GCC Newton sermon audio

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

How Good Judgment Leads to Victory

1. If you tolerate cheating, you ruin your reputation. (1 Corinthians 5:1-2b / Romans 7:15-24 / Matthew 23:13)

2. If you intentionally throw the game, you destroy the whole team. (1 Corinthians 5:2c-7, 11; 15:33-34 / Hebrews 10:26-31)

3. If you really want to win, help your teammates. (1 Corinthians 5:8-13 / James 5:19-20 / John 13:34-35, 17:21-23)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

▪ In life, we make tough choices to do what is right. Why is it so tough to call out a friend for cheating?

▪ Have you ever had to distance yourself from a person because of the way they were living? What did you learn from that?

▪ Have you ever experienced reconciliation after being confronted for an unrepentant lifestyle? How has that “victory” changed your perspective on confrontation?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

1. Faithful men fight against idols. (Malachi 2:10-12 / Deuteronomy 6:12-15)

2. Faithful men love their wives. (Malachi 2:13-16 / 1 Timothy 5:8 / 1 Peter 3:7 / Ephesians 5:25-31)

3. Faithful men raise godly children. (Malachi 2:15 / 1 Corinthians 7:14 / Ephesians 6:1-4 / Deuteronomy 6:7)

4. Faithful men make disciples. (2 Timothy 2:1-2 / Matthew 28:19-20)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

▪ How would I describe “faithfulness?”

▪ Who is someone I would say is faithful? Why?

▪ Which of the four categories above do I struggle with the most?

▪ How has unfaithfulness affected my life? My relationship with God?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

A Faith that Doesn’t Condemn

1. Don’t speak evil against each other. (James 4:11a / 1 Peter 2:1, 3:16 / 2 Corinthians 12:20 / Psalm 101:5)

2. Don’t condemn one another. (James 4:11b / Matthew 7:1 / 1 Corinthians 4:5)

3. Don’t steal God’s job. (James 4:12a / Isaiah 33:22 / Romans 2:1-3, 14:10 / Matthew 10:28)

4. Don’t miss your purpose. (James 4:12b / Romans 14:13)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

▪ When is it easier for me to talk bad about someone? Why?

▪ Do I have a judgmental spirit, even if others never see it?

▪ With whom do I often play the judge? How can I allow God to redeem this part of my life?

▪ What is one thing I can do to care for someone I have been judging/condemning?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

A Humble Faith
1. True humility submits to God. (James 4:6-8a / 1 Peter 5:8-9 / Ephesians 4:27, 6:11)

The proud want what the devil offers.

2. True humility addresses sin. (James 4:8b-9 / Romans 13:14 / Isaiah 1:15-17 / 2 Corinthians 7:10)

Demolition provides the space for renovation.

3. God lifts up the humble. (James 4:10 / Matthew 5:4 / 1 Peter 5:5-7)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

▪ Why is it sometimes 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 would the devil use to tempt me that would be hard to resist?

▪ What does it look like for me to address sin in my life?

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Misplaced Passions:

1. Make us an enemy to ourselves. (James 4:1 / Luke 8:14 / Romans 7:21-24 / 1 Peter 2:11)

Whatever feeds my passion, feels like pleasure.

2. Make us an enemy to each other. (James 4:1-2 / Titus 3:3 / 2 Peter 2:13)

Whatever gives me pleasure has power over me.

3. Make us an enemy to God. (James 4:3-4 / Ephesians 2:1-3 / Isaiah 54:5 / 1 John 2:15-17)

A Passionate Faith:

4. Finds its pleasure in God. (James 4:5-6a / Matthew 16:26 / 1 Corinthians 6:19 / 2 Corinthians 6:16)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

-What are my hobbies or pastimes?

-Do some of my “passions” pull me away from God? How so?

-Do I believe that God offers me “more grace” even when I pursue the wrong passions?

-How can I align my passions to God’s will?

What’s Next?Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True? What do I see in the Bible?

