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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Salvation by Grace - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Triumph over Failure - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life Church on the Rock Sunday September 23, 2007
Falling Forward
TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE
1Samuel 17:50- “So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”
Many know the story of David and Goliath. Goliath being the giant Philistine that the above scripture speaks about.
Before David arrived on the scene Goliath was intimidating the armies of Israel and causing them to run and hide.
1Samuel 17:11, 24- “On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in fear.”
FAILURE CAN DO TO US WHAT THIS GIANT WAS DOING TO THE ARMY OF ISRAEL THAT DAY.
Look at the following two scriptures and what failure did to Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:9,10- “But the Lord God called to the man, Where are you? He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Failure had caused them to run and hide, even from God because they were afraid.
Going back to the story of David and Goliath we read that David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone.
TRANSITION: Today I want to give you the “SLING” and “STONE” you can “TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE” with.
We’re going to look at the life of Peter. Many of us know that Peter failed Jesus big time. For those who might not be familiar with it let’s go and read.
Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75- Turn and Read
Peter blew it. He failed God big time!
NOW AFTER THREE DAYS PETER HEARS THAT JESUS IS ALIVE! NOW THINK ABOUT IT. PUT YOURSELF IN PETER’S SHOES.
Mark 16:6,7- “Don’t be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as He told you.”
Why was Peter singled out here? Why was Peter not mentioned as just one of the disciples. Now remember you’ve got to put yourself in Peter’s shoes.
Luke 24:11,12- “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”
What was Peter thinking when he went away? What is Jesus going to do to me? What is our relationship going to be like now? Are we going to have a relationship? Am I still one of His disciples? Will He ever trust me again? Am I going to be a failure the rest of my life?
TRANSITION: In John 21 we’re going to read about an encounter between Jesus and Peter that’s going to answer these questions.
John 21:1-19 Turn and Read
In these scriptures we’re going to find the sling and the stone that Peter used to TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE.
*****The most encouraging thing to me about this story is that Jesus showed up where they were at*********
****When you experience failure God is going to show up where your at****
This leads to the first step to TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE!
I. HEAR GOD’S VOICE
Even in the midst of failure God is speaking to you. God has a Word for you.
When God shows up and speaks to you it’s not the voice of condemnation!
John 3:17- “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
Romans 8:1- “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
The voice of God is a voice of restoration. God is the God of another chance. If you’re going to TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE you need to hear the voice of God.
Listen to the VOICE OF GOD in the following scripture.
Galatians 6:1- “Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently…”
TRANSITION: When Peter heard the VOICE OF GOD the next step followed
II. REMEMBER THE VOICE OF GOD
Now again we have to put ourselves in Peter’s shoes. What were the emotions and thoughts he was experiencing?
What was Jesus there to do? Punish him or what.
But this is what I think happened at this point in time. PETER REMEMBERED WHAT JESUS HAD SPOKEN TO HIM BEFORE HE FAILED.
Luke 22:31,32- “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter remembered that Jesus told him that even in your failure I’M PRAYING FOR YOU.”
When Jesus shows in the midst of your failure not only do you need to hear His voice but you need to remember the things He’s spoke to you in the past.
THINGS LIKE:
Romans 8:33-35- “Who will bring any charge against those God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Romans 8:37- “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
1John 2:1,2- “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ the righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
REMEMBER THE VOICE OF GOD!
TRANSITION: When your hear the voice of God and remember the voice of God then you will
III. PURSUE THE VOICE OF GOD
Jesus showed up where Peter was at now it was time for Peter to PURSUE JESUS.
This is important if you’re going to TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE! Peter ran to Jesus not from Jesus.
Isaiah 55:6- “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on him while He is near.”
That day Jesus was near Peter it was time to pursue.
Acts 17:27- “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
Peter pursued Jesus because he knew Jesus still loved him and had a plan for his life.
TRANSITION: But to fully TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE you need to
IV. OBEY GOD’S VOICE
Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Well if you do “Feed my sheep.”
Peter, don’t just hear my voice but OBEY MY VOICE!
To TRIUMPH OVER FAILURE you must submit once again to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life.
God has a Word for you today and that Word is “GO AND DO.” Obey my voice and you can be TRIUMPHANT OVER FAILURE.”
The voice of God is saying “GET BACK IN THE GAME.”
TRANSITION: When you hear the voice of God and remember the voice of God and pursue Him and Obey His voice
V. YOU BECOME GOD’S VOICE TO THE WORLD
Acts 2:14- “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:
In that crowd may have been some of those who heard Peter deny Jesus.
Acts 2:41- “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
PETER HAD TRIUMPHED OVER FAILURE!
CONCLUSION: Just as David had defeated the giant with a sling and a stone, Peter defeated the giant of failure.
