Relate And Respond - Bro. Jimmie Witherspoon

Luke 10:33-34 (NLT) “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds…

The despised Samaritan related to the wounds of the Jewish traveler. Can you relate and respond to their wounds?

Ask Don’t Assume - Pastor David Rathel

Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT) Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Christ Over Color, Culture, & Clan - Pastor David Rathel

Colossians 3:7-11 (NLT) You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.10Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you area Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free.

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Engage For Eternity - Missionary Twinkle Johnson

Revelation 7:9 (NIV) After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

1 John 4:20 (NIV) Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

NOW IS THE TIME

Todd and Sherri Newkirk:

Our personal Mission Statement is: Seeking out God's Lost Sheep, where ever they may be, and shepherding them to spiritual safety.

GOALS:

1. Stay involved and committed in the relationships we have developed.

2. Expand relationships when we can.

3. When we travel find ways to use our ministry, wherever we are going, to help the local work.

Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA) Vision Statement:

Changing The World; One Heart At A Time

John 10: 11-16

"I am the Good Shepherd"

"I know my sheep and my sheep know me"

Ezekiel 34:2-16

The Bad Shepherd: you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered…My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”

Ezekiel 34:2-16 cont…

I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep…and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them…they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture… 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord GOD. 16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick;

Psalm 23: compared to Ezekiel 34

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 11 I Myself will search for My sheep

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures 14 …There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,”

4 Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,[a] 12 …and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day

The Time is Now! To gather those that are lost, scattered, and going astray.

The window is open, and the time is NOW. We have everything we need…we have to pull the bow back as far as we can and let that arrow go…we have to strike that floor over, and over, and over. It is time to start Seeking God’s lost sheep, wherever they may be, and Shepherd them to spiritual safety.

Matthew 28: 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Thomas Rainer, “The Unchurched Next Door” identified five types of unchurched people and strategies for reaching them.

U5: Highly antagonistic and even hostile to the gospel.

- Responds to long term relationships

U4: Resistant to the gospel, but with no antagonistic attitude.

- Also respond to long term relationships.

U3: Neutral, with no clear signs of being interested yet perhaps open to discussion.

- Talk with them, pray for them, with them, and Invite them to church.

U2: Receptive to the gospel and church.

- Willing to come, if invited.

U1: Highly receptive to hearing and believing the Good News.

- Just waiting for someone to invite them to church.

Likelihood of attending if someone asks:

U5: 20%

U4: 62%

U3: 86%

U2 and U1: 97%

THE TIME HAS COME. It is time to start gathering these lost sheep back up and heading down the mountain.

And when we get down the mountain?

2 Thessalonians 1: 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe,[a] because our testimony among you was believed.

Well done…

WHAT AM I MISSING?

WHY DO WE FOCUS ON WHAT WE LOST OR LACK?

WHY DO WE WALK INTO A ROOM AND SEE IT’S MESS

Rather Than The Amazing People Who Made It.

2 Kings 13:14-17

God Did Not Prevent The Attack From Happening.

HE PROVIDED THE STRENGTH TO WITHSTAND IT.

WE MISTAKENLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROVISION OF GOD

TO BE PREVENTION OF PROBLEMS.

THE TRUTH IS: WE’RE ASKING GOD TO CREATE A

LIFE FOR US THAT WILL MAKE HIM UNNECESSARY.

KING Weeping Over WHAT WAS LEAVING.

ELISHA Pointing To WHAT WAS LEFT!

In Every Season Of My Life I Have That Same Choice.

Whatever Is Out Of My Reach Is Not What I Need Right Now.

God Will Create A Singular Need In Your Life

So He Can Show You How To Find HIs Plural Supply.

YOUR SUPPLY IS CONNECTED TO YOUR SIGHT!

SEEING CREATES BLESSING.

PERSPECTIVE CREATES PROVISION.

2 Kings 6 - Elisha Needs An Army & An Axehead.

Vs. 15-17 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Vs. 4, 5 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick, and threw it in there, and made the iron float.

WHAT AM I MISSING?

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

In Verse 13, What Provision Does God Give?

What Purpose Of The Gift?

You Focus On What Is Missing Because You Don’t See That The Miracle You Need Is The Insight To See God’s Provision Of Strength.

