­Limitless 5: Limited by the Comparison Trap

 

Do you often compare yourself to others?

Our limitless God made us in His image. We are made to be limitless, but yet there are habits that will place limits upon your life.

The Comparison Trap is a destructive force. When we compare ourself to others we always lose.

If we truly want to live the limitless life we must avoid the comparison trap.

Hello and welcome to everyone watching and listening online, as well as to all of the beautiful people in the room. My name is Chris Fluitt and I welcome you to Redemption Church.

What kind of Church is Redemption? We are the kind of Church that connects to culture. We actively look for way to communicate the Gospel of Jesus to new generations. We will try to do this today.

LIMITLESS

In January of this year, 2018, we preached a sermon series called Limitless. #limitless2018

We want to take a few weeks to make sure you are still living a limitless life, by looking at some habits that limit ourselves. 

God is limitless! And we are made in the image of this limitless God. God has given you limitless power, love, wisdom, and riches. You are limitless!

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We can do all things through Christ. Through Christ we are limitless. YET.. there are some habits and practices that will take us out of Christ and put limits on our life.

LIMITED

Redemption Church do you want to live in the limitless life of Christ? If we want to live in the limitless, we need to lay aside the weights & sins (Hebrews 12:1) that cause us to live under limits. 

One of these limiting practices is the Comparison Trap.

 COMPARISON TRAP

Do you ever catch yourself comparing yourself to others? Have you ever compared your finances to others?

* Your car & house?

* Your spouse, your kids?

* Your body, physical appearance?

* Your abilities to others?

* God’s blessings?

CHALLENGE

#1 Recognize how many times you compare yourself to others. How frequently do you compare?

#2 I want you to pay attention to how the comparison makes you feel? How do you feel about yourself? how do you feel about others?

 

When it comes to comparison, scripture is very direct in telling you not to do it.

Let’s look at some of these scriptures.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV2011) We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

We DARE NOT classify or compare ourselves… Classifying is the rating system that causes you to think of someone as 1st class, and that you are second class.. or that you are of a higher class than others… It is very destructive.

To measure & compare yourself by yourself is not wise. That’s like running a race all by yourself, and then after finishing the race, declaring yourself to be the fastest person alive. People like this always crown their own achievements and don’t think highly of others.

Galatians 6:4 (NIV2011) Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,

Pride is usually spoken of as something to avoid. There are a lot of scriptures that warn us about pride.

Colossians 11 – Pray for us, Take care of us, Remember us

In the Last chapter of Colossians the Apostle Paul turns to a new focus.  Paul focuses on “us.”

Paul, from His jail, asks Colossae to “Pray for us.” He could have said “pray for me,” but he showed an “us” focus.

The Church must pray beyond selfish desire and focus our pray on the body of Christ. We need an “us” mentality that brings us to care for & remember the struggle of those around us.

Are you ready to pray for “us”?

Howdy Ya’ll. This is Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt, and I am glad to share the Word of God with you today.

What kind of Church is Redemption Church? We are a Jesus centered Church. We are saved BY Jesus and FOR Jesus. Jesus is the name we lift above every other. Every song sung, should be about Jesus. Every sermon preached, ought to be about Jesus. If you love Jesus, you came to the right Church today.

Colossians 4:2 (NIV2011) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:3 (NIV2011) And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Colossians 4:4 (NIV2011) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Colossians 4:5 (NIV2011) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:6 (NIV2011) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:7 (NIV2011) Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

Colossians 4:8 (NIV2011) I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Colossians 4:9 (NIV2011) He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Colossians 4:9 (NIV2011) He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Colossians 4:10 (NIV2011) My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Colossians 4:11 (NIV2011) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

Colossians 4:12 (NIV2011) Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Colossians 4:13 (NIV2011) I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Colossians 4:14 (NIV2011) Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Colossians 4:15 (NIV2011) Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Colossians 4:16 (NIV2011) After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Colossians 4:17 (NIV2011) Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

Colossians 4:18 (NIV2011) I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Clap your hands if you are thankful for the Word of God.

