People's Church

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone DESIRES to come after Me, let him deny himself, and

take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord

your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  38 This is the first and greatest

commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  40 All the Law and the Prophets

hang on these two commandments.” (NIV)

1. LOVE GOD FIRST

 

2. LOVE YOURSELF SECOND

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NIV)

2A. GET YOUR IDENTITY RIGHT

Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he

created them. (NIV)

Mark 10:6–7 “ But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will

leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, (NIV)

2B. GET YOUR MIND AND EMOTIONS RIGHT

Philippians 4:6–7   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard

your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough

trouble of its own. (NIV)

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (NIV)

Romans 12:2 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)

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)

2C. GET YOUR CAREER RIGHT

2D. GET YOUR CREDIT SCORE AND MONEY RIGHT

3. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR THIRD

3A. GO SLOW AND GET TO KNOW

Proverbs 19:2–3 Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. 3 People ruin their lives by their

own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD. (NLT)

3B. DATE FOR PROOF NOT POTENTIAL

Matthew 12:33   “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is

recognized by its fruit. (NIV)

3C. KEEP YOUR SEXUAL DESIRES IN CHECK

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever

sins sexually, sins against their own body. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; (NIV)

1 Kings 20:19-28 NIV

The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind themand each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen.The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.”Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.Do this: Remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with other officers.You must also raise an army like the one you lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they.” He agreed with them and acted accordingly.The next spring Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.’ ”

Psalms 23:4 NIV

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Luke 9:28 NIV

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.

Luke 9:37 NIV

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

3 Truths for Mountain and Valley Living

1. Mountains and valleys are both part of our lives

2. God is an all-terrain God

3. What you get on the mountain you take down into the valley

1 Kings 20:19-28 NIV

The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind themand each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen.The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.”Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.Do this: Remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with other officers.You must also raise an army like the one you lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they.” He agreed with them and acted accordingly.The next spring Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.’ ”

Psalms 23:4 NIV

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Luke 9:28 NIV

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.

Luke 9:37 NIV

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

3 Truths for Mountain and Valley Living

1. Mountains and valleys are both part of our lives

2. God is an all-terrain God

3. What you get on the mountain you take down into the valley

Single And Satisfied

Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)

Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV)

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. (NLT)

1. DISCOVER THE GIFT OF SINGLENESS

1 Corinthians 7:7–8 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own GIFT from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. (NIV)

2. DESIRE FOR MARRIAGE DOES NOT HAVE TO EQUAL DISCONTENTMENT IN LIFE

1 Corinthians 7:28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. (NIV)

2A. RECOGNIZE THAT DESIRE AND CONTENTMENT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS

Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content WHATEVER the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

2B. SEE GOD’S GOODNESS IN YOUR SINGLENESS, NOT APART FROM IT

3. DISCERN THE ADVANTAGES OF SINGLENESS

3A. FREEDOM

1 Corinthians 7:32-33 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— (NIV)

3B. FLEXIBILITY

3C. FOCUS

1 Corinthians 7:34–35 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in UNDIVIDED DEVOTION to the Lord. (NIV)

Single And Satisfied

Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)

Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV)

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. (NLT)

1. DISCOVER THE GIFT OF SINGLENESS

1 Corinthians 7:7–8 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own GIFT from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. (NIV)

2. DESIRE FOR MARRIAGE DOES NOT HAVE TO EQUAL DISCONTENTMENT IN LIFE

1 Corinthians 7:28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. (NIV)

2A. RECOGNIZE THAT DESIRE AND CONTENTMENT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS

Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content WHATEVER the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

2B. SEE GOD’S GOODNESS IN YOUR SINGLENESS, NOT APART FROM IT

3. DISCERN THE ADVANTAGES OF SINGLENESS

3A. FREEDOM

1 Corinthians 7:32-33 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— (NIV)

3B. FLEXIBILITY

3C. FOCUS

1 Corinthians 7:34–35 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in UNDIVIDED DEVOTION to the Lord. (NIV)

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone DESIRES to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)

