Life’s Healing Choices: The Reality Choice - The Beatitudes - Part 1

The Reality Choice

Life’s Healing Choices: The Beatitudes - Part 1

“I don’t understand what I do. For what I want to do I don’t do, but what I hate to do, I do! ...I know that nothing good lives in my sinful nature. I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
Rom. 7:15+18 (NIV)

THE CAUSE: PLAYING GOD

“In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am a god...’ But you are just a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.”
Ezekiel 28:2 (NIV)

1st CHOICE:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matt. 5:3 (NIV)

I ADMIT I need help; that I’m powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.

1. HUMBLY ADMIT I NEED HELP

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 (NIV)

Be honest and be humble.

Facts you need admit about you

1. I'm broken. (No one is perfect)

2. My secret make me sick. 

3. I'm defeated.

4. My pride and my fear that keep me stuck.

Fear of the exposure. 

“You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.”
Pr. 28:13 (TEV) 

2. HUMBLY ASK GOD FOR HELP

“We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead.”
2 Cor. 1:9 (LB)

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

Matt. 5:3 (MSG)

3. HUMBLY ACCEPT HELP FROM OTHERS

Pride which keep you stuck.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”
Eccl. 4:9-10 (NIV)

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

James 5:16 (LB)

 GROUND RULES

“When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us...”

Rom. 5:6 (NCV) 

 

Better Together - Living A Generous Life - Part 6

Living A Generous Life

Better Together - Part 6

Koinonia (Fellowship) is translated: Community (Phil. 2:1 MSG) Participation (1 Cor. 10:16 NIV) Contribution (Rom. 15:26 NIV) Generosity (2 Cor. 9:13 GW)

I. WHY BE GENEROUS?
1. IT CREATES COMMUNITY

“Your generosity... not only provides for the needs of God’s people, but also produces prayers of thanksgiving to God.”
2 Cor. 9:11-12 (GW)

“Your heart will be wherever your treasure is.”

Matt. 6:21 (NCV)

“The community of believers... shared everything in common.”

Acts 4:32 (NAB)

2. IT DEFEATS MATERIALISM 

“You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matt. 6:24 (NIV)

3. IT STRENGTHENS MY FAITH

“Your giving proves the reality of your faith...”

2 Cor. 9:13 (Ph)

“Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

2 Cor. 9:6 (NIV) 

Three lessons to be generous as:

1. God wants you to remember that he is the source of everything you’ve got

2. God can take it all away from you in an instant, or he could double it, because he’s got the power.

3. God doesn’t need your money. He just wants you to learn to be unselfish and generous. He wants to develop your faith.

“God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and... plenty left over to give joyfully to others.”
2 Cor. 9:8 (LB)

4. IT’S AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY

“Use your worldly resources to benefit others... In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.”

Luke 16:9 (NLT)

“Tell the rich to use their money to do good... giving happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven-- the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.”
1 Tim. 6:18-19 (Liv)

5. IT BLESSES ME IN RETURN

“Give generously ... and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
Deut. 15:10 (NIV)

Luke 6:38, Pr. 3:9-10, Pr. 11:25, Ps. 112:5-6

6. IT PRODUCES HAPPINESS 

“There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”

Acts 20:35 (GN)

7. IT MAKES ME MORE LIKE GOD

“We all live off God’s generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.”

John 1:16 (Mes)

You can give without love, but you can't love without giving. 

“Everything we have has come from you Lord, and we can only give you what is yours already!”

1 Chron. 29:14 (LB)

“You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts.”

2 Cor. 9:13 (NLT)

II. HOW CAN I PRACTICE GENEROSITY?

 “If you’re really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give.”

2 Cor. 8:12 (NLT)

“You must make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pres- sure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.”
2 Cor. 9:7 (NLT)

• give thoughtfully 

• give enthusiastically 

• give voluntarily

• give cheerfully 

“Celebrate the Harvest Festival, to honor the Lord, by bringing Him a freewill offering in proportion to the bless- ing He has given you.”
Deut. 16:10 (GN)

“Remember the generosity of Jesus Christ, the Lord of us all. He was rich beyond our telling, yet he became poor for your sake so that his poverty might make you rich.”
2 Cor. 8:9 (Ph)

“...We are saved because Jesus... out of sheer generosity moved to save us...”

Acts 15:11 (Mes) 

Better Together - Serving Together - Part 5

Serving Together

Better Together - Part 5

“... agree with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.”

Phil. 2:2 (NLT)

1. We are family

“We work together as partners who belong to God.”

