March 22 2015 Overcoming Temptation Under Pressure

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION UNDER PRESSURE

1 Peter 4:1-11

TEMPTATION IS: The process that attempts to draw us away from God.

EIGHT WAYS TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION

1. Propose to what’s right.

Verse 1 – Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourself with the same attitude (or purpose).

Lesson:  The battle can be won before the battle has begun.

Three Hebrew children.

Hebrews 11: 36 – 38

2. Stop doing what’s wrong.

Verse 1 – Because He who suffered in His body is done with sin.

3. Stop running with the wrong crowd.

Verses 3 & 4 – For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it is strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation and they heap abuse on you. What the world expects: They expect us to change and be different, the reject us when we live for Christ.

4. Live for the Will of God.

Verses 2 & 6 – Live for the Will of God, but live according 

Verse 5 – But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

5. Live in the light of accountability.

Verse 5 – But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6. Be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Verse 7 – Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Peter’s experience: Went to sleep on the job.

7. Minister to one another.

Verses 8, 9, 10 – Above all, love each other deeply, offer hospitality to one another, use whatever gift he has received to serve others.

THREE WAYS WE MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER

1. Love.
2. Offer hospitality.
3. Use your God given gift.

8. Rely on God’s power.

Verse 11 – Do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised.

SAMSON’S FOUR STEPS TO FAILURE

1. He was fascinated with sin.
2. He flirted with sin.
3. He forgot his source of power.
4. Then he failed.

August 18 2013 Beyond GPS Staying The Course

Beyond GPS: Staying The Course

James 1:5 “If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

THE DANGERS OF GETTING OFF COURSE

• I will miss Relationships God has for me.
• I will miss Opportunities that God has for me.
• I will miss the Spiritual Growth that God has for me.

Ephesians 4:14-15“We are not meant to remain as children ... but to grow up in every way into Christ...”

Memory Verse: Proverbs 14:14“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

THREE REGULAR HABITS THAT KEEP ME ON COURSE

1. I Apply WHAT I READ FROM THE BIBLE.

2 Timothy 3:16-17“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.”

James 1:22“Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word. Instead, put it into practice.”

2. I Talk to God WITH PERSONAL PRAYERS.
 
Philippians 4:6“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

3. I Invite My Friends TO A SUNDAY SERVICE.

Matthew 20: 19-20“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

June 9 2013 How To Have Your Prayers Answered

How to Have Your Prayers Answered

FOUR ATTITUDES WE NEED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AN ANSWER FROM GOD.
Luke 1:5-23

1.  You must be willing to let God answer in His own TIME

v. 18 "How can I be sure of this?"  

v. 13 "The angel said to him, `Don't be afraid Zacharias, your prayer had been heard'"

You spell faith -- P A T I E N C E
 
You Keep On Praying Until One Of Three Things Happens:

   1.  You get the ANSWER

   2.  You get the ASSURANCE that you're going to get it.          

    Mark 11:24  "When you pray believe that you've receive it, and you'll get it."

   3.  You keep praying until God reveals to you that It Is Not His Will

2.  We must be willing to let God answer IN HIS OWN WAY. 

Memory Verse: "But God is able to do even exceedingly above what you are able to think or imagine." Ephesians 3:20

3.  You must be willing to let God answer in His own  ________________________________________
 
Zacharias and Elizabeth

Sarah and Abraham 

Mary,  Martha & Lazarus 

4.  Be willing to let God answer for His own   _______________________________________

Romans 1:7 "To all who are in Rome who are called by God called to be saints."  

Romans 1:10 "In my prayers at all times and I pray now that at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you."  

Romans 1:15 "That is why I'm so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome."  

Romans 15:20 "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation."  

Romans 15:24 "I plan to do so when I go to Spain.  I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there and I have enjoyed your company for a while.""Pray that I'm going to have a prosperous journey."

Acts 28:16 "When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him."

November 11 2012 The Choice Of Peace

THE CHOICE OF PEACE

Matthew 5:9 - Happy are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.

Misconception:
1. Peace making is not avoiding.
2. Peace making is not appeasement.
3. It’s actively seeking to resolve the conflict.

I. Why should I be a peacemaker?

1. Unresolved conflicts block my fellowship with God.
1 John 4:20 - If anyone says I love God yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

2. It can prevent answered prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Matthew 5:23 - Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and then remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, first go and be reconciled to your brother.

3. It hinders my happiness.
Job 18:4 - You are only hurting yourself with your anger.

II. How can we be a peacemaker?

1. You need to plan a peace conference.
Matthew 5:23-24 - If you remember your brother has something against you, go at once to make peace.

2. You need to empathize with their feelings.
Philippians 2:4 - None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people’s interests also.

3. You attack the problem, not the person.
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed.

4. Cooperate as much as possible.
Romans 12:18 - Do everything possible on your part to live at peace with all men.
Romans 16:17 - I urge your, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way, keep away from them.
James 3:17 - Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

5. You emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.
2 Corinthians. 5:18 - God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gives us the ministry of reconciliation.

Where To Start:
Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.