Pride puts the self before God. (Daniel 4:29-37/ Luke 18:9-14)

1. Pride is a preoccupation with self.

2. The proud will be humbled. (Luke 18:14b)

Humility imitates Christ’s sacrificial love. (Philippians 2:1-11)

1. Christ-like humility means being of the same mind. (Philippians 2:1-2)

2. Christ-like humility means acting with a one-sided mind. (Philippians 2:3-4)

3. Christ-like humility means having the mind of Christ. (Philippians 2:5-11)

What’s Real? What do I see in my life?

Where do I see pride in my life? In what ways can I mimic Christ’s humility to grow?

Who can I trust to give me honest feedback about potential areas of pride?

What daily habits help you grow in humility?

Seeing people through God’s eyes is a great antidote to pride. Take a moment to ask God to help you see others the way he sees them.

What’s Next? Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

I. “Train…”

A. The context

B. A good beginning

II. “Train a child...”

A. A child is sinful

B. A child is simple

C. A child is childish

III. “Train a child in the way he should go...”

IV. Promise or Principle? - “...and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

What’s True?
What do I see in the Bible?

1. Wisdom is shown in word and deed. (James 3:13 / Luke 2:52)

“It’s not just what I say, it’s also how I live.”

My deeds must be marked with humility.

2. False wisdom is born in an unsettled heart. (James 3:14)

We distort wisdom because of jealousy.

What do I not have?

Jealousy will only make me miserable. (Proverbs 14:30)

We distort wisdom because of selfishness.

What do I really want?

3. False wisdom produces the wrong focus. (James 3:15 / Philippians 3:19 / 1 Corinthians 2:14 / Jude 19)

4. False wisdom produces the wrong fruit. (James 3:16 / 1 Corinthians 14:33)

5. Godly wisdom produces righteousness and peace. (James 3:17-18 / Proverbs 2:6, 9, 20)

What’s Real?
What do I see in my life?

How do I spot wise living in my own life?

When am I most focused on what I don’t have?

Would others describe me as a peace-maker? Why?

How can I pray for the attributes in James 3:17?

What’s Next?
Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True?
What do I see in the Bible?

How Our Mouths Reveal Our Faith

What I say matters to God. (James 3:1-2)

God will judge me by my words. (James 3:1 / Matthew 12:36-37)

My words expose my heart. (Matthew 12:33-35 / Proverbs 4:23)

My words reveal my maturity. (James 3:2)

What I say sets the course of my life. (James 3:3-8a)

My tongue is small but powerful! (James 3:5-8a / Proverbs 10:11 / Proverbs 18:21)

My tongue cannot be tamed, but it can be directed. (James 3:7-8a)

What I say is up to me. (James 3:8b-12)

I can’t control what’s in my tongue, but I can control what comes out of it. (James 3:8b-10)

My words should build others up, be timely, and give grace. (Ephesians 4:29)

What’s Real?
What do I see in my life?

How important are my words to God?

How does my faith in Jesus influence my speech?

How do my words impact my life?

How do my words affect others?

What’s Next?
Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

The Old, Old Story
The First Easter

Christianity Is Founded on the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

It’s the only way to be saved. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2 / Acts 4:12)
- You must receive it by faith.
- You’re either all in, or you’re not in.

It must be of first importance. (1 Corinthians 15:3 / Romans 1:16)

There Is No Gospel without the Resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-17)

It includes the death, burial, resurrection, and appearances of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Christianity relies on the resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:12-17)

Easter is a celebration of the Gospel.

His Resurrection Provides Us New Life.
How Jesus’ resurrection applies to me today (Colossians 2:13-14 / 1 Peter 1:3-5 / Romans 6:1-14)

I have a relationship with Jesus. (Colossians 2:13 / John 11:25-27)

I have forgiveness and peace. (Colossians 2:13-14)

I have a living hope. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

What’s Real?

How would I describe my relationship with Jesus?

Does the Gospel take first importance in my thoughts and actions?

Is my life marked with forgiveness and peace? Why?

What is my hope for life after death?

What’s Next?
Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.