Family Circus - Week 1

WHO’S THE RINGMASTER OF YOUR THREE-RING CIRCUS?

2 Peter 3:18, NLT

Romans 14:9, NLT

Romans 10:9, NIV

Luke 9:23, NIV

Ephesians 5:15-24, NLT

Matthew 20:25-28, NLT

Philippians 2:5-8, NLT

Ephesians 5:15-24, NLT

1. A WORD TO WIVES

Ephesians 5:22, NLT

Ephesians 5:24, NLT

2. A WORD TO HUSBANDS

Ephesians 5:23, NLT

Ephesians 5:25-30, NLT

Ephesians 5:31-32, NLT

3. A WORD TO CHILDREN

Ephesians 6:1-3, NLT

4. A WORD TO PARENTS

Ephesians 6:4, NLT

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV

THE POWER OF LOVE

1 John 4:7-8, NKJV

“Epithumia” - Desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust, passion. 

Mark 4:19, NKJV

“Eros” – Sexual Desire. The physical, sensual love between a husband and a wife. 

“Philia” – Close friendship. Brotherly love.  

Romans 12:10, NKJV

“Storge” – Family love. The bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. 

2 Timothy 3:2-3, KJV

“Agape” - God’s love. The unique thing about Agape love. It is the only non-emotion based love. 

Love by choice and by an act of the will.

Unconditional Love.

Genesis 1:26-28, NKJV

Exodus 20:3-5, NKJV

What you do to the image, you do to the God.

Colossians 1:15, NLT

Matthew 25:35-40, NLT

1 Corinthians 15:1-3, NKJV

1 Corinthians 15:7, NKJV

Love…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1. LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS

Proverbs 10:12, NKJV

2. LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS

Galatians 6:1, NIV

3. LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS

4. LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV

THE POWER OF UNITY

Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT

John 17:9-11, NLT

John 17:20-23, NLT

1. THE DEVIL IS A DEVIANT DIVIDER

A. The devil hates the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and despises their unity.

B. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Mark 3:24-25, NKJV

Colossians 3:11, NLT

2. SATAN HATES HIS NOTES ON UNITY

A. Unity Gets Answers

Matthew 18:19-20, NLT

B. Unity Is More Effective Against Its Enemies

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NLT

C. Unity Drips, Dews, and Demands

Psalm 133:1-3, NKJV

D. Unity Is Unstoppable

Genesis 11:1-6, NKJV

3. UNITY DEMANDS OUR COMMITMENT 

Ephesians 4:3-6, NLT

A. We Must Be Committed Not To Judge

Matthew 7:1-2, NLT

B. We Must Be Committed To Be Quick To Apologize And Forgive

Matthew 5:23-24, NLT

Genesis 33:10, NLT

C. We Must Be Committed To See, Appreciate, And Celebrate

John 1:42, TLB

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV

THE POWER OF PRAYING 
“IN THE SPIRIT”

Ephesians 6:18, NLT

Jude V. 20, NKJV

1 Corinthians 14:15, NLT

WHAT IS “PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT?”

IT IS PRAYER “BY MEANS OF” THE HOLY SPIRIT

IT IS PRAYER “WITH THE HELP OF” THE HOLY SPIRIT

IT IS PRAYER “IN THE SPHERE OF” THE HOLY SPIRIT

IT IS PRAYER “IN CONNECTION TO” THE HOLY SPIRIT

Praying in the Holy Spirit is 

“praying out of hearts and souls that are indwelt, illuminated, and filled with the Holy Spirit." 

George Lawrence Lawlor 

Praying in the Spirit should be understood as praying in the power of the Spirit, by the leading of the Spirit, and according to His will.

WHY DO WE NEED TO PRAY “IN THE SPIRIT?”

1. INDIFFERENCE

Romans 8:5-8, NKJV

Galatians 5:17, NLT

John 6:63, NKJV

2. IMPOTENCE

Romans 8:26, NKJV

Matthew 26:40-41, NKJV

Romans 8:11, NLT

Philippians 2:13, NLT

3. IGNORANCE

Romans 8:26-27, NKJV

Isaiah 11:2, NLT

4. INTERFERENCE

Ephesians 6:12, NKJV

Daniel 10:12-14, NLT

5. INACCESSIBILTY

Ephesians 2:18, NKJV

Romans 8:34, NIV

Weapons of our Warfare

THE POWER OF TRUTH

Ephesians 1:19-22, NLT

Ephesians 6:10-14, NKJV

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV

Mark 4:2-9, NIV

Mark 4:13-20, NIV

John 8:31:32, KJV

Ephesians 6:17, NKJV

Matthew 4:4, NIV

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

(Deuteronomy 8:3)

Matthew 4:7, NIV

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

(Deuteronomy 6:16)

Matthew 4:10, NIV

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

(Deuteronomy 6:13)

Matthew 4:11, NIV

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jeremiah 23:29, NIV

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Not a Hostage to Addiction

NOT A HOSTAGE TO ADDICTION

           Genesis 4:6-7, NLT

1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV

    Isaiah 44:14-15, 17, NIV

“We’re seeking to find what only God can provide in something besides God Himself.”

