"Building Habits That Last"

Think about the number of books written about building habits. How many authors have made millions of dollars based on their ability to convince an audience that their method to building successful habits is the right method? What if there was a better way to build habits that would establish your zeal to last?

FROM

1. Concern about ______ of Men - Philippians 3:6; Matthew 15:3, 8-9

2. Limited Perspective that Leads to Decisions - Matthew 12:36; Judges 11 :35

3._____ What God and Others Want - 2 Samuel 7: 1-1 7

4. Living ______ in the - James 3:16; Acts 13:45

TO

1. Reminders that Come from _______ - 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 1:13, 2 Peter 3:1

2. Perspective through Godly Sorrow and ________

- 2 Corinthians 7: 11 ; James 5: 16

3. _____ Each Other Up in God - 2 Corinthians 9:2; Hebrews 10:24-25

4. Living for _______ - Hebrews 11:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-2

Why do bad habits start?

1.) Stress

a. Matthew 6:34

b. Psalm 62:1-2

2.) Boredom

a. 1 Thessalonians 5: 14

b. Psalm 63:1-7

I, ______________ am committed to reading scripture, prayer, building up my fellow Christians, and living for heaven - all for the glory of God! 1 Peter 4:1-11

(Put this in a place that will remind you of your commitment to build habits that last.)

Zeal That Lives On

So many times in the word of God our passion and dedication is described as something that bums for Him. (Luke 24:32; Jer. 20:9) We often call that feeling a zeal for God and it's important to know is how to sustain that zeal for a lifetime. Through careful study and following the path God has laid out for us, we can have lifelong zeal. Along with that, an amazing thing about God's plan is that we can spread that zeal to others and know that we have a part in continuing God's purpose beyond our own lifetime.

Spreading Zeal That Continues On

1.) Understanding Biblical Zeal

"Christian zeal is the courage to exercise great wisdom, great energy, and great diligence in loving service."

2.) How do we teach something like zeal? (2 Tim.2:2; 1 Cor.11: 1; Phil. 4:9, 3: 14-17)

3.) What Does Jesus Want? (Rev.3:14-19; Titus 2:13-14)

Looking to Jesus as We Mentor, Train, and Teach

1.) He took the opportunities around Him to teach his disciples patience, faith, and humility (Mark 4:10-13; Luke 17:3-5; John 13:12-15)

2.) Making certain that teaching is effective (Mark 4:34; 2 Tim. 3:10-12)3.) Just as he did with His apostles, we are to take active roles in the lives of others (Titus 2:1-8)

4.) Jesus helped his disciples learn to deal with difficult situations (Matt.17:24-27; Gal. 6:1-2;

John 2:14-17)

5.) He taught them to pray and he prayed and for them (Matt. 6:5-15; Acts 4:23-24; James 5:13-16; John 17:1, 6-10)

Jesus hand-picked the twelve to receive special attention and training; they went on to do the work of their master even after he was gone from this world. Christians should also invest their time and energy heavily in others. In this way, you can spread your zeal to future generations purposefully and powerfully.

Jesus Marveled...

Only twice in the New Testament do the inspired writers tell us that "Jesus marveled" at something and both times it has to do with faith. To marvel at something is to be amazed, astonished or to have wonder at something. Since we can easily see that the scriptures teach us God is all-knowing, (Isa. 46:9-11) why would Jesus "be amazed" by someone's behavior? What can we learn from these times where the things that men did caused the Savior to react this way about their faith?

A. The Nature of Our All-Knowing God

1.) God's ______ and wisdom are unquestionable (Rom.11:33-34; Ps.33:13-15;

Isa.44:28, 42:9)

2.) Does God predetermine everything? (Acts 2:22-23; Rom. 8:28-30; Eph.1:3-6)

3.) God knows all, but allows man the will to ______ (Ezek.18:30-32; 2 Pet.3:9; James 1:13; Josh.24:15; Esther4:13-14)

B. Jesus Was Amazed at the Centurion's Faith (Luke 7:1-10)

1.) He was a man of _____ , yet interested in the Lord (v.8; Luke 8:14)

2.) He cared about others (vv.2-3, 5; Matt. 7:12; Rom.12:15-16, 20-21)

3.) He had earned the ______ of his neighbors (v.4; Acts 10:2, 22; 1 Tim.3:7, 4:12)

4.) He was a ______ man (vv.4, 6-7; Prov.17:2; Rom. 12:3; 1 Pet.5:5-6)

5.) His faith was great and he _______ on it (vv.3, 6-7; 2 Thess.1:3; 2 Pet.3:18)

6.) He _____ the power and authority of Jesus (v. 7; Rom. 1: 16)

C. Jesus Marveled at Unbelief (Mark 6:1-6)

1.) It was well know that Jesus was to come (Gen.12:3; Isa. 7:14; Micah 5:2)

2.)They were offended by Him, overcome with contempt (vv.2-3; Isa.8:14; Rom.9:32-33)

3.) Jesus condemns unbelief when there should be understanding (Mark.16:14; John 8:24; Rom.1:21)

4.) What message will we send by our choices today? (vv.5-6; Ps.14:1; Rom.1:28; Matt.10:33)

