Overcoming Excuses

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may GROW UP in your salvation, (NIV)

Matthew 25:24–29 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I HID it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those WHO USE WELL WHAT THEY ARE GIVEN, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who DO NOTHING, even what little they have will be taken away. (NLT)

4 EXCUSES YOU NEED TO BURY

1. BURY THE BLAME GAME

2. BURY THE VICTIM MENTALITY

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

3. BURY THE COMPARISON TRAP

4. BURY THE FEAR OF FAILURE

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

5 DIGGING PRINCIPLES TO FULFILL YOUR POTENTIAL

1. DIG UP TAKING OWNERSHIP OF YOUR LIFE

Galatians 6:5 For each will have to bear his own load. (ESV)

2. DIG UP IDENTIFYING THE EXCUSES THAT ARE HOLDING YOU BACK

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)

3. DIG UP CLARIFYING YOUR WHY

Habakkuk 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. (NKJV)

4. DIG UP THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS

Hebrews 10:24–25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

5. DIG UP TAKING STEPS TOWARD YOUR VISION

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says. (NIV)

James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by ACTION, IS DEAD. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 11:4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. (NLT)

Psalm 37:23 The STEPS of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; (ESV)

Proverbs 16:3 COMMIT to the Lord whatever you DO, and he will establish your plans. (NIV)

GROWTH IS GOD’S WILL

SAMUEL GREW

1 Samuel 2:21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel GREW up in the presence of the Lord. (NIV)

1 Samuel 2:26 And the boy Samuel CONTINUED TO GROW in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. (NIV)

KING DAVID GREW

2 Samuel 3:1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David GREW STRONGER AND STRONGER, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (NIV)

SAMSON GREW

Judges 13:24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He GREW and the Lord blessed him, (NIV)

JOHN THE BAPTIST GREW

Luke 1:80 And the child GREW and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (NIV)

JESUS GREW

Luke 2:52 And Jesus GREW in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (NIV)

2 Peter 1:8 The more you GROW like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)

Colossians 1:9–10 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, GROWING in the knowledge of God, (NIV)

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion UNTIL the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may GROW UP in your salvation, (NIV)

1. THE HANGUP OF DESIRE

2. THE HANGUP OF GRACE

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (NIV)

2 Peter 3:18 But GROW in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (NIV)

3. THE HANGUP OF AN OVER DEPENDENCE ON PEOPLE

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling, (ESV)

Colossians 2:6–7 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, YOU must CONTINUE to follow him. 7 Let your roots GROW down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will GROW strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (NLT)

SPIRITUAL GROWTH PLAN

3A. Yearly pray and fast

3B. Monthly tithe

3C. Weekly attend and serve at church

3D. Weekly attend a small group

3E. Daily spend time with God (First 15)

4. THE HANGUP OF AN UNDER DEPENDENCE ON PEOPLE

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. (NIV)

5. THE HANGUP OF SELF-CENTERED LIVING

Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. (NIV)

6. THE HANGUP OF DISTRACTED LIVING

Luke 8:11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The SEED is the word of God. (NIV)

6A. DISTRACTED BY THE DEVIL

Luke 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. (NIV)

6B. DISTRACTED BY TRIALS

Luke 8:13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. (NIV)

6C. DISTRACTED BY WORRIES

Luke 8:14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not MATURE. (NIV)

6D. DETERMINED TO GROW

Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by PERSEVERING produce a crop. (NIV)

Luke 11:1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (NLT)

Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’. (NIV)

1. Prayer begins with worship

Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (NIV)

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (NIV)

2. Prayer helps us keep our priorities straight

Matthew 6:9-10 “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (NIV)

Romans 12:1-2 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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

3. Prayer reminds us that God is our source

Matthew 6:9-11 “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. (NIV)

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

4. Prayer allows God to do a deep work in our hearts

Matthew 6:9-12 “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NIV)

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)

5. Prayer provides protection

Matthew 6:9-13 “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ (NIV)

Ephesians 6:12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (NLT)

Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV)

GOD USES SMALL PEOPLE FOR BIG PURPOSES PT. 2

1. GOD USES THE HUMBLE OVER THE HIGH AND MIGHTY

Luke 1:48, Mary sings, “For He has been mindful of the HUMBLE state of His servant.” (NIV)

2. GOD USES CHARACTER OVER CREDENTIALS

Luke 1:26–27 “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be

married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (NIV)

3. GOD USES A SERVANT OVER A SUPERSTAR

Luke 1:38   “I am the Lord’s SERVANT,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Then the angel left her. (NIV)

Luke 1:48, Mary sings, “For He has been mindful of the humble state of His SERVANT.” (NIV)

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, SERVANTS of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ

Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: (NIV)

1 Corinthians 4:1 So look at Apollos and me as mere SERVANTS of Christ who have been put in

charge of explaining God’s mysteries. (NLT)

Romans 1:1 Paul, a BONDSERVANT of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the

gospel of God (NKJV)

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a SERVANT and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the

righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: (NIV)

Matthew 23:11 “The greatest among you will be your SERVANT.” (NIV)

3A. SERVANTS OF JESUS SERVE PEOPLE

2 Corinthians 4:5 “We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are YOUR SERVANTS

for Jesus’ sake.” (NLT)

2 Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom

to indulge the flesh; rather, SERVE ONE ANOTHER humbly in love.” (NIV)

4. GOD USES HIS PRESENCE OVER YOUR PRESENCE

Luke 1:28, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! THE LORD IS WITH YOU” (NIV)

Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (NIV)

Luke 1:35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will COME ON YOU, and the power of the MOST HIGH WILL OVERSHADOW YOU. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (NIV)

Luke 1:37 For with God NOTHING will be impossible. (NKJV)

GOD USES SMALL PEOPLE FOR BIG PURPOSES

Luke 1:26-27 “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” (NIV)

John 1:46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:27–28 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. (NLT)

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I CHOSE YOU and appointed you so that you might

go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (NIV)

1. GOD USES THE HUMBLE OVER THE HIGH AND MIGHTY

Luke 1:48, Mary sings, “For He has been mindful of the HUMBLE state of His servant.” (NIV)

GOD USES HUMBLE PEOPLE! GOD IS ATTRACTED TO HUMILITY!