HOW TO BECOME AN ADDICT

1. DON’T ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

Jeremiah 3:13, NLT

2. GRATIFY YOUR FLESHLY DESIRES

Galatians 5:16-17, NLT

Galatians 5:19-21, NLT

3. RATIONALIZE YOUR BEHAVIOR AND MAKE EXCUSES

  Luke 14:16-20, NLT

4. KEEP YOUR ADDICTION A SECRET

Proverbs 28:13, NIV

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

5. DEPEND ON YOUR OWN POWER, NEVER GOD’S

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4, NIV

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 

           Galatians 5:1, NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

NOT A HOSTAGE TO ANGER

Ephesians 4:26-27, NKJV

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.

TWO KINDS OF ANGER

Sanctified

Sinful

1 Samuel 17:28, NLT

1. WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH ANGER

SPEWERS

SPEWERS EXPRESS IT

           Proverbs 29:11, NLT

Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.  

           Proverbs 14:17, NLT

Short-tempered people do foolish things.

   Ecclesiastes 7:9, MS      

Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.

STEWERS

STEWERS SUPPRESS IT

           Genesis 4:6-7, NLT

6 “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 

           Genesis 4:6-7, NLT

7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

2. RIGHT WAY TO DEAL WITH ANGER?

SANCTIFIED ANGER: FAN THE FLAME

          Mark 3:5, NLT

He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

SINFUL ANGER: PUT IT OUT

           Proverbs 17:14, NIV

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

          James 1:19-20, NLT

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 

          James 1:19-20, NLT

Ephesians 4:26-27, NKJV

           1 Chronicles 12:8, NLT

           1 Chronicles 12:9, NLT

           1 Chronicles 15:20, NLT

           1 Chronicles 27:16, 18, NLT

NOT A HOSTAGE TO COMFORT

1. WE REMEMBER THAT FAITH THRIVES IN DISCOMFORT

Hebrews 11:7, NLT

Hebrews 11:8, NLT

Hebrews 11:11, NLT

Hebrews 11:17, NLT

Hebrews 11:23, NLT

Hebrews 11:35-37, NLT

2 Corinthians 12:10, NLT

2. WE REMEMBER THE POINT OF OUR LIVES IS THE FAME OF JESUS

1 Samuel 17:45-47, NLT

Philippians 2:9-11, NLT

3. WE ALIGN OURSELVES WITH GOD

4. WE REMEMBER LIFE IS SHORT

Psalm 144:3-4, NLT

James 4:13-14, NLT

Psalm 90:12, NLT

Ephesians 5:15-16, NLT

NOT A HOSTAGE TO REJECTION

“If we live for people’s APPROVAL, we will die by their REJECTION.”

  1 Samuel 17:28, NIV

  1 Samuel 17:33, NIV 

  1 Samuel 17:42-44, NIV

1. WE UNDERSTAND THE MIRACLE OF OUR CREATION.

           Psalm 139:13-16, NIV

2. WE REVEL IN THE MYSTERY THAT JESUS CHOSE US.

           Ephesians 1:4-6, NLT

           Psalm 27:10, NLT

3. WE GRASP HOW COSTLY IT WAS FOR JESUS TO RESCUE US.

           Ephesians 1:7-8, MS

4. WE LIVE FROM ACCEPTANCE NOT FOR IT.

           Psalm 8:3-4, MS

           Psalm 8:5-6, NIV

           Matthew 3:16-17, NIV

FEAR

REJECTION

COMFORT

ANGER

ADDICTION

NOT A HOSTAGE TO FEAR

1. FEAR COMES FROM OUR CONDITIONING

2. FEAR COMES FROM OUR CONCEALING

3. FEAR COMES FROM OUR CONTROLLING

1 Samuel 17:4-11, NLT

1 Samuel 17:16, NLT

1 Samuel 17:20-24, NLT

1 Samuel 17:34-37, NLT

1 Samuel 17:50-51, NLT

1. WE REMIND OURSELVES THAT GOD IS ABLE

2. WE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE US

Psalm 16:8, ESV

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

3. WE NAME WHAT’S KEEPING US UP AT NIGHT 

Psalm 3:1-6, NLT

1 O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” 

3 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain. 

5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. 6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

4. WE FILL OUR MOUTHS WITH PRAISE

Psalm 16:8, ESV

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 16:9, NLT

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.