GCC Newton sermon audio

What’s True in the Bible?

Why We Forgive

1. If you hold on to offenses, they will hold on to you. (Colossians 3:13 / Hebrews 12:15)

2. Forgiveness is not optional, but it is voluntary. (Colossians 3:13 / Matthew 6:12–15, 18:21–35 / Ephesians 4:30–5:1)

What’s Real in my life?
• What easily offends me?
• When is it difficult to forgive others? Why?
• Have I forgiven everybody in my life as God has forgiven me?
• What do I need to forgive “from the heart?”

What’s Next?

• Who do you need to forgive? Take the next step in forgiving them from the heart.
• How can you prepare yourself to respond to offenses with forgiveness? Write out a prayer that you can use for those situations.

What’s True in the Bible?

How was I forgiven?

1. I felt deep conviction. (Colossians 3:13 / Psalm 38)

2. I expressed genuine confession. (Colossians 3:13 / Psalms 38:15–18; 51; 130:1–8)

3. I received undeserved forgiveness. (Colossians 1:13–14, 2:13–14, 3:13 / Psalm 32)

What’s Real in my life?

• What is my favorite forgiveness story? Why?
• When did I first realize God’s forgiveness in my life?
• When is it difficult to receive forgiveness?
• How would I explain conviction and confession in the life of a believer?

What’s Next?

• Take time to reflect on how God forgave/forgives you.
• What did/does it cost him? How does forgiveness reveal His love for you?

What’s True in the Bible?

How to respond to the wildfire of impatience

1. Stop and pray. (Colossians 3:12–13 / James 5:7 / Psalm 27:13–14, 40:1)

2. Drop your agenda. (Colossians 3:12–13 / 1 Timothy 1:16 / James 5:7–11 / 2 Peter 3:9)

3. Roll with God. (Colossians 3:12–13 / Psalm 130:5 / Isaiah 40:31, 49:23, 64:4 / 1 Corinthians 13:4 / Hebrews 6:12–15)

What’s Real in my life?

• How would I describe patience in my life?

• What circumstances or personalities make it hard for me to be patient?

What’s Next?

• Use the “stop, drop, and roll” technique the next time you feel impatience rising within you.

I. A few cultural reflections

II. Redefining meekness

III. Meekness in the Bible

A. Abraham, Genesis 13

B. Joseph, Genesis 45

C. David, 1 Samuel 24

D. Moses, Numbers 12:3

E. Jesus, Isaiah 53:7

IV. Tests of meekness

V. Cultivating meekness

What’s True in the Bible?

The true look of humility

1. Humility doesn’t stare in the mirror. (Colossians 2:20–23, 3:12 / James 4:6 / 1 Peter 5:5)

2. Humility bows down to God. (Colossians 3:12 / James 4:7 / Micah 6:8)

3. Humility admits its faults. (Colossians 3:12 / James 4:8–9 / 2 Chronicles 7:14)

4. Humility stands in the end. (Colossians 3:12 / James 4:10 / Psalms 18:27, 147:6 / Proverbs 3:34 / Isaiah 66:2)

What’s Real in my life?

• When do I have an inflated or negative view of myself? Why?
• When is it difficult to do what I feel God wanting me to do?
• How do I know if I’m submitting to God when I’m not even sure what He wants?

What’s Next?

• When you feel yourself focusing too much on yourself, take a moment to think about Jesus—what He did and what He wants.

• If you have an opportunity to admit a weakness or fault, don’t be too proud to share. Putting on humility isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

What’s True in the Bible?

Always On — Standing Firm

1. Belt of truth: Honesty (Ephesians 6:14 / Isaiah 11:5, 59:14–15)

2. Breastplate of righteousness: Obedience (Ephesians 6:14 / Isaiah 59:14–17 / 1 Thessalonians 5:8 / Romans 13:12–14)

3. Shoes of readiness: Witness (Ephesians 6:15 / Isaiah 52:7 / Romans 10:13–17)

In the Moment — Withstanding the Attack

4. Shield of faith: Trust (Ephesians 6:16 / Hebrews 11:1, 6 / 1 Peter 1:7–9)

5. Helmet of salvation: Hope (Ephesians 6:17 / John 10:27–30 / 2 Corinthians 4:7–10 / 1 Thessalonians 5:8–11 / Titus 2:12–13)

6. Sword of the Spirit: Bible (Ephesians 6:14 / 2 Timothy 2:15)

What’s Real in my life?

• What lies or discouragement do I wrestle with?

• How trained am I at using God’s Word for life’s trials and challenges?

• What Bible truth keeps me trusting in God?

What’s Next?

• Search the Bible for truths that correlate with your specific challenges, write them down, place them around your home, and memorize them. Recite them out loud whenever discouragement or doubt comes your way.

• Share your doubts and struggles with a close Christian friend (or friends), and commit to praying about them each week.

What’s True in the Bible?

Always On — Standing Firm

1. Belt of truth: honesty (Ephesians 6:14 / Isaiah 11:5, 59:14–15)

2. Breastplate of righteousness: obedience (Ephesians 6:14 / Isaiah 59:14–17 / 1 Thessalonians 5:8 / Romans 13:12–14)

3. Shoes of readiness: witness (Ephesians 6:15 / Isaiah 52:7 / Romans 10:13–17)

What’s Real in my life?

• How do I evaluate what I say and believe compared to how I actually live?
• Is there any area of sin in my life that is keeping me from standing firm in the battle?
• Am I prepared with the Gospel, ready to fight for God’s kingdom?

What’s Next?

• Prayerfully evaluate how ready you are for the spiritual warfare around you.
• Take your next steps to be an honest and obedient witness.

What’s True in the Bible?

1. Jesus’ teaching has power to transform your life. (Mark 1:21–22 / Luke 4:31–32)

2. We cannot avoid spiritual battles. (Mark 1:23a / Luke 4:33a / Ephesians 4:26–27, 6:11–12 / 1 Peter 5:8)

3. Jesus has power over your demons. (Mark 1:23b–28 / Luke 4:33b–37)

What’s Real in my life?

• How is Jesus’ teaching powerful in my life?
• What is my experience with spiritual warfare?
• Is there ongoing sin or occult practices in my life or in the lives of those over me?

What’s Next?

• Submit to Jesus’ authority, and ask God to protect you spiritually from the lies and attacks of the enemy in your life.