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40 Days of Prayer - Week 8
by Dr Gregory Magruder | April 7, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 04/07/19
When God Says No*
Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to Me and I will answer you . . .” Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
3 OF THE MANY REASONS GOD says ‘No’
CAUTION: Use these to comfort yourself, but NEVER use them with someone in pain, because you don’t know why God said no to them.
1. GOD SAYS ‘NO’ WHEN He has A BIGGER PERSPECTIVE.
“He knows about everyone everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from Him . . .” Hebrews 4:13 (LB)
“(God) guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.” Proverbs. 2:8 (NIV)
2. GOD SAYS ‘NO’ WHEN HE HAS A BETTER PLAN.
God: “This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are My thoughts the same as yours! For My ways are higher than yours.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (LB)
“These were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better . . .” Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV)
God has all of eternity to fulfill his promises.
3. GOD SAYS ‘NO’ WHEN HE HAS A GREATER PURPOSE
“I cry out to God Most High, who fulfills his purpose for me.”
Psalm 57:2 (NIV)
“The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold.”
1 Peter 1:7 (GW)
“These present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they will produce in us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So, we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Cor. 4:17-18 (NLT)
“There are some things the Lord our God has kept secret, but there are
some things he has let us know.” Deuteronomy 29:29 (NCV)
“Just as you’ll never understand how the mystery of life forms in a
pregnant woman, so you’ll never understand the mystery at work n
all that God does.” Ecclesiastes 11:5 (Message)
What SHOULD I DO When God Says ‘No’?
- trust tHAT God DOES EVERYTHING IN GOODNESS &
“In everything God works for the good of those who love Him.”
Romans 8:28 (ICB)
I don’t have to understand God’s answer to know that it is
motivated by love.
- WHEN IN PAIN, PRAY WHAT JESUS PRAYED FACING THE CROSS
The Right Way to Pray
- AFFIRM GOD’S POWER!
- ASK WITH PASSION!
- ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN!
- EXPECT God to give his grace to handle his
to take it away. But his answer was: “My grace is all you need,
for my power is greatest when you are weak.” So, I gladly boast
about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power can flow through me!
. . . For when I am weak, then I am strong!” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
“Those who know you, Lord, will trust you! You do not abandon anyone
who comes to you!” Psalm 9:10 (TEV)
*material for this sermon provided by Rick Warren's 40 Days of Prayer resources
40 Days of Prayer - Week 7
by Dr Gregory Magruder | March 24, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 03/24/19
HOW TO PRAY FOR HEALING AND RESTORATION
40 Days of Prayer – Part 7
“IF my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
4 CONDITIONS
1. ADMIT I’M NOT IN CONTROL!
“If my people will humble themselves . . .” 2 Chronicles 7:14a
HUMILITY:
- IF I’M HUMBLE, God will guide me
Psalm 25:9 (TEV)
- IF I’M HUMBLE, God will bless me
Isaiah 66:2 (NLT)
- IF I’M HUMBLE, God will give me the power to change
- IF I’M HUMBLE, God will reduce my stress
2. ASK GOD FOR HELP!
“If my people . . . will pray . . .” 2 Chronicles 7:14b
Jesus: “. . . I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you’ll receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.” John 16:23-24 (NCV)
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” James 5:13-15 (NIV)
“Pray in the Spirit at ALL times with ALL kinds of prayers, asking for ALL you need. To do this you must ALWAYS be ready and never give up! ALWAYS pray for ALL God's people.” Ephesians 6:18 NCV)
3. SEEK GOD, NOT A MIRACLE!
“If my people . . . will seek my face . . .” 2 Chronicles 7:14c
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”
Proverbs 8:17
“God rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6b (NIV)
“If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him IF you look for him
with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and
all these things have happened to you, you will return to the Lord your
God and obey him. For He is a merciful God; he will not abandon or
destroy you . . .” Deut. 4:29-31a (NIV)
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other
things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
4. TURN MY ATTENTION FROM THE WORLD TO THE WORD
“If my people . . . turn from their wicked ways . . .”
