Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

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Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North episodes

  • Laziness: Destroying Yourself By Doing Nothing
    Introduction:

    Proverbs 26:13 - The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion on the streets!"

    The Tragedy of Laziness (Prov 6:6-11):
    1. Laziness is Self-Deceptive .

      2. Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

      Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

      1. Laziness is Self-Destructive .

        2. Proverbs 21:25-26 - The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

        Proverbs 19:24 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

      2. Laziness must be Rebuked .

        3. Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and mbe wise.

        Lessons from an Ant:
        1. Hard work doesn't require constant Supervision . (Prov 6:7)
        2. Hard work doesn't Pocrastinate . (Prov 6:8a)
        3. Hard work is the means to Provide . (Prov 6:8b)

          4. 1 Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

          How do I stop being lazy?
          1. Confess it to God.
          2. Take it one Shift at a time.

            3. Colossians 3:23-24 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

            Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
            Hint:             Highlight blanks above for answers!

            Small Group Discussion
            Read Proverbs 6:6-11
            (If you like, review any other Proverbs on laziness we covered on Sunday!)

            1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

            2. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = “comatose lazy”, 10 = “workhorse of the year”): How would your boss rate your work habits? How would you rate yourself?

            3. What advice would you give someone who confesses to you that they struggle with laziness?

            4. Why do you think laziness results in MORE and WORSE laziness?

            5. How specifically can a sluggard come to poverty (Prov 6:11)?

            BREAKOUT
            Confession time: in what area of your life are you most lazy? Pray for one another that the Lord would change your heart.

            0 min
          3. Stop Grabbing Random Dogs!
            Introduction:

            Proverbs 26:17 - Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one taking a passing dog by the ears.

            Four Reasons I Will Not Be a "Meddler":
            1. It's Foolish .

              2. Proverbs 18:6 - A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

            2. It's Hateful .

              3. Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

              1. It's Dishonorable .

                2. Proverbs 20:3 - It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

                Luke 12:13-14 - Someone in the crowd said to him (Jesus), "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he (Jesus) said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"

              2. The Lord Hates it!

                3. Proverbs 6:16-19

                1 Peter 4:15 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

                Why do I want to get involved?
                What do I hope to accomplish?

                Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                Hint:                 Highlight blanks above for answers!

                Small Group Discussion
                Read Proverbs 26:17
                See also Proverbs 18:6, Prov 10:12, Prov 20:3, Prov 6:16-19, Luke 12:13-14, 1 Peter 4:15

                1. What was your big “take-away” from the passage / message?

                2. What do you think motivates someone to “meddle” in something that is not their business?

                3. This Proverb specifically indicates that meddling can bring harm back on yourself. In what ways can you get “hurt” by meddling?

                4. How do you know when you SHOULD get involved in an argument between two others?

                5. How does meddling reveal a “hate-filled” heart (Proverbs 10:12)? Why does God hate “sowing discord”, ranking it up there with murder and theft? See Proverbs 6:19, 1 Peter 4:15.

                BREAKOUT
                Pray for one another to walk wisely by avoiding strife.

                0 min
              3. Walk Wisely: I'm Offended! Now What?
                Introduction:

                Proverbs 19:11 - Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

                What is NOT "overlooking"?
                1. Getting Even
                2. Holding a Grudge
                3. Slander
                  4. How Do I Overlook an Offense? When You Are "Triggered", Ask Yourself:
                  1. Is there some Truth here? Then I'm just going to overlook the offense.

                    2. Proverbs 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend...

                    Luke 11:37 - While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table.

                  2. Is there a chance I Misunderstood what was said? Then I'm just going to overlook the offense.

                    3. 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Love... believes all things...

                  3. Am I making a big deal out of a Minor issue? Then I'm just going to overlook the offense.

                    4. Philippians 4:5 - Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

                  4. Is this a Lost person just acting like a Lost lost person? Then I'm just going to overlook the offense.

                    5. Luke 23:34 - Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

                  5. Do I Love the offender? Then I'm just going to overlook the offense.

                    6. Proverbs 10:12 - ...love covers all offenses.

                    Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                    Hint:                     Highlight blanks above for answers!

                    Small Group Discussion
                    Read Proverbs 19:11

                    1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                    2. Why do you think people seem so anxious to be offended today?
                      On a scale of 1-10, how easily offended are you? (1 = nothing offends me, 10 = everything offends me)

                    3. When is it okay to be offended? How do you know when it is appropriate to be offended?

                    4. How does being “slow to anger” help you overlook offenses?

                    5. How does the forgiveness of Christ motivate you to overlook offenses?

                      Bonus: What was the craziest thing you’ve ever heard someone be offended over?

                    BREAKOUT
                    Pray for one another to grow in being slow to anger and quick to overlook offenses. What kind of a church would HBC be if we all lived by Proverbs 19:11?