He heard the voice of God, remembered the voice of God, pursued the voice of God, Obeyed the voice of God and then became the voice of God.
Let’s pray
Thursday, September 20, 2007
God is on Your Side - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Wednesday September 19, 2007
“GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE”
INTRODUCTION: Next week we’ll begin “Finding The Rock” a study in the doctrines we believe at New Life COTR. It will be fun and informative.
1Timothy 4:16- “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Titus 1:9- “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
Titus 2:1- “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”
Sound- to be healthy
2Timothy 4:3- “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE
Psalm 118:6,7- “The Lord is with me I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.”
Is this the confession from your mouth? Is this the declaration from your heart?
Proverbs 18:20,21- “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
FIVE DECLARATIONS THAT PROVE GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE
1. God is for us and can take any situation in our life and turn it around for good!
Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
a). Love God
b). Allow your life to come along side God’s purposes for your life.
c). You need to know
Ephesians 1:11- “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
Philippians 2:13- “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
God is for us and can take any situation in our life and turn it around for good!
2. God is for you and He has predestined you for greatness.
Romans 8:29,30- “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
Predestined- to decide beforehand
Called- invite, summon. The authority of the speaker dictates the nature of the calling.
justified- vindicate, declare righteous, to put someone in proper relationship with another, usually referring to God’s relationship to humankind, implying a proper legal or moral relationship.
Glorified- to glorify, give praise or honor.
Verse 30 (AMP)- “And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being.]”
Ephesians 2:6,7- “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
God is for you and he has predestined you for greatness.
3. God is for us and He will freely give us all things.
Romans 8:31,32- What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things.”
a). GOD IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOU!!! BECAUSE JESUS IS WORTHY!
Psalm 84:11- “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
Psalms 34:10- “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Matthew 7:7-12- Turn and Read
God is for us and He will freely give us all things.
4. God is for us and He will not allow anyone to condemn you.
Romans 8:33,34- “Who will bring any charge against those God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
1John 2:1,2- “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Through Jesus Christ we have been called, justified and glorified.
God is for us and He will freely give us all things.
5. God is for us and He will not allow anyone to separate you from the love of God.
Romans 8:35-39- Turn and Read
2Corinthians 5:14,15- For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
God is for us and He will not allow anyone to separate you from the love of God.
CONCLUSION: God is on your side. Make these and other scriptures the declaration of your heart.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Overcoming the Failure of Others - Jeanie Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday September 16, 2007
OVERCOMING THE FAILURE OF OTHERS
KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT WHERE IT ENDS. WITH GOD, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE TO BE A NEW BEGINNING.
Isaiah 43:18, 19(NIV) - “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
God can and will make A WAY out of the failure and give a new beginning.
1. To overcome the failure of others you must be willing to give it all to God.
Psalm 91:15-He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
In trouble= the failure of someone who hurt you.
You don’t get over the hurt by denying the hurt. You must decide to accept the fact someone failed you but you do not want to live there the rest of your life.
Matthew 11:28-Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
God has not failed you; Man has failed you. If you blame God you are bringing God down to man’s level.
The Bible says “God is love, and love never fails” therefore God cannot fail you.
Transition; when you run to God and He comforts you and then He shows you THE WAY to your new beginning.
2. PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD
Isaiah 40:31- but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Psalm 25:3- No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.
Psalm 42:5- Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
When someone fails you it is easy to stay focused on yourself and as long as you do that you will never get beyond the situation. Put your focus on God, He is your light at the end of the tunnel.
With God you will find comfort, hope and even joy again!
3. YOU MUST FORGIVE
Matthew 18: 21-22- “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven.
Matthew 6:14-15-“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Be not deceived into thinking you have not sinned. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Read Matthew 18:23-35
Our sins against Christ are so much more than anything anyone could ever do to us. Christ died on the cross for our sins. Even as He hung on the cross He cried out “Father forgive them they do not know what they are doing.”
Christ was able to look beyond the moment and forgive for eternity.
4. DON’T RELIVE THE FAILURE
Read Hebrews 12:1-3
Continually reliving the hurt will hinder the race God has put before you. It will keep you focused on self when the scripture tell us to fix our eyes on Jesus.
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Psalm 103:11-12 “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Remember this is all about forgiving the person who failed you God’s way.
If we forgive someone to this extent it would be impossible for us to continually bring their sins back up.
5. BEGIN YOUR NEW DAY
Philippians 3: 13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Wake up each morning ready to start the day with a fresh outlook on life.
If you are having a struggle with someone else’s failure or even your own failure look at Luke 18:27 and stand on that verse.
Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with men is possible with God”
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Overcoming Discouragement in Ministry - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Wednesday September 12, 2007
Overcoming Discouragement in Ministry
INTRODUCTION: In life and especially in ministry there arises the opportunity from time to time to get discouraged. If discouragement takes root in our life it can lead to depression.
Discouragement is a reality of life. We’re all flesh and blood and have to fight discouragement.
2Corinthians 1:8- “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.”
Despair- To be overcome by a sense of futility or defeat. Utter lack of hope. Something that destroys all hope.
1Samuel 30:1-6 Turn and Read
The Bible says that David was greatly distressed. Talk about discouragement.
Many times circumstances and situations present to us the opportunity to get discouraged and depressed.
FOUR MAIN CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION
1. Unfulfilled expectations.
The passing of time works against hope and faith in your life.
Proverbs 13:12- “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Many times we loose hope and when we loose hope we loose faith.
Have you ever heard this phrase? “Don’t get your hopes up.” If your hope is not up your faith is not up!
Hebrews 11:1- “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Unfulfilled expectations can cause discouragement.
2. Attacks of the enemy.
Attacks of the enemy can cause you to loose hope.
Luke 22:31-32(AMP)- “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain. But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.”
Jesus tells Peter, “I’m going to pray for you not to loose hope.”
Attacks of the enemy can cause us to loose hope and get discouraged.
Ephesians 6:12,16- “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Attacks of the enemy can cause you to become discouraged.
3. Financial Setbacks
1Kings 17:12-16- Turn and Read
Financial setbacks can cause discouragement.
Philippians 4:14-19- Turn and Read
4. The loss of someone close to you.
Deuteronomy 34:8- “The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.”
Grieved – to weep, wail, cry, sob, mourn.
FOUR CURES FOR DISCOURGEMENT
1. Do not compare yourself to your problem or enemy but compare your enemy to your God.
Psalm 27:1-3 Turn and Read
2. Go to the secret place of God.
Everyone needs a secret place.
Psalm 27:4,5- Turn and Read
Psalm 32:7- “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 91:1(KJV)- “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.”
3. Offer up a Sacrifice of Praise
Psalm 27:6- “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”
God inhabits the praises of His people.
It’s your responsibility to offer up a sacrifice of praise.
Hebrews 13:15- “Through Jesus therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.”
1Peter 2:9- “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
4. Wait in faith on the Lord
Psalm 27:13,14 Turn and Read
Isaiah 40:28-31 Turn and Read
CONCLUSION: 1. Compare your enemy to your God. 2. Go to the secret place of God. 3. Offer up a sacrifice of praise. 4. Wait in faith on the Lord
1Samuel 30:6- “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
2Corinthians 1:9,10- “Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope, that he will continue to deliver us.”
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Overcoming Failure - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday September 9, 2007
FALLING FORWARD
“Overcoming Failure”
INTRODUCTION: Today we begin a new series titled “FALLING FORWARD.” From time to time in the ministry I’m reminded of what God has done in my own personal life and marriage. He has brought me from a place of failure to where I’m at today.
Failure is not something we like to talk about or experience. But it does happen from time to time. But the testimony that Jeanie and I have is that YOU CAN OVERCOME FAILURE!
In the Bible we read many stories about people who failed yet God still used them. With God you can OVERCOME FAILURE.
Matthew 26:75- “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Acts 2:38,41- “Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
WITH GOD YOU CAN OVERCOME FAILURE AND FULFILL THE PLAN OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE AND LIVE OUT YOUR DESTINY!
TRANSITION: Today we’re going to look at the life of a man many of know as King David.
David was a man who was hand-picked by God to be the next King of Israel after King Saul.
Psalm 78:70,71- “He chose David His servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep He brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.”
The Bible says that David was “a man after God’s own heart.”
Yet in 2Samuel 11&12 the Bible tells us of a failure in the life of King David. (SHARE THE STORY)
Nathan the Prophet holds David accountable for his sins. David acknowledges his sin.
In Psalm 51 we read the prayer of repentance David offered to God after Nathan confronted David.
From this passage we learn seven steps to OVERCOMING FAILURE AND FALLING FORWARD.
Psalm 51- Turn and Read
TRANSITION: If you’re going to overcome failure and fall forward you must (and this first step is the most important. None of the others really work until you get this down.)
I. UNDERSTAND GOD’S LOVE
Psalm 51:1
David appealed to the love of God.
Romans 5:8- “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
If you’re going to overcome failure and fall forward you must understand that God loves you!
1John 3:1- “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God…..”
Romans 8:37-39- “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
To overcome failure you must understand that God love’s you!
II. TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FAILURE
Psalm 51:2-4
Notice that David never blamed Bathsheba. He took personal responsibility for his failure.
When I know God loves me I can take personal responsibility for my failure.
I can never overcome my failure as long as I blame others for my failure.