2 Chronicles 7:14d
“If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. But if you confess and
reject them, you will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NCV)
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other
so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (NIV)
3 PROMISES:
1. I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN
2. I WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS
3. I WILL HEAL YOUR LAND
40 Days of Prayer - Week 6
by Dr Gregory Magruder | March 10, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 03/10/19
HOW TO PRAY THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY
40 Days of Prayer – Part 6
“Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers,
asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready
and never give up. And always pray for all God's people.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NCV)
BY DEVELOPING 2 HABITS
1. KEEP A RUNNING CONVERSATION WITH GOD
“Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads.” Ephesians 6:18 (TEV)
“Never stop praying! (Pray all the time!)” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (GW)
2. SCHEDULE PRAYERTIMES THROUGHOUT MY DAY
“Seven times a day I praise you!” Psalm 119:164 (NIV)
A DAILY SCHEDULE BUILT ON THE LORD’S PRAYER
1. GET UP WITH GRATITUDE! (THANKSGIVING)
Jesus said, “ . . . Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So then, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven’ . . .”
Matthew 6:8-9
“Every good gift and every perfect present comes from your Father of light
in heaven . . .” James 1:17
- I thank my Father in heaven for his consistent love & I recall
all of the ways that He is good to me
2. BLESS GOD’S NAME AT BREAKFAST! (PRAISE)
“Hallowed be your name . . .” Matthew 6:9b
“Every day I will bless your name, and praise it forever and ever!”
Psalm 145:2
- I review God’s names & the promises they imply
GOD SAYS “I AM . . .”
Abba Your Loving Father!
El Deah Your God Who Knows Everything!
Jehovah Rapha Your God who Heals you!
El Shaddai God Almighty – with all the Power you need!
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never
abandoned those who truly seek you.” Psalm 9:10
3. AT MIDMORNING, REMEMBER WHAT MATTERS MOST (DEDICATION)
“May your kingdom come, and may your will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
- I align myself with God’s purpose & plans for my life
“If you seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, all the
other things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
4. LIST MY NEEDS AT LUNCH (PETITION)
“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
- I ask for ANYTHING I need.
John.14:13 (NLT)
- I ask for what other people need too (Intercession)
1 Samuel 12:23
“Jesus has the power of God, by which he gives us
everything we need to live, and to serve God. We
have these things because we know him.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NCV)
5. ASK FOR FORGIVENESS IN THE AFTERNOON (CONFESSION)
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Matthew 6:12
I admit my sins and I forgive others who’ve frustrated me..
“I confessed my sins to you and didn’t try to hide them . . .
Then you forgave me and now all my guilt is gone!” Psalm 32:5
6. ASK GOD TO HELP ME MAKE WISE DECISIONS
(PROTECTION)
“And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13
1 Corinthians 10:13
7. END MY DAY WITH AN ENCOURAGING TRUTH (BENEDICTION)
“For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever! Amen!”
Matthew 6:13c (NAS)
WHAT WE REMEMBER IN COMMUNION
by Dr Gregory Magruder | March 3, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 03/03/19
WHAT WE REMEMBER IN COMMUNION
“DO THIS TO REMEMBER ME!” - JESUS
FIRST, COMMUNION REMINDS US TO CHECK OUR HEARTS
“If anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, that person is guilty of sinning against the Body and the Blood of the Lord. This is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without recognizing (committing to) the Body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died! BUT IF we examine and judge ourselves, we will not be judged by God.” 1 Cor. 11:27-31
Memorize Psalm 139:23-23
COMMUNION REMINDS US OF 5 TRANSFORMING TRUTHS
1. NO ONE LOVES US MORE THAN OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’"
1 Cor. 11:23-25 (NIV)
Q: When (time, day, or situation) am I most likely to forget how much my Heavenly Father loves me?
