People's Church

07-08-18 - Decoding: How to Know God’s Will - Pass The Test - Herbert Cooper

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. (NLT)

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

1. Does it agree with the Bible?

1 Peter 1:23-25 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. (NIV)

2. Am I in a right relationship with God?

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer 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. Does it make me more like Christ?

1. Love people more

2. Forgive people more

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (NIV)

3. Serve people more

Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (NIV)

4. Give to people more

Acts 20:35 remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (NIV)

4. Have I sought godly counsel?

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (NKJV)

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (NIV)

3 Prerequisites Before Seeking Godly Counsel

1. Do they live a godly life that is producing godly fruit?

2. Do they have experience?

3. Do they have proven results?

5. Do I have God’s peace?

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (NIV)

2 Thess 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (NIV)

6. Am I pursuing God’s will?

Everybody falls into one of three categories:

1. I want what I want.

2. I want what you want, BUT…

3. I want what you (God) want.

Luke 22:41-42 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (NIV)

07-01-18 - Decoding: How to Know God’s Will - God Has A Plan - Beau Doré

God has a plan, and His plan is always the best plan.

1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (NIV)

God’s plan is not a secret.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)

1. God speaks through people.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (NIV)

Proverbs 24:6 For with wise guidance, you can wage a successful war, and with a council of many advisors, you will be victorious! (VOICE)

2. God speaks through pain.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

3. God speaks through your passion.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV)

Psalm 37:23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; (NIV)

07-01-18 - Decoding: How to Know God’s Will - God Has A Plan - Beau Doré

God has a plan, and His plan is always the best plan.

1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (NIV)

God’s plan is not a secret.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)

1. God speaks through people.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (NIV)

Proverbs 24:6 For with wise guidance, you can wage a successful war, and with a council of many advisors, you will be victorious! (VOICE)

2. God speaks through pain.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

3. God speaks through your passion.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV)

Psalm 37:23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; (NIV)

06-24-18 - Decoding: How to Know God’s Will - How to Know God’s Will - Scotty Gibbons

1. God has a plan for each of our lives, and His plan is ALWAYS the best plan.

Psalm 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (NIV)

2. God’s will is not a secret.

John 10:3-5 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. (NIV)

1. A commitment to discovering the will of God.

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 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. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (NLT)

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)

Psalm 119:105 By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. (MSG)

2. A true desire to DO the will of God.

Psalm 40:8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. (NIV)

A.  It’s God’s will for you to be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

B.  It’s God’s will for you to be spirit-filled.

Ephesians 5:15-18 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (NIV)

3.  It’s God’s will for you to be set apart.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. (NIV)

4.  It’s God’s will for you to be thankful.

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

06-24-18 - Decoding: How to Know God’s Will - How to Know God’s Will - Scotty Gibbons

1. God has a plan for each of our lives, and His plan is ALWAYS the best plan.

Psalm 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (NIV)

2. God’s will is not a secret.

John 10:3-5 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. (NIV)

1. A commitment to discovering the will of God.

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 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. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (NLT)

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)

Psalm 119:105 By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. (MSG)

2. A true desire to DO the will of God.

Psalm 40:8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. (NIV)

A.  It’s God’s will for you to be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

B.  It’s God’s will for you to be spirit-filled.

Ephesians 5:15-18 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (NIV)

3.  It’s God’s will for you to be set apart.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. (NIV)

4.  It’s God’s will for you to be thankful.

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

05-05-18 - The Comeback - What Do You Do When A Comeback Is Not Possible? - Herbert Cooper

PDF NOTES

1. Remember God knows right where you are.

1 Kings 17: 9 Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” (NIV)

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (NIV)

2. Give Jesus your last meal.

Psalm 71:1–5 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. 5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. (NIV)

3. Keep obeying God’s word.

1 Kings 17:13-15 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (NIV)

4. God will give you grace for every season.

1 Kings 17:15-16 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV)

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

05-05-18 - The Comeback - What Do You Do When A Comeback Is Not Possible? - Herbert Cooper

PDF NOTES

1. Remember God knows right where you are.

1 Kings 17: 9 Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” (NIV)

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (NIV)

2. Give Jesus your last meal.

Psalm 71:1–5 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. 5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. (NIV)

3. Keep obeying God’s word.

1 Kings 17:13-15 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (NIV)

4. God will give you grace for every season.

1 Kings 17:15-16 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV)

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

05-05-18 - The Comeback - What Do You Do When A Comeback Is Not Possible? - Herbert Cooper

PDF NOTES

1. Remember God knows right where you are.

1 Kings 17: 9 Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” (NIV)

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (NIV)

2. Give Jesus your last meal.

Psalm 71:1–5 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. 5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. (NIV)

3. Keep obeying God’s word.

1 Kings 17:13-15 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (NIV)

4. God will give you grace for every season.

1 Kings 17:15-16 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV)

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

04-29-18 - The Comeback - Comeback From Failure - Scotty Gibbons

PDF NOTES

1. He Failed.

Matthew 26:69-74 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” (NIV)

Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (NIV)

2. He Fled.

Matthew 26:74-75 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (NIV)

3. He was Forgiven.

Mark 16:7 But go, tell his disciples AND PETER. “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (NIV)

John 21:1-8 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. (NIV)

04-29-18 - The Comeback - Comeback From Failure - Scotty Gibbons

PDF NOTES

1. He Failed.

Matthew 26:69-74 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” (NIV)

Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (NIV)

2. He Fled.

Matthew 26:74-75 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (NIV)

3. He was Forgiven.

Mark 16:7 But go, tell his disciples AND PETER. “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (NIV)

John 21:1-8 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. (NIV)