Devoted Church

Sometimes God allows our afflictions to happen so they can create opportunity for growth.

The world wants to redefine who we are, but if we stay focused on the big picture we will know the truth about who we are in God’s eyes.

The world will try to give you something to take your attention away from God.

When we do the right thing, the world will try harder to convince us that we are wrong.

All of the afflictions that God has allowed to be a part of your life are a part of His big picture.

When we choose to worship God and stand up to the world the devil will turn up the heat.

Many times we give up before we ever even make it to the furnace.

God can and will deliver us, but we have to be willing to fall into the furnace

Making the Spirit the source of our Hope

Key Scriptures: Romans 5:1-5; Mark 9:14-25 (you could add Romans 15:13, but there

probably won’t be a slide for it.

What is the source of your hope?

Hope is easy to find when things are going well

Therefore, since we have been declared

righteous by faith, we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also

obtained access through him by faith into

this grace in which we stand, and we

rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:1-2

What about when things aren’t going so well

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our

afflictions, because we know that affliction

produces endurance, endurance produces

proven character, and proven character

produces hope. This hope will not disappoint

us, because God’s love has been poured

out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who

was given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

- God doesn’t want to just take away our afflictions. He wants to use them to build

our character!

- Whatever you are going through is an opportunity for God to reveal himself to you

and to those around you

Affliction produces Endurance – Endurance produces Proven Character – Proven Character

leads to Hope

When they returned to the other disciples,

they saw a large crowd surrounding them,

and some teachers of religious law were

arguing with them. When the crowd saw

Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and

they ran to greet him. “What is all this arguing

about?” Jesus asked. One of the men in the

crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought

my son so you could heal him. He is

possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him

talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it

throws him violently to the ground. Then he

foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and

becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to

cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

Mark 9:14-18

Side note

- God can use anybody’s story, but you have to be willing to speak up out of the

crowd.

Affliction

- Affliction calls for action! Bring your problems to God

Jesus said to them, “You faithless people!

How long must I be with you? How long must

I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So

they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit

saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent

convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing

and foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:19-20

o Endurance isn’t easy. Building strength and endurance will always lead to

pain

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus

asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he

was a little boy. The spirit often throws him

into the fire or into water, trying to kill him.

Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus

asked. “Anything is possible if a person

believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do

believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:21-24

- Proven character doesn’t wait for proof.

o Don’t expect your problems to go away before you truly believe

- Hope does not disappoint

- Are you willing to wait for God to act in HIS timing

When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers

was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen,

you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear

and speak,” he said. “I command you to come

out of this child and never enter him again!”

Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy

into another violent convulsion and left him.

The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran

hrough the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.”

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped

him to his feet, and he stood up.

Mark 9:25

- Romans 15:13: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and

peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the

power of the Holy Spirit.

- Hope without the Spirit of God is nothing more than wishful thinking

- Awaken the power of the Spirit to guide your hope

Making the Spirit the source of our Hope

Key Scriptures: Romans 5:1-5; Mark 9:14-25 (you could add Romans 15:13, but there

probably won’t be a slide for it.

What is the source of your hope?

Hope is easy to find when things are going well

Therefore, since we have been declared

righteous by faith, we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also

obtained access through him by faith into

this grace in which we stand, and we

rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:1-2

What about when things aren’t going so well

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our

afflictions, because we know that affliction

produces endurance, endurance produces

proven character, and proven character

produces hope. This hope will not disappoint

us, because God’s love has been poured

out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who

was given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

- God doesn’t want to just take away our afflictions. He wants to use them to build

our character!

- Whatever you are going through is an opportunity for God to reveal himself to you

and to those around you

Affliction produces Endurance – Endurance produces Proven Character – Proven Character

leads to Hope

When they returned to the other disciples,

they saw a large crowd surrounding them,

and some teachers of religious law were

arguing with them. When the crowd saw

Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and

they ran to greet him. “What is all this arguing

about?” Jesus asked. One of the men in the

crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought

my son so you could heal him. He is

possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him

talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it

throws him violently to the ground. Then he

foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and

becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to

cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

Mark 9:14-18

Side note

- God can use anybody’s story, but you have to be willing to speak up out of the

crowd.

Affliction

- Affliction calls for action! Bring your problems to God

Jesus said to them, “You faithless people!

How long must I be with you? How long must

I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So

they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit

saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent

convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing

and foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:19-20

o Endurance isn’t easy. Building strength and endurance will always lead to

pain

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus

asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he

was a little boy. The spirit often throws him

into the fire or into water, trying to kill him.

Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus

asked. “Anything is possible if a person

believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do

believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:21-24

- Proven character doesn’t wait for proof.

o Don’t expect your problems to go away before you truly believe

- Hope does not disappoint

- Are you willing to wait for God to act in HIS timing

When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers

was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen,

you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear

and speak,” he said. “I command you to come

out of this child and never enter him again!”

Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy

into another violent convulsion and left him.

The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran

hrough the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.”

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped

him to his feet, and he stood up.

Mark 9:25

- Romans 15:13: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and

peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the

power of the Holy Spirit.

- Hope without the Spirit of God is nothing more than wishful thinking

- Awaken the power of the Spirit to guide your hope

Unleash God’s Spirit

God doesn’t let your current situation define who you are. He sees what you can become.

God asks us to listen intently with our full attention and to look at what He is able to do!

Sometimes the miracle may look complete, but it doesn’t come to life until the Spirit of God is allowed to be a part of it.

I am not saying that receiving the Spirit is a separate part of salvation. We receive the Spirit of God in our lives at salvation.