Q: What sin(s) do I habitually fall for when I forget God’s love for me?
2. WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER IN GOD’S FAMILY“I hear that there are divisions among you when you MEET AS A CHURCH! (so)...When you COME TOGETHER, it is NOT the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat it, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else! One member goes hungry among you while another gets drunk!” 1 Cor. 11:18,20-21
Q: What issue (or issues) have I made more important than being in harmony and unity with my brothers & sisters in God’s Family?
Q: Would God be pleased with where my first loyalty has been?
“So, dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord's Supper wait for each other.” 1 Cor. 11:33 (NLT)
Q: Can I give any example of where I’ve put the needs of my brothers & sisters in my church family ahead of my own needs?
Q: Do I know anyone in our church in need?
3. THE SPIRIT OF JESUS LIVES INSIDE ME Jesus: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I LIVE IN THEM. The Living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father. So, whoever eats me will live because of me.” John 6:56-57 (NCV)
Q: What happens when I forget this fact?
4. THIS LIFE IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY Jesus: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. BUT those who eat my flesh and drink my blood HAVE eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day.”
John 6:53-54 (NLT)
Q: Am I using my time and money as if all that matters is this life? Am I investing anything in the next life where I will spend eternity? What would change if I kept reminding myself to ask, “How long will this last?”
5.JESUS IS COMING BACK SOME DAY TO JUDGE & REWARD “For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again!” 1 Cor. 11:26 (NLT)40 Days of Prayer - Week 4
by Dr Gregory Magruder | February 24, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 02/24/19
“PRAYING IN FIVE DIMENSIONS
40 Days of Prayer – Week 4"
1. GOD IS A MULTIDIMENSIONAL GOD
o WE SEE IT IN GOD’S CREATION
“Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen (in) what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 (NIV)
“Can you fathom the limits and bounds of the greatness and power of God?
The sky is no limit for God, but it lies beyond your reach! God knows the
world of the dead, but you do not know it. God's greatness is broader than
the earth, and wider than the sea.” Job 11:7-9 (TEV)
o WE SEE IT IN JESUS’ INCARNATION
“The Word became a human being and lived among us! We saw his glory . . .and he was full of grace and truth!” John 1:14 (NCV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
“Grace & peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come.”
Revelation 1:4 (NIV)
o WE SEE IT IN HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVES.
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you don't know where the wind comes from or where it's going. That's the way it is with everyone born of the Holy Spirit.” John 3:8 (GW)
“He does wonders that cannot be understood; he does so many miracles
they cannot be counted. When he passes me, I can’t see him; and when he
goes by me, I don’t recognize him!” Job 9:10-11 (NCV)
2. BECAUSE GOD IS MULTIDIMENSIONAL I’M NEVER ALONE
“Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I ever get away from
your presence? If I went up to heaven, you’d be there; if I lay down in the
world of the dead, you’d be there. If I flew way beyond the east or lived in
the farthest place in the west, you’d be there to lead me. You’d be there to
help me. I could ask the darkness to hide me . . . but even darkness is not
dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the
same to you.” Psalm 139:7-12 (TEV)
HOW TO PRAY IN FIVE DIMENSIONS
AS I PRAY . . .
1. I look BACKWARD TO THE CROSS
“God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life . . . He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT)
The Cross reminds me
o How deeply God loves me
o How costly evil & sin is
o How completely I’m forgiven
2. I look UPWARD TO MY FATHER’S LOVIING FACE
“You should not act like cowering, fearful slaves, since God’s Spirit has adopted you as children into God’s Family! Instead, by his Spirit we simply cry out Abba! Father! and God’s Spirit affirms that we really are his children! And since we are now God’s children, we’re also heirs with Christ, and will share in both his suffering and his glory!”
