This past Sunday Pastor Ernest continued on with his series on The Father’s Love.
The Father’s Love: It Changes Everything
1.God is love
2.The Father’s love is eternal
3.The Father’s love is unconditional
4.The Father’s love is limitless (Ephesians 3:16-19)
5.The Father’s love is immutable (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17)
6.The Father’s love is personal (Psalm 139:1-3, Matthew 10:29-31, Matthew 6:26, Revelations 2:17, John 11:5, John 11:35-36)
7.The Father’s love is affectionate (Romans 8:16-17, Revelation 21:3-4, John 14:2-3, John 17:22-23John 15:9, Zephaniah 3:17)
8.The Father’s love is sacrificial (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10, Romans 8:31-32, John 15:13, John 10:11,15)
9.The Father’s love is strong (Romans 8:35-39, Isaiah 43:1-4, John 10:28-29)
Practical Application
1.When you hear the words, “The Father’s Love”, what do you think about?
2.Do you find it easy to think about God as a father that loves you? If not, why?
3.How has your life been impacted by the realization that God loves you? Can you try and imaging what your life would be like now if this were missing from your life?
4.Think of some practical ways that you can live everyday remembering that God loves you and try to practice that this week. Try and compare it to other weeks where you maybe are not as concentrated on the Father’s love.
It is so easy for us to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to think about such things as the Father’s love. This is a huge detriment to us and we don’t even realize it most of the time. May you be ever more aware of the Father’s goodness and love towards you as walk out each day.
This past Sunday we heard from Pastor Ernest on the topic of the Father’s Love and how it impacts and ultimately changes our lives.
The Attributes of the Father’s Love
1.The Father is love (1 John 4:8)
2.It is eternal (Jeremiah 31:3, Ephesians 1:4-5)
3.The Father’s love is unconditional (Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-5, Romans 5:8)
4.The Father’s love is limitless (1 John 3:1, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 2:7, 3:16-19)
5.The Father’s love is immutable (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17)
6.The Father’s love is sacrificial (1 john 3:16, 4:9-10, Romans 8:31-32, John 15:13, 10:11, 15)
Practical Application
1.When you hear the words, “The Father’s Love”, what do you think about?
2.Do you find it easy to think about God as a father that loves you? If not, why?
3.How has your life been impacted by the realization that God loves you? Can you try and imaging what your life would be like now if this were missing from your life?
4.Think of some practical ways that you can live everyday remembering that God loves you and try to practice that this week. Try and compare it to other weeks where you maybe are not as concentrated on the Father’s love.
It is so easy for us to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to think about such things as the Father’s love. This is a huge detriment to us and we don’t even realize it most of the time. May you be ever more aware of the Father’s goodness and love towards you as walk out each day.
This past Sunday Pastor Ernest shared with us on the topic of “Christ In You, The Hope of Glory”.
Luke 1:26-38, Colossians 1:15-22 and Colossians 1:26-27 tells us about Jesus Christ. It tells us about the Hope of Glory that we have in Jesus Christ. It tells us that our hope is in Him, and that He is in us.
Christ In You, The Hope of Glory:
1.Impregnated By His Word
2.Chosen By His Grace (Luke 1:28, Ephesians 1:4-6, 1 Corinthians 6:6-11, 1 Corinthians 11:2, Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 2:9)
3.Empowered By His Spirit (Ephesians 3:20)
Practical Application
1.Christmas is around the corner. Take some time and reflect on the glory of God. Reflect upon Jesus Christ and the fact that He is our Hope of Glory.
2.As the Angel told Mary of what was going to happen to her, we see the three points above happen in her life. What do you think did she do prior to her visitation to “prepare” her life for it?
3.How can we live our lives to be ready for God to come and use us for His purposes?
May we all enter this season of Christmas mindful of Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us, both through His life and His death. We truly owe all good things to Him! May we remember that this Christmas as we celebrate His Life!
Preparing a place for God’s presence: (Psalm 132:1-18)
1.Desire
2.Worship (Psalm 132:7-8)
3.Holiness (Psalm 132:9)
4.Faith (Psalm 132:11)
Practical Application
1.Have you found in your life that when you let go off/repent of certain things that it becomes easier to connect with God? What have been some things that you have let go off/repented off in the past?
2.What kind of an affect has this had on your relationship with God?
3.Pastor Ernest listed 4 things above that when once repented of prepares a way for the Lord in our lives. Are you able to identify with any of the four? What has been your experience?
4.What are different things that you find help prepare a place for God’s presence in your life?
5.Do you find practicing one of the 4 things listed above to help usher in the presence of God in your life?
6.What are some practical ways that you can grow in preparing a way not only for the Lord but also for His presence in your life this week?
This past Sunday Pastor Ernest shared with us on the topic of “Discerning of Spirits”.
