1-22-23 Setlist: Run To The Father I Have Decided To Follow Jesus God Of Revival If The Lord Builds The House Sermon Notes: Key Passage: We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. Philippians 3:3-6 Key Passage: You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I went after the Christians mercilessly, hunting them down and doing my best to get rid of them all. I was one of the most religious Jews of my own age in the whole country and tried as hard as I possibly could to follow all the old, traditional rules of my religion. Galatians 1:13-14 (TLB) Key Passage: I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV) Key Verse: But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 (AMP) "If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster." - Stephen R. Covey Ask yourself: Are my goals to grow or are my goals to show? Steps to Reframe your Goals: 1. Have an Encounter with Jesus. Key Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Steps to Reframe your Goals: 2. View your goals through the cross. Key Verse: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 Ask yourself: What if I come to the end of my life and I find the goals I set and the things I pursued were not worthy of the one and only life that God gave me? Steps to Reframe your Goals: 3. Be ready to experience hardship for the goals you set. Key Passage: But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served Him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:21-27 Thieves of Contentment 3. Destructive Desires. Discussion Questions: 1. What do you feel like God is saying to you through this message? 2. What goal needs the most work? How can Jesus help? 3. What goals are you working on right now? How can you reframe it for God?