We are dealing with a complicated subject today. It is no secret God is doing a deep work in his church in this hour. In the world sex sells. In church self sells.
The Bible speaks of a day when people won’t go into church looking for how they can use their gift to bring transformation or encouragement to others. They’ll be looking for a church that will care for them well.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! NIV
The first thing listed is that people will be lovers of themselves. That’s really the sewer pipe from which all the other garbage flows. Jesus addresses these issues. We read these apocalyptic letters to the church in Revelation and notice this warning:
Revelation 3:1-2 …I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. ESV
This church reputation had exceeded its actual spiritual life. Notice God knows what’s really going on as he says, “I Know your works”. Nothing gets past God.
The church was popular with the people but not so much with God. Addressing that which is surface in church requires us to address the source of the surface. Maybe the deeper problem with surface level Christianity in our day is the shallow well of clever information from which we pastors are trying to lead our churches. Ancient wells of revelation run deep but aren’t cheap and not everybody is willing to "pray the price".
E.M Bounds said, "Prayerless preaching creates death, and not life."
We rally people around a cause to attract them with a message that serves them well. But messages that endorse a more effective pursuit of a greater life on earth miss the point of the eternal purposes of God.
Most of us would say we don’t deny Jesus but even if we don’t deny him, do we dethrone him by allowing other things to be at the center of our lives?
What does it look like to live in light of eternity? Without eternal priorities defining your pursuits you’ll find yourself angry with God who is unwilling to give you that which is less than his best for your life, eternal life.
Hebrews 10:34 You…joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. NIV
Hebrews 11:35 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. NIV
God never apologizes for difficulty because he uses it for our good! God didn’t apologize to Jesus. He raised him from the dead giving bride from every tribe, tongue & nation to rule universe forever by his side!
Airplanes take off into the wind! Eagles fly above the storms into the powerful jet stream using gale force winds in its favor as wind beneath its wings.
John 10:10b "...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." Amplified
The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy but realize the aim of death is not to kill you but to keep you from the fulness of life until you die.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Look for opportunities all week to lift your focus above the circumstances of this world giving attention to eternity.
SELF SELLS
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: As a church family we want to be OUTRAGEOUSLY LOVING people who PASSIONATELY PURSUE the Lord with IRRATIONALLY GIVING lifestyles as we CONSISTENTLY SUBMIT to God’s desires and EFFECTIVELY DISCIPLE others to do the same.
Our 2022 New Year’s Revelation as a church family is EVERYONE IS CREATED FOR ABUNDANT LIFE!
Much will flow from heaven into our hearts and homes this year!
The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy but realize the aim of death is not to kill you but to keep you from the fulness of life until you die. Distraction is destruction of what could have been in your life.
John 10:10b “...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” Amplified
Jesus came demonstrating that true life is discovered in a willing death. When we die to ourselves we learn what it means to be alive in Christ.
God’s plan is for us to hear his voice together as a family. This is why we start each group with the first question:
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Ask each person in your group to answer the discussion questions below after reading the verses. Don’t move on to the next question until everybody who is willing to share has had the opportunity to give their perspective.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. Have each person give a 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, in their own words.
3. What do these verses teach us about God?
4. What do these verses teach us about people?
5. What should you do this week in response to what we are reading and what God is revealing?
6. Who comes to mind when considering a person you might share this with this week?
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Look for opportunities all week to lift your focus above the circumstances of this world giving attention to eternity.