After Paul’s command to be devoted to prayer, watchful & thankful, Paul then asks the Colossians’ to “pray for us.”

Colossians 4:3 (NIV2011) And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message,

Colossians 10 – Devoted to prayer

Paul, from his jail cell commanded the Church in Colossae to devote to prayer. Devotion is a pretty strong word. We use devotion to describe the unwavering bond of marriage.

Does “devotion” describe your attitude toward prayer?

We must become devoted to prayer.

Hello everyone! This is Redemption Church. We are a mighty church in Plano Tx.

What kind of Church is Redemption Church? We are the kind of Church that believes in Spiritual Transformation! God has the power to change your life! Every time we come together we challenge everyone to let the Holy Spirit transform them. Before today is over we invite you to take a step down into this altar and ask the Lord Jesus to change your life.

Hello all you amazing people in the room. And greetings to everyone watching online. Please leave us a like, a share, and a comment so that God’s message will reach even further.

Please turn with me to Colossians 4. I have loved this study. It is so beneficial to dive deep into the word of God.

As we draw to a close with this series we are already becoming excited about our upcoming October series! It is going to be a Spooky Sermon Series! Be on the lookout for that!

CHRIST IS SUPREME

I want you to remember that the theme of the book of Colossians is CHRIST IS SUPREME.

Let’s look at Colossians 4:2.

Colossians 4:2 (NIV2011) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Clap your hands if you are thankful for the Word of God.

As I was studying this final chapter of Colossians, this short little verse captured my attention.

It says “devote yourselves to prayer…”

Devote yourselves to prayer

What does that look like? Are we doing that? Are we devoted to prayer?

What do you think of when you hear the word devotion? It makes think of marriage… love, loyalty, and commitment.

In the same way that a husband and wife are devoted to each other, are you devoted to prayer?

The word Paul uses for DEVOTION is proskartereō (pros-kär-te-re’-ō). It means to be…

devoted or constant to one. Are we constant towards prayer?

to give unremitting care towards. Do we give unremitting care towards prayer?

to show constant readiness towards. Are we constantly ready to pray?

to show one’s self courageous for. Are we courageous in prayer?

In Paul’s closing chapter to the Church in Colossae, he instructs them to devote to prayer.

This is not the only time Scripture talks about devotion to prayer.

In Acts 1 Jesus told them to wait and pray in Jerusalem to receive the promised Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:14 (NIV2011) They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

The devoted themselves to prayer BEFORE the arrival of the Spirit… And they continued to devote after the Spirit infilling.

Acts 2:42 (NIV2011) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

In Acts 6 the Apostles revealed how they did ministry.

Acts 6:4 (NIV2011) and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Paul’s letter to Rome also addressed devoted prayer.

Romans 12:12 (NIV2011) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Redemption Church, we need to be devoted to prayer. A constant readiness… a courageous unremitting care towards prayer.

We MUST pray often/continually

Colossians 9 – The Message of Christ

“Let the Message of Christ dwell among you richly…”

We need that message dwelling in us everyday. We need the message of Christ to be in everything we do.

Are we familiar with this message? Is it being lived out in love & peace?

You have found your way to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. Hello my name is Chris Fluitt. Greetings to everyone watching online and of course all you good looking people right here in the room.

What kind of Church is Redemption Church? We are the kind of Church that connects with the culture. We are the kind of Church that does not DEMONIZE the culture around us. We don’t sit in our Church building and say terrible things about our society.. We are the kind of church that seeks to bring the message of Jesus to the culture. Sometimes we do this in creative ways. But regardless of how it is accomplished our major goal is put Jesus on display to a culture that has not yet seen Him.

Please turn with me to Colossians 3. I am excited to be in our Colossians study. I really have gotten so much out of this series. I hope it has been good for you… it has been great for me.

