In this season we continue to sense very strongly that God is working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases him. This verse has become our prayer!
Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. NLT
Saying something is one thing but doing it is another. For years we have focused on the idea of being outrageously loving people as a church community.
We are 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.
As we journey into the 2024 year together our desire is to become more spiritually AWAKE and more fully ENGAGED in the practices we see modeled in the life of Christ. As we are awakened to the principles of God’s Kingdom, we must choose to become more engaged in the practices.
This is the basis of not just trying to be outrageously loving people but training to become more outrageously loving people We aren’t merely trying to passionately pursue the Lord we are training to passionately pursue his heart more effectively!
We are asking the Holy Spirit to help us understand the core practices that align with our core values. In doing so we have concluded that two deeper practices of passionately pursuing the Lord involves exploring a greater understanding of FASTING and a greater understanding of SCRIPTURE.
Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ESV
As you are crucifying the flesh strengthening the spirit to be awakened.
John 12:24–25 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. (NASB)
Unless the seed dies there can be no life. Not a question of if there is life in seed. The question is will it die? If it dies life comes forth. In this fallen world, we all contend with the chronically, dissatisfied desire. Thomas Aquinas was asked, “what would it take to satisfy human desire” and his answer was, “Everything.”
Chasing everything is futility so we must learn to embrace healthy restraint as the key that unlocks a fulfilling life. When we die, then we live. Loving this life will cost you your life but surrendering this life will give you eternal life.
Solitude is how we go to war not only with the busy world around us, but also with the busy soul that exists within us.
If a sermon on practicing peace could remove your anxiety, then that would have happened a long time ago. Be anxious for nothing! There! Don’t you feel better since you heard that? Actually, hearing that I’m not supposed to be stressed out really stresses me out! Your message only made me see I’m getting this wrong.
THAT’S THE POINT OF REPENTANCE! Come forward for prayer. Sit with the truths God has revealed allowing them ot have a deeper more meaningful work in the attitude of your mind.
“Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. ... We do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do not set aside some time to be with God and listen to him.” Henri Nouwen
Peace doesn’t come from the absence of problems. Peace comes from the presence of God. We can learn to practice peace as we learn to practice his presence. This is why we believe it is so important to understand how everywhere we go we bring God’s presence to real life.
In the pursuit of more we are looking forward to hosting a statewide worship night at Destiny Sunday, February 4th. The next month we will come together for March 1-2 Fuel the Fire with Steve Uppal from England.
GP2RL: This week’s practices involve a deeper interaction with God in his Word and in fasting and prayer. What will this look like for you this week?
Passionately Pursuing Practices
DISCUSSION GUIDE
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Every year we devote the first 40 days to focusing on foundational truths that speak to our identity, as a church family. We are 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.
2 Peter 1:12-15 endorses the idea of rehearsing foundational things with the intention of leaving them firmly planted in the heart of the next generation.
As we journey through 2024 year together our desire is to become more spiritually AWAKE and more fully ENGAGED in the practices we see modeled in the life of Christ. As we are awakened to the principles of God’s Kingdom, we must choose to become more engaged in the practices. Our practices reveal our priorities.
It is God’s plan is for us to develop the rhythm of drawing close to His heart and hearing His voice together as a spiritual family. This explains the first question we start with in our groups:
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.
Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ESV
John 12:24–25 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. (NASB)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. DISCOVER: Have each person give a simple 60 second summary of what these verses are saying, Encourage people to try not to add insights or application yet. Just simply summarize.
3. DEVELOP: What do you sense God may be speaking to you personally as we focus on these verses?
4. DEPLOY: We are to be doers and not hearers only. What will you do this week in re sponse to what you sense God is revealing in this time together?
Everywhere we go, we bring...
GP2RL: This week’s practices involve a deeper interaction with God in his Word and in fasting and prayer. What will this look like for you this week?