Romans 8:15-17
GOD WANTS MY PRAYERS TO BE
o Abba! Daddy! PERSONAL
o Cry Out! PASSIONATE
o By His Spirit A PARTNERSHIP
3. I look INWARD TO JESUS LIVING INSIDE ME
“Examine yourself to see if your faith is real and growing. Test yourself.
Remember that Jesus is living in you – unless you’ve failed your test.”
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Jesus, produce the Fruit of your Spirit in me today!”
4. I look AROUND AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO USE ME
“ . . . Give yourself completely to God – every part of you – since you’ve
been given a new life, and you want to be used as a tool in the hands
of God, used for his good purposes.” Romans 6:13 (LB)
5. I look FORWARD TO MY FUTURE IN FAITH
“I am confident of this, that God who began a good work in you will
continue to complete it until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6
40 Days of Prayer - Week 3
by Dr Gregory Magruder | February 17, 2019
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TALKING TO?*
40 Days of Prayer – Week 3
Your understanding of what God is really like shapes
everything else in your life, including how you pray.
“The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.” Psalm 100:5 (LB)
BECAUSE GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD . . .
1. GOD’S PLANS FOR MY LIFE WILL ALWAYS BE GOOD.
“‘I know what I’ve planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you! My plans will give you hope and a good future. And when you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you!” Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Joseph: “Your plan was to hurt me, but God turned your evil plan into
a GOOD plan to save the lives of many people!” Genesis 50:20
“So, we can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that
they are GOOD for us – they help us learn patient endurance.” Rom. 5:3 (NLT)
2. GOD ALWAYS GIVES ME WHAT I NEED, NOT WHAT I DESERVE.
“He has not treated us as we deserve for our sins or paid us back for our
wrongs . . . (In his goodness), he has taken our sins away and removed them
as far as the east is from the west!” Psalm 103:10, 12
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close . . . my enemies are waiting for me to fall . . . Yet I remain confident that I’ll see the goodness of the Lord while I’m living here in the world.”
Psalm 27:10-13 (NLT)
“(Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly with confidence to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find the grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)
3. GOD PUT MY GOOD ABOVE HIS OWN GOOD.
“I am the GOOD shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me . . .
And I will sacrifice my life for my sheep.” John 10:14-15
“Jesus died for our sins and rose again to make us right with God, filling us with God's goodness.” Romans 4:25 (LB)
“Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave Christ up for us all,
won’t he now also give us everything else we need?” Romans 8:32 (NLT)
4. HE DOES NOT SAY YES TO EVERY REQUEST!
“You fathers – if your children asked for a fish to eat, would you give them a snake instead? Or if they asked for an egg, would you give them a scorpion?
Of course not! So if you, as sinful people, know how to give GOOD gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “You don’t realize what you are asking for!”Matt 20:22 (NLT)
God says, “My thoughts are completely different from yours, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
5. HE INVITES US TO LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, and God our Father who loves us, has given us
by his grace an everlasting encouragement and a good hope that will
last forever. May this encourage your heart and give you strength for
every good thing you do and say!” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, then I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever!” Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
PRAY THIS WEEK
“Lord, keep me from paying attention to what is worthless. (Instead) let me live by your Word . . . I want to obey your principles. Please renew my
life with your goodness!” Psalm 119:37, 39-40
Revive My Heart . . . My Small Group . . . Our Church Family
“Bring us back to you, God; we’re ready to come back. Give us a fresh start.” Lamentations 5:21 (The Message)
*based on material from 40 Days of Prayer by Rick Warren
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40 Days of Prayer - Week 2
by Dr Gregory Magruder | February 11, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 02/10/19
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PRAYER
40 Days of Prayer – Week 2
Prayer is a universal topic but there are 3 basic facts about prayer.
- Our Creator wired human beings for prayer!
Ecclesiastes 3:11: “God has planted eternity in the human heart.”