CHRIST IS SUPREME

I want you to remember that the theme of the book of Colossians is CHRIST IS SUPREME

Last week we talked about the Jesus Life. It is a glorious life! We ended with this powerful verse declaring Christ to be all and in all. Let’s read that verse again… Colossians 3:11

Colossians 3:11 (NIV2011) Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Colossians 3:12 (NIV2011) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:13 (NIV2011) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:14 (NIV2011) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:15 (NIV2011) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV2011) Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV2011) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:18 (NIV2011) Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Colossians 3:19 (NIV2011) Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Colossians 3:20 (NIV2011) Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 (NIV2011) Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Colossians 3:22 (NIV2011) Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Colossians 3:23 (NIV2011) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Colossians 3:24 (NIV2011) since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:25 (NIV2011) Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 4:1 (NIV2011) Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 8 – Jesus Life Glorious Life

Since then, you have been raised with Christ… set your heart, your mind, and your life on things above.

This life that has been raised with Christ is a glorious life!

Jesus gives us a brand new life. It is a born again experience. Christ has given us life!

But Paul says it stronger than this! Paul says Christ IS your life. What does it mean for Christ to be your life? What does it mean for us to appear with Him in glory?

Here is what it means! It means that all the barriers and divisions have been removed, and Jesus has become “all, and in all.”

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Welcome. We are Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt, andI am happy to serve as Lead Pastor here.

What kind of Church is Redemption Church? We are a church that believes in community. We believe thata if you say you love Jesus but don’t love the people around you that you are mistaken. We are called to love Jesus and love each other. Jesus commands us to love one another just as He loves us. The level of our love is the level of love Christ has shown us. THEREFORE we should live together in unity. We should do life together. Hang out. Bear each other’s burdens. Celebrate our successes together. I  invite all of you to go deeper in community with us.

Welcome to everyone online, and hello to everyone in the room. God bless ya’ll!

We are back in the book of Colossians. Turn to Colossians 3. We took a 5 week break to study belief and the great commission and now we are returning to this great book. If you missed any of the previous sermons in the Colossians series they can be found on our website redemption-church.com.

Does anyone remember what the theme of Colossians is?

Christ is Supreme

Colossians 3:1 (NIV2011) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 (NIV2011) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:3 (NIV2011) For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4 (NIV2011) When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:5 (NIV2011) Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:6 (NIV2011) Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:7 (NIV2011) You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

Colossians 3:8 (NIV2011) But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 3:9 (NIV2011) Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

Colossians 3:10 (NIV2011) and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:11 (NIV2011) Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

We touched on the first 3 verses but let me review… You have been raised with Christ, so set your heart, mind, and life above.

Verse 1 Set your heart on things above WHERE CHRIST IS. Wherever Christ is, that is where your heart is.

Verse 2 Set you mind on things above not on earthly things.

Verse 3 Your life is now hidden with Christ in God… the location of your life is above the things of this world.

If we have really been raised with Christ… then our hearts, minds, and lives ought to testify to that fact!

Colossians 3:4 (NIV2011) When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Great Commission – The Cause

Have you ever felt like there was something important you needed to be doing but couldn’t quite remember what it was?? Jesus has an important command for us, but sometimes we forget about it. It is called by many, the Great Commission.

After the Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection, and right before He ascended to heaven, Jesus gave us something important to do!

Are we Mission Minded? Ask yourself these simple questions.

What is the great commission?

Where is the great commission found in scripture?

Are you accomplishing your Mission?

Welcome to Redemption Church. We are a mighty Church in Plano Tx. What kind of Church is Redemption?

We are the kind of Church that believes in the mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself gave us a mission to reach the world. Everything we do as a church should be centered on the mission.

We are going to be talking about that mission today. Go ahead and open your Bibles to Matthew 28.

As you are turning I want to give a big Texas God bless Ya’ll to everyone watching online. We love you guys & gals. Thank you for your encouragement.

Mission? What Mission?

Jesus actually gave us a mission and far too many Christians do not know about it.

If you think the Church is about singing fun songs… you are wrong. We like to sing fun songs unto the Lord… but that is not our mission.

If you think the Church is about cool sermon series… you are wrong. We like cool sermon series that teach Biblical truth, but that is not our mission.

If you think the Church is about constructiong big buildings and filling it with church members… you are wrong again.

If you think that the Church is about convincing the other denominations that they are wrong and you are correct… you are wrong. That is not the mission Jesus gave us.

