Stare at Christ, He is sufficient to fulfill His promises & accomplish His purposes...

I.  In the Face of Abandonment, Laborers are still Sent Out! (9-11)

III. In the Face of Loneliness, Christ’s Presence Sustains

Practical Application

o   In what ways are you loving this present world? What would your calendar, bank account, anxieties say?

o   What rhythms are you practicing to help you see life w/ an eternal perspective?

o   What is one act of faithfulness to the mission of God that you can take this semester?

Embrace a Holistic Faithful Ministry of the Word!

I. This is a Sacred Trust from God! (1-2)

II. Drift is a Continual Threat and “Christians” will at Times Abandon the Truth! (3-5)

III. Christ is Coming and our Reward will be Eternal! (4-6)

Practical Implications

o How can you embrace a ministry of the word for yourself?

o How can you embrace a ministry of word to others?

o What’s your why?

I.       Can We Choose What We Love? Yes!

a.       We love what we pay attention to.

b.      We love what we spend time with.

c.       We love what we trade other things for.

d.      We love what we invest in.

II.       What Is the World?

a.      Not referring to the Earth.

b.      Not referring to the people in the world.

c.      Referring to a system that is opposed to God.

III.     What Are the Things in the World?

a.       Desires of the Flesh—

b.      Desires of the Eyes—

c.      Pride of Life—

IV.     Why Shouldn’t We Love the World or the Things in It?

a.       Love for the world is incompatible with love for           the Father.

b.      The things of the world are inferior what the Father has for us.

c.       The world and its things are temporary.

Continue Faithfully in the Gospel and Godliness . . .

I. By Integrating the Example of Others who Live w/ Christ-Centered Purpose! (10-13)

II. By Trusting the Bible is Sufficient for Everything you Will Face in this Life! (14-17)

Practical Implications

o What growth do you want to see in your core framework (Believe, Do, Living out purpose)?

o Where are you tempted to ignore, disconnect Sufficiency of Scripture from everyday area of life?

o What area of your life might God want to walk through the sufficiency process (reset view of God, restored way living, maturity, equipped to help others/engage significant relationships)?

God has given us a new identity through his grace and mercy that results in walking obedience to Jesus.

I. Dead in sin: Child of Wrath! (1-3)

II. Alive in Christ: Child of God! (4-9)

III. Live out your Identity! (10)

Practical Implications:

o Tell someone the story of when you came to know Jesus Christ. What were some things that changed? How has he been changing you?

o Do you struggle with believing your identity as a child of God? Why or why not?

o What are some ways your boasting has been in things other than the cross?

Beware of Twisting the Gospel to Accommodate Self . . .

I. Being Content with an External Image while Neglecting an Inner life in Decay! (1-5)

II. Pulling People Toward me vs. Pointing People towards Christ! (6-7)

III. Using Mental and Verbal Gymnastics to Justify Myself! (8-9)

Practical Implications

o Relentlessly Examine your Loves:

o Graciously Examine your Leaders:

o Critically Examine your Listens:

God Is Worthy of Praise Regardless of Circumstances Because . . .

I. Christ’s Salvation Produces an Unshakeable Joy! (17-18)

II. Christ’s Provision Promises an Unshakeable Future! (19)

Practical Applications

o Have you trusted in Jesus Christ alone for eternal salvation? If not, will you turn to Jesus to be saved today?

o How joyful are you currently? Is your joy contingent upon your circumstances or is it based in the character and work of Christ?

o Reflect on the goodness of God: What has He done, and what has He promised us in Christ? How is that better than what we can lose/have lost in this life? How do those truths offer us lasting hope?

Desire and Guard your Usefulness to the Lord . . .

I. There are some things to Run After and Run From! (20-22)

II. Discern what’s worth Engaging in and what’s just Distracting! (23)

III. Remember the Redemptive Power of Relationships! (Mal 4)

IV. Be Gentle, yet Committed to Correction (and Being Corrected)! (24-26)

Practical Implications

o What priorities of my life might God want to flip right side up?

o Do you tend to avoid or engage correcting? What might God want to grow in these areas?

o Do you engage people more with hope or reservation?

Keeping the Sabbath Feeds Your Soul . . .

I. Establish a Rhythm of Rest: God Is Our Provider!

II. Forsake Selfish, Distracting Desires; God Alone Gives True Satisfaction!

III. Value the Sabbath; God Defines Our Worth and Identity!

Practical Applications

o In what ways have you profaned the Sabbath? What might repentance look like?

o What is your Sabbath plan? What do you need to do to prepare for the Sabbath?

o What is taking your focus off delighting in Christ? How can you guard your Sabbath to refrain from these things?

Desire and Guard your Usefulness to the Lord . . .

I. There are some things to Run After and Run From! (20-22)

II. Discern what’s worth Engaging in and what’s just Distracting! (23)

III. Correct in Ways that Allow a Person to Grow and Change vs. Quarrel and Dig in! (24-26)

Practical Implications

o What hinders your maximum usefulness to the Lord?

o What would it look like for you to pursue righteousness, faith …?

o Where are you on the kindness and correction scale? What qualities or conversations do you need cultivate?