January 24 2016 Stepping Into Commitment

Stepping Into Commitment

Matthew 9:35 - 10:5

Review

Sermon #1 - Winning Through Encouragement

It is important that the people believe in their leader, but it is more important that their leader believes in the people.

Sermon #2 - Jesus Looks For Disciples

People look at people and see them as:

1. What we once were

2. What we are now

God looks at people and sees them as:

1. Where we are

2. What we can be

The Place Of Commitment

1. It's the place where the heaviest battles are fought

2. It's the place where the winners are divided from the whiners

3. It's the place where God reveals Himself

The Process Of Commitment (Matthew 9:35 - 10:5)

1. Jesus gave the Disciples a challenge
(verse 37 - The He said to His Disciples, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

"A congregation is either a field to work in or a force to work with."

2. Jesus gave the Disciples change
(verse 38 - Ask the Lord to send out workers into the harvest field.)

Twofold

1.  In prayer
2. Power for ministry

3. Jesus gave the Disciples a chance to get involved
(Matthew 10:2-5)

Which attitude is mine? 

• I'll do what I want, I don't care what God wants me to do.
• If God will give me what I want first, then I'll give Him what He wants.
• I'll give God what He wants first with faith so that He'll give me what I want.
• I'll give God what He wants regardless of what He gives me.

May 19 2013 How To Conquer Complaining

How To Conquer Complaining

Philippians 2:14-15 - Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

I.  Four types of complainers:

1.  The whiner: Wakes up negative.

Psalm 73:13 - (David) Have I been wasting my time?  Why take all the trouble to be pure?  All I get out of it is trouble and woe.

Matthew 21:11-12 - They took their money and started grumbling against the employer.  We put up with a whole day’s work in the hot sun, yet you paid them the same as you paid us.

2.  The martyr: No one appreciates me.

Numbers 11:11 - Moses said to the Lord, why pick on me, to give me the burden of a people like this?  I can’t carry this nation by myself!  If you’re going to treat me like this, please kill me right not, it will be a kindness!  Let me out of this impossible situation.

3.  The cynic: Nothing will ever change.

(Solomon)  Ecclesiastes 1:2-4, 9 - Life is useless, you spend your time working and what do you have to show for it?  The world stays just the same, what has been done before will be done again.

4.  The perfectionist: Is that the best you can do?

Proverbs 27:15 - A nagging wife is like water going drip, drip, drip on a rainy day.

Proverbs 21:19 - Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife.

II.  How to conquer complaining:

1.  Admit it’s a problem for you.

Proverbs 28:13 - A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful.  But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

2.  Accept responsibility for our own life.

Proverbs 19:3 - Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid mistakes, and then blame the Lord.

3.  Develop the attitude of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:11 - I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

4.  Practice speaking positively.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 6:4 - Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful, rather bring them up with loving discipline and Godly advice.

RESULT:  BE A STAR

Philippians 2:15