1 Cor. 3:9 (NLT)

2. We need each other 

“... Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of Christ’s Body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?”
Rom. 12:5 (Mes)

3. We get more done

“Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively.”

Eccl. 4:9 (GN)

“The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose.”

1 Cor. 3:8 (NLT)

WHAT IT TAKES TO SERVE AS A TEAM 

TRUST

“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.”

1 Tim. 6:20 (NIV)

“Many people claim to be loyal, but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.”

Pr. 20:6 (NCV)

1. By being consistent 

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

Luke 16:10 (NIV)

2. Being confidential 

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”

Pr. 11:13 (NIV)

3. Being close

Spend time with people 

“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”

Pr. 17:17 (Mes)

Time create trust, trust take times.

EMPHATY 

“Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic.”

1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Fundamental need and deep need. 

1. Slow down

“Be quick to listen and slow to speak...”

James 1:19 (NIV)

Speed destroy empathy.

If you moving, you miss the detail

2. Ask questions

“A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.”

Pr. 20:5 (GN)

Learn ask the question twice.

-How are you doing? 

- Tell me more...

Learn to linger

3. Show emotion 

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Rom. 12:15 (NAS)

I hurt with you. I cry with you. That's empathy...

ACCOMODATION

Give them a room, give them space. Coz God made all of us different. 

“Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.”

2 Tim. 2:22b (CEV) 

1. Accommodate each other needs

“Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’”

Rom. 15:2 (Mes)

Ask yourself "how can I help others?"

Need takes time and energy...

2. Accommodate each other ideas

“The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.”

Pr. 18:15 (LB)

3. Accommodate each other personality

“God in His kindness gave each of us different gifts.”

Rom. 12:6 (GW)

God use our differences to change the world.

Appreciate others differences.

4. Accommodate each other faults

“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Eph. 4:2 (LB)

MISSION

Doing something with a purpose. Accomplish something together.

“...be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

Phil. 2:2 (NAS)

“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...but let us encourage one another.”

Heb. 10:25 (NIV)

“Live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ. ...standing strong with one purpose, working togeth- er as one for the faith of the Good News.”
Phil. 1:27 (NCV) 

Better Together - How We Help Each Other Grow - Part 4 - Rick Warren

How We Help Each Other Grow

Better Together - Part 4

“From the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him – and all along He knew who would – should become like His Son...”

Rom. 8:29 (LB)

“Encourage each other and build each other up.”

1 Th. 5:11 (NIV)

1. BY AFFIRMING EACH OTHER’S WORK.

• WITH ACCEPTANCE

“Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you...”

Rom. 15:7 (NIV)

• WITH SHOWING ATTENTION
“Give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”

Gal. 6:10 (NCV)

Greatest gift of love is FOCUS ATTENTION.

• WITH SHOWING AFFECTION

Physical touch.

8 mins touchs

Hand shake, hugs, a pat

“Love one another with brotherly affection as members of one family...”

Rom. 12:10 (Amp)

• WITH SHOWING APPRECIATION

Raise their value

“Brothers and sisters... appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.”

1 Th. 5:12 (NCV)

2. BY PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER’S GROW. 

“Epaphras...always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature.”

Col. 4:12 (NCV)

“I pray...you’ll be able to feel and understand, how long, wide, deep, and high Christ’s love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves...”
Eph. 3:18-19 (LB)

“I pray... you will always be eager to do right.”

Heb. 13:21 (CEV)

“I pray God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him.”

Rom. 15:13 (NCV)

“I pray God ...would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation...”

Eph. 1:17 (GW)

“I pray the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ.”

2 Th. 3:5 (CEV)

“I pray God...may strengthen you with power through his Spirit.”

Eph. 3:16 (NIV)

“May...God develop maturity in you, so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all.”

Rom. 15:5 (Mes)

3. BY ADMITTING OUR OWN MISTAKE.

“Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other.”

Eph. 4:25 (NCV)

BENEFITS OF HONESTY
• EMOTIONAL HEALING

Forgiveness

Tell God for forgiveness 

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

James 5:16

If you want Emotional healing you need to 

-Tell God and also somebody else (trusted and pray with you).

• FRESH START

 “Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.”

Pr. 28:13 (LB)

Tell your friend, the friend will let you know you have been forgiven by God. 

• GET GOD'S POWER TO CHANGE

“When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, God will lift you up and give you honor.”
James 4:10 (NLT)

• DEEPER FELLOWSHIP 

“If we live in the light...then we have fellowship with one another...”

