? How does knowing we’ve “returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls” address these fears practically?

    45 min

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Sermons from Covenant Church of Naples