Sunday
Circles
Building Your Family With Friends
Church On
The Rock
Gtcotr/sc122015
Prayer
Hymn: Isaiah 51:11
Memory Verse: Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come
with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they
shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Lesson: Who’s in control?
Pastor remarks and intro of first principle
First Principle: We are
never in control.
Scripture Reference: Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
Only
God is in control and we are subject to being interrupted.
Caesar
Augustus was not in control.
The
Roman Senate was not in control.
Neither
Mary nor Joseph were in control.
God
does not first seek our permission before he alters our plans.
What
may seem like an unfair burden to us is often a plan to God.
Question: How many
interruptions outside Mary’s control had to take place for her to be a part of
God’s plan?
Follow Up Question: If Mary had been in
control, how might things have been different?
Conclusion: God orchestrates
life and events so that each person is given an opportunity to participate in
His plan. Every day things happen which are beyond our ability to control. The
best we can hope for is to find a way every day to please God in all we do. We
cannot always choose what we go through but we can choose how we will go
through it.
Pastor remarks and intro of second principle
Second Principle: God is always in control.
Scripture Reference: Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
God
has a plan and He will succeed …
God
knows the end from the beginning and works all things to the benefit of His
good will.
Although
we have a choice, only God is in control.
Question: Do you trust God
enough to let Him be in control?
Follow Up Question: What are some ways
we can show God that we trust Him?
Conclusion: God was determined
to bring peace and good will to mankind and whatever it took to accomplish that
was well within God’s control. God exercised complete control over events which
effected generations, nations, and individuals. Never forget that God has a plan
for peace and goodwill and He is in control. Like it or not, all eternity
depends on God … how much more the things of this life.
Pastor remarks and intro of third principle
Third Principle: The journey is your friend.
Scripture Reference:
Luke 2:7 And she
brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid
Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Being
highly favored of God does not equal being favored of man.
At
times life can seem so unfair and taxing.
Even
though Mary would not have chosen this journey for herself, yet the journey
brought her to her destiny.
Life
and circumstances were outside of Mary’s control but not outside of God’s
control.
Question: How did Mary’s
journey become her friend?
Follow Up Question: How can our
perspective help us in our life journey?
Conclusion: God moves a lot of
things around in days that we don’t know and in ways we cannot control to
accomplish the will that we could never have imagined. Work with God and give
Him your best every day. He is in control.
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.