- We’re not very good at prayer
Romans 8:26 “We don't even know what we should pray for, nor how
we should pray...” (NLT)
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’” Luke 11:1 (NIV)
- Our frustrations with prayer are caused by: Our misconceptions
- not a magic wand
- not a fire extinguisher
- not a tug of war
- not a ritual to relieve guilt
Matthew 6:7 “When you pray DO NOT use meaningless repetition
thinking that you will be heard for your many words.” (NAS)
4 FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS ABOUT PRAYER
- GOD LOVES FOR ME TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT ANYTHING
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who reverence him.” Psalm 103:13 (NLT)
“We can be confident in approaching God, knowing that he listens to us whenever we ask him for anything according to his will. And since we know that he hears us when we make our requests, then we
can be sure that he will answer us.” 1 John 5:14-15
PRAYER IS: A CONVERSATION, NOT A CEREMONY
____________A RELATIONSHIP, NOT A RITUAL__________
“I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a
good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to
me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NCV)
- GOD LISTENS TO PRAYERS THAT ARE SINCERE & SIMPLE__
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they’ve received their reward in full. Instead, when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep babbling on and on like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
“Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith . . .”
Hebrews 10:22 (TEV)
3. GOD LIKES TO SHOW HIS GRACE BY ANSWERING PRAYER
“Call to me and I will answer you. I will show you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.”
Jeremiah 33:3 (Message)
“If you, being imperfect and sinful parents know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
“You do not have, because you do not ask God.” James 4:2 (NIV)
4. GOD LONGS TO BE CLOSE TO ME!
“The Lord waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and
compassion.” Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)
“I don’t want your sacrifices – I want your love! I don't want your offerings, I want you to know me!” Hosea 6:6 (LB)
Jesus said, “I don’t call you servants…I call you my friends!” John 15:15
“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them
He shares the secrets of his covenant.” Psalm 25:14 (NLT)
“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” James 4:8 (NLT)
The Closer I Am To God, the less stressed & more blessed I’ll be.
40 DAYS OF PRAYER Week 1
by Dr Gregory Magruder | February 3, 2019
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GROW UP?*
40 Days of Prayer – Week 1
“We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching . . . Instead we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ . . .” Ephesians 4:14 (Ph)
SIX LAWS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1. WE GROW WHEN WE FEED ON GOD’S WORD.
Jesus: “People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on
every Word of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NLT)
Paul: “. . . the Word of grace is able to build you up and give you
all the blessings that God has for his people.” Acts 20:32
Hear . . . Read . . . Study . . . Memorize . . . Meditate . . . Apply
Action Step: __A DAILY TIME WITH GOD FOR 40 DAYS
2. WE GROW WHEN WE LEARN IN DIFFERENT WAYS
“In many different ways John preached the good news to the people.”
Luke 3:18 (CEV)
By Listening (Auditory)
By Watching/Reading (Visual)
By Talking (Verbal/Oral)
By Doing it (Physical/Kinesthetic)
“God speaks in different ways, and we don’t always recognize his voice.”
Job 33:14 (CEV)
3. WE GROW WHEN WE DEVELOP SPIRITUAL HABITS
“Now that you know these things, you’ll be blessed if you practice them!” John 13:17
“Solid food is for mature people, whose minds have been trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14 (GW)
“All good athletes train hard and practice to get better. They do it to win a prize that won’t last. But we practice to win a prize that will last forever!”
1 Corinthians 9:25
Habit of weekly large group worship
Habit of small group fellowship
Habit of a daily time alone with God (Bible & Prayer)
Habit of memorizing God’s Word
4. WE GROW WHEN WE HELP EACH OTHER GROW
“I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me,
and my faith will help you.” Romans 1:12 (NCV)
“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love
and to do good. Let us not give up the HABIT of meeting together, as
some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more . . .”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (TEV)
Action Step: JOIN IN A SMALL GROUP
5. WE GROW WHEN WE EXPECT TO GROW
Jesus said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matthew 9:29 (NIV)
6. WE GROW WHEN WE COMMIT TO GROW
God: “You’ll find me when you get serious about finding me and
want it more than anything else . . .” Jeremiah 29:13 (Message)
Action Step: COVENANT WITH OTHERS
Nehemiah: “In view of all this, we are making a covenant together in writing, and all of us are signing our names to it . . .” See Nehemiah 9:38
“Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians.”
