What Makes You Happy - Part 1

No Thing

Happiness is more about who than what.

Happiness is always associated with a who or two.

Happy what always leads to happy'what else.'

Global X syndrome - How can they be so happy, they don't have anything?

In the end, you will have relational not possessional regrets.

"I don't need anyone in order to be happy."

When we can't get what we want, we tell ourselves we don't really want it.

What makes you happy?    No thing makes me happy.

Happy people are at peace with: 
- themselves        
- other people        
- God

Peace with God paves the way to peace with ourselves and equips us to make peace with others.

Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?  Matthew 22:36 NLT

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."  Matthew 22:37 NLT

This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  Matthew 22:38-39 NLT

God is in the way of my happiness.

Sin separates you from others.
Sin separates you from God.
Sin separates you from yourself.

"If I ever...I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Sin separates by substituting.

Sin makes a happy promise that sin can't keep.

Sin is not your friend.

These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.  James 1:15 NLT

Life Is Better Connected

Life Is Better Connected

We want to build a community of Jesus followers who are in community and creating community.

Circles are better than rows.

We drift - if it is good for us we drift from it.

We drift - the current of life rarely takes us in the right direction.

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.  Hebrews 3:12 NLT

Y'all need to see about each other.

The drift begins within.

You must warn each other...   Hebrews 3:13a NLT

appeal to * exhort * urge strongly * beg * implore * entreat

...every day, while it is still today...   Hebrews 3:b NLT

...so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.  Hebrews 3:c NLT

We is the best defense against the deceitfulness of sin in you.

What are you telling yourself these days - that, if you were to tell someone else, they would think you've lost your mind?

The drift begins within, so let someone in.

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.  Hebrews 3:14 NLT

If you don't intend to abandon the whole thing, pay attention to the little things.

See to one another on a regular basis so that none of you are tricked by sin & drift away from the faith that has made such a difference in your life up until now.

Someone can see what you can't.

We all need "see'n" to.

There is no longer fear when others gather near, but only a deep knowledge that Jesus is near.

Group life is preventative.

Separation Of Church And Hate

Separation Of Church And Hate

Become like us and then you can join us.

We were making a point but we weren't really making a difference.

In the Gospels we find the picture of how to bring about cultural change:

*They constantly leaned relationally in the direction of those they disagreed with the most.

*They were constantly at odds with the religious right.

*They were constantly butting heads yet they agreed on just about everything.  

*They were not concerned about guilt by association.

*They didn't judge non-believers for behaving like non-believers.

You are the light of the world.  Matthew 5:14a NLT

Like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  Matthew 5:14b NLT

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  Matthew 5:15 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  Matthew 5:16 NLT

I (Jesus) want you to live your life in such a way that you make a point by making a difference.

Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.  Matthew 5:17 NLT

You will be "attractional."

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders.   Colossians 4:5a NIV

Make the most of every opportunity.   Colossians 4:5b NIV

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

We've had conversation full of salt, sprinkled with a little grace.

How we make a difference:

*We’re not going to fear guilt by association.

*We’re not going to police the behavior of people who don’t believe what we believe.

*We’re going to talk about political and cultural issues that interface with Biblical teaching.

*We’re going to walk toward the messes.

*We’re not always going to get this right.

The mission of the church is that the world would know that God has done something in the world.

With Out A Doubt - Part 5

I Doubt I Can Make It Through The Storm

The One who is in you is greater than what you are going through.

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.  Matthew 14:22 NLT

Nothing bad happens to Jesus followers?

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Matthew 14:23 NLT

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. Matthew 14:24 NLT

Jesus always sees us in our storm.

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. Matthew 14:25 NLT

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” Matthew 14:26 NLT

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! Matthew 14:27 NLT

Jesus always speaks to us in our storm.

Jesus loves us enough to let us go through a storm.

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Matthew 14:28 NLT

“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29 NLT

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31 NLT

When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. Matthew 14:32-33 NLT

You're not in a storm because you're being punished, but because you're being prepared.

In the storm we can understand the greatness of God.

After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34 NLT

If you're in a storm Jesus will always get you where you need to go.

"Jesus can't reach out and grab me."

With Out A Doubt - Part 4

I Doubt I Can Be More Like Jesus

- It's one of the most challenging things about Christianity. 

- The closer I get to Jesus, the more my life is changed. 

As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Matthew 14:13 NLT 

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 NLT 

That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Matthew 14:15 NLT 

But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” Matthew 14:16 NLT 

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Matthew 14:17-18 NLT 

Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. Matthew 14:19 NLT 

They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. Matthew 14:20 NLT 

About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! Matthew 14:21 NLT 

Compassion + ______________ + ________________ + ______________ = Christlike

Compassion was the foundation of the miracle. 

We should be more concerned about eternity than behavior. 

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 NLT 

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35b NLT 

-10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ 
Relationship with God scale

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NLT 

With Out A Doubt - Part 3

MY GREATEST DOUBT

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them.  Mark 9:14 NLT 

When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. Mark 9:15-17 NLT

 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”  Mark 9:18 NLT

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy."  Mark 9:21 NLT

The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.  Mark 9:22 NLT

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.  Mark 9:23a NLT

“Anything is possible if a person believes.”  Mark 9:23b NLT

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”  Mark 9:24 NLT

Believe

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Love

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:15 NLT

Pray

Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.”  Mark 9:26 NLT

Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” Mark 9:27-28 NLT

Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer."  Mark 9:29 NLT

I've done all I can do, it's up to you.

With Out A Doubt - Part 2

I Doubt God's Goodness In Times Of Trouble

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT

PROMISE: It happens

PROMISE: If it is not good, it is not over

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NLT

What are areas in your life where you need to apply this promise?

- Relationships - Health
- Children
- Tragedy
- Self

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. John 11:1 NLT

This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. John 11:2 NLT

So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” John 11:3 NLT

But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” John 11:4 NLT

So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. John 11:5-6 NLT

When you can't see the hands of God, you must trust the heart of God. 

With Out A Doubt - Part 1

Trust God With Everything?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Tough areas to trust God:
5. ____________________________________

4. ____________________________________

3. ____________________________________

2. ____________________________________

1. ____________________________________

Trust begins when we make God a priority, not just a passing thought.

Nothing causes doubt like a draught.

But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 NLT

Then the Lord said to Elijah... 1 Kings 17:8 NLT
“Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have

instructed a widow there to feed you.” 1 Kings 17:9 NLT

So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 1 Kings 17:10 NLT

As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 1 Kings 17:11 NLT

But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”

1 Kings 17:12 NLT

But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 1 Kings 17:13 NLT

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 1 Kings 17:14 NLT

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 1 Kings 17:15 NLT