God's Part + Our Part = Salvation

Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23; 2 Peter 3:9

GOD'S PART

1. God's __________________

·John 3:16

·Romans 5:8

·1 John 4:9-10

2. God's __________________

·Titus 2:11

·Ephesians 2:8-10

·Hebrews 11 :1-3

·God's part is done

3. God's __________________

·Titus 3:5

· Ephesians 2:4-8

· Luke 23:31-43

4. God's __________________

·Hear Romans 10:17

·Believe John 20:30-31

·Repent Acts 3:19

·Confess Romans 10:9-10

·Baptism Acts 2:38

·Live Godly Rev. 2:10

Our Part = Salvation

1. _______ In God

·1 John 4:13-19

·John 20:30-31

·Matthew 22:37-38

·Romans 1:16

2._________ God's ________

· Nothing I can do to earn or deserve it

·Ephesians 2:8-9

·Hebrews 11 :4-11 examples of faith

·Genesis 6:22

·Requires faith and action on my part

3. ______ God's ________

· Ephesians 2:8-10

· Hebrews 4: 15-16

We deserve punishment- God's Mercy

·Luke 6:36

4.____ ____ God's _______

·Genesis 2

·2 Peter 3:9

·Hebrews 4:16

·I cannot save myself

·I need God's Grace, Mercy & Salvation

· Draw near to God

Water Turned To Wine

The Power To Change

Introduction:

1. Text: John 2: 1-­11

2. Jesus' power and ability to change things for the better goes far beyond water to wine as His power involves His ability to meet our every spiritual need!

3. Only God can turn water to wine and only God can cleanse the sin stained soul!

4. Consider Jesus' power to change ...

Discussion:

I. Unbelievers Turned To Believers (Jn. 20:30-­‐31

II. Sinners Turned To Saints(] Cor. 6:9-­‐11; Eph. 2:1).

III. Slaves Of Sin Turned To Slaves Of Righteousness (Rom. 6: 15-­‐18; Col. 3:5).

Jesus is all-­‐powerful! Let Him work in your life!

Understanding 1 Peter 3:21

Introduction

• I wrote a blog post rebutting an online article that denied that1 Peter 3:21 teaches that baptism saves.

• My preaching mentor suggested I turn it into a sermon.

1. Is __________ a ______________ ?

(Ephesians___:_-_, 2:_-_)

2. Are Miraculous Spiritual Gifts a ____________ of __________?

( 10:_-_,John_:_-_)

3. Is ______________ the ________________ a ____________of Salvation

(Romans ______________ ________1:13 ___ John______

4. What About the ___________ on the _________?

(_________23:_______, Mark __________)

5. An _________ to _________ for a __________ .

(Acts ___:____)

Every Spiritual Blessing

Introduction

• Many apparently faithful Christians are uncertain that they're in a right relationship with God.

• This reflects a misunderstanding of God's expectations and His nature.

• The first two chapters of Ephesians can help us sort things out.

I. Before the ________________

a. _______ _ as ___ (Ephesians 1:_-_)

b. In ______ (Ephesians 1:_-__ )

c. A _____ of ______ (Ephesians 1:_-_)

II. The _________ of __________

a. _________ by ________ (Ephesians 2:_-_)

b. ___________ (Ephesians 2:_-_)

Being Steadfast and Abounding

It is amazing to think of some of the oldest and largest trees in the world that may have been standing for hundreds of years. Consider all that those great timbers have withstood over their time; all the changes in the

earth, the storms the climate variations, and the intrusions of mankind. The ones that have survived that long have been well rooted, nourished in solid ground and secure. We can learn valuable lessons from the creation around us.

(Psalm 1:1-3)

We are also called to be steadfast and growing in the work of our God.

1.) Being Steadfast (1 Cor. 15:58)

 Grounded and______________ in faith

(2 Pet. 3:17-18; James 1:6-8; Eph.4:14; Heb.6:19)

 It is an_________________response, both in the body and the mind (Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:14)

2.) Abounding and Excelling (2 Cor. 8:7)

 Faith (Heb. 11:6; Eph.2:8; Jude 20-21)

 Speech (Mark 16:15; 1 Pet.2:9; 3:14-15)

 Knowledge (1 Pet.2:2; Eph. 5-9-10)

 Diligence (Col.3:23-24; Ecc.9:10; Rev.3:15-16)

 Love (1 John 4:8; Matt.22:37-39; 1 Pet.4:8)

3.) The Value of Protecting this Commitment and Zeal

 A steadfast and working _________________ (Heb. 6:19; Gal 6:9)

 ____________________ on the wisdom of God’s plan (Ps. 136; 1 Kings 19:15-18)

 Nothing done for the Lord is in ________________ (1 Cor. 15:58; Matt.5:10-12)

Things Older Christians Need to Hear

from Younger Christians

Psalm 71:9 (ESV)

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

Psalm 71:17-18 (ESV)

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

* "___________ ____________"

(Lev 19:32; Prov 23:22-25; 2 Tim 3:1-9

* "we take________ ______ seriously"

(1 Tim 1:3-7,2 Tim 3:10-17; 3 John 4)

* "We're__________and we believe you have something worth__________along"

* "You are_____________________"

(Job 12:12 Deut;32:7 Psa 92:12-15)

What Did I Miss?

A. Few of us enjoy the idea of “missing out.”

B. Thomas is perhaps the most famous example of someone “missing out” (John 20:19-31).

C. Have you ever considered what you miss out on when your brothers and sisters in Christ are

meeting and you’re not there?

What Did I Miss?

 I missed________________

_(Psa 119:105; 2 Pet 1:16-21)

 I missed________________

_(Acts 2:42; Rom 12:10-13)

 I missed________________

_(Heb 10:24; Phil 2:3-4;Eph 4:17-24)

 I missed________________

_(Heb 10:24; 1 Thes 5:14)

 I missed________________

_(1 Cor 8:1; Eph 4:11-12)

 I missed________________

_(1 John 5:19; Heb 12:12-13; Psa 42:11)

 I missed

_________________(Psa122:1; 92:4; Col 3:16)

 I missed________________

_(Heb 3:13; Rom 8:12; Heb 10:24-25)