1 Corinthians 13:9-10 speaks to us about the gist of discerning of spirits.
Different kinds of spirits:
1.Spirit of deception
2.Spirit of sickness
3.Spirit of lying
4.Spirit of divination
5.Spirit of opposition
Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Peter 5:8, Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 59:19 and Numbers 23:23 tells us how we are to deal with the different spirits.
Practical Application
1.Do you believe that the “Discerning of Spirits” is still applicable for today?
2.How can our lives be different if we are aware of the spiritual realm and discern spirits?
3.The scriptures are very clear that we have the power through Jesus Christ to fight and dispel all “evil spirits”. Does this encourage you to take a more aggressive approach to the matter?
This past Sunday Pastor Ernest shared with us on the topic of “Navigating Conflict”.
Effects of Unresolved Conflict:
1.Stress
2.Distance in the relationship
3.Depression
4.Pre-occupied thought life
5.Hurt/grief
6.Anger
7.Bitterness (Hebrews 12:14-15)
The way of LOVE:
L - Learn God’s Perspective
1. Clarify the issue specifically. What is God asking you to do? (John 8:32, Psalm 51:6)
2. Allow for self-examination. Do you contribute to the problem in any way? (Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 12:1-2, James 1:5)
3. Overlook the offense if you can. Can you healthily absorb the loss? Don’t bring it up if it doesn’t affect the relationship. (1 Peter 4:8, Proverbs 10:12, 19:11, 17:14)
O - Outline the Issue
4. If you can’t overlook it, set an appropriate time and place to discuss the issue. (Ecclesiastes 3:7, Matthew 5:24)
5. Stick to this issue. Don’t bleed into other issues. (Matthew 18:15)
6. Use statements like, “I would like...” or “when you do ‘A’ I feel ‘B’...” (Ephesians 4:25, Philippians 4:6)
V - Validate the Other
7. Avoid accusing language (“You make me...” or “You always...” or “You never...”), name calling, verbal abuse.Control your tongue. (James 3:5-6, Galatians 5:20, Proverbs 17:9, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 15:18, 29:11)
8. Listen attentively until you understand the other person. (James 1:19-20)
9. Repeat back what you heard them say. (Proverbs 18:13)
10. Affirm and impart worth to the other both verbally and non-verbally. (Philippians 2:4)
E - Engage in Change
11. Brainstorm possible positive solutions. (Proverbs 11:14)
12. Set proper boundaries as needed. (Titus 3:10, Matthew 18:15-17)
13. Evaluate the process. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
14. Try a new solution if last one did not work. (Matthew 18:15-17)
15. Seek mediation if you can’t work it out between the two of you. (Matthew 18:15-17)
Practical Application
1.Unresolved conflict has negative effects on us. What have been some effects that you have experienced in your life?
2.Would you say that those effects were worth the trouble in the end?
3.The principles laid out in LOVE above shows us how to handle and deal with conflict. Does it seem like something that you could use?
4.What effect would this process have on conflict in our lives?
5.How would we benefit from utilizing this process of “LOVE”?
What is forgiveness? “When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish them well, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions o relieve them”.(Thomas Watson, Body of Divinity)
This past Sunday Pastor Dale introduced the aspect of forgiveness in healthy relationships in “relationships in forgiveness”
Human relationships move from: Simplicity-Complexity-Conflict-Confrontation-Escalation-Greater Complexity.
God’s plan is: Simplicity-Complexity-Conflict-Resolution-Forgiveness-Restoration.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus tells us the standard for forgiveness.
When Do I Forgive Others?
1.Resist thoughts of revenge
2. Do them no harm
3.Wish well to them
4.Grieve at their calamities
5.Pray for them
6.Seek reconciliation with them
7.Be always willing to come to their relief
What Forgiveness is not:
1.Not the absence of anger or hurt
2.Not the absence of serious consequences
3.Not the absence of responsibility
How Do I Forgive?
1.Recognize, receive and embrace God’s forgiveness
2.Must be postured for forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-15, Ephesians 4:32)
3.Be empowered by God through surrender (Ephesians 4:29-31)
4.Trust God (1 Peter 2:21-23)
Practical Application
1.God wants us to forgive. Has there been a time in your life where this seemed like it was an impossible mountain for you?
2.How does unforgiveness affect relationships?
3.In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus tells us about forgiveness and shows us what will happen to those that refuse to forgive. Spend some time on this chapter in Matthew and ask God to speak to you regarding His Word.
4.It is clear that we can only truly forgive someone with God’s help. What are some practical ways that we can grow in forgiveness and in turn grow in our relationships?
What is forgiveness? “When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish them well, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions o relieve them”.(Thomas Watson, Body of Divinity)
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