The Spirit doesn’t just help us to do the will of God, He enables us.

Unleash the power of the Holy Spirit within you!

Unleash God’s Spirit

God doesn’t let your current situation define who you are. He sees what you can become.

God asks us to listen intently with our full attention and to look at what He is able to do!

Sometimes the miracle may look complete, but it doesn’t come to life until the Spirit of God is allowed to be a part of it.

I am not saying that receiving the Spirit is a separate part of salvation. We receive the Spirit of God in our lives at salvation.

The Spirit doesn’t just help us to do the will of God, He enables us.

Unleash the power of the Holy Spirit within you!

61 Therefore devote yourselves completely to the Lord our God, walking in his statues and keeping his commandments, as at this day. 1 Kings 8:61

37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

The entire community of the redeemed joined together in Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

The community of disciples united in faith in Christ and responsed to Jesus’ call to “Follow me”.

Matthew 4:19

19 And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people”.

3 Characteristics of the Body of Christ

The Body of Christ is connected.

Romans 12:4-5

4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

The Body of Christ is gifted.

Romans 12:6-8

6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

The Body of Christ is mission minded.

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and your will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

3 Aspects of the Body of Christ in Action

The church’s mission is to tell the good news, the story of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:21-22

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of the these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.

The church’s mission is not only to tell the good news, but also be a community that reflects God’s love.

Acts 2:43-47

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The church’s service is to offer hospitality to the lonely, healing to the sick in body, mind and spirit, food to the hungry and to extend Christ’s outreach to those who live without hope.

Matthew 25:35 - 40

35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that you sick or in prison and visited? 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

3 Ways You Can Participate

Identify your gifts and resources

Focus on a need

Work as a team

61 Therefore devote yourselves completely to the Lord our God, walking in his statues and keeping his commandments, as at this day. 1 Kings 8:61

37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

The entire community of the redeemed joined together in Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

The community of disciples united in faith in Christ and responsed to Jesus’ call to “Follow me”.

Matthew 4:19

19 And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people”.

3 Characteristics of the Body of Christ

The Body of Christ is connected.

Romans 12:4-5

4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

The Body of Christ is gifted.

Romans 12:6-8

6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

The Body of Christ is mission minded.

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and your will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

3 Aspects of the Body of Christ in Action

The church’s mission is to tell the good news, the story of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:21-22

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of the these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.

The church’s mission is not only to tell the good news, but also be a community that reflects God’s love.

Acts 2:43-47

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The church’s service is to offer hospitality to the lonely, healing to the sick in body, mind and spirit, food to the hungry and to extend Christ’s outreach to those who live without hope.

Matthew 25:35 - 40

35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that you sick or in prison and visited? 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

3 Ways You Can Participate

Identify your gifts and resources

Focus on a need

Work as a team

Key Scriptures

1 Kings 8:61, Matthew 22:37

The enemy’s target is your mind and his weapon is lies. So, fill your mind with God’s Word.

3 Ways to Love God With Our Mind

When we grow in truth we gain knowledge.

Hebrews 10:16

When we use our minds to remember His kindness, faithfulness, patience and peace we build a foundation of faith, hope and love.

Isaiah 63:7

With our imagination we can actually explore the possibilities we have in God in all areas of our lives.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Loving God with our mind develops a Christ-like mind.

3 Characteristics of a Christ Like Mind

It’s alive.

Romans 8:6

It’s pure.

Hebrews 13:18

It’s humble.

Philippians 2:5-8

3 Desires of the Christ Like Mind

A desire to think biblically.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

A desire to bring glory to God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

A desire to see people saved.

John 3:17

Key Scriptures

1 Kings 8:61, Matthew 22:37

The enemy’s target is your mind and his weapon is lies. So, fill your mind with God’s Word.

3 Ways to Love God With Our Mind

When we grow in truth we gain knowledge.

Hebrews 10:16

When we use our minds to remember His kindness, faithfulness, patience and peace we build a foundation of faith, hope and love.

Isaiah 63:7

With our imagination we can actually explore the possibilities we have in God in all areas of our lives.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Loving God with our mind develops a Christ-like mind.

3 Characteristics of a Christ Like Mind

It’s alive.

Romans 8:6

It’s pure.

Hebrews 13:18

It’s humble.

Philippians 2:5-8

3 Desires of the Christ Like Mind

A desire to think biblically.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

A desire to bring glory to God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

A desire to see people saved.

John 3:17

1 Kings 8:61

61 Therefore devote your selves completely to the Lord our God, walking in his statues and keeping his commandments, as at this day.

Matthew 22:37

37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

The only thing God has ever wanted from you is all of you!

Devoted – Very loving, loyal, to give all or a large part of one’s time and resources to something or someone.

3 Characteristics of a High Priority Relationship

A high priority relationship requires our undivided attention.

Proverbs 4:20-21

20 My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.

A high priority relationship requires spending meaningful time.

Mark 1:35

35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.

A high priority relationship requires deep commitment.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

3 Spiritual Practices That Enhance the Relationship

Prayer is the act of personally relating to God and it is the communication language of the soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

17 Pray without ceasing.

Worship is how we express our love to God.

Revelation 4:10-11

10 The twenty four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Giving is the ultimate act of trust!

Mark 12:41-44

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he call his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed to the treasury out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

3 Qualities of a “Sold Out” Heart

We desire to fulfill the relationship that is powered by the fire of God’s love in our hearts.

Psalms 42:1-2

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 2 My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?

Our joy transcends our circumstances.

John 15:11

11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy is complete.

Our courage exhibits the inward and eternal assurance that comes from our relationship with God.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and self-discipline.

We must lead the heart!

Proverbs 4:23

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.