Sunday, September 21, 2014

Sunday Circles - Life Lessons

Sunday Circles
        Building Your Family With Friends
Church On The Rock
Gtcotr/sc092114

Prayer
Hymn: Are You Washed in the Blood
Memory Verse: Psalms 27:13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Lesson: Life Lessons

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of first principle

Characters: Sarah & Hagar
First Principle: Don’t take a temporary situation and create a permanent problem.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.
Sarah had a temporary situation and ended up creating a permanent problem.
Believe me, no matter how bad it is, you can make it worse.
Every trial is a potential testimony and every testimony begins as a trial.
At times, our trials can seem like permanent problems.
Question: Have you ever faced a trial that seemed as if it would never end?
Follow Up Question: What are some things we should and should not do when facing our difficult situations in life?
Conclusion: Always remember that if it’s bad, God is not finished yet.

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of second principle

Character: The Young Rich Ruler
Second Principle: Don’t allow money to impress or depress you.   
Scripture Reference:   Mark 10:22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Do not be impressed with others who have money and do not be depressed with yourself when you don’t.
Money is a tool and prosperity is but a perspective.
Question: How should we treat people who have money and/or great possessions?
Follow Up Question: How should we treat the poor and impoverished?
Conclusion: Ecclesiastes 10:19 tells us that money is the answer for all things. However, Jesus said that a man’s wealth does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses (Luke 12:15). What can we conclude but the admonition given to us by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:17 and following that we should command those who are rich in this world’s goods that they be not haughty but be willing to share with others and thereby purchase for themselves a greater reward.  

Pastor Ron’s remarks and intro of third principle

Character: Noah
Third Principle: Only God can measure success. 
Scripture Reference:   2 Peter 2:5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
Noah preached repentance and the righteousness of God for 120 years.
Noah ended his preaching career with the same size congregation with which he began.
Question: How does the world measure success?
Follow Up Question: By what standard should we measure our success and the successes of others?
Conclusion: We cannot judge success by an increase in numbers or nickels.


              Pastor Ron’s closing remarks

·        Connect Cards; Offering and Prayer
·        Memory Verse

·        Pre-Praise & Worship Prayer will be hosted by one of our Elders, John and Fronnie LeBlanc in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will begin in just a few minutes.