Are You In A Shortage? Ask God, Allow You See What’s Already There.

ASK, WHAT AM I MISSING? THE ISSUE IS PERSPECTIVE!

IF, PROVISION IS PERSPECTIVE AND PERSPECTIVE IS PROVISION.

THEN, PROVISION COMES WHEN I SEE WHAT I’M MISSING.

HE KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED TOMORROW BECAUSE

HE’S ALREADY BEEN THERE.

YOUR PROBLEM MAY BE YOUR PROVISION.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WALKING OVER?

WHAT ARE YOU NOT USING THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.

THE ENEMY CAN KEEP YOU SO FOCUSED ON THE NEED

THAT YOU DON’T SEE THE SUPPLY.

HOW DO YOU FIND IT? STOP WAITING FOR WHAT YOU WANT

AND START WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

I Don’t Want To Fall Short, So I’ll Stop Short. (Fall Short Anyway).

WHAT’S YOUR DEEPEST HOPE?

IT’S IN YOU!

Your Greatest Potential In Life Lies In Your Greatest Hope.

How Do I Live It Out?

1. Dig It Out. 2. Work It Out. 3. Call It Out.

DIG IT OUT

1 Kings 19:19 “So he [Elijah] departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.

Most Of Your Potential Is Still Buried.

Move Toward - Fantasy

Move Away - Fear

Move Against - Anger

Elisha Never Saw It Coming… Potential Is UNPREDICTABLE!

WORK IT OUT

Philippians 2:12, 13 ...work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

You’ll Never Work It If You Don’t Want It.

It’s Time To Wake Up Your Want To.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

“I’M WORKIN’ IT OUT. YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT NOW.”

“IT’S NOT OVER. I’M WORKIN’ IT.”

“MY PAYDAY IS COMING!”

CALL IT OUT

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we

ask or think.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 The race doesn't go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the smart, nor recognition to the skilled. Instead,

timing and circumstances meet them all.

WHY YOU? WHY NOT YOU? CALL IT OUT!

You’re Crazy If You DON’T Talk To Yourself

Jeremiah 1:7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man, ’Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

STRIKE THE GROUND

Put These In Order: Plant? Harvest? Plow?

“You reap what you___. So, What comes before reaping?_____.”

“But, What comes before sowing? _________.”

Luke 9:62 “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

2 Kings 13:14-19 “14When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.” 18Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it.”

But Why? Elisha Knew That The Outcome Of The Battle Is Often Decided Before It Begins.

1 Kings 19:19, 21 “So he [Elijah] departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen…”

The Outcome Of The Battle Is Decided By...

“The Preparation Of The Plow.”

Most of us are not performing at the level of our potential.

We are performing at the level of soil preparation we have plowed for.

Elisha was saying to Jehoash:

“There Was More That God Had In Store, But You Stopped Short.”

People “Stop Short” Of Preparation, But So Do Whole Churches!

First: There is a fresh vision from God. Lives are transformed by the light of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God advances!

Next: Satan strikes back in spiritual warfare against us. We take painful losses. We DO NOT understand!

Then: In confusion and denial, we learn how to “stop short” so we are no longer threatened - and are no longer a threat!

COLUMBUS GA, IS A GOOD PLACE FOR PLOWING.

GOD Is A GOD... Of PREPARATION!

You’ve been asking God to SEND It. He’s Been Asking You to FORM it.

He Won’t FILL What You Don’t FORM!

Don’t Expect Your Preparation To LOOK Like Your PROMISE.

The PLACE God Prepares You The MOST...

Is The PLACE That Seems The Most POINTLESS To You.

God Prepares You To Trust The TEACHER By Putting You In

A CLASS That Doesn’t LOOK Like The CALLING.

I’m NOT Saying, “This Will Take Your PAIN Away.”

I AM Saying, “Start SEEING Your Pain As Preparation.”

I’m NOT Saying, “God Is The One Who Hurt You.”

I AM Saying, “In His Hands, Whatever Hurt You Will Become Healing For Where He’s Taking You.”

MY JOB Is The PLOW: “...Keep Striking The Ground.”

God Is Preparing You. He’s Getting You READY.

You’re Tending Sheep. You’re in the field. You ARE The Field.

God Is Preparing You FOR... What He Has Prepared FOR You!

