“How Do I Get Closer to God?"

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
- Luke 15:11-24

Become discontent and disillusioned without God.

13 ...he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything… and he began to be in need. 17 “But when he came to himself...
- Luke 15:13-14, 17

3 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:13

Distance ourselves from sin and idolatry.

2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
- Isaiah 59:2

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
- Psalm 51:1-3

Grow desperate for God.

Treat me as one of your hired servants.
- Luke 15:19

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- Psalm 42:1-2

Develop a relationship with God daily.

11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
- 1 Chronicles 16:11

“When Should We ‘Let Go and Let God?’”

We should “let go and let God” save us from sin and eternal separation from Him.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…
- Romans 3:23-24

We shouldn’t “let go” of opportunities or challenges until we’ve exercised our God-given responsibility.

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
- Matthew 25:24-26

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
- Matthew 16:24

God wants us to give our best; then, we can trust Him with the rest.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
- Proverbs 16:3

"Don’t We All Worship The Same God?"

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- John 14:1-6 (ESV)

1. Clarity

a. We all have a common problem - Sin

9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
 no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
 no one does good,
 not even one.”
- Romans 3:9-12 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- Romans 3:23 (ESV)

b. To say all religions worship the same God is illogical

There are simply too many differences that can’t be reconciled.

c. False gods are spiritual beings

19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
- 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 (ESV)

d. There’s only 1 true and unique God

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
- John 19:28-30 (ESV)

2. Charity

The goal is not to prove someone wrong.

Remember without Jesus, we are all lost

12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
- Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV)

3. Liberty for those in spiritual Captivity

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9-10 (ESV)

Jesus reached us with love and grace

Who will you serve?

“More than We Can Handle”

People like to say that “God will never give you more than you can handle.” Is that true?

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

God does allow us to go through more than we can handle… on our own.

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death...
- 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

God allows us to go through pain because we grow through pain.

1. God wants to grow our strength.

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:12-13

2. God wants to grow our faith.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
- Matthew 17:19-20

3. God wants us to grow in our relationship with Him.

9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
- 2 Corinthians 1:9

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

"Doesn’t God Want Me to Be Happy?"

12 May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and praise his holy name.
- Psalm 97:12 (NLT)

The Little Picture (Based on our years in life)

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
- Mark 8:36-38 (KJV)

The Big Picture (Timeless; Based on Eternity)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

God doesn’t want us happy. He wants us blessed!

14 Obey God because you are his children; don’t slip back into your old ways—doing evil because you knew no better. 15 But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. 16 He himself has said, “You must be holy, for I am holy.”
- 1 Peter 1:14-16 (TLB)

4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

"Welcome Home!"

1 The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The country was brought under their control, 2 but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.
3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?
- Joshua 18:1-3

1. God’s agenda is to build people not structures

In 2 Samuel 7:1-7, It says that David intended to build a magnificent house for God. But God recognized this was more of a monument for David than for himself. God can’t be contained within a building. He wants to dwell in his people.

2. Faith recognizes and seizes the promise

7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
- Deuteronomy 31:7-10 (ESV)

30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
- Numbers 13:30 (ESV)

3. When we possess our inheritance, we help others receive theirs

The tribes of Israel that had received their inheritance had to help fight for those who had not received theirs.

18 “And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. 19 Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you, 20 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the Lord your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’
- Deuteronomy 3:18-20 (ESV)

"Shared Life"

Disciples “fellowship with the church,” or share life with one another.

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- 1 Peter 4:8-10

Sharing life means:

1. Sharing love.

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
- Matthew 18:21

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 1:9

2. Sharing hospitality.

33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
- Luke 10:33-35

3. Sharing our gifts.

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
- Matthew 20:28

"Church Community"

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:40-47 (ESV)

Five characteristics of a disciple:

1. A disciple is added to then functions in a local church

We are living stones that God chooses to build the church.

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 2:4-6 (ESV)

We are all God’s family through adoption. Whether you were born again here, or you transferred here, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re called here. If God has placed you here then you are now family!

2. A disciple is Devoted to the apostles teaching

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
- Acts 2:42 (ESV)

Jesus is the living word. The word of God becomes central to the life of a disciple.

3. A disciple is devoted to fellowship with believers

Fellowship means that we value each other and our time together

4. A disciple is devoted to breaking bread

The essence of communion was to recognize the sacrifice and the broken body of Christ for us. His broken body gives us life which we affirm when we break bread with other believers.

5. A disciple is devoted to prayers

Real unity means that we care about the cares of others. If we really care then we will really pray.

“Mission draws us together, Relationship keeps us together, doctrine is worked out together, experience is judged together. #bettertogether”
- Pastor Steve Murrell, President Every Nation Ministries

"The Power of the Gospel"

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
- Acts 10:34

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
- 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

1. THE GOSPEL WORKS IN US

2. THE GOSPEL WORKS THROUGH US

6 Styles of Evangelism

1. Direct Approach

2. Intellectual Approach

3. Testimonial Approach

4. Interpersonal Approach

5. Invitational Approach

6. Service Approach

3. THE GOSPEL MANDATES THAT WE REACH, PREACH AND MAKE DISCIPLES

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
- Acts 10:42

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
- John 21:15-17 (ESV)

"Taking the Gospel Turn"

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look...
- 1 Peter 1:10-12

We can always grow in our understanding, appreciation, and awe of the Gospel.

17 ...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- Ephesians 3:17-19

The Gospel turns us toward God.

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:36-39

1. Jesus is Lord.

2. Jesus is Christ, the Chosen Savior.

The Gospel also turns us toward the lost.

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
- Acts 10:34-35

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
- Romans 10:14