Dan Gould

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  • Sunday AM Remix – 11.27.11

    “I Will Dwell In the House of the Lord Forever”

    * A lot of people spend their lives worrying about tomorrow. They never enjoy today because they’re worrying about tomorrow. Why? Because we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.

    * REALITY: We can’t control what’s going to happen. Instead, we worry, fret, and agonize over what could happen.

    The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23

    * FACT: David ends this psalm with extreme confidence.

    * QUESTION: Is it easier for you to focus on the fear of what could be or to have faith in what can be? Why or How?

    * As believers we can face the future with confidence.

    I CAN FACE THE FUTURE CONFIDENTLY …

    1. BECAUSE GOD’S GOODNESS IS WATCHING OVER ME.

    “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . .”  Psalm 23:6a (NKJV)

    * TRUTH: God’s goodness is tracking us down all the time.

    * REALITY: Bad things still happen to Godly people.

    * PROMISE: God promises that He will use everything that happens to us for our good. No matter what bad or evil things come our way, if the Lord is our shepherd, He will make sure goodness comes out of whatever happens.

    * Psalm 23:6 is to the Old Testament what Romans 8:28 is to the New Testament, look what it says …

     “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

    * There is no difficulty, dilemma, defeat, disaster in the life of a Christian that ultimately God won’t bring good out of. Eventually, God’s goodness will flow out of it. Somehow.

    * Sometimes we are so close to the situation that we can’t see how God is working and even wonder Why He is letting this happen, or How could this be gods plan?  It may take day, months, or years before we see that God wasn’t absent, he was just quietly growing us in the process.

    * REMINDER: Paul wrote much of the New Testament while sitting in prison.

    * Psalm 23 is a Shepherds Psalm. It’s a reminder of how a shepherd is supposed to lead his sheep. And we know that the shepherd of this psalm is the Savior in the Gospels.

    * Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd

    * The word ‘good’ doesn’t mean nice; it means unique or one of a kind.

    * Jesus was saying there is no one like me, so there is no one who can take care of you like I can. So follow Me and I’ll lead you into goodness.

    “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”  Acts 10:38 (NLT)

    * For 33 years living life on this earth, Jesus went about doing good for His sheep. Listen, what He did then, He is doing now. The Good Shepherd is still doing good for His sheep.

    “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17 (NIV)

    * TRUTH: Everything good in my life comes as a gift from God.

    * QUESTION: What are the good things that God has given you that sometimes you overlook?

    “. . . The goodness of God endures continually.”  Psalm 52:1b (NKJV)

    “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”  Psalm 145:9 (NKJV)

    “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  Matthew 5:45b (NIV)

    “He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.”  Psalm 33:5 (NKJV)

    * You can’t go anywhere in this world where you can’t find some evidence of the goodness of God.

    * OUR PROBLEM: We take God’s goodness for granted so often that we don’t often realize just how good God really is, and how we benefit from His goodness every second of every day.

    2. BECAUSE GOD’S GRACE IS WORKING IN ME.

    “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. . .”  Psalm 23:6a (NKJV)

    * The word ‘Mercy’ here is the Hebrew word ‘Hesed’. It’s used 246 times in the Old Testament and half of those are in the book of Psalms. It’s David’s favorite word to describe God’s attitude toward His children. Hesed can be rendered mercy or loving-kindness or overwhelming grace.

    * Mercy is the flip side of Grace. In fact, mercy is the result of God’s grace.

    * God’s grace is the vehicle that carries God’s mercy to you. You could even say that grace is mercy in action.

    “. . . I will now have mercy on you through My grace.”  Isaiah 60:10b (NLT)

    “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. . .”  Psalm 23:6a (NKJV)

     * The Hebrew word for ‘follow’ literally means ‘to pursue or chase down’.

    * REALITY: God’s goodness and His mercy pursue us, chase us down, run after us, and stays right on our heels all the days of our lives.

    * REMINDER this is a shepherd song’s. Shepherds don’t drive sheep, they lead sheep.

    * QUESTION: who are you Shepherding? Are you leading them or driving them? What do you feel like you need to do?

    “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.   They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)

    * If you belong to the Lord, if the Lord is your shepherd, you don’t have to face the future with a question mark, you can face it with an exclamation point. Because Gods goodness and mercy follows you, picking up the pieces, cleaning up the messes, and making you complete by His Grace and Mercy found in Christ Jesus.

    3. BECAUSE GOD’S GLORY IS WAITING FOR ME.

    “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6b (NKJV)

    * The word And here is very important because that little word connects our today’s with our tomorrows. It binds our present with our future.

     “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.”  Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

    * David had one purpose in life: to glorify God. He had one goal for his future: to live in the presence of God forever and ever and ever.

     “We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever.”  2 Corinthians 5:1 (NCV)

    * This is why Christians should be the most confident people on the planet. We know who we are, whose we are, and where we’re going when we die.

    “So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. . . Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6, 8 (NLT)

    * PERSPECTIVE: Death, for Christians, is a transfer, a promotion. It’s on to better things. No more problems, not more tears, no more sin. But you’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die. You don’t know how to live until you’re ready to die.

    FINAL THOUGHTS:

    In this Psalm, God saves the best for last. From the very beginning, He tells us that will lack nothing. He says when we’re hungry, He will lead us to green pastures. When we’re thirsty, He will lead us to still waters. When we’re lost, He will find us and lead us down the right path. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will protect us with His rod and staff. And even when we are surrounded by our enemies, we will eat in calmness and abundance from His table, knowing He is right beside us all the time.

