April 9 2017 How Can We Partner To Share The Good News With Others

How Can We Partner To Share The Good News With Others

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.... A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Memory Verse: Ph. 1:27b (LB)“... you are standing together side by side with one strong purpose – to tell the Good News.”

Ph. 1:5 (NLT)“You’ve been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.”

HOW CAN WE “PARTNER” TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS?

Pray Together

Col. 4:3 (NCV)“Pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people His message.”

-Make a prayer list.

Appeal to a common interests

1 Cor. 9:22-23 (LB) “Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ.”

-Discover the common interests in your group.

Reach out in love

1 Th. 2:8 (NCV) “Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives.”

1 Cor. 5:12 (NCV) “It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church.”

2 Cor. 5:14 (LB) “Whatever we do, it is certainly not for our own profit but because Christ's love controls us now.”

-Ask God to give you a deeper love for others.

Tell your stories

1 Peter 2:9 (Mes) “You are... God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you.”

Ps. 66:16 (NCV) “Listen, and I’ll tell you what God has done for me.”

-Write out your story & share it with your group

Nurture friendships

Rom. 12:16 (CEV)“Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you are smarter than others.

-Make friends with ordinary people.”

Luke 5:29 (CEV) “In his home Levi (Matthew) gave a big dinner party for Jesus. Many fellow tax collectors and other guests were also there.”

2 Tim. 1:7 (LB) “The Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.”

-Bring a friend to church. Plan a party

Expect God to Act

Heb. 11:1 (NIV) “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Luke 5:20 (NIV) “When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’”

-Never give up on anyone.

Represent Christ with your life.

Col. 3:17 (NLT) “Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus.”

1 Thes. 4:11-12a (NCV) “Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work. If you do, people who are not believers will respect you.”

January 15 & 22 2017 Getting Where You Want To Be

GETTING WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

Decade of Destiny - Part 2

GENESIS 24:1-57

1. Determine your present position

Ask 

-Where Am I Now?

-What Would I Like to Change?

Gen. 24:1"Abraham was now old and well advanced in years., and the Lord had blessed him in every way."

2. Describe exactly what you want.

Gen. 24:3-4 "Don't get a wife for my son from the Canaanite girls who live around here. Instead, go back to my country, to the land of my relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac."

Ask

-What do I want to be?

-What do I want to do?

-What do I want t to have?

-Why do I want it?

Gen. 24:5 "The servant asked Abraham, 'What If the woman is unwilling to leave her home and come back with me to this land?"

3. Find a promise from God

Gen. 24:7 (NCV) Abraham said "The Lord brought me from the land of my relatives to this land and he

SOLEMNLY PROMISED me that he would give this land to my descendants. So, he will send his angel before you, So that you can get a wife there for my son."

4. Ask God for help. 

Gen. 24:12(NLT)"Then Eliazar prayed, '0 Lord, God of my master Abraham. Give me success and show this kindness to my master, Abraham. Help me to accomplish the purpose of my journey.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we wil/find grace to help us when we need it."

5. Identify the barriers.

Ask: Why don't I have it already

vs. 21 - Finding the right girt

vs. 58 - Getting her to say yes in faith

vs. 49 - Getting the parent consent

6. Create a step by step plan.

Ask

-How do I intend to get there by the end of this decade?

-How long will it take?

7. Be patient and persistent.

Hab. 2:3 (LB)"These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"

8. Enlist a team for support.

Eccles. 4:12 (NLT)"One person standing alone is easily attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three people are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

Mal. 18:20 Jesus: "Wherever two or three come together in my name, there iwill be with them!"

9. Pay the price

Gen 24:53 "Then Eliazar brought out gold and silver and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave expensive gifts to her brother and her mother."

Ask 

-What will it cost?

-What am I willing to give?

-Is it worth it?

February 14 2016 Daring To Commit

DARING TO COMMIT

Romans 6:13 (LB) "Give yourselves completely to God—every part of you—for you have been brought back to life, and you want to be tools in the hands of God, used for his good purposes."

