I’ve recently started sending weekly updates to our Sunday Life Group that include a summary of the Sunday sermon and a summary of our Life Group lesson. The goal is to keep everyone in the group in the loop even if they can’t make it to church every Sunday.
I know it’s tough for a lot of people to make it to church every Sunday so I thought more people may benefit if I post my weekly updates here on the blog. Feel free to check in each week (I’ll try to get them posted by mid-week) or if you’d like to get added to my weekly email list, just shoot me a message – I’ll be happy to add you!
Title: “Positive Living, Part 3” (Matthew 11:28-30)
The sermon on Sunday centered around stress management. Clay started the sermon by reviewing the hardships of Paul’s life on earth and the immense amount of stressful situations he was put in. He noted that Paul still lived a positive life because he was able to handle is stress well.
Matthew 11:28-30 lays out 3 ways to handle stress in a positive way
Matthew 11:28-30 lays out 3 ways to handle stress in a positive way
- Jesus says, “Come to me.” Often, prayer is our last resort instead of our first response to a stressful situation. By going to God in prayer we take our focus off of our problems and instead focus on God.
- Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you.” In the Bible, yoke refers to someone (or sometimes a country) who is under control of another. Here, Jesus is saying “live under my control” – in other words, be more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing other people. This resonates well today as we have become a society with “approval addiction” – we are constantly thinking about what others think of us. We are in search of human approval. This creates a lot of unneeded stress. Instead of focusing on what others think of us, we should focus on what God thinks of us. Make it your mission to please one person – God.
- Jesus says, “Learn from me.” The New Testament is filled with many stories about Jesus but there is never a time where Jesus is panicked. Learn from Jesus but keeping a calm disposition – whenever you hear a frantic voice in your head, know that it is not the voice of God.
Key Action Items:
– When dealing with stress make prayer your first response
– Do not be an approval addict, instead focus on seeking only God’s approval
– Follow Jesus’ example – refrain from panic
– When dealing with stress make prayer your first response
– Do not be an approval addict, instead focus on seeking only God’s approval
– Follow Jesus’ example – refrain from panic
Title: “Unstoppable Mission” (select verses from Acts 1)
The point of our life group lesson this past week was that the Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. The scripture is set during the 40 days Jesus was on Earth after he arose from the dead. He is encouraging the disciples to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower them as they spread the gospel to the ends of the Earth. Although Jesus was returning to Heaven, the Holy Spirit would remain with believers – living in them – and enabling them to accomplish God’s mission.
It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is within us as well. We are charged to spread the message of the gospel just like Jesus’ disciples.
The scripture concluded with all of the disciples praying together. The power of group prayer is strong and helps to reinforce God’s purposes as opposed to personal agendas.
Key Action Items:
– Accept the Mission – commit yourself to be His witness where you go and wherever He sends you.
– Embrace the Gift – Begin each day by submitting to the Holy Spirit. Pray for wisdom, strength, and guidance.
It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is within us as well. We are charged to spread the message of the gospel just like Jesus’ disciples.
The scripture concluded with all of the disciples praying together. The power of group prayer is strong and helps to reinforce God’s purposes as opposed to personal agendas.
Key Action Items:
– Accept the Mission – commit yourself to be His witness where you go and wherever He sends you.
– Embrace the Gift – Begin each day by submitting to the Holy Spirit. Pray for wisdom, strength, and guidance.
Thanks for reading! Have a great week!
Don't Just Live, Conquer! 