New Work Fellowship Podcast

Breathe

God, In A Whisper

1 Kings 19:5-13 & Philippians 4:5-8

Elijah: God knew his needs, provided for him, and spoke consistently with him.  (1 Kings 1:5-13)

Why did God speak in a whisper? (Philippians 4:5-8)

1)   Because God is close. (vs.5)
2)   Because God is in control. (vs. 6)
3)   Because God is a comforter.  (vs. 7)

How do we hear the whisper of God? (Philippians 4:8)

1)   Intentional stillness.  (Psalm 46:10)
2)   Quiet your surroundings and yourself. (Mark 1:35-37)
     a.    What is drowning out the still, small voice of God in your life?
3)   Meditate on God’s word. (Psalm 19:14)
     a.    Meditation Moment:
            -      Pray
            -      Read Scripture
            -      Breath Deep
            -      Meditate on a passage, sentence, or phrase

Breathe

First Breath

Genesis 1:2, 2:7

Psalm 104:30, “When you give them your breath, life is created…”

Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”

 

·       ruah (Hebrew) – breath, wind, spirit

·       pneuma (Greek) – breath, wind, spirit

 

You were made for Breath!

1.  Life takes your BREATH
Formless and empty. Darkness. Deep waters.

Three Important Reminders:

·      Life is SHORT
Psalm 90:10, "The length of our days is 70 years -- or 80 if we have the strength"

·      Life is UNCERTAIN
Isaiah 43:2, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

·      Life is HARD

2. God Gives BREATH
v2, “And the Spirit (breath/wind) of God was hovering…”

Hovering Truths:
·       He is near.
·       He is patient and present.
·       He is not afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Isaiah 41:13, “For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

3.  Catch your BREATH
Job 33:4, “For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

Prepare the Way

Inquiry - Ask the Right Questions

Matthew 11:2-15

 

Questions can be a catalyst for growth and ultimately lead us to God, who is the answer. 
How do we grow as believers by asking the right questions?

1)   Questions can be scary. Don’t be afraid to ask. (vs. 2-3)

A)   The Lord wants you to ask important questions.  (Matthew 7:7-11)

• “God, what do you want me to do?”

•  “Will you forgive me?”

• “How can I pray for you?”

• “Will you come to church with me?”

•  “Can I share my story with you?”

B)   Asking important questions deepens connection to God and others by:

• Building trust.

• Creating buy-in.

•  Empowering.

• Developing leadership capacity.

• Creating authenticity.

 

2)   Focus on the work of the Gospel and be reassuring. (vs. 4-6) A)   Ask with the right heart: (James 4:1-3)

• Belief > Actions > Feelings/Perceptions

B)   The way we form our questions forms our relationships.

• Know who you are and who you are talking to: Adult, Parent, or Child.

  • Typical questions for our kids:

    • How was your day? 

    • Did you learn anything? 

    • Were you good?

  • Deeper questions to ask:

    • How do you feel after your day? 

    • What questions did you ask? 

    • What was the best thing that happened? 

    • What was the worst thing that happened? 

 

3)   Build others up in your interaction. (vs. 7-15)

A)   The way we respond to questions forms our leadership.

• Leadership = influence.

B)   Be led by grace. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Prepare the Way

Passion - Giving Your Heart Where it Matters

Matthew 3:1-12 and Mark 6:17-19

 

The first passion lesson: Your passion will cost you.

Passion—from, patior—to suffer.

Passive—from, patior—to suffer.

Are you best described by the word PASSION or PASSIVE?

John and Herod are a study in Contrast:

A Closer Look at John:
- Matthew 3:4, “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.”

A Closer Look at Herod:
- Mark 6:14, “Herod Antipas, the king…”.

The second passion lesson:Decide for Yourself—Don’t settle

 

Only one life ‘twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Prepare the Way

Humility -- Why Bother?

John 1:19-27, 3:23-30

 

humility: freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s worth; meekness…easily imposed upon, submissive, spineless.

 

 “Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it—to save us. His own humility has become the ground and root of his relationship to God and His redeeming work. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility.” Andrew Murray, Humility

 

How do we unleash Humility?

