August 25, 2019

Get Into The Game
August 25, 2019
Jonathan Falwell

 

Sometimes we have a longing to begin a great idea, a dream, or an activity that will result in making either ourself or someone else pleased—but we have no clue how to start! Does this jog a memory? Write your answers in a notebook if you are studying this on your own.

Is being in the center of God’s will important to you? Do you wish to serve Him but don’t know where to start? If so, listen carefully as Pastor Jonathan reveals how to be sure you are ready and able to carry out the mission which God has entrusted to you.

Key Verse: James 1:5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Focal Passage: James 1:5-8

The mission statement of TRBC*

  • A mission statement—whether for a church, an organization, or an individual—identifies the goals, aims or values of why it exists. Can you recall the mission statement of TRBC?
  • What part of “change your world” would you choose if you knew you wouldn’t fail?
  • Why is it not possible to “love God and love people” by sitting on a couch doing nothing but watching television? How is that different from attending Sunday services, then returning to your normal life, feeling your commitment for the week has been fulfilled?
  • God has given you a mission statement; what is it?

A pure heart

  • Read verses 5-6. What is a pure heart? What are some other adjectives that could be substituted for “pure”?
  • Read 1 Thess. 4:3a. What does God desire for you, in order to use you? If you want to become a person God can use, what should be a first step (Jas 1:5a)?
  • Read verses 7-8. What is important when asking God for help? What will God call you, if you still love praise and attention from people?
  • Read 1 John 2:15 and Matt. 6:24. How do these verses indicate your life must be sold out to God, in order to do His will? How will you accomplish the will of God if you are double-minded?

A ready heart

  • Read verse 6 again. What are the doubts about?
  • Why will the doubts cause you to miss out on an answer from God?
  • How can you eliminate doubts, hurts, habits or hang-ups from your life?
  • Think or share: What is in your life that would hinder God from using you?
  • What steps must you take in order to be completely sold out to God?

A passionate heart

  • What are some activities or lifestyles that you are passionate about? What is an area of serving God that brings forth the same passion in you?
  • Read Rom. 1:16. Why does being persecuted, shamed, or being ridiculed cause some people to withdraw from doing God’s will?
  • Read John 15:16. What has God chosen for YOU to do for Him? How do you think God feels if you wholeheartedly do His will?

Close:

Few things thrill a parent as much as seeing their child do some action—without being told—that shows he/she desires to please the parent! John puts this in his letter to a church when he writes, “I have no greater joy than to see that my children walk in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Why, then, should it seem unusual for us to assume God Himself is delighted when we make certain our life and our heart is completely sold out to doing His will? He is delighted with us! As Pastor Jonathan said, “If we’re faithful to do what He (God) wants, He’s our biggest cheerleader.” We need to have that perception of God, rather than seeing Him as a stern, unsmiling, impossible-to-please parent.

George Muller once said “I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.” ** Can you say this of your heart? It is a joyful thing to be so sold out to God that He uses you to do His work here on earth!

Would that the church be so full of people who long to change their world, their city, community, neighborhood, street, or family that they put their own desires aside in order to love God and love others more than they love themselves. What a testimony that church would be as a light to their world!

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*TRBC: Our Mission is to change our world by developing Christ-followers who love God and love people.”

**George Muller, https://www.allaboutfolowingjesus.org/knowing-gods-will.html

 

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