Sunday
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Prayer
Hymn: Micah 6:7-8/Majesty
Memory Verse: Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Lesson: Life Lessons
Character: David
Pastor remarks and intro of first principle
First Principle: Both God and man
know success is more than a one step process.
Scripture Reference: Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are
ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
The
seven days of creation teach us principles of logical progression. For example,
grass was grown before cows were created.
Success
is more than a one step process.
Question: In what area of life
has this principle applied to you?
Follow Up Question: What is your next step?
Conclusion: Life is a journey
that includes many steps which demand we build on the last one and take the
next one. Our lives have an expected and productive order. From first grade to
graduation, each step prepares us for the next one. When we stop stepping we
stop growing. Even death is a step which life should have prepared us to take.
There’s a next step in every area of life. Take a deep breath, don’t worry,
you’re not there yet and the next step is not always up to you.
Pastor remarks and intro of second principle
Second Principle: Bad decisions,
wrong decisions, and costly mistakes are a part of the process and not always
the problem.
Scripture Reference: Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold
me by Your generous Spirit.
David,
like many other Bible characters, made a bad decision which was a costly
mistake.
The
Apostle Peter cursed and denied knowing Jesus at his most critical hour.
At
some point, Rahab decided to become a prostitute.
The
Apostle Paul persecuted and imprisoned Christians as his committed life’s work.
All
of these, however, have one more thing in common. They turned their failures
over to God and where sin did abound, grace did much more abound.
Bad
decisions aren’t always sin but they can still be costly.
Question: How can tests,
trials, temptations, and tribulation work for us?
Follow Up Question: What are some things you have
learned from your mistakes?
Conclusion: The Bible says no
one is perfect save Christ. Our imperfections lend us to making bad decisions,
wrong decisions, and, at times, even costly mistakes. Life, however, does not
have to end with your last worst decision. God will forgive you, secure you,
restore you, and bring you to victory if you will but place your life in His
hands. God is not interested in punishing us and neither should we punish
ourselves. Life is a process, give your life to God.
Pastor remarks and intro of third principle
Third Principle: What you are going
through is not punishment for your past but positioning for your future.
Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 22:1-2 David
therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his
brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down
there to him. And everyone who was in
distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who
was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And
there were about four hundred men with him.
David
hid from Saul for many years, yet he remained loyal to both God and the king.
The hardships David faced prepared and
positioned him for the future God had already designed.
Question: What are some
things you can do to encourage yourself when going through difficult times?
Follow Up Question: How can we encourage others
in their difficult times?
Conclusion: How we act under
pressure reveals who we are and what we are made of. It has been said that a
diamond is nothing more than an old piece of coal that made good under
pressure. Are the pressures of life making you or breaking you? God is getting
you ready for that which He already has ready for you.
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.