1. Guard your life from EGO

2. Ground your life in God’s Word

3. Get close to life’s dirt

·     My sin

Psalm 51:3, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”

·     My mortality

·     My compassion

Ephesians 4:2, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love."

Something happens in you spiritually when you respond physically.

 

One last thing: pick up the Easter Invite Cards on your way out today.

Prepare the Way

Courage

Matthew 11:11

 

“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived,
none is greater than John the Baptist...”

Today’s Question:

Why did Jesus say that John was the greatest (aka THE G.O.A.T)?

Courage – Strength in the ________ of pain or grief.

 

Today’s Purpose:

Three things about John’s life filled HIM with courage and can also fill US with courage.

 

1. John valued _____________ over ________________.

Mark 6:17-18, Luke 7:17-20

 

To be courageous like John, we have to stop asking “How do I _____________?” and start asking “What do I _______________?”.

 

2. John knew Jesus and His __________________.

Luke 1:41, John 1:29

 

3. John knew himself and his _________________.

John 1:19-23

 

John’s Purpose: ________________ the Way

 

Final Thought: The Lion of Judah is coming, and it’s going to take courage if you and I are going to Prepare the Way.

Prepare the Way

Be An Original

Luke 1:13-17, Matthew 3:1-6

 

  When you think about John the Baptist, what comes to mind? 

“PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD! PREPARE THE WAY!”

 

Who was John the Baptist? (Luke 1:13-17)

1)   There was great joy and gladness at his birth. (vs 14)

a.    God takes joy in you as His unique creation.

2)   He was great in the eyes of the Lord. (vs. 15a)

a.    You have great Kingdom purpose. 

3)   He was filled with the Holy Spirit. (vs. 15b)

a.    You are “packed to the gills” with spiritual gifts.

4)   He turned the hearts of the people. (vs. 17)

a.    You are empowered to be a heart-turner.

 

You can prepare the way for others to know the Lord by being an original: (Matthew 3:1-6)

1)   Discover your purpose as defined by God.

-      “Repent of your sins.” (vs. 2a)

This is not a popular message:  There’s pushback on repentance.

2)   Step into your gifts.

-      “…turn to God…” (vs. 2b)

 3)   Lead others to Christ.

-      “…for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  (vs. 2c)

Love God; Love One Another.

GROW

Matthew 28:18-20

 

  We exist so that EVERY man, woman, and child

would have the opportunity to KNOW Christ,

GROW in Christ and

GO as the body of Christ.

 

Six Commitments of Membership:

KNOW:

1.   The Jesus Commitment: Do you know Jesus?

2.   The Baptism Commitment: Have you publicly declared faith?

GROW:

3.   Grow in God’s Word: Are you spending time in God’s Word?

4.   Grow with God’s People: Are you connected with God’s people?

GO:

5.   Give like Jesus

6.   Go like Jesus

 

GIVE: Radical Generosity

·       John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave …”

·       Ephesians 5:2, “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

You have been blessed to be a blessing!

·     God’s standard of generosity begins with the tithe (10%).

 

GO: Missional Investment

·      John 20:21, Again Jesus said, “…As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

·     Matthew 28:19, “…Therefore, go and make disciples…”

Love God; Love One Another.

GROW

Ephesians 3:16-19

 

4
11
61
39
648
949
132,326.86
100,547.87

We exist so that EVERY man, woman, and child
would have the opportunity to KNOW Christ,
GROW in Christ and
GO as the body of Christ.

 

KNOW Christ

1.    Do you KNOW Jesus?

 2.    Have you openly declared Jesus, through the waters of baptism? Romans 10:9-10, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

 

GROW in Christ

 1.    Grow through His Word

- Ephesians 3:17b, “Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

- Psalm 1:3, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

 

2.    Grow with His People

- Philippians 2:4, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Love God; Love One Another.

KNOW

Philippians 3:10-11 and Acts 8:26-40

“In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Romans 12:5

We exist so every man, woman and child
would have the opportunity to KNOW Christ,
GROW in Christ,
and GO as the Body of Christ.

 

Philippians 3:10-11, “I want to know Christ…”

What we need to know:

Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Romans 10:9-10, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

 

Mark it with Baptism: Acts 8:26-40

“Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”