Message Title: Radiant Followers, Part 2
Date: September 20, 2020

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Radiant Christ-followers are created, NOT born!

Headlines from last week:
--All of humanity has rebelled and cut themselves off from Life
--God did the unthinkable when humans rebelled -- He ran after them

Headline 3:
In Christ, we are restored and repurposed Poemas!

Poema: a work of art, a masterpiece

When Jesus looks at us, He doesn't see a rough piece of rock, but He sees Christ in us and the masterpieces He had in mind when He created us. Do we see that in each other?

--You're an expression of the Divine Artist

--Christianity is a religion of works

Discuss: What are the good works God has recreated for you right now?

3 Priorities that will cause walls to come down
--Spiritual
--Generational
--Ethnic

Christ is our peace. Jesus changes lives and He is the hope for PCC in 2020 and beyond.

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

BEYOND SUNDAY
This 3-week series will examine how Jesus transforms individuals, calls them to devote themselves to a community—called the Church. Jesus shows us to what we are to devote ourselves. Radiant is an explanation of the priorities for our next season, so we can live into our PCC mission. Receive the invitation to drive deep roots into PCC, learn how you can make a difference, and realize the transformative power contained within us at PCC.

1. Do you consider yourself to be artistic? Think of a time you created something artistic. How did it turn out? Did you want or have to start over? Did you want to scrap it altogether?

2. Michelangelo’s David is one of the most famous statues in Florence, and perhaps the world. Several sculptors attempted to carve the marble but stopped when it was considered brittle, flawed and of poor quality. Does God ever give up on us? Were we not flawed as well? Are some people beyond chisling? See 2 Peter 3:9 and Luke 23:43. Discuss this in your group.

3. According to Ephesians 2:10 we are God’s handiwork, His workmanship. See Psalm 139: 13-16. Discuss how and when we became God’s workmanship. If art, as today’s speaker and Lead Pastor Gary Gaddini says, is an expression of the inner being of the artist, then you are an expression of God Himself. How does that make you feel? You are beautiful, valuable and purposeful.Do you believe that about yourself? Not everyone does.

Note to parents, grandparents, teachers and those working with youth: how we talk to our young people makes a huge difference later on in their lives. The words we use are powerful; it’s like putting money in their emotional and spiritual banks. If we tell them they are capable, valuable, purposeful and beautiful because they are God’s workmanship, when they face a crossroads in life, that is what they draw on. That becomes their emotional self talk. If they hear they are stupid, useless or incapable, that too is what they draw on later in life. God sees them as beautiful, valuable and purposeful, choose your words wisely! Discuss in your groups.

4. Four statues known as the Prisoners or the Slaves are displayed in the Hall of Prisoners, an area leading up to the statue of David. These are also the work of Michelangelo. They are four of his unfinished statues. Michelangelo had a talent to see beyond the slab of marble and see something beautiful inside. God also looks at the potential in all of us. Do you look at either the outside of people or the flaws in others and give up on them, or do you see the potential that God has for all mankind? Discuss this in your group.

5. While we live in this world we are not perfect. We are all flawed and are still rough around the edges. We are all in need of some chiseling, but there is good news. Unlike the four prisoners of Michelangelo, God does not leave us unfinished. See Philippians 1:6. What does this verse say about God our creator?

6. Michelangelo’s David sits in the Accademia Gallery in Florence. Perhaps some of you have seen it. While it is amazing, it is just sitting there. What does Ephesians 2:10 say about why we were created? What does that mean to you? Be specific, what is God calling you to do? Hint: It’s not to just sit there!

7. There are broken and flawed people all around us. What does 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 and 1 Peter 2:9 say is now our responsibility? We all have different gifts and talents. Are these verses meant for all Christians? Discuss this responsibility in your group.

Prayer: Lord, we acknowledge that we are your workmanship, knit together in the womb, fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you that in your eyes I am beautiful and valued and have a purpose. Help me to see that, not only in myself, but in others around me. Thank you that you are not done with me yet, and will continue to do a good work in me while I am here on earth. We acknowledge we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Help me not to be a sitter in this life, but to be a radiant reconciler as you have called me to be. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

For PCC's Fiscal Year:
June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021:

Giving Update
Goal: $4,072,337
Giving to Date: $822,025
Still Needed: $3,250,352