I want to ask you 3 MISSION MINDED questions today

Mission Minded

* Do you know what your mission is?

* Do you know where to find it in scripture?

* Are you going to accomplish your mission?

Great Commission

Christians have been referring to this mission as the GREAT COMMISSION since a group of missionaries coined the term in the 1600s. The words “great commission” do not appear in scripture but these words accurately describe the work Jesus has called us to do.

What is a mission? A mission is a TASK, ASSIGNMENT, INSTRUCTION, DUTY, OBJECTIVE, & PURPOSE.

Jesus has given us a mission. So what is a CO-MISSION?

CO means cooperation. It is a CO MISSION, a mission together. With each other.

We cooperate with Jesus. We cooperate with each other. We COMMISSION.

Is this COMMISSION great? You bet it is.

* It is the hope for all humanity.

* It unleashes the power of God.

* It brings ultimate purpose into your life.

THE CAUSE

I read an article this week that suggested we rebrand the great commission for a new generation. They suggested THE CAUSE.

We live in a world that is running after causes. Causes gather a lot of attention and energy. Causes draw a collective of people working for something greater than themselves.

This great commission, this cause, is the cause of all causes. Whatever you wish to call it, Redemption Church we need to come together and embrace the work of Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus left Earth… Before He ascended into Heaven… He spoke some final words.

I want to believe, but… 4 Heartless God

How can I believe in a God who doesn’t care?

Does God care? Where is God when there is a school shooting? How about natural disasters? Why doesn’t God stop these things? I’m in pain and it doesn’t seem fair.

When God doesn’t seem fair there are some things to remember. We talk about them in today’ sermon

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Welcome! My name is Chris Fluitt. I am so happy to be here in Plano Tx at Redemption Church. What kind of Church are we? We are the kind of Church that is WILLING. We are willing to go anywhere, help anyone, say anything… whatever God asks… Whatever DFW needs… WE ARE WILLING!

A big Texas God bless Ya’ll to all our friends experiencing the Word of God over the internet. And of course I love all of you great looking people in this room.

We are the final week of our sermon series “I want to believe, but…”

I want to believe, but…

We sometimes have trouble believing in God. But perhaps the reason we have trouble believing is that we have wrong beliefs about the true God. Over the 3 previous weeks we have been rejecting distorted views of the true God.

Week 1 we talked about ON-DEMAND GOD…The idea that if we ask something in prayer God has to do it… We reject that distortion.

Week 2 we talked about KILLJOY GOD… The idea that God only cares about rules and is out to make sure your life is angry & boring. We reject that distortion.

Week 3 we talked about GOOSEBUMP GOD… The idea that if we don’t see, hear, or feel God he must cease to exist. We reject that idea.

We believe that most people want to believe in the true God of love… BUT… there is a misconception.. an incorrect belief, a distortion of truth that is standing in the way.

Today I want you to reject Heartless God.

HEARTLESS GOD

It may be that you are thinking… I want to believe in God… but how can I believe in a God who doesn’t seem to care?

We don’t have to look too far to see hurt, pain, injustice, and suffering in our world. It leads us to ask… “Where is God? In fact I would like to know what you think… Pull out your smart phone and text our anonymous line.

ANONYMOUS TEXT LINE

What recent news headline has caused you to ask… “God where are you?”

Our anonymous text number is 214-856-0550. The texts are anonymous! Feel free to text us anytime you have questions on life, faith, or Redemption Church.

While you are texting in… Let me tell you some that came across my mind.

* Mass murderers like the one that happened last October in Las Vegas. God if you would have stopped one guy, then 58 people would still be alive?

* Racism & hate crimes. Videos & stories of injustice & brutality.

* School shootings & Church shootings.

* Natural disasters like the Fuego Volcano that killed over 100 people in Guatemala. Did God care about these people? Then why didn’t he stop it? People that are dying in a water drought… if it would only rain then lives would be saved. Is God so heartless that He is withholding rain?

These are world news stories… but perhaps your heart is broken over something more perso...