This past Wednesday we talked about King Saul and how God removed him from being King. Saul never overcame his failure. NOTICE THE FOLLOWING VERSES.
1Samuel 15:15- “Saul answered, The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”
1Samuel 15:24- “Then Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions, I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.”
OVERCOME FAILURE: Understand God loves you and take personal responsibility for your failure.
III. ASK FOR FORGIVENESS
Psalm 51:7-9
When you know God loves you, you can ask for forgiveness.
When you take personal responsibility for your failure you can ask for forgiveness.
1John 1:9- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Understand the love of God. Take personal responsibility for your failure and ask God for forgiveness.
IV. TURN FROM YOUR SIN
Psalm 51:10
To overcome failure and fall forward you must turn from your sin.
2Chronicles 7:14- “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Isaiah 55:7- “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
Romans 6:1- “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
When you turn from your sin you can OVERCOME FAILURE!
V. ASK GOD TO RESTORE THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION
If you’re going to overcome failure and fall forward your life needs to be filled with the joy of your salvation. WHY?
When there’s joy in your salvation there’s no guilt and shame or condemnation because of your failure.
It’s as if it never happened.
TRANSITION: With God you can fall forward and overcome your failure.
Understand God loves you. Take personal responsibility for your failure. Ask God to forgive you. Turn from your sin and ask God to restore the joy of your salvation.
One more important step.
VI. GO AND TELL
Psalm 51:13
When you experience God’s love and overcome your failures you can’t help but tell others and help them overcome their failures.
When you really know God’s love you know His love is for the world!
John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
CONCLUSION: David failed big time! But he overcame his failure and remained the King of Israel.
With God you can fall forward!
1. Understand God loves you.
2. Take personal responsibility for your sin
3. Ask God to forgive you
4. Turn from you sin.
5. Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation
6. Go and tell
OVERCOME FAILURE!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Disqualified From Ministry - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Wednesday September 5, 2007
DISQUALIFIED FROM MINISTRY
INTRODUCTION: God wants to use you. God wants you to finish well in your life and ministry. God wants you to be successful. These are the thoughts we need to think on.
“If God is for us, who can be against us.” “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Luke 10:2- “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.”
In the Bible we see many examples of people that God used. Even people that experienced failures in their lives.
Abraham lied. Moses was a murderer. Noah got drunk. David committed adultery. God used a harlot to hide the spies Joshua sent into the Promised Land. Peter denied Christ and was still used by God. Paul persecuted the church.
After all the bible is all about the fall and redemption of man.
Yet in 1Samuel 15 we read about King Saul who was disqualified from ministry. He was removed from being King. This is something rare we read about in the Bible.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN DISQUALIFY US FROM MINISTRY!
God took Saul out of the ministry for many reasons. Many people think it was just disobedience but the disobedience was just the straw that broke the camels back.
TEN THINGS THAT CAN DISQUALIFY US FROM MINISTRY
1Samuel 15:1-9 Turn and Read
1. You do not fully obey God. (verses 10,11)
Obedience is huge with God. Obedience reveals our commitment to Lordship!
2. When it starts being more about you than the Lord. (verse 12)
LOOK WHAT I’VE ACCOMPLISHED!
3. When you begin to blame others for your own failures. (verse 15)
Displaced responsibility.
4. When you forget where your power and authority come from. (verse 17)
Pride is a key issue with leaders.
5. When you don’t complete your mission. (verse 18)
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” This is our mission. What is a church? Why are we still here? Because we have a mission! I longer have a life but I have a mission!
6. When you’re blinded by materialism. (verse 19)
The story of the rich young ruler.
7. When you try to justify your disobedient actions. (verse 20)
I HAD MY REASONS! I KNOW BETTER THAN GOD!
8. When you substitute outward religious activities rather than obeying God’s voice. (verse 21,22)
No sacrifice is greater than obeying God’s voice.
9. When you get into rebellion. (verse 23)
Manipulating events to get what you want instead of what God says.
10. When you fear the people more than you fear God. (verse 24)
We must have the proper fear of God in our hearts.
Proverbs 1:7- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
THREE THINGS TO DO TO TURN IT AROUND
1. An Honest Evaluation
2Corinthians 13:5- “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith….”
2. Experience Genuine Repentance
Saul simply asked God to pardon his sins. It wasn’t in his heart to change. On the contrary David experienced true repentance.
3. Ask God for another chance.
2Kings 20:1-6 Turn and Read
CONCLUSION: “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few..” Tonight ask God to use you to expand the Kingdom of God all over the world.
Position yourself to hear is voice and then obey His voice.
Three types of Christians.
1. I want what I want.
2. I want what God wants-but.
3. I want what God wants-period!
