Address the Mess

Inside-Out, (Philippians 1: 3-6, 9-11)

July 22, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Philippians 1:

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

Review: “I know a mess when I see one, because I am one”

The Challenge: Instead of being critics we need to become students

Review: “There is a perfect and perfect isn’t me”

1: Good News: Jesus loves the little messes, BUT…

-Christianity isn’t a vicious circle of messing up and finding forgiveness

-Christianity isn’t us trying harder to do better

“I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11

2: The Christian life isn’t about avoiding messes, it’s about becoming something

-God working in us; love coming out of us

(Ref. Matthew 5:23-24)

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will

carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Address the Mess

Best Mess Ever

Scripture: John 3:17; 8:12; Matthew 7:26, 24-25

Idea: The mess that brings us together brought God near. Your mess can be

the avenue that brings God near to you.

Know: If you’ve made a mess, Jesus invites you to follow him out of it.

Why: So messy people will feel free to move toward God . . .

Do: Surrender.

Why: So, you can experience God’s grace . . .

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

You can follow your way out. Follow Jesus!

God will meet us in the mess. We know because it’s what Jesus did. We know because in this room are men and women whose stories are:

I messed up.

I gave up.

I looked up. God showed up.

Points to Remember:

1. I messed up!

2. I gave up on my own ability!

3. I looked up to Jesus!

4. Jesus showed up and leads me through!

Jesus is the beautiful mess, he hung on the cross a bloody mess, to bring new life, not to condemn but to save us all! Jesus even led a criminal to salvation while hanging on the cross.

A mess can be a beautiful thing when God takes our mess and turn into a beautiful new life. It often takes a mess to make something beautiful!

Address the Mess

Mess in the Mirror

(Romans 3:19-20,23)

July 8, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Romans 3

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are

under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world

held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:19-20, 23

1: “So, what mess?” you ask

Truth: Life is messy

2: The mess is our common ground

• We must become students, not critics

• We all need help now and then

3: It’s the mess that brings God near

Challenge: I know a mess when I see one because I am one.

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today?

How must you respond?

> Part 7-Greater Strength/Hope (Heb 11-13)

Joy in Discipline

July 1, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 12:4-13

What trial is getting the best of you? (Write it down)

“Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as His children.” Hebrews 12:7

What is Discipline (V 10)? To train

Ask: What might God be trying to teach me?

II. What is God's role in this training? (ref. Hebrews 12:4-7, 10b-11)

III. What is our response to discipline?

A (5a): Flippantly blow it off

B (5b): View it disparagingly

C (Proverbs 3:11a): Grab hold of it resentfully

D: We can embrace it gladly

God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Hebrews 12:7b-8

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

> Part 6-Greater Followers (Heb. 11-13)

Fighting the Good Fight

June 24, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us RUN with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

V 1c: RUN with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Why? V 3b: …so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

11:4b (Abel): Though he’s been dead for a long time, He still speaks.

HOW TO RUN WELL:

First (V 1b): Consider what’s slowing you down

1) Throw off anything that hinders

2) Throw off hazards (sin)

Second (V 2): Consider what speeds you up

3 INSPIRATIONS FOR THE RACE

Inspiration 1: A Great Cloud of Witnesses

V 1: …since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us…RUN

Inspiration 2: A Great Coach

V 2: …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Inspiration 3: The Great Joy of a Triumphant Finish

V 2b: …For the joy set before Him…

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Greater Followers (Hebrews 11-13)

Triumph & Tragedy

June 10, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 11:23-40

Faith (noun): that inkling that gives us the potential of stepping forward even in the midst of the uncertainties.

Triumph in Tragedy (V 23-35a)

“He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than all the

treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Heb.11:26

“They gained what was promised” Hebrews 11:33d (also verse 10)

Tragedy in Triumph (35b-39)

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39

WHERE WE MUST FOCUS

1: Look Back toward the Witnesses

“…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

2: Look Up toward Jesus (see verse 26a)

3: Looking Forward to Joy (see verse 26)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

“My Only Regret!”

May 27, 2018

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

“I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country” - Nathan Hale

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

1. Developing a sincere heart for God; Controlled by His Love!

Know: Get to know the God of Love!

Immerse: Spend time in His Word!

Talk: Pray to God continually!

Listen: Open your ears to hear God in prayer!

Ask: The Holy Spirit to teach you & write His Word on your heart!

Go: Step out in Faith and go into the world He has placed you

and love people!

2. My heart - God’s motives:

We are a new creation for His purpose.

Persuader – Verse 11

Reconciler – Verse 18

Ambassador – Verse 20

When our heart is God’s heart, shaped like His, made to reflect and honor Him, we are a new creation. Our purpose is to do His will and love people!

“I only regret that I have just one life to live for Jesus!”

> Part 5-Greater Followers (Heb 9-11)

Uncommon Valor

May 20, 2018

Indiana Jones Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBBbq2g7yf8

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 11:1-7

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of

things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV

Faith (noun): an inkling that gives potential to step forward even in the midst of the uncertainties

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is

like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6 KJV

1: Substance of things hoped for: “a standing under.” It’s the idea of a foundation or basis for a claim. Technically: a title deed.

2: Evidence of things not seen: It’s really about faith that is built up proof.

“Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power

and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has

been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Faith (noun): an inkling that gives potential to step forward even in the midst of the uncertainties

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

> Part 5-Greater Followers (Heb 9-11)

A New and Living Way

May 13, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 10:19-39

10:19a: “Therefore…”

V 19b: since we now have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place

V 21: since we have a great priest over the house of God

Why these three things matter?

1 (V 26-31): We have a tendency toward drift

2 (V 32-39): We have a tendency to get discouraged

3 Applications: 3 Verbs + 3 Nouns

1 (V 22): Draw near to God

App: To practice His presence is a life of worship

2 (V 23): Hold on to hope

App: Trust God and hold on to hope

3 (V 24): Spur one another on

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

a. Spur: to stir up the greater thing God is doing in us

b. Encourage: it’s not getting any easier

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Part 5-Greater Followers (Heb 9-11)

One for All-All for One

May 6, 2018

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 10:1-18

1: One for All

“For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

Hebrews 10:14

Why animal sacrifices?

a (V 3): They served as annual reminders of our sin problem

b (V 1): They served as shadows of something greater

Day-after-day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again & again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when This priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God… Hebrews 10:11-12

2: All for One: V 14:

“For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

Hebrews 10:14

First: Jesus has perfected His people (V 15-18)

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

Hebrews 1:17b

Second: We are among those who are being made holy

One Lord: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your

soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:38b

One Team: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you

love one another.” John 13:35

One Mission: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39b

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will

carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today?

How must you respond?