I want to believe, but… 3 Goosebump God

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You are here at Redemption Church. My name is Chris Fluitt and I welcome you today from the lovely city of Plano Tx. We are the kind of church that believes Jesus has given us a mission to reach the world with the message of God’s love. We believe God has empowered us to to bring the goodnews of Jesus to everyone.

Greetings to everyone in the room. And a big God bless Ya’ll to all our friends experiencing the Word of God over the internet.

We are the 3rd week of our sermon series “I want to believe, but…”

I want to believe, but…

I want to remind you that faith doesn’t come naturally. Perhaps our faith struggle is not us rejecting the true God, but is us rejecting our false beliefs that have distorted our view of the true God? Most people want to believe in the true God… but there is a distortion or incorrect belief standing in their way.

In week 1 we talked about, and rejected the ON-DEMAND GOD

Last week we talked about moving on from a KILLJOY GOD.

Next week I am going to talk to you about rejecting HEARTLESS GOD. This is a major reason people are having trouble believing in God. I know that you have friends and family that need to hear this sermon. Make up your mind that you will get them here next Sunday. I will be in prayer for you to invite them. I am looking forward to next Sunday… BUT TODAY…

Today I want to tell you about GOOSEBUMP GOD.

GOOSEBUMP GOD

How do you believe in a God you have never seen, heard, or felt? I want to believe in God, but I don’t know if He is real because I have never felt Him.

I have never seen God in the physical. Have you?

I have never heard God audibly. Have you?

Now I believe that God could reveal himself in the physical… I believe He could talk to me audibly… but He never has done that to me at this point in time.

Have I ever felt God? I would say I have… but that it is a different kind of feeling. I have never felt a physical hand of God reach out and give me a high five. Have you had a God high five? And you know Church that pastor really likes high fives…

Raise your hand if you felt God today?

* You might say that you felt goosebumps or the hair stand up on your arm. I am not putting that down at all, but let me challenge you a little bit… have you ever had tingly goosebumps while watching a movie or while being around some you really liked?

* You might say that you cried or felt and intense emotion. I am not putting that down at all, but let me challenge you again… Have you ever watched a youtube video that made you cry or feel an intense emotion? When that commercial comes on with the sad puppies and kitties and the Sarah McLachan song “arms of an angel” starts to play…. I dare you not to tear up… We may use that song at altar today actually…

* You might say you felt peace or a knowledge that everything was going to be ok in your heart I am not putting that down… I love that… but let me challenge you and say that you could feel at peace in a bubble bath while listening to smooth jazz… you could have a good talk with someone wise and fell in your heart like everything is going to be ok…

As cool as FEELINGS are… they cannot be our basis for faith in God.

I want to believe, but… 2 Killjoy God

 

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Welcome back to Redemption Church. We are a mighty Church in Plano Tx. We are the kind of church that believes Jesus can change any situation… Jesus can change your life. We believe in SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION! Before today is over we are going to gather for a time of talking to God. We challenge you to be a part of it and let God Spiritually Transform your life.

Greetings to everyone in the room. And a big God bless Ya’ll to all our friends experiencing the Word of God over the internet.

We are the 2nd week of our sermon series “I want to believe, but…”

I want to believe, but…

Believing doesn’t come naturally. We often struggle with faith and wrestle with doubt.

Last week we asked a question and had people write in to our anonymous text line. That question was “Tell us what has been the hardest thing for you believe concerning God.”

I was moved to see so many people respond. Here are some of the responses.

* I have trouble believing I still hear God..

* I have trouble believing when I see strong faithful Christians walk away from faith.

* I had trouble believing when my father died.

* ..that they don’t have to and cannot earn God’s love.

* Believing that death isn’t just the end.

* That God loves me… even when I do wrong.

Anonymous Text Line

Today I want you to pull out your phones and answer this question. Is there a piece of knowledge or something that happened that helped bring you to believe in God? Tell us about it.

Our anonymous text line is 214 856 0550. And we really mean that it is anonymous. Our text line is available to you anytime you want to talk about faith, life, or even Redemption Church.

Last week we talked about the idea of rejecting God. We asked this question…

Are we rejecting God… or are we rejecting our distorted view of God?

