We must intentionally discipline ourselves in holiness because no one drifts towards holiness.

How do we discipline ourselves in holiness?

• Discipline in holiness begins by developing a mindset that earnestly desires holiness.
• Discipline in holiness is motivated by a desire to honor our Father.
• Discipline in holiness is sustained by reverent awe for the cost of our redemption.

Main Idea: All trials are temporary and necessary for our growth in Christlikeness.

Main Question: What do we need to know to help us endure the trials of this life?

• Every trial God allows is a trial God intends to use.
• What God gives us in Christ is far greater than anything the world could ever take from us.

Main Question: How can we have hope while

living as exiles in a fallen world?

 The world cannot undo what God has

already accomplished.

 Worldly hope depends on outcomes, but

living hope depends on an empty tomb.

 What God promises, He protects—and He

protects the people to whom He promised it.

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:1-5 Philippians 3:20 John 6 & 16, 1 Corithians 2

Ephesians 2 John 6:39,40 Romans 6:23

Main Question: If all I have is vanity, what should I hold on to?

• In the face of death, we must not hold on to what we are or what we do.
• While the dead have nothing to hold, the living hold onto hope.

Main Idea: While death is certain, so are hope and

joy for the living.

Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10, 8:14 Proverbs 10:9,27 Ephesians 2:10

Romans 6:23 1 Timothy 1:1 Colossians 1:27 Romans 5:2-5 Matthew 15:26-27

James 4:17 John 10:28-29

Main Idea: The people of God receive the blessings

of God to use for the purposes of God.

Main Question: What causes people to rob God

today?

 We rob God when our trust is based on our

circumstances rather than God’s character.

 We rob God when we make obedience

transactional and conditional.

 Return to God before you return anything to

God.

 Trust God enough to obey Him where it

feels risky.

 Live like God sees, remembers, and rewards

your faithfulness.

Before God confronts the sin in the world, He first confronts the sin in us

What should we expect when God confronts our sin?

God confronts our sin by exposing our distorted view of justice

God confronts our sin by subjecting us to the fires of refinement in order to spare us from the fires of judgment

Refining is personal, not mechanical

Refining is purposeful, not random

Refining is protective, not punitive

When bad things happen, how can we respond and thrive because of them?

3 props to lean on:

Assurance of abiding faith in God

Awareness of a purpose being served

Anticipation of a reward waiting for me

Main Idea: If we misrepresent God, we will mislead

people.

Main Question: What causes us to misrepresent

God today?

 If we aren’t faithfully following God, we

won’t be able to help others follow Him.

 We misrepresent God when we measure

ourselves by the wrong standard.

 We misrepresent God when we tell people

what they want to hear rather than what they

need to hear.

Main Idea: God is too great to be given less than our best.

Main Question: What does it look like to give God less than our best?

• A diminished view of God always leads to dishonoring worship of God.

• What we offer to God reveals what we believe about God.

• Half-hearted worship is more burdensome to God than it is to you.

Main Question: What does God want His people to know about His love?

If we base God’s love on our circumstances,

We will never have assurance. God’s love for His people is special.

God’s love for His people is unchanging.