    He promises our earthly life will be full of goodness and mercy, and all of that is wonderful, but this Psalm closes by saying that if the Lord is your Shepherd the best is yet to be. In other words, the best moments of your existence are still ahead. You haven’t seen anything until you reach your final destination.

    Listen…life is hard. There are struggles, and strife, and countless issues we have to deal with, but listen, God is saying to you right now…keep your fork…the best, His best, is yet to come.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1. What do you look forward to most when you think about heaven?

    2. Confidence is something we all hope to possess. In your life what does does confidence look like and in what areas do you feel you have this confidence? Where do you think this confidence come from?

    3. On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident are you that you are going to heaven when you die? What do you base your ‘score’ on?

    4. Read Ps. 23:6, 1 John 5:13, Romans 8:35-39. What do these verses have to say about being confident in your salvation? How should this assurance bolster the way you live?

    5. Read Ps. 33:5, 52:1, 145:9. What do these verses say about the goodness of God? What do you think David means when he says that God’s goodness follows him every day of his life? Are you experiencing this? Why or why not?

    6. What’s the difference between grace and mercy? Why do we need both? How do both of these wonderful gifts of God play a role in your every day life?

    7. Pastor Bob said grace is the vehicle that carries God’s mercy to you …. grace is mercy in action. Grace is a gift to you that you don’t deserve. Gods grace pursues us, it chases us down. How does this change your prospective of thinking God is angry with you?

    8. Pastor Bob noted that the Shepherd lead the sheep he didn’t drive the sheep. When it comes to your leadership, do you tend to lead or drive the people around you? How is this impacting your relationships?

    9. Read Lamentations 3:22. Why is it important for a Christian to know that God’s mercy never runs out? How should that affect your walk with Christ?

    10. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8. How does Paul’s future ‘home’ affect his daily living? Is Paul more motivated by the desire to be with Christ, or by fear of judgment? Which motivates you?

    11. Pastor Bob mentioned the best is yet to come, speaking about Heaven. What do you imagine heaven to be like? Read John 14:2-4
    Do you know people that aren’t aware of God’s glory awaiting them? How might you ministry to them after hearing today’s sermon?

    12. What part of Psalm 23 is most impacting your life right now? Why?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    You Never Let Go – Redman

    Everlasting God – Brown

    My Reward – Stanfill

    Great Is Thy Faithfulness

    Sweetly Broken – Riddle

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

     

  • Sunday AM Remix – 11.20.11

    ‘I Will Fear No Evil’

    The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23

    * REALITY: Fear is a choice! You can choose to walk in faith or stand still in fear.

    * QUESTION: Have you had anything in life that just seemed to have you by the throat?

    * The Bible says to fear not 365 times.

    * Satan uses fear in our life to take us away from the One who calms all fear.

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR BECAUSE THE LORD YOUR SHEPHERD WILL PROVIDE . . .

    1.  DIRECTION WHEN YOU’RE CONFUSED.

    * Sheep get lost very easily.

    * QUESTION: Have you ever had a time that you just felt lost or played the what if game?

    “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3b

    * He leads us down the right path.

    * Path and Way are used a lot throughout the Bible

    * Early Christians were known as people of the way

    * There are several paths that you can take but they don’t all lead you to right way!

    * QUESTION: What path are you on?

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

    “The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And he is happy in His way.”  Psalm 37:23 (NLT)

    “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

    HOW DO I GET ON THE RIGHT PATH?

     – God’s will is found in GOD’S WORD.

    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

    – God’s will is found in GODLY COUNSEL.

    “Fighting comes only from pride, but wisdom is with those who listen when told what they should do.”  Proverbs 13:10 (NLT)

    “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”  Proverbs 12:15 (NKJV)

    – God’s will is found in GOD’S SPIRIT.

    “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”  Philippians 2:12b-13 (NLT)

    “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered.”  Hebrews 5:8 (NLT)

    * Just because the path is tough doest mean the path is wrong. Rain, pruning, and pressure are always needed in sanctification process.

    * Suffering can be apart of Gods plan.

    ‘But He knows where I am going.  And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.   For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed His ways and not turned aside.’  Job 23:10-11 (NLT)

    * In life, everything that happens is Father filtered. Nothing touches us without the permission of God.

    2.  PROTECTION WHEN YOU’RE AFRAID.

    “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.”  Psalm 23:4a, b (NKJV)

    * The valley of the shadow of death is a real place that many feared going through because of the dangers that lurked in the dark narrow passage. But people would go through it because it led to the greenest pastures. Sometimes we have to go through the valley to get to the blessing.

    * The first 3 verses talk about The Shepherd, in the last 2 David starts talking to The Shepherd.

    “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”   Romans 8:31b (NLT)

    “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.  O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  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.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”  Isaiah 43:1-3a (NLT)

    * TRUTH: When you are with the shepherd, he provides protection.

    3.  CORRECTION WHEN YOU’RE WRONG.

    “. . . for Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:4c (NKJV)

    * INTERESTING FACT: Shepherds carried a rod and a staff.  The Staff was used to guide and direct the sheep, while the rod was used to beat off animals that may attach and used to discipline the sheep.

    ‘Come, let us return to the Lord.  He has torn us to pieces; now He will heal us.  He has injured us; now He will bandage our wounds.’  Hosea 6:1 (NLT)

    “I used to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your word . . . My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your decrees.”  Psalm 119:67, 71 (NLT)

    4.  SATISFACTION WHEN YOU’RE IN NEED.