5-3-2026: Cosmic Dimensions of Reality
Sermon Title: Cosmic Dimensions of Reality
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1, 26; Psalm 29:1-2; 82:1; Ephesians 6:10-12
Sermon Focus: It’s one thing to give mental assent to angels, demons, and the unseen realm, but it’s another thing to fully embrace the cosmic dimensions of reality. The Bible says that God created “the heavens” above and the earth below. The material universe was created after God had made a spiritual world populated by angelic beings. In the first message of our series, Pastor David introduces us to the divine council, challenges our modern sensibilities, and invites us to accept a spiritual warfare worldview.
Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion:
1. Begin by reading Ephesians 6:10-12 to yourself silently, giving everyone a few minutes to read and reflect. After that, have someone read the passage aloud. How does this encourage you? Also, how does it challenge you?
2. Think back to what Pastor David said about “the heavens and the earth” and the spiritual warfare worldview in Ephesians 6:12. How does the idea that reality includes both seen and unseen realms challenge or reshape the way you normally think about life? Where do you tend to think only in “natural” terms? What feels hardest to believe or accept about the unseen realm?
3. Read Genesis 1:26-27. If God decided to create humanity in his image in the presence of His heavenly council, what do you think that says about your identity and purpose? How might this elevate how you see yourself or others? What would it look like to live as someone who represents God in a spiritually contested world?
4. Read Psalm 82 aloud in your group. What stands out to you about God judging the “gods” in this passage? Remember, Yahweh is the “Most High God” and over all other elohim. But as this chapter indicates, some of the lesser divine beings used their free will to disobey their mandate and rebel against the creator. How does this passage change your understanding of evil and injustice in the world? Does this idea make the world feel more confusing—or more explained?
5. Paul says our struggle is not against flesh and blood—how might that change the way you respond to conflict in your life? Please be honest and vulnerable with your group. Think of a recent conflict—how might you see it differently through this lens? What would it look like to “fight the right battle” this week?
6. WEEKLY PRACTICE: Awareness – “Wake Up to the Battle!” • Challenge: Wake up to the spiritual battle and ask yourself: “Could there be more going on here than meets the eye?” • Invitation: Regularly pray: “God, open my eyes to the unseen realities around me. Help me not to fight the wrong battles.” • Goal: Shift from seeing people as the problem to recognizing that there are deeper spiritual realities at work around us.
What is God saying to you through this first message in our series? Also, share one specific thing you will do this week to live with greater spiritual awareness.