It’s Not Failure. It’s PREPARATION!

It Doesn’t FEEL Like Preparation. It FEELS Like FAILURE.

The Failure Was Preparation. So That, You Would Have The

INFRASTRUCTURE And The FORTITUDE For SUCCESS!

Our Way: “The Preparation Exists For The Battle.”

God’s Way: “The Battle Exists For The Preparation.”

Battles Come And Go, But Preparation Creates Conquerors!

WHERE HAS GOD TOLD YOU TO KEEP STRIKING THE GROUND?

FOCUS THE FIGHT - WORK YOUR WINDOW, 07.09.17 - II Kings 13:14 - 20 --- Sermon Content Credit: Pastor Steven Furtick

14Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him.

“My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

15Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. 16“Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

17“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

[ LET GOD ] PICK YOUR BATTLES.

He Told Him Which Window To Open Which Signified Which Battle He Needed To Fight.

You Can’t Win Anywhere Because You’re Trying To Win Everywhere.

Action Without Aim Leads to Exhaustion.

Everyone Has An Aram,

And Everyone Has Arrow.

Are You Focused On Your Aram,

Or Your Arrow?

If I Focus Too Much On On Aram,

I Lose Sight Of My Arrow.

We Get Discouraged In The Fight,

Because We Have No Focus.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1

Ask God, What Is It That You Have Given Me The Title To?

WATCH THE ARROW.

If You Look At How Big Your Enemy Is,

You’ll Always Lose Strength And Heart

And Courage.

Watch The Arrow Means:

Look For The Activity Of God!

He will show you where to shoot.

I CAN’T WIN EVERYWHERE AT ONCE.

I CAN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY.

1st VIEW YOUR VICTORY ~ 2nd .FOCUS THE FIGHT!

YOUR BIGGEST FIGHT IS NEVER OUT THERE.

18Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped.

19The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.” 20Elisha died and was buried.

DETERMINE THE DECISION.

I Have Determined The Decision In Advance.

It’s Not An Option For Me To Stop Short.

I Have Aimed My Arrow In The Direction Of

My Pre-Determined Destiny And I Will Not Stop Striking The Ground Until it Comes To Pass!

Take Aim. Take Action.

It’s Not What Happened In The Air That Determined The Victory. It’s What Happened On The Ground.

If You Will Do What You Can Do. God Will Do What You Can’t Do.

It’s His Arrow, But It’s Your Effort.

It’s His Victory, But It Starts With Your Vision.

Pray, “God, Show Me Where To Shoot. Show Me Where To Focus.”

VIEW YOUR VICTORY - WORK YOUR WINDOW, 07.09.17 - II Kings 13:14–20 Sermon Content Credit: Pastor Steven Furtick

“14Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

15Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. 16“Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

17“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared.

Today Aim Arrow Victory OvrOvrOv

I SEE A VICTORY IN THIS HOUSE!

“You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

VIEW YOUR VICTORY: First, Ask You A Question? Is Your Window Closed?

OPEN YOUR WINDOW.

“You Are Not Going To Experience Victory Weeping Over What Is Dying.”

“You Are Not Going To See Victory In This Season If You Are Stuck In A Memory Of The Last One”

Get Your Bow. Get Your ArGET READY TO WORK IT.

rows. Because: “Everything You Need For Victory In This Season Is In Your Reach.”

Say, “I Have A Window Of Opportunity”

Leonard Ravenhill -

“The Opportunity Of A LifeTime Must Be Seized In The Lifetime Of The Opportunity.”

Trouble Doesn’t Last. Neither Does Opportunity.

“You’re Not Blessed according to the word that you hear, But Blessed according to the word that you act upon.

AIM YOUR ARROW.

I DON’T FIGHT FOR VICTORY.

I FIGHT FROM VICTORY.

TWO WORDS: ReView & View.

Review Past Victories As Often As Possible.

When God Gives Victory…Small…Celebrate

“If You’re Gonna Climb The Mountain,

Don’t Just Go Back Down.

Do A Little Dance While You’re Up There!”

“If You’re Gonna Climb, Why Not Celebrate!”

“There’s Too Much Hard Stuff In Life For You To Replay Your Regrets And Not Review Your Victories.”

“Celebrate It Before You Forget It.”

Your Next Battle Might Be Really Tough.