2 Corinthians 13:9 (TLB)
*sermon based on materials from 40 Days of Prayer by Rick Warren
3 JOHN: Good People
by Dr Gregory Magruder | January 30, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 01/27/19
“Good People"
3 John
INTRODUCTION: Most scholars believe 3 John was written by the aged Apostle John who calls himself the Elder in this letter. The short letter would have filled one papyrus page and was addressed “to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth” (1). Good churches have good people. Gaius was a good and faithful leader in his local church. John encouraged him to continue to welcome traveling missionaries and imitate other good leaders. John gives the qualities of a good leader and warns those who oppose the truth.
GOOD PEOPLE MAKE THE CHURCH OPERATE WELL.
*Good people are…
- people of faith - Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul (2).
- people of truth - For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (3-4).
- people of hospitality and love - Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God (5-6).
- people on mission - For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth (7-8).
GOOD PEOPLE CONFRONT PROBLEM PEOPLE.
*Problem people are…
- people who are self-centered and reject authority - I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority (9).
- people who gossip - So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing,
- people who refuse to practice hospitality - And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers (10).
- people who hinder missions and ministry - he refuses to welcome the brothers and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church (10).
GOOD PEOPLE SUPPORT AND IMITATE OTHER GOOD PEOPLE.
*Good conduct is a good indicator of good character. Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God (11).
*Good people believe the truth, live the truth and are recognized by others as good examples of Christian integrity. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true (12).
Good people are the lifeblood of good churches.
2 JOHN: Walk in Truth and Love
by Dr Gregory Magruder | January 20, 2019
Gregory Magruder Parkview Baptist Gainesville, FL 01/20/19
“Walk in Truth and Love"
2 John
INTRODUCTION: The themes and phrases of 2 John and 3 John are like each other and to 1 John. Most scholars believe 2 John was written by the aged Apostle John who calls himself the Elder in this letter. The short letter would have filled one papyrus page and was addressed to “the elect lady and her children” (1). John probably was writing in code to a local church and its members to protect them from discovery and persecution. John encourages the church to remain faithful and warns them of false teachers who are coming to deceive them. Christians believe in Jesus Christ and love one another. They will stand against the lies of the devil.
BELIEVERS SHARE A COMMON BOND (1-3).
*Truth and love indwell and unite believers forever. The common truth is that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and is fully human and fully divine (see v. 7). The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever (1-2).
*God the Father and God the Son’s gifts of truth and love generate grace, mercy and peace. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love (3).
BELIEVERS WALK IN LOVE AND TRUTH (4-6).
*Obedience to God’s commands means that you are walking in the truth. Belief in Christ is the basic truth of the Christian faith.
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. (4).
*The basic command from God is that we love one another. The true expression of love is that we do what God says. The fulfillment of God’s law is best depicted as loving God and loving our neighbor. To be a Christian is to believe in Christ and to love one another. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it (5-6).
BELIEVERS REJECT FALSE TEACHERS AND DOCTRINE (7-11).
*Deceivers try to disrupt the faith and practice of local churches and Christians. They deny the basic teachings of the church and substitute false ideas about Christ. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist (7).
*Faithful Christians watch out for dangerous ideas that would lead them astray spiritually or cause them to lose their heavenly rewards. They test all progressive teachings to see if they match the truth of God’s Word. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son (8-9).
*Loving your neighbor does not mean you have to compromise your beliefs. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works (10-11).
Followers of Jesus Christ love one another and refuse to compromise the truth of the gospel.
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