“Stop The Cycle”

Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The plan of God for our life leads us upward and forward. 

1 Timothy 2:6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. 

#1 Stop Accepting The Cycle

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 

As long as you accept the cycle, God cannot free you from the cycle.

Luke 4:18 To proclaim liberty to the captives 

captives = aichmalōtos “a captive taken by the spear"

Jesus is not just a savior He is a deliverer!

Ephesians 4:8 When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive…

As long as you accept the cycle, God cannot free you from the cycle.

1 John 3:8  the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus came to destroy anything that's trying to destroy you! 

God’s will = life more abundantly

Satan’s will = Steal, Kill and Destroy 

Whose will for your life are you agreeing with?

Mark 9:23 Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Nothing is impossible of God!

Hebrews 12:27 All of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 

“It's not permanent!”

Matthew 19:26 “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

#2 Stop Excusing The Cycle

Phillippians 3:14 One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

As long as an excuse is in your mouth a cycle will be in your heart 

Luke 4:18 He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted 

brokenhearted = syntribō = to shatter, to break into many pieces, 

Jesus didn't come to just save you for the next life, he came to heal you in this life! 

#3 Stop Doubting The Savior

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal 

What’s the goal? 

The goal is complete freedom and wholeness; 

Spirit, Soul and Body. 

The work of Jesus in your life is either released or restrained by what you place your faith in.

#4 Walk In Stride With The Helper

Galatians 5:16-17 Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  

The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper

In the Bible when Jesus is talking to his disciples

 “More Than Abel To Worship” 

Worship is: Love Expressed

Love that is not expressed is not love at all. 

John 3:16 God so loved the world that He gave His only son.

#1. Jesus Was A Sacrificial Gift

#2. Jesus Was An Others Focused Gift

#3. Jesus Was A Faith Gift

#1. Jesus Was A Sacrificial Gift

Romans 5:8 God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

#2. Jesus Was A Others Focused Gift

Romans 5:8 God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

#3. Jesus Was A Faith Gift

Romans 5:8 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your true and proper worship.

True and proper worship…

Is sacrificial.

Romans 12:1 offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

True and proper worship is sacrificial… it costs you something. If your worship is costing you something… 

if following God doesn’t stretch you a little… if it doesn’t require you to walk by faith…  if it doesn’t  make you feel a little uncomfortable sometimes…  it’s not true and proper worship.

true and proper worship. It’s sacrificial.

True and proper worship…

Is God Focused

Romans 12 offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…to God

Love expressed in it’s highest form is expressed in a way that is focused on the person to whom it is being expressed to.

Through Jesus God’s love was YOU focused so your love (worship) needs to be God focused.

True and proper worship…

Is God Focused

True and proper worship…

Is Faith filled

Romans 12:1 in view of God's mercy

We’re not initiating, we’re responding. … 

True and proper worship is a sacrificial, God focused, faith filled gift of love expressed to God.

Genesis 4:3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:4 And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. 

4 the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering.

God is a giver

God is the audience!

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! 

Why don’t you __________ in worship? (*Slide*)

Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death

Genesis 4:5 God did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Your worship is connected to your emotions!

Genesis 4:6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has y

We exist to: “Help People Know God” 

5 Values We Value:

1. Reaching theLost

2. CreatingWorshippers 

3. DevelopingDisciples

4. Building theFamily 

5. ActivatingDifference Makers 

5. ActivatingDifference Makers.

We are called to be difference makers.

Nehemiah 1:3-4 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

#1 Difference Makers Experience Holy Discontent. 

#2 Difference Makers Start With Prayer.

James 5:16 The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.

#3 Difference Makers Step Out In Faith

When Nehemiah stepped out in faith God stepped in with favor.

Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

#4 Difference Makers Step Up In Fight

Nehemiah 4:14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Nehemiah 4 :16 from that day on, half of the men did the work while the other half were equipped with Spears, shields, arrows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carry materials did so with one hand and held a weapon with the other. And each of the builders wore his sword at his side while he worked. 

#5 Difference Makers Stay On Track

Nehemiah 4:21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. 22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. 23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

#6 Difference Makers Don’t Go Alone!

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion 

#7 Difference Makers Are Available!

The most important ability in the work of the LORD is availability. 

1 Corinthians 7:17 Each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

You have been appointed and anointed to make a difference.

#1 Recognize Work Needs To Be Done

Philippians 2:12 My beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 

Salvation is a process. 

A New Spirit

A New Body

A Renewed Soul

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit

Where your mind goes, your life goes. 

Proverbs 4:23 Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. 

#2 Understand The Scope Of The Work

Philippians 2:12 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 

Luke 4:43 "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." 

fear = reverence" 

trembling = a healthy respect of not offending God through disobedience. 

Philippians 2:12 (JB Translation)

Work out your own salvation with a reverence for God and a healthy respect for not offending a Holy God with unholy living.

Philippians 2:12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 

What God wants to do in you, and through you He wants to do in partnership with you.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. 

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good. 

#3 Give God Access To The Job Site

(ABEL SPAGHETTI VIDEO)

#4 Do Your Part  

Matthew 6:15 If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

HANDY GUSSY PICTURE

#5 Don’t Shut Down The Job Site

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you

Don’t Leave The Only Person Capable Of Cleaning Up The Mess Outside Of The Door.

1 John 2:1 My dear Children I write this to you so that you may not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

 #6 Enjoy The Remodel 

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 

God’s giving you the “want to”, not just the “to do”.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

#6 Enjoy The Remodel 

#7 Share The Remodel 

Deuteronomy 7:6 Your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.

Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry. 2  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3  He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And wil

Romans 12:18 As much as possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone.”

God Values Our Effort

#1 It blocks my fellowship with God. 

You cannot be in harmony with God if you are out of harmony with the

people in your life.

I Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

#2 It hinders my happiness 

1. Be the initiator.

Genesis 3:10 I heard you in the garden; and I was afraid because I was 

naked, and so I hid.” 

Genesis 3:12 The man said,“The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 

We get distant.

We get defensive. 

2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self discipline. 

1 John 4:18 Perfect love casts out all fear.

If your love is greater than your fear, you’ll do things others are afraid to do. 

2. Own Your Role In The Conflict

Matthew 7:3 Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your friend’s eye.

1 Peter 5:5-6 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

3. Listen for the hurt.

Hurt people hurt people. 

James 1:19Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  

Romans 15:2 We must be considerate about the doubts and the fears of others.  

4. Consider their viewpoint.  

Philippians 2:4-5 Each of you should look not only for your own interests, but also the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. 

“help me understand” 

SEEK TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE I SEEK TO BE UNDERSTOOD

Hosea 4:6 - People are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 

Proverbs 28:16 - A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor

choose to believe the best

Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only for your own interests, but also the interests of others. 

5. Tell the truth tactfully.

Ephesians 4:15 Speak the truth in love. 

I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  

In other words foolish words hurt, wise words heal

1 Corinthians 2:13 We do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

6. Watch your words

Colossians 3:8 You must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” 

Little people belittle people!  

7. Build bridges no