Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

2 Peter 3:9 -- "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

1. Woe to the thief-- what you have will be taken

Proverbs 22:16 -- "whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty."

Proverbs 10:2 -- "Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death."

Proverbs 13:11 -- "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."

2. Woe to the covetous-- what you seek will bring you shame

3. Woe to the oppressor-- what you labor for will prove pointless

4. Woe to the drunkard-- what you drink will consume you

Romans 1:32 -- "Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

5. Woe to the idolatrous-- what you worship will not deliver

Hebrews 1:1-2 -- "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son."

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Psalm 40:1 -- "I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry."

1. When you’re confused, choose to wait on God

2. When you’re waiting, choose to…

a. Hold on to God’s Word-- Psalm 130:5 

b. Trust God’s sovereignty

c. Live by faith

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

What do you do when prayer in not answered in the way you expected?

1. Be astounded-- God’s working in ways you wouldn’t believe (v.5)

a. God answers our prayers

b. God doesn’t rebuke Habakkuk

c. He doesn’t dispute the accuracy of what Habakkuk says

2. Be astounded-- God’s working even when you can’t see (vv.6-11)

Things we think God does instead of work in our waiting…

a. Ignores us

b. Rejects us

c. Better things to do

d. Doesn’t care like you do

3. Be astounded-- God’s working all things according to His plan (v.11b)

- Acts 13:38-41,46

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Job 30:20 -- “I cry to You for help and You do not answer me; I stand, and You only look at me.”

Psalm 22:1-2 -- “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

3 honest questions we ask when God seems silent…

1. How long will my prayer go unanswered?

God responds to our prayers in one of 4 ways:

a. Heart check

b. No

c. Yes

d. Wait

2. Why?

3 promises when God is silent:

a. Our bad things will turn out for good-- Romans 8:28

b. Our good things can never be taken away from us-- Psalm 4:6-7

c. The best things are yet to come-- 1 Corinthians 2:9

3. Are you ok with this?

Preacher: Rich Sherman

1. What Are My Worship Wars?

- Don’t worship God their way (Dt 7:1-6; 12:4, 31; Lev 18:21; 20:1-5; 2 Kgs 20:6)

- Don’t worship God my way (Dt 4:15-20; 8:19; 12:8,13; 29:18-21; Jdg 17:5; 21:25)

- Worship God God’s way (Dt 6:4-9; 12:5; 13:1-4; Jn 4:22-24)

2. Am I Worshipping God My Way?

- Everybody worships something (Pr 14:12; Lk 4:5-8; Rom 1:18-25)

- People naturally worship themselves and their own ideas (Ps 115:1-8; Rom 1:25)

- All people have a self-made religion (1 Sam 4 & 5; Is 44:6-20; Col 2:20-23)

- Am I Worshipping God God’s Way? (Ps 42:1; 63:1; 73:25; Jn 4:24; 8:29)

- Worship is worthship, to bow down, to kiss (Ex 4:31; Ps 2:12; 29:2; 95:6-7)

- Genuine worship is in S(s)pirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24)

- Worship is the loving, passionate, pursuit of God through all circumstances of life

3. Why Does God The Father Seek Worshippers? (Jn 4:23; Phil 3:10-14)

4. Would I Worship God For Nothing? JOB DID! (Job 1 & 2)

5. Am I A True Worshipper Of God Or A Christian Idolator? (Ex 20:1-17; Col 3:5)

- Greed Is Idolatry! (Jas 4:1-4; 1 Jn 5:21)

- Idolatry is being more concerned about solving my problems than loving God

5. How Is God Asking Me to Worship Him Today? (1 Cor 6:19-20; 10:31)

You cannot worship God if you are in control!

Worship is about bent knees, broken hearts and wet eyes.

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

5 reasons you must serve at Harvest...

1. You have a gift

1 Corinthians 12:7 -- to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:11 -- all these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.

Ephesians 4:7 -- But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Romans 12:3 -- ...each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

2. You need a place

5 reasons I don’t serve:

- I'm busy

- I don’t want to get stuck

- It’s not significant enough

- I’ll mess things up

- I’m looking for the perfect opportunity

3. You are a steward

1 Corinthians 4:2 -- it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

4. You have His resources

5. You seek one goal

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

4 goals of quality discipleship in small group:

1. Encouraged hearts

2. Unity in love 

3. Deepening convictions 

4. Growing, grateful walk 

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Worship Jesus without reservation because...

1. He is incomprehensibly great (v.33)

2. He is infinitely resourceful (vv.34-35)

3. He is incomparably glorious (v.36)

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

We forgive without limit…

1. Because Jesus mandates it (Matt 18: 21-22; Matt 6:14-15)

- Forgiveness is the choice to release a person from the debt, separation, or obligation that incurred when they injured you.

- You’re either a debt collector or a debt payer. What are you?

2. God’s forgiveness demands it (Matt 18:23-33)

3. The alternative is terrifying (Matt 18:34-35)

The win is: forgiveness without limit from the heart. 

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

1. Embrace love’s priority

Love never fails to:

a. Conquer selfishness

b. Conquer the status quo

c. Conquer sentencing judgments

2. Emulate love’s example

3. Escape love’s substitutes

4 reasons love is hard:

- Love is inefficient

- Love is invasive

- Love is insane

- Love is expensive

4. Extend love’s impact

Conclusion: "Love is the greatest thing-- God the Father says so, Jesus the Son models it, the Holy Spirit is prompting us toward it. Love is the greatest thing. The greatest force. It transforms the heart of everyone it touches. Love softens anger, love silences criticism and gossip, love blesses and beautifies and builds up every person in its path. Love is the greatest. Love reaches across the chasm of hurt and misunderstanding. Love brings healing and forgiveness and hope to the weary. Love keeps giving even when no one notices or thanks. Love keeps going even when the end is not in sight. Love keeps growing in the heart of everyone who believes God’s way is best. God’s way is the way of love. Love is the greatest and we never do anything so Godlike and great as when we choose to love."