You’ve Got To Get Your Victories Embedded In Your Spirit So You’ll Have The Strength And Courage To Fight.

Elisha Wasn’t Telling Him To Look Back On A Battle. He Was Telling Him To Look Forward To A Battle...

As If It Had Already Been Won!

View Your Victory. You’ve Gotta See It Before You See It, Or You’ll Never See It.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Close Your Eyes And Find Your Vision.

Visualize Your Victory This Year.

“I Want You To See Yourself According To The Word That God Speaks About You And Over Your Life. He Is Already Begun To Change You.”

SUBSTANCE - HUPOSTASIS: hupo, “under,” histemi, “to stand” “a standing under, support” ---- (TITLE DEED)

Ask God, What Is It That You Have Given Me The Title To? A Title Is A Supporting Document. What Does That Title Stand Under?

Body...Heart Holy Passionate...Fulfilling God’s Plan & Purpose...Pulling Down Strongholds…

Free From… Porn... Drugs... Alcohol... Worry... Anger... Resentment... Overeating… Making Same Stupid Decisions…

See Yourself… Loving… Kind… Your Marriage In A New And Different Light.

Sometimes You Have To See The Resurrection While You’re Still Hanging On A Cross.

Sometime You Have See Liberty While You’re Still In Bondage.

Sometimes You Have To See Joy While You’re Still Weeping Over

“Faith Is The Substance Of Things Hoped For And The Evidence Of Things Unseen.”

God Determines When, Where, How, With Who. Detach From All That.

Attach To The Fact That You Are SURE Of The Victory Before The Battle.

See Yourself in the future STRONGER… WISER… HAPPIER… MORE JOYFUL…

Rejoice In It Now Like It’s Already Done.

My Arrow Is A PREVIEW PRAISE!!!

I’ve Got A Preview Because I Did A Review.

I Know The Future Because I Refuse To Believe That My Past Victories Are The End Of The Story.

My Victories Can’t Be Over Because The Same Author Is Writing The Whole Bo

American Dreams

My American Citizenship Is A Stewardship.

It Is Temporary. And, I Am Accountable.

Daniel 4:4-5 NIV - I , Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.

5I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.

Daniel 4:17 NIV - “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that THE MOST HIGH IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL THE KINGDOMS ON EARTH AND GIVES THEM TO ANYONE HE WISHES and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

Daniel 4:24-26 NIV - “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEAVEN RULES!

Daniel 4:29-30 NIV - Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Daniel 4:31 NIV - Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven,

“This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.”

Daniel 4:32-33 NIV - You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

Daniel 4:34, 37 NIV - At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 5:17-18, 20-24 NIV - Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. 18“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 20But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

Daniel Is Saying... “Belshazzar..., Your Grandfather Understood

that His

Why do Christians do what they do?

b. Impossible for humans to answer

c. God can answer

III. Truth – 1 John 3:1-3

b. 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

i. How great is it to know that the creator of the universe considers you His child?

ii. They don’t understand you, they don’t understand Him.

iii. Two different versions of truth

c. Romans 12:2 - 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.

i. These two options are why Christians do what they do.

ii. I’ve seen the results of the worlds version of the truth.

iii. How do I choose God’s truth?

IV. Application - Romans 12:1

a. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

i. I am a prodigal

ii. I often beg God to make me like Him.

iii. I am wrong to beg.

b. Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

V. Landing – Offer yourself

a. It is simple – Matthew 11:29- 30 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

b. It is the same for salvation as it is throughout Christian life. Present yourself as a living sacrifice.

d. Why do Christians do what they do?

i. Because we can choose to conform or transform.

ii. Judging simply on the beauty of creation, I say we transform.

iii. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Fathers are POWERFUL

You are your child’s greatest influence

You are the representation of God to your children!

Fathers are PURPOSEFUL

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Proverbs 22:6

6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

THE PROBLEM:

We seek meaning in PLEASURES

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

We seek meaning in PROJECTS

Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

We seek meaning in POSSESSIONS

Ecclesiastes 2:8-9

8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Mark 8:36

36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

THE SOLUTION:

SEEK God

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

WORSHIP God

Mark 12:30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

TRUST God

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 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.

OBEY God

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

MODEL Jesus

1 Corinthians 1:11

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.