FIVE COMMITMENTS

1. TO STRENGTHEN MY FAITH . . .

I MUST unite with others in worship

Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

Psalm 100:2 (NLT) "Worship the Lord with gladness! Come before him, singing with joy!"

2. TO DISCOVER MY IDENTITY & PURPOSE . . .

I MUST connect with others in fellowship

Romans 12:4­5 (Mes)"We are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from Christ’s Body as a whole, not the other way around. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped­off finger or cut­off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?"

Ephesians 2:16 (Mes) "Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility."

2 Corinthians 5:18­-19 (NIV) "Now God had reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...and the message of reconciliation."

3. TO DEVELOP MY POTENTIAL . . .

I MUST learn from others to grow

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)"Christ’s Body is fitted TOGETHER perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow . . ."

4. TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANCE . . .

I MUST serve with others in ministry

1 Peter 4:10 (NCV) "Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good Servants of God’s various gifts of grace."

Mark 8:35 (NLT) "If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life."

Ecclesiastes 4:9­-12 (NCV & LB) "Two people are always better than one, because they get more done by working TOGETHER. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help. If two lie down TOGETHER, they can share the same blanket and stay warm, but a person alone will not be warm. An enemy might defeat one person, but two people TOGETHER can defend themselves. And a rope that is woven of three braids is hard to break."

WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER . . .

• WE maximize our impact (vs 9)
• WE minimize our failure (vs 10)
• WE mobilize our resources (vs 11)

Memory Verse: Matthew 25:40 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."

5. TO MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE . . .

I MUST join with others on mission

Matthew 28:19­-20 (NIV)"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you . . ."

April 6 2014 Getting A Grip On Self Control

Getting A Grip On Self Control 

Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit is self-control.

Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

1 Corinthians 9:25 – Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Seven Steps to Self-Control

1. Recognize your problem.

James 1:14 – Each one is tempted, when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

2. Put your past behind you.

Philippians 3:13-14 – Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal.

3. Challenge your feelings.

Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passion and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

4. Believe you can change.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, He will also provide a way so that you can stand up under it.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Mark 9:23 – Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

5. Make yourself accountable.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone.

Galatians 6:2 – Share each other’s troubles and problems and so obey our Lord’s commands.

6. Deploy common sense.

Ephesians 4:27 – Don’t give the devil a chance.

1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good character.

7. Depend on Christ’s power.

Galatians 5:16 - Let the Spirit direct your lives and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.

Philippians 2:13 – For God is at work within you, helping you to want to obey Him and then helping you to do what He wants.

April 8 2012 Building Hope In The Home

Building Hope In The Home

I Peter 1:3 - In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

THREE STEPS TO HOPE

STEP ONE - Build hope through your commitment.

HOW

1. Focus on Christ.

a) Matthew 28:9 - Suddenly Jesus met them.

Resurrection Principle #1

No home is complete without Christ.

b) Acts 16:34 - The whole family was filled with joy

Because they had come to believe in God.

c) Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain.

2. Focus on each other.

a) Philippians 2:4 - Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.

b) Ecclesiastes 4:12 - One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer.

STEP TWO - Build hope through communication.

Matthew 28:10 - Jesus said to them, do not be afraid.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE

1. Talk to each other daily.

a) Ephesians 4:26 - Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

2. Show your appreciation.

a) Example - Mark 14:8 - (Jesus said) she has done a beautiful thing to me.

3. Learn to forgive each other.

a) Ephesians 4:32 - Forgive each other as God forgave you in Christ.

Resurrection Principle #2

Communication builds hope in the home.

STEP THREE - Build hope by being consistent.

a) Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is righteousness in all His ways.

b) Psalm 145:13 - The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

c) Malachi 4:6 - He will turn the hearts of the Father’s to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

Resurrection Principle # 3

Honesty promotes consistency.

STEP FOUR - Build hope through confidence in God.

Verse 6 - (The Angel said) He is not here, He is risen.

HOW TO BUILD

1. Remember Jesus is available.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

2. He is adequate.

Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is too hard for God.

Resurrection Principle #4

He is always available and adequate.

YOU CAN BUILD HOPE IN YOUR HOME