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (NIV)

Proverbs 3:34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. (NIV)

Matthew 23:12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (NIV)

HUMBLE TEST

1. Do you admit you don’t know everything?

2. Do you choose listening over talking?

3. Do you celebrate others more than yourself?

4. Do you serve in ways no one sees?

5. Do you apologize quickly and sincerely?

6. Do you ask for feedback and listen without getting defensive?

7. Do you choose gratitude over entitlement?

8. Are you willing to take the lower seat or role?

9. Do you make others feel seen, valued, and important?

10. Do you remember who God is and who you are not?

2. GOD USES CHARACTER OVER CREDENTIALS

Luke 1:26–27 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (NIV)

Colossians 4:2 DEVOTE yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV)

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, FAITHFUL in prayer. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually, (NIV)

Luke 18:1 Always pray and never give up. (NIV)

1. KEEP CIRCLING FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

Acts 1:14 They all joined together CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (NIV)

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ASK HIM!” (NIV)

2. KEEP CIRCLING TO BREAKTHROUGH OBSTACLES

Joshua 6:1-5 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” (NIV)

4 QUICK LESSONS ON HOW TO CIRCLE OBSTACLES FOR A BREAKTHROUGH

 

2A. SECURELY SHUT DOES NOT STOP GOD 

2B. SEE WHAT GOD SEES

Joshua 6:2 “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “SEE, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” (NIV)

2C. SEEING LEADS TO A FAITH THAT DOES NOT STOP

2D. SPEAK TO THE OBSTACLE 

Mark 11:22–24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone SAYS TO THIS MOUNTAIN, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they SAY will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV)

3. KEEP CIRCLING FOR FAMILY BREAKTHROUGH 

Luke 1:6-7 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both VERY OLD. (NIV)

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; YOUR PRAYER HAS BEEN HEARD. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. (NIV)

1. Bethlehem: The Little Town with a Big Assignment

Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are SMALL among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (NIV)

2. The Manger: A Small Place for a Big Savior

Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a MANGER, because there was no guest room available for them. (NIV)

3. The Clothes: A Little Garment for a Loving God

Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in CLOTHES and placed him in a manager, because there was no guest room available for them. (NIV)

4. The Shepherds: Ordinary People with an Extraordinary Message

Luke 2:8-10 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” (NIV)

5. The Little Star: The Tiny Light Led to a Tremendous Moment

Matthew 2:1–2 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his STAR when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (NIV)

6. The Magi: A Minor Part with a Major Impact

Matthew 2:9-10 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (NIV)

7. The Gifts: The Giving That Saved Lives

Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (NIV)

1. The Little Blessing of SALVATION

Hebrews 2:1–3 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we IF WE IGNORE SO GREAT A SALVATION? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. (NIV)

2. The Little Blessing of LIFE

Psalm 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (NIV)

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (NIV)

3.  The Little Blessing of HEALTH

Psalm 103:2–3 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, (NIV)

4. The Little Blessing of RELATIONSHIPS

Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for YOU, remembering you in my prayers, (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for YOU because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus (ESV)

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of YOU (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of YOU, constantly mentioning you in our prayers (ESV)

5. The Little Blessing of PROVISION

Psalm 34:10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (NIV)

Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN or their children begging bread. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)


1. THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE CROSS

The cross was the payment, purpose, and presentation of God's love on full display.

Romans 5:6-8 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (NLT)


2. THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR GRACE AND MERCY

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! (NLT)

Lamentations 3:22–23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (NLT)

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people (NLT)

Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (NLT)

3. THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR HOPE

Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (NLT)

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (NIV)

4. THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR POWER


Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death (NLT)

Jesus has the POWER we need to walk in PURPOSE!

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 (NIV)

Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (NLT)

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (NLT)

2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (NLT)

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

1. Work produced by faith

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

James 2:14-17 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?  15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. (NLT)

Matthew 15: 8-9 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; (NIV)

1 John 2:3-6 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.  6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (NLT)

2. Labor prompted by love

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love… (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (NLT)

3. Endurance inspired by hope

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Hebrews 6:19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  (NLT)

1 Peter 1:3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (NIV)

Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT)

I’m Keeping People From Jesus | Herbert Cooper

Luke 15:4–7 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)

4 LESSONS ABOUT GOD’S HEART TO REACH ONE MORE LOST PERSON

1. WE ARE CALLED TO GO AFTER THE ONE

Matthew 28:19 Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NIV)

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “GO into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (NIV)

Matthew 9:36–38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to SEND OUT WORKERS into his harvest field.” (NIV)

2. WE MUST SEE THE NEED TO GO

3. WE MUST PRAY FOR MORE PEOPLE TO GO

4. WE MUST ANSWER OUR OWN PRAYERS TO GO

Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus SENT out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 GO rather to the lost sheep of Israel. (NIV)