The good news about Jesus Christ, the gospel, addresses the deepest longings of the human heart. This week we discovered that the Christmas story actually reveals something to us about our purpose in life, and the desire to live a life of purpose and meaning is one of our greatest needs.

1. God uses unlikely but available people to bring about His purposes.

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

2. God's purposes always involve a time of waiting.

3. God's purpose in every Christian's life is to point people to Jesus.

Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

We often reserve giving thanks for moments when we receive gifts or are shown acts of kindness. But the Apostle Paul tells us that it was actually meant for so much more. He urges us to adopt a lifestyle of thanksgiving where regardless of whether things are going well or not in our lives we are still able to give

There's no doubt this way of living is countercultural. In fact, culture and society would much rather us be dissatisfied and discontent so we can look to worldly solutions to appease it. Additionally, our busy schedules and the challenges we face can also keep us from taking time out to give thanks. But what Paul conveys in 1 Thessalonians 5 is in order for us to experience the life God has for us, thanksgiving must be a priority. So as challenging as it may be, we must take time, effort, and intentionality to live thankfully.

1 Thessalonians 5:18: Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

As we wrapped up our series about the weight of our words, we discovered that there is no necessary correlation between intent and outcome. When it comes to the things we say intent is often irrelevant. Though we recognize how irritating it can be when someone tries to explain their hurtful words to us, we don’t always take responsibility for the wounds our words inflict. We quickly move to explain ourselves, but explanations can make matters worse.

Explaining is not repairing.

Explaining sounds like blaming.

An explanation combined with an apology sounds like an excuse.

Application:

Recognize how your words have impacted the person on the other side of you. Say, “I’m sorry,” and say nothing else

James 3:5-6a: Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire…

Luke 6:45: For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

We’ve been learning about the weight of our words, and this week we discovered that in some relationships your words actually weigh a lot more than you might think, because the source determines the weight. In any relationship where you have any advantage, influence, authority, or power - you also have an opportunity. You can misuse your words to discourage and wound, or you can leverage your weighty words to inspire, encourage, direct, and protect.

Source determines weight - Weight determines impact - Impact determines outcome

Application:

Remember who you are and WHAT you represent to the person on the other side of you.

(If you are a follower of Jesus, there is a twist on that application)

Remember who you are and WHO you represent to the person on the other side of you.

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Matthew 5:13

Our words carry weight, and the more intimate the relationship the weightier the words become. Our lives have been shaped by the words spoken to us, over us, at us, and about us, and while we’re quick to recognize how people’s words have effected us, we’re often slow to admit how our words impact others. Since our words have the potential to destroy or build up, Christ-followers must be responsible in choosing our words wisely. In Paul’s letter to believers in Ephesus he prescribes how Christians should speak to others, and how the wisdom of God’s inspired word can guide us even today.

Words are not equally weighted.

Negative words weigh way more than positive words.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

You are responsible for what goes into your mind. Our minds can be set on an exalted vision of God and his goodness, his presence, and love that inspire and encourage us, or our minds can be weighed down by worry, chronic discontent, ego, anger, and fear. Ultimately the mind we cultivate will determine the life we live and the person we become. This week we discovered how reading the Bible can lead to our spiritual growth and can renew our minds, because the Bible is inspired by God and it is useful to help us know what we believe, and understand how we should live.

Here are two links that can help you get started on your journey through the Bible.

Bible Reading Plans

Brief Overviews of Each Book of the Bible

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

2 Timothy 3:16

Hunger is a craving or strong desire. We may hunger for many things in life like wealth, approval, thrill, success, etc., but how much do we hunger for God’s presence in our lives? In John 6 a hungry crowd comes to Jesus and He exposes their true hunger which transcends their physical hunger. Jesus is the bread of life. He alone will satisfy the deepest desires and cravings of the human soul. Though we may try to fill that void with many perishable things we will always feel empty apart from Christ.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:35

If you had a choice between a blessed or cursed life, which would you choose? I'm sure you answered, "blessed". However, it's not as easy as wanting or wishing for it. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and said it all boils down to where you put your TRUST.

If you trust in earthly, human things - it could be people, organizations/entities, or just yourself - then the result is a cursed life. But when you TRUST IN THE LORD and your TRUST IS THE LORD that's when you experience a blessed life.

What does it mean to "Trust God"?

- Start with God First

- Stay Committed to God

- Keep God at the Center of Your Life

"Trust Tests": How to identify where your trust is?

- What is your response to troubling news?

- How do you process worries and concerns?

- Do you find yourself on edge all the time and pessimistic?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

"Acts is an incredible book on missions. It is a practical handbook on missions. It is an exciting history of missions. It models missions to us. But pervading this book is a spirit of prayer. It seems that every time the church gathered, there was prayer going on so the mission could continue" -- Philip Kayser

Acts 9:32-42

Snapshot 1: Lydda: A willingness to step out

Snapshot 2: Joppa: A commitment to partner with heaven

Snapshot 3-- Simon's House: God's heart for the nations

"Prayer as Mission" Cycle

1- We pray--God changes us

2- We pray more--God changes situations through us

3. We keep praying and God starts the process again

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8 ESV