1 John 1:7 (TEV)

4. BY ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER’S COMMITMENT.

“Keep yourself in training for a godly life.”

1 Tim. 4:7 (TEV)

“I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.”

Rom. 1:12 (NCV)

1. Commit to LOVE Jesus Christ. WORSHIP

2. Commit to LOVE other believers. FELLOWSHIP 

3. Commit to  GROW in God’s Word. DISCIPLESHIP

4. Commit to SERVE in ministry. MINISTRY

5. Commit to SHARE the Good News. MISSION

Better Together - What Destroys Relationships & What Builds Them - Rick Warren

What Destroys Relationships & What Builds Them

Better Together - Part 3

“Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.”

Rom. 12:5 (GW)

1. SELFISHNESS DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS.

“What causes fights and quarrels? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but you don’t get it.”
James 4:1-2 (NIV)

It is natural be selfish. Is human nature. 

“Selfishness only causes trouble.”

Pr. 28:25 (TEV)

SELFLESSNESS BUILDS THEM.

A little bit less of me, a little bit more of you.

Show people kindness and selflessness 

“Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.”

Phil. 2:4 (TEV)

Being selflessness is like 

1. Small group "show up"

2. Accepted new people in the group

3. Listening to people. Give people time and attention. 

4. Being a host.

“The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others – and ignoring God – harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, and eternal life.”
Gal. 6:8 (Mes)

Be selflessness with the spirit of God inside you.

“Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.”

Gal. 5:16 (Mes)

2. PRIDE DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS.

“Pride leads to arguments.”

Pr. 13:10 (LB)

 “Pride will destroy a person: a proud attitude leads to ruin.”

Pr. 16:18 (NCV)

“First pride, then the crash – the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”

(Mes)

BE HUMBLE BUILDS THEM.

“Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble.”

1 Peter 3:8 (GW)

“ ...Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves...your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God.”
Phil. 2:3, 5-6 (NCV/NLT)

3. INSECURITY DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS.

Insecurity prevent intimacy.

We fear of:

1. Exposure 

2. Rejected 

“The fear of human opinion disables.”

Pr. 29:25 (Mes)

Adam: “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Gen. 3:10 (NIV)

LOVE BUILDS THEM.

“Love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid... it shows that His love has not been perfected in us.”
1 John 4:18 (NLT)

Imagine how God's love you, you will not live in other's expectation.

“All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them... We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in Him. God is love ... And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid...”

1 John 4:15-17 (NLT)

4. RESENTMENT DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS.

We gonna been hurt intentionally or unintentionally

Common irritation:

1. Always late- give explanation

2. Talk to long - TMI too much information

3. EGR extra grace require.

“To worry yourself to death with resentment is a foolish, senseless thing to do.”

Job 5:2 (TEV)

Resentment is sin, it only hurt you. 

Get anger but not sin

“Since my heart was embittered and my soul deeply wounded, I was stupid and could not understand.”

Ps. 73:21-22 (NAB)

Purpose of small group, got people help me think rationally.

 Learn to be honest in group, we only grow in honestly.

Speaking the truth in love. 

People we want to love the most, we end up resenting the most. 

“Look after each other... Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”

Heb. 12:15 (LB)

FORGIVENESS BUILDS THEM.

“You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Col. 3:13 (NLT)

Reasons of Forgiveness:

1. For your own benefit

2. Been forgiven by God

3. Need more forgives in future.

“Once our lives were full of resentment and envy. But then... Christ saved us – not because we were good enough to be saved but because of His kindness and love – by washing away our sins and giving us the new joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit... all because of what Jesus our Savior did so that He could declare us good in God’s eyes.” Titus 3:3-7 (LB)

The Lord says, “Forget what happened before and do not think about the past. I am going to do something new... I will make rivers on dry land.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (GW) 

Life church sermon - Pastor Paul 29/11/2015

““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.””

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

“Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.”

Psalm 3:7 NIV

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

1. Rejoice - Always 

Gladness of heart, spirit... Found in God. 

“sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

2 Corinthians 6:10 NIV

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV

2. Pray - Continually 

Continually means frequently recurring.

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”

1 Thessalonians 1:2 NIV

3. Give Thanks - In all circumstances 

Better Together - Reaching Out Together -Rick Warren

Reaching Out Together 

Better Together - Part 2 

“... you are standing together side by side with one strong purpose – to tell the Good News.” 

Ph. 1:27b (LB) 

“You’ve been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.” 

