GVCC sermon handout 11/30/2014

Garden Valley Community Church

Pastor Shane Moffitt

November 30^th 2014

“Guard Yourself With Gratitude”

Colossians 2:1-7 NLT

¹I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.

v READ: 4:10 & 4:18 & 4:12 & John 8:44

v Paul wrote this from prison ~ not focusing and praying for his own sufferings ~ but remaining focused on those he loved and holding them up in prayer

² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

³ In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

v How does “knit together” work? as he shares his great suffering for them ~ he prays they would feel connected to him 

v A deep confident understanding of Jesus comes not only from knowledge but also from Christian love for each other

⁴ I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.

v HOW does this “guard” to work?                              

(1) shares his great struggles (2:1);                     

(2) he hopes this will knit (2:2) their hearts

     to his and each other in Christian unity;                                          

 (3) that out of this unity a deep   

   understanding of God (2:2b) will grow;                           

(4) out of this deep understanding of God   

     a confident encouragement of faith

     would take root (2:2);                                                                

(5) and this encouragement of faith would

                guard them from deceivers(2:3)

 

How does this “guard” our soul?

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”   Hebrews 12:2 NLT

⁵ For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

⁶ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as  your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

⁷ Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.

Then your faith will grow  strong in the truth you were taught, and                              you will overflow with thankfulness.

#1.  They were TAUGHT the Truth of Jesus

         Christ (2:7b)

#2.  They ACCEPTED Jesus Christ (2:6a)

#3.  They grew ROOTS and were BUILT UP

          (2:7a)

#4.  They were to LIVE as followers of Jesus

          Christ (2:6b)

v 2:2-3 the confidence in our knowledge of

 Jesus Christ leads us to strong

 encouragement that guards us from deceit

v 2:6-7 being rooted and built up in Jesus Christ leads to and overflowing of gratitude that guards us against deceit

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2

Gratitude is Guards our Soul

20 Defining Factors of a Healthy Church

20 Defining Factors of a Healthy Church

1. Volunteers care more about doing ministry than having a title.

2. There are more ministry teams than committees.

3. Leaders cooperate not compete with each other.

4. The church cooperates with other Bible Believing churches.

5. The church goes into the neighborhood.

6. The congregation is getting younger.

7. The front rows are as full as the back rows.

8. The bulletin isn't just about internal church events.

9. Guests feel welcome and special.

10. Volunteerism is high.

11. Ministry Outreach ideas bubble up.

12. New ideas are embraced.

13. New Leadership Is embraced and given room to learn.

14. Long-time leadership is honored.

15. The Bible is honored.

16. Worship is more than just singing.

17. People like bringing their friends.

18. Congregation members love each other.

19. People are being saved and discipled.

20. People pray—a lot.

Forgiveness Issues

Forgiving Issues

Nothing in life can be more difficult and complicated than forgiving someone. 

1^st thing to remember is that wounds of the heart take time to heal ~ just like wounds that are physical.  You simply can’t rush healing.

2^nd thing to remember is the importance of not confusing forgiveness with reconciliation. 

Forgiveness is between 2 people ~ you and the good Lord.  Restoring your relationship with the good Lord to a place of spiritual health.  Then the good Lord restores your peace and joy.

Reconciliation is between 3 people ~ you… the good Lord… and the other person.  Truth is, reconciliation is not always possible.  Sometimes the other person is not ready to work on the broken relationship. I have counseled people that have unresolved anger issues against someone that has passed away.  Obviously reconciliation is not possible in this life.  However, forgiveness is very much a healthy resolution option. 

The reason the good Lord is vital to both is ~ HE is the only one that can change hearts. HE can soften and change my heart and he can soften and change the other persons heart.  HE works behind the scenes doing things that are humanly impossible. 

Just remember, working in hearts also takes time. 

Someone once said that refusing to forgive is like someone swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die. 

  

When we refuse to forgive (resolve the issues between us and the good Lord) it results in bitterness that robs us of our healthy relationship with God and others. 

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" Colossians 3:13 NLT

“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you" Ephesians 4:32 NLT

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins" Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

PRAYER:

“Father, I choose to forgive ____________ for _____________.

I ask that you please forgive me for holding any bitterness, forgiveness and anger in my heart toward ________.

I choose now to release ___________ into my forgiveness and choose to no longer hold anger towards ________.

I choose from this day forward to bless and love ____________.

I am asking that you bless ___________’s life and bring about peace, joy, and healing.    

Jesus please help me see ___________ through your eyes.

Spirit, please go into the area of my heart where my forgiveness was and bring about your healing.  In your Son’s Name, Amen!”

Daily Devotional TIPS

Garden Valley Community Church

Pastor Shane Moffitt

November 20^th 2014

How to have an effective daily devotion

(1) Bible

(2) Blank Notebook

(3) Select a passage to study

(4) Read a small section of verses ~ STOP

(5) Ask Questions ~  be a detective

(6) Is there anything in this that teaches me about God the Father? (write it down)

(7) Is there anything in this that teaches me about God the Son?    (write it down)

(8) Is there anything in this that teaches me about God the Spirit?  (write it down)

(9) Is there anything in this that teaches me about myself                (write it down)

(10)             Is there a Sin to avoid?

(11)             Is there a Promise to claim?

(12)             Is there a Command to obey?

(13)             Is there an Example to follow?

(14)             Is there Wisdom to remember?

(15)             Is there a Prayer to Pray?

(16)             Is there a Warning to heed?

(17)             Read and engage your mind

(18)             The Bible is not just for Information    

         The Bible is for Life Transformation

The goal of Bible study is
not to make us smarter sinners
but to make us more like our Savior