Fletcher Church

Our Idols are Most Powerless when we Need them Most . . .

I. Misplaced Worship Leads to Foolish and Destructive Choices!

II. Idols Can’t Answer when Answers are Most Needed!

III. God’s Spirit and Our Faithfulness can Distinguish us in our Work!

IV. Pride and Idolatry Destroy; While Faith and Humility Lift Up!

V. Every Life will be Judged . . . But by What Measure?

Practical Implications

o What hijacks your heart most often?

o How might God show Himself through your work?

o What keeps you from seeking and following wise counsel?

o Where do you see pride show up in your heart, life or relationships?

God is Sovereign Over All, All we Have is Given By Him . . .

I. A Praise Testimony is the Proper Response to God’s Work in Our Lives!

II. Neutral is a Dangerous Place to be Spiritually!

III. God uses Pagan Regiemes to give Stability, Security and Provision to the World!

IV. God’s People must Faithfully Serve w/ Distinction in Pagan Places!

V. God Humbles the Proud!

VI. Our Greatness for who’s Glory?

Practical Implications

o What signs point to neutral in your Spiritual Life?

o What has God done you Need to Acknowledge and Celebrate?

o Where do you see the pursuit of your glory? Of God’s?

Our Lives are Determined by the Direction of Our Worship …

I. The World is Constantly Inviting us to Idolatrous Worship!

II. What Makes us Distinct Often Makes us Hated!

III. God Can, Does but Doesn’t Always Deliver from Anything we Face (Faith & Humble Acceptance)!

IV. God’s Glory Often can be Vindicated and Seen through our Trials!

Practical Implications

o What hijacks your worship most often?

o Where must we be Winsomely Distinct?

o Why is Jesus Worth It?

God's Forever Kingdom IS Coming...

I. The Kingdoms of this World are All Temporal!

II. God Gives Rulers their Scope, Glory and Authority!

III. God’s Kingdom will Triumph and Last Forever!

IV. God’s Active Involvement in our Lives can Lead to Increased Influence for His Glory!

Practical Implications

o Have you met this Saving King?

o What makes you long for the Kingdom to come?

o What kingdom has your heart and striving?

What Difference Does it Make if God is Real . . .

I. Hopeless: Our Abilities and Resources have Major Limitations! (1-11)

II. Confidence: God Hears and Acts! (12-23)

III. Hope: God is Involved Now and Holds the Future! (24-30)

Practical Implications

o Develop Your Abilities but Depend on God:

o Pray About Real Stuff of Life w/ Faith:

o Know God is with you and for you:

God Can be Trusted so Commit to Distinctiveness . . .

I. Draw the Right Lines at the Right Times! (8)

II. Be Willing to Stand in Places where Only God can UpholdYou! (9-16)

III. Do Your Best while Fully Relying on God’s Favor! (17-21)

Practical Implications

o Make your Commitments Now:

o Watch Your Lines:

o Believe and Act:

How to De-Christianize People, and What to Do about It …

I. Remove the Cultural Symbols that Attach to Christianity; But we Cling to a Better Hope! (1-2)

II. Immerse Us in a Secular Culture & Worldview; But we Saturate in the Word! (3-5)

III. Strip Out Our Basic Identity; But we Root Our Identityin Christ! (6-7)

Practical Implications

o Be Defined by Jesus:

o Watch Your Intake & Take a Break:

o Invest Jesus into Someone:

***NOTE: Silent from 13:40-31:40 mark. 

Be Hopeful, God is Sovereign and Working out His eternal plans despite appearances and opposition . . .

I. God is Good and is Sovereign over Individuals, Empires and History! (1:2; 2:19-21; 4:24-25; 5:18)

II. God is Able to Care for, Protect and Sustain His Own! (1:9, 17-21; 2:12-16; 3:16-18, 26-28; 6:19-28)

III. We are Empowered to Be Faithful no Matter the Circumstances or Opposition we Face! (1:8; 3:8-12; 4:27; 5:22-23; 6:5, 10)

IV. God’s Forever Kingdom is Coming and will be Triumphant! (2:44-45; 4:1-3, 34-35; 7:9-14; 12:1-4)

Practical Implications - 3 Questions

o Do we embrace and submit to God’s good Sovereignty?

o Have I purposed in my heart to be Faithful and Pure?

o Am I committed to raising disciples and kids who can stand?