It could be that the reason we are struggling to believe, is that we have wrong beliefs. If this is the case, we need to call these distorted views out and reject them.

Last week we talked about ON-DEMAND GOD. If you missed it or would like to review it can be found on our website REDEMPTION-CHURCH.COM… and by the way we have a podcast and it is super easy to push that subscribe button.

Today it is time to reject… it is time to move one god further from the distorted view of Killjoy God

Killjoy God

 

I was around 18 years old and was crazy about Jesus. I really loved Jesus and wanted to share Him with all my friends at school. I started inviting my friends from school to church and even started bible studies at school. It was a cool time. A lot of my friends started coming to church! They were saved by Jesus and it was exciting!

One day after a great church service I was talking to some of the other young people in that church. I said “wasn’t it exciting that my friend came tonight. I could really tell God was doing something in their heart. I just know God is going to save my friend…”

And a girl in that youth group stopped me dead in my tracks “If she…” I looked up and saw the angriest and scariest face I have ever seen. Pennywise & Jason Vorheese had nothing on the anger and hostility coming out of my fellow youth group member.

“IF SHE DOESN’T FOLLOW THE RULES THEN SHE CAN’T BE SAVED! IF I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES TO BE SAVED THEN SHE HAS TO FOLLOW THE RULES TO BE SAVED!”

I want to believe, but… 1 On-demand God

Believing is not easy. Faith does not always come naturally for us. If you are having belief issues right now, you are not alone.

“Why didn’t God answer my prayer? Why did that bad thing happen? I gave to others and served out of love yet I still am struggling with debt. Where are you God?”

What if your belief struggle had more to do with incorrect beliefs? What if the reason you are having trouble believing in God is because you are believing in the wrong God?

Today we are going to reveal a wrong belief about a god who needs to be rejected. It is time to move on from the On-Demand God.

Welcome to Redemption Church. We are a mighty Church in Plano Tx. We are a church that reads the Bible and then believes God can do those amazing things in us.

Welcome to everyone in the room. And welcome to all our friends experiencing the Word of God over the the internet. God bless you all… or as we say in Texas… God bless ya’ll.

We are starting a new sermon series today called “I want to believe, but…”

Can we be honest for a moment and just admit that it is sometimes difficult to believe.

Anonymous Text Line

I want you to pull out your phone and text our anonymous text-line. Tell us what has been the hardest thing for you to believe concerning God. Maybe it is something you have overcome, or maybe it is something you still struggle with… but either way I think it would be so great to admit that we have all had “I want to believe, but” moments.

Our anonymous text-line is 214-856-0550. The text is completely anonymous. If you would like to talk through faith issues just let us know, we would love to do this… but we also think it would be so beneficial for us to simply admit that faith has not come naturally to us.

I think most people on the face of the planet would say they want to believe in God…. but..

I want to believe, but…

I am 38 years old, and over the course of my life I have seen the world change in the area of faith. Growing up it was rare to meet someone who didn’t believe in God. In the 80’s, living in the Bible belt buckle called Waco, Tx, it was all but assumed that you believed in God and belonged to a local church.

All these years later there is a very much different culture around us. I would say that there are on the extremes people who absolutely do not believe in God, and those that absolutely do believe in God, and then in the middle are the majority of people who “want to believe, but…”

They want to believe, but there is a reason they are struggling to believe. Over the next weeks we are going to be looking at these reasons.

Here is what I believe. I believe that most people are having trouble believing in God, because they have the wrong beliefs about God. I believe that you may not be rejecting the true God, but that you are rejecting the distorted view you have of God.

All our distorted views of God actually need to be rejected

Your faith struggle is a truthful & beneficial & purifying spiritual experience.

Over these 4 weeks we will be looking at 4 distorted views of God that need to be rejected.

Today we will be talking about an “On-demand god.”

In week 2 we will be discussing a “kill joy god.”

In week 3 we will be talking about a “goosebump god.”

And finally in week 4 we will reject a “heartless god.”

I know that you have friends and family that are struggling in these areas. Please bring them.