January 4 2015 Getting Unstuck In My Faith

GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY FAITH

PETER’S STORY OF GETTING UNSTUCK
John 13:38; 18:25-27; 21:1-19

“And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” – Romans 6:4

HOW TO GET UNSTUCK IN MY FAITH
( 3 LESSONS FROM PETER’S STORY )
JOHN 21:1-12

1.  Admit THAT I AM Stuck.

“Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.  This is how it happened.  Several of the disciples were there - Simon Peter, Thomas. . . .  Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ ‘We’ll come, too,’ they all said.  So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.” – John 21:1-3

“When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.” – James 4:10

2.  BE Open  TO God’s Voice.

“At dawn the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they couldn’t see who he was.  He called out, ‘Friends, have you caught any fish?’’  ‘No,’ they replied.  Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!’  So they did, and they couldn’t draw in the net because there were so many fish in it.” – John 21:4-6

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”” – Proverbs 14:12

“‘My thoughts are completely different from yours,’’ says the LORD.  ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” – Isaiah 55:8

3.  Commit TO God’s Plan.

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’  When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and swam ashore.  The others stayed with the boat. . . . When they  got there, they saw that a charcoal fire was burning and fish were frying over it, and there was bread. . . .  ‘Now come and have some breakfast!’ Jesus said.” – John 21:7-12

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” – Jeremiah 29:11

Definition of UNSTUCK: Moving forward in my life because I am willing to give God complete control.

Unstuck is simply moving forward in my life because I’m willing to give God

Memory Verse: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” – Romans 12:1-2

April 20 2014 Finding Forgiveness

Finding Forgiveness

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” – Romans 6:4

Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

“A man had two sons. younger son told his father, ‘‘I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land.” – Luke 15:11-13a

RECOGNIZE I Need God.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!’” – Luke 15:17

TO FIND FORGIVENESS:

Memory Verse: “Jesus was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.” – Romans 4:25

“So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us.” – John 1:14a

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son…” – John 3:16a

RETURN Home to God.

“I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.’ So he returned home to his father.” – Luke 15:18-20a

“Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” – Mark 15:37-38’

“…so that everyone who believes in Him…” – John 3:16b

RECEIVE God’s forgiveness through Christ.

“And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20b

“His father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’’ So the party began.” – Luke 15:22-24