Ph. 1:5 (NLT) 

HOW CAN OUR SMALL GROUP “PARTNER” TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS? 

PARTNER

1. PRAY TOGETHER 

“Pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people His message.” 

Col. 4:3 (NCV) 

Prayer makes me aware.

• Make a group prayer list. 

2. APPEAL TO COMMON INTEREST

“Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ.”
1 Cor. 9:22-23 (LB) 

• Discover the common interests in your group. 

3. REACHED OUT IN LOVE

“Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God’s Good News with you, but even our own lives.” 

1 Th. 2:8 (NCV) 

We start reaching out because 

1. We have a greatest new.

2. Heart of gratitude.

3. God is love

“It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church.” 

1 Cor. 5:12 (NCV) 

“Whatever we do, it is certainly not for our own profit but because Christ’s love controls us now.” 

2 Cor. 5:14 (LB) 

• Ask God to give you a deeper love for others. 

How can I pray for you?

Everyone want to be pray for?

4. TELL YOUR STORY

“You are... God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you.”
1 Peter 2:9 (Mes) 

“Listen, and I’ll tell you what God has done for me.” 

Ps. 66:16 (NCV)

Tell story which God's has done to you.

The way to do:

1. Listen the prompt which Jesus help you with.

2. Relate to the problem or current event 

• Write out your story & share it with your group 

5. NUTURE FRIENDSHIP

“Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people.”
Rom. 12:16 (CEV) 

Have party, no agenda, build friendship.

“In his home Levi (Matthew) gave a big dinner party for Jesus. Many fellow tax collectors and other guests were also there.”
Luke 5:29 (CEV) 

“The Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being, with them.”
2 Tim. 1:7 (LB) 

• Bring a friend to your group. Plan a party. 

6. EXPECT GOD TO ACT

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 

Heb. 11:1 (NIV) 

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” 

Luke 5:20 (NIV) 

• Never give up on anyone. 

7. REPRESENT CHRIST WITH YOUR LIFE

“Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus.” 

Col. 3:17 (NLT) 

“Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work. If you do, people who are not believers will respect you.”
1 Thes. 4:11-12a (NCV) 

Better Together - Why We Need Each Other -Rick Warren

Why We Need Each Other 

Better Together - Part 1 

“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” 

Rom. 12:5b (NLT) 

1. I NEED OTHERS TO WALK WITH ME. 

“Just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him...” 

Col. 2:6-7 (ESV) 

“It is not good for man to be alone.” 

Gen. 2:18 (NLT) 

“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together... Instead, let us encourage one another.” 

Heb. 10:25a (TEV) 

Walk with with other because 

1. Is safer

2. Is supportive 

3. Is smarter

4. Learn to get along with people 

• Community is God’s answer to: Loneliness

“When you gather, each one of you be prepared with something useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight... Take your turn, with no one person taking over. That way... you all learn from each other.”
1 Cor. 14:26, 30-31(Mes) 

“As each part does its work, it helps the other parts grow, so Christ’s whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
Eph. 4:16 (NLT) 

“Open your homes to each other without complaining.” 

Peter 4:9 (TEV) 

2. I NEED OTHERS TO WORK WITH ME. 

“God made us to do good works, which He planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” 

Eph. 2:10 (NCV) 

“Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.” 

Eccl. 4:9 (NCV) 

• Community is God’s answer to: Fatigue

“Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
Gal. 6:10 (Mes) 

3. I NEED OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR ME. 

“Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.” 

Ph. 2:4 (TEV) 

“Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord’s followers should.” 

Heb. 13:1 (CEV) 

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Eccl. 4:12 (NLT) 

• Community is God’s answer to: Defeat

“If one person falls, another can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.” 

Eccl. 4:10 (NLT) 

4. I NEED OTHERS TO WAIT AND WEEP WITH ME. 

“You should be like one big family, full of sympathy toward each other...” 

1 Peter 3:8a (LB) 

“If one member suffers, all suffer together.” 

1 Cor. 12:26 (ESV) 

No need to give people advice, just be the with them.

Sit in silence

• Community is God’s answer to: Despair 

“Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.” 

Rom. 12:15 (TEV) 

“Encourage each other and strengthen one another.” 

1 Th. 5:11 (GW) 

5. I NEED OTHERS TO WITNESS WITH ME. 

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” 

John 13:35 (NLT) 

“The Holy Spirit doesn’t want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.”
2 Tim. 1:7 (LB) 

• God’s answer to fear is Community

“...You are working together and struggling side by side to get others to believe the Good News.” 

Ph. 1:27b (CEV)