1. DESIRE

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh DESIRES what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (NIV)

James 1:13–15 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own EVIL DESIRE and enticed. 15 Then, after DESIRE has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NIV)

1. DANGEROUS DESIRES ARE DECEPTIVE

James 1:14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own EVIL DESIRE and ENTICED. (NIV)

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. (NIV)

2. DANGEROUS DESIRES KEEP YOU FROM CONTROLLING YOUR BODY

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; (NIV)

1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the EVIL DESIRES you had when you lived in ignorance. (NIV)

3. DANGEROUS DESIRES HARDEN YOUR HEART

Ephesians 4:17–18 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (NIV)

Hebrews 3:15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”  (NIV)

Ephesians 4:19–23 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its DECEITFUL DESIRES; (NIV)

4. DANEROUS DESIRES KEEP YOU FROM THE WILL OF GOD

1 Peter 4:2–5 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (NIV)

5. DANGEROUS DESIRES DESTROY YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

James 4:1–2 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your DESIRES for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. (NKJV)

1. DO YOU DESIRE TO BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS?

2. ARE YOU DOING LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS YOUR WAY INSTEAD OF GOD’S WAY?

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone DESIRES to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)

1. DESIRE

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh DESIRES what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (NIV)

James 1:13–15 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own EVIL DESIRE and enticed. 15 Then, after DESIRE has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NIV)

1. DANGEROUS DESIRES ARE DECEPTIVE

James 1:14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own EVIL DESIRE and ENTICED. (NIV)

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. (NIV)

2. DANGEROUS DESIRES KEEP YOU FROM CONTROLLING YOUR BODY

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; (NIV)

1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the EVIL DESIRES you had when you lived in ignorance. (NIV)

3. DANGEROUS DESIRES HARDEN YOUR HEART

Ephesians 4:17–18 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (NIV)

Hebrews 3:15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”  (NIV)

Ephesians 4:19–23 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its DECEITFUL DESIRES; (NIV)

4. DANEROUS DESIRES KEEP YOU FROM THE WILL OF GOD

1 Peter 4:2–5 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (NIV)

5. DANGEROUS DESIRES DESTROY YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

James 4:1–2 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your DESIRES for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. (NKJV)

1. DO YOU DESIRE TO BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS?

2. ARE YOU DOING LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS YOUR WAY INSTEAD OF GOD’S WAY?

Most of us see ourselves inadequately and God inaccurately.

From Weakness to Warrior

Judges 6:11-16 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” 13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” 16 The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” (NLT)

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (NLT)

God knows who you really are

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

God calls us based on our potential, not our performance!

God knows what you are facing

Don't wait for a “perfect moment” to make a difference!

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV)

God knows what you can become

2 Corinthians 12:10 “When I am weak, then I am strong” (NIV)

God calls you a WARRIOR even when you feel weak!!

Our breakthroughs are oftentimes tied to our obedience.

Your weakness is not your disqualification — it’s your invitation.

Most of us see ourselves inadequately and God inaccurately.

From Weakness to Warrior

Judges 6:11-16 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” 13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” 16 The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” (NLT)

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (NLT)

God knows who you really are

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

God calls us based on our potential, not our performance!

God knows what you are facing

Don't wait for a “perfect moment” to make a difference!

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV)

God knows what you can become

2 Corinthians 12:10 “When I am weak, then I am strong” (NIV)

God calls you a WARRIOR even when you feel weak!!

Our breakthroughs are oftentimes tied to our obedience.

Your weakness is not your disqualification — it’s your invitation.

John 15: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV)

John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)

1. Bear Fruit by How You Live

John 15:8-10 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love (NIV)

Psalm 1:1–2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (ESV)

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

Galatians 5:19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (NLT)

Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (ESV)




2. Bear Fruit by How You Love

John 15:10-12 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (NIV)

Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (NIV)


3. Bear Fruit by How You Last

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)

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (NIV)