Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: Living wisely in foolish times.

- The slippery slope of foolishness

- There’s only two paths in life: foolishness and wisdom

8 characteristics mark the life of one on the slippery slope of foolishness:

1. Refusal to listen (1:24; 9:13)

2. Repelling counsel (1:25; 10:8; 12:15; 15:5; 13:13)

3. Revulsion to reproof/rebuke (5:12; 9:8; 15:5, 12; 17:10)

4. Right in your own eyes (12:15-16; 26:12; 28:11, 26)

5. Reckless living (14:16; 20:1; 22:3)

6. Revels in stupidity (15:14; 18:2)

7. Runs his/her mouth (12:18; 17:28; 18:2, 6-7, 13; 20:3; 29:11)

8. Rejection of God (1:7; 1:29-31; 19:3)

- The straight path to wisdom

- Wisdom invites us to pursue her with grace-driven effort towards discipline

Proverbs 9:6 -- “Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

1. Store it up (3:3-4; 6:21; 7:3)-- take it to heart

2. Apply yourself (3:5-6; 8:17; 19:20; 22:17-21)-- turn it into habits

3. Treasure it (2:1-10; 3:13-26; 4:8; 8:11; 16:16; 23: 23-24; 24:13-14)

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: When God shows up at church, we are never the same. Here’s what happens…

1. You settle for nothing less than God’s grace

2. You see and hunger for more of God’s glory

3. You experience the presence of God made manifest

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: Share the Good News of Jesus with boldness.

1. See the privilege, not the potential pitfalls (v.14)

- Every Gospel opportunity is a victory

- Salvation requires human witness

2. Define success by obedience, not outcomes (vv.15-16)

- Some receive and believe

- Some reject and perish

- What keeps your from sharing your faith?

3. Rely on God's means, not human wisdom (v.17)

- Human wisdom

- God-empowered boldness

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: We believe firmly in the power of prayer. 

4 keys to unlocking powerful prayer:

- Powerful prayer is…

1. Dependent

2. Fervent

3. Expectant

4. Enlightening

What keeps your from praying:

1. Self-sufficiency

2. Distractions

3. Ignorance

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: God is seeking true worshippers.

True worship is…

1. Not about a place but a person (John 4:20-1)

2. Not about assumptions but truth (John 4:22)

3. Not peripheral but primary (John 4:23)

4. Not about religion but reverence (John 4:24)

Bringing faith to life: Check your worship when…

1. Serving becomes a burden

2. Church isn't that exciting to you

3. Your Christian life becomes routine

4. Knowledge of God leads to pride, not humility

5. You struggle to find your purpose in life

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: A healthy church must preach the authority of God’s Word without apology. Why?

1. God uniquely empowers the preaching of His Word

2. God uniquely assures the effectiveness of His Word

3. God uniquely promotes life transformation through His Word

- God’s Word brings about salvation

- God’s Word prompts our sanctification

- God’s Word promotes God’s glorification

Bringing faith to life: 

- Feast on the 5 star meal right in your lap. Consume it. Delight in it.

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: Where discipleship is pursued, healthy churches and ministries multiply.

1. The purpose of small group multiplication-- glorify God by making disciples

2. The priority of small group multiplication-- raise up leaders

3. The process of small group multiplication-- build a culture of invitation

Preacher: Chris Ritter

Big Idea: Sharing your faith in community will lead to your greatest spiritual growth.

- A shared faith produces deeper spiritual knowledge

- A shared faith is a refreshing faith

4 ways to live a shared faith at Harvest:

1. Fully invest by becoming a member

2. Get in a small group

3. In small groups, pray for full knowledge of all that is ours in Christ

4. Be a person who seeks to refresh the heart of other Christians

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

5 elements of a healthy small group:

1. Discuss God's Word

2. Genuine care

3. Authentic Accountability

4. Meaningful prayer

5. Intentional reaching out

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Because God calls us to be…

1. Devoted to God's Word

2. Devoted to fellowship

3. … Resulting in God's glory and your joy