Hi,
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After church we had a wonderful post-sermon panel reviewing the sermon. I think this is the wave of the future to bring plurality and diversity.
Here’s the abridged notes
Today I want to look at 3 Power Principles that I’ve seen in my 25 year in ministry.
* Resist Bitterness
* Remain Poor in Spirit
* Rethink Success
TLDR: In Christ, we reject bitterness, cultivate a humble spirit, and seek true success through obedience to God's will.
Memory Aid: With Christ as guide, bitterness will flee, in humility, true success we’ll see.
* esist Bitterness
"Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die."
Let’s start this point by mentioning Jesus was never bitter:
* Not about the circumstances of his birth
* Rumors about his mother
* The time his neighbors try to push him off the cliff
[Luk 4:27-30 NLT] 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian." 28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.
* Or at his family
[Luk 8:19-21 NLT] 19 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn't get to him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to see you." 21 Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God's word and obey it."
* Or at Paul
[Act 7:56-60 NIV] 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Not only will bitterness sink your ship; it will drown others as well.
It is difficult to fight against anger; for a man will buy revenge with his soul- Heraclitus
Attitudes are contagious, and misery loves company. If you drink the poison of bitterness, you'll slowly die. But you'll also kill others because bitter people spout acid all over the earth.
Nothing so injures the human spirit as the injuries inflicted by other believers.
[Zec 13:6 ESV] 6 And if one asks him, 'What are these wounds on your back?' he will say, 'The wounds I received in the house of my friends.'
* Remain Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.-
MATTHEW 5:3
Being "poor in spirit" is a key aspect of the Christian faith, which involves recognizing one's own
spiritual poverty, dependence on God's grace and forgiveness, humility and acknowledgement of one's own sinfulness, and a willingness to turn away from it.
Jesus, in his humility, exemplified being poor in spirit. As stated in Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Let go of earthly desires and follow Jesus' example of humility. Seek God's kingdom above all else
* Rethink Success
The World will selling you the dream that success is strictly salary, status, success, passion, possessions, power, prestige
I want to help you rethink your definition of success. Success according to God’s dictionary differs drastically from success in the world.
But God’s view of success is quite different. [1Co 1:26-31 NLT]
Think HOPS Humble, Obedience, Purpose, Servant
Humble: Attractor factor for God’s favor and power
Obedience: Obedience is the pathway to blessings and fulfillment
Purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever
Servant:A servant mindset can also help to foster a spirit of teamwork and collaboration and help you be a rainmaker. (person who drives growth)
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." - Rick Warren reminds
"Success is not about what we do, but about who we are." - Frank Viola reminds us that true success is not found in our actions, but in our character and our relationship with God.
Conclusion
* Resist Bitterness
* Remain Poor in Spirit
* Rethink Success
TLDR: In Christ, we reject bitterness, cultivate a humble spirit, and seek true success through obedience to God's will.
Memory Aid: With Christ as guide, bitterness will flee, in humility, true success we’ll see.
In Christ, we reject bitterness and pride, embrace humility, and seek God's will to find true success.
Prayer: Lord, we ask for your guidance and wisdom as we strive to walk in humility and obedience.
We pray for the strength to let go of our own desires and submit to Your will for our lives.
Help us to remain poor in spirit and to constantly seek You in all things.
We ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to empower us to live in humility and obedience.
We trust in You, Lord, to bring about breakthroughs in our lives, both spiritual and material, as we put our faith in You.
We give You all the glory and honor, in Jesus' name, Amen.
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