                    0 min
                  6. Walk Wisely: Seduction Destruction.
                    Introduction:
                    How to Avoid Destruction by Seduction (Proverbs 6:20-35):
                    1. Let God's Word direct you, not your Feelings. (Prov 6:20-24a)
                    2. Watch out for Bait. (Prov 6:24b-25)
                    3. Consider what it Will Cost you. (Prov 6:26-35).
                      1. The consequences are Inevitable. (Prov 6:27-29)
                      2. The consequences will get you no Pity. (Prov 6:30-31)
                      3. The consequences are foolishly Self-Destructive. (Prov 6:32-35)

                        4. Proverbs 4:26 - Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

                        Moral Fences:

                        1. I will not ride alone in a car with someone from the opposite sex other than my spouse or immediate family member.

                        2. I will not counsel the opposite sex alone– in a closed room or more than once.

                        3. I speak often and publicly about my affection for my spouse, when s/he is present and when s/he is not.

                        4. I will compliment the opposite sex on character, not appearance.

                        5. I will give my spouse total access to my cell phone / computer.

                        Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                        Hint:                         Highlight blanks above for answers!

                        Small Group Discussion
                        Read Proverbs 6:20-35

                        1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

                        2. List the consequences this passage lays out that people will face by getting involved in a wrong relationship.

                        3. If the danger is so obvious, and so devastating, why is this temptation so alluring?

                        4. What “moral fences” have you implemented to protect yourself?

                        BREAKOUT
                        Is there an inappropriate relationship that you have been flirting with? What do you need to do to repent?

                        0 min
                      4. Walk Wisely: Wisdom: Value It, Get It, Use it.

                        Introduction: (Proverbs 1-3)

                        Dremel Rotary Tool: This product not intended for use as a dental drill.

                        Vidal Sassoon Hair Dryer: Do not use while sleeping.

                        Rowenta Iron: Do not iron clothes on body. 

                        Baby Stroller: Remove child before folding.

                        Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush: Do not use for personal hygiene.

                        How Do I Get Wisdom for My Walk?
                        1. You have to go after it Humbly (Prov 1:1-6).
                        2. You have to go after it Reverently (Prov 1:7).
                        3. You have to go after it Urgently (Prov 2:1-11).
                        4. You have to go after it Totally (Prov 3:5-6).

                          5. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                          Hint:                           Highlight blanks above for answers!

                          Small Group Discussion
                          Read Proverbs 1:1-7, 2:1-11, 3:5-6

                          1. Define wisdom. How is wisdom different than knowledge?

                          2. What is “the fear of the Lord”? Why must “the fear of the Lord” be your motivation to seek wisdom?

                          3. How is wisdom a protection (Prov 2:7-11)? How are you “in danger” (unprotected) when you don’t walk in wisdom?

                          BREAKOUT
                          How much have YOU been seeking wisdom, Monday through Saturday?
                          In what areas of your life, right now, do you need wisdom? How are you going after it?

                          0 min
                        5. Recognition and Regret
                          Introduction:
                          To be free from your past... (Luke 7:36-50):
                          1. Recognize Jesus and respond with Humility . (Luke 7:36-39)
                          2. Recognize the debt You owed and Christ paid. (Luke 7:40-47)
                          3. Recognize that forgiveness is received by Faith . (Luke 7:48-50)

                            4. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                            Hint:                             Highlight blanks above for answers!

                            Small Group Discussion

                            Read Luke 7:36-50

                            GROUP

                            1. What things can get in the way of humility before God?

                            2. How would you counsel someone feeling overwhelmed by their past (their “debt”)?

                            3. Why do you think some people struggle with internalizing forgiveness?

                            BREAKOUT

                            Pray for one another.

                            0 min
                          4. Where Are You
                            Introduction:
                            1. Grace Abounds.
                            2. Grace abounds in Early Death.
                            3. Grace abounds in Eternal Life.
                            4. Grace abounds in Everyday Righteousness.

                              5. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                              Hint:                               Highlight blanks above for answers!

                              Small Group Discussion
                              Read Romans 5:20-6:14

                              1. What is “cheap grace?”

                              2. Why is it so difficult to die an early death, i.e., to die to self? How often do you “consider [yourself] dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus?” Romans 6:11; and see John 12:25, Luke 9:23-24.

                                a. How do the illustrations of a seed “dying” help us to understand the benefits of dying to self now? See John 12:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:36-37

                                b. How does Galatians 5:22-24 relate to these verses?

                              3. Baptism is a picture of death and resurrection, but Paul indicates in Romans 6:3-6 that if our baptism is “into Christ Jesus,” it is evidence that we were in Christ at the time of His death and resurrection. Does this fact cause you to see deeper meaning or purpose in your baptism?

