Sunday
Circles
Building Your Family With Friends
Church On
The Rock
Prayer
Hymn: Psalms 19
Memory Verse: Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of
my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Lesson: The Tests of Life
Character: David
Pastor remarks and intro of first principle
First Principle: The Valley Test
Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 12:20
So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed
himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of
the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he
requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
We
can’t control everything that happens & life does not always please us.
What
we do when things aren’t going our way reveals who we are and what we’re made
of.
The
valleys of life test our commitments.
When
disappointment overwhelms us and we realize that what we want is not going to
happen … what do we do?
Question: What should we do
when disappointment overwhelms us?
Follow Up Question: How can we encourage others
when we see them in a valley of life?
Conclusion: We do not always
make our best decisions when we are disappointed, discouraged, or in despair. Our
vision is often limited in the valleys of life so we do not have the best point
of view. A good decision to make in the low times of life is to climb higher
and gain a greater perspective. Tough times can make us better or bitter … it’s
our choice.
Pastor remarks and intro of second principle
Second Principle: The Mountain Top
Test
Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel
6:14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might;
and David was wearing a priestly garment.
We
love the days that are great days when everything seems to work.
The
mountain top moments of life test our character.
What
we do when everything is going our way shows who we are at heart.
While
tough times often push us into God, times of abundance and success often
relieve the pressures of life and give opportunity for people to distance
themselves from the God who helped them in the valley.
Question: When you become a
billionaire, will you find time for God?
Follow Up Question: What can you do to help
others who are doing well to value their continuing need for God, Church, and
personal ministry?
Conclusion: When we grow in God,
life gets better and problems are solved. Many times when people find
themselves with no alarming need for God to help them, they slack off and stop
pressing in to God. Determine beforehand that, without respect to your
position, profession, or prosperity, you will serve the Lord with zeal.
Pastor remarks and intro of third principle
Third Principle: The Waiting Test
Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel
24:12 Let the LORD judge between you and
me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
Sometimes
the greatest test we face is a test of waiting.
What
we do while we wait can determine how long we wait.
We
can be certain that while we are waiting God is working.
Waiting
can be the most difficult test of them all, especially when we believe that we
or someone else could do something and end the waiting.
Question: What would be some
reasons God is making you wait?
Follow Up Question: What should be our attitude
during our times of waiting?
Conclusion: It is imperative for
us to continue doing the last thing God told us to do while we are waiting on
Him to open the door for the next thing. Sometimes when we are doing everything
we can do, we still have to wait on God to do what only He can do. We need to
learn how to wait well and have faith in His finished plan.
Pastor closing remarks
·
Connect Cards;
Offering and Prayer
·
Memory Verse
·
Pre-Praise &
Worship Prayer
will be hosted in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will begin in just a few
minutes.