                              4. How soon after you professed faith in Jesus were your baptized? If you delayed, why did you do so? If you haven’t yet been baptized, why not?

                              5. Paul emphasizes we were “united with Christ” in His death and resurrection. How should union with Christ transform how we live – for example, Who, what, and how we worship, how we love God, neighbor, and enemy, how we forgive others, etc.? How does Galatians 2:20 add to our understanding of the transformation wrought in us by union with Christ?

                              6. A concrete anchor was used to illustrate the security we enjoy as a result of being united with Christ. How should the knowledge of the strength of that union transform our thinking about God’s love for us, about anxiety/worry, about the permanence of our salvation, and about our ability to live righteously? See Psalm 18:1-3, 31-32 and Psalm 62:1-8.

                              7. Because we are secure “in Christ” we are able to walk “in newness of life.” What does that look like on a daily basis?

                              BREAKOUT
                              Does the knowledge that you are united with Christ change your perspective on temptation and sin? In what ways? See Romans 6:2-3, 7, 12-14.

                              For further study, read Colossians 3:1-17

                              0 min
                            5. You Have One Job
                              Introduction:
                              How we are to preach the Word/Gospel (2 Timothy 4:1-5):
                              1. Stay Focused .
                              2. Endure Suffering .
                              3. Evangelize .

                                4. 1 Cor 1:17 - For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

                              4. Finish Strong .
                                5. Practical Tips on How to Preach the Gospel:
                                1. Get Prepared
                                2. Ask Other Christians
                                3. Pray for God's peace

                                  4. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                  Hint:                                   Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                  Small Group Discussion

                                  Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5

                                  GROUP

                                  1. We as Christian have been given one job to fulfill… Preach the Gospel... God chose “nobody’s” to complete this job. How does God prefer to use regular people?

                                  2. Why is Enduring Suffering such a powerful testimony for God?

                                  3. Why is Finishing Strong so important? Give a specific example of someone is your life that finished strong and an example of someone that didn’t finish strong.

                                  BREAKOUT

                                  Have you ever failed to walk through a door to God has opened for you to preach the Gospel? Pray for that person that was missed that day to come to Christ either through you or another Christian.

                                  0 min
                                4. Watch Your Mouth
                                  Introduction:
                                  Our Tongues (James 3:1-12):
                                  1. Are the most Dominant part of our bodies. (Jas 3:1-5a)

                                    2. Acts 20:28 - "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

                                  2. Are able to Wreak Havoc. (Jas 3:5b-6)
                                  3. Are Untamable. (Jas 3:7-10a)
                                    1. Are *Untamable...without the Holy Spirit. (Jas 3:10b-12)

                                      2. Luke 6:43-45 - For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

                                      Practical Ways to Watch Your Mouth:
                                      1. Watch Your Media.

                                        2. Proverbs 4:25 - "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."

                                      2. Watch Your Company.

                                        3. Proverbs 24:1-2 - "Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble."

                                      3. Watch Your Walk.

                                        4. Proverbs 8:20-21 - "I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries."

                                        Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                        Hint:                                         Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                        Small Group Discussion

                                        Read James 3:1-12

                                        GROUP

                                        Why does the tongue hold so much power?

                                        1. How can we overcome our tongues?

                                        2. What ways can we ensure we are storing treasure of good rather than treasures of evil? (Luke 6:43-45)

                                        3. Has your media, company and walk changed since becoming a Christian? In what ways?

                                        BREAKOUT

                                        What media or company is holding you spiritually hostage? What can you do to remove it along with its ‘treasures of evil’?

                                        0 min
                                      4. Coming Soon: This is Your Last Warning
                                        Coming Soon: This is Your Last Warning. (Revelation 22:6-21):

                                        Introduction:

                                        This is Your Last Warning: 4 Truths to Embrace Knowing Jesus is Coming Soon.
                                        1. Worship is only for GOD. (Rev 22:6-9)
                                        2. Your CHOICES now have eternal consequences. (Rev 22:10-15)
                                        3. The Invitation is for TODAY. (Rev 22:16-17)
                                        4. Don't MESS with the Message. (Rev 22:18-19)

                                          5. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
                                          Hint:                                           Highlight blanks above for answers!

                                          Small Group Discussion

                                          Read Revelation 22:6-21

                                          GROUP

                                          1. What stood out to you / surprised you from this passage?

                                          2. What are some ways people add to or take away from God's Word (Rev 22:18-19)?
                                            Why is God so serious about adding to or taking away from His Word?

                                          3. Looking back on the Revelation series as a whole, what was the 1 thing that stood out to you the most? 

                                          BREAKOUT

                                          Pray for one another!

                                          0 min

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                                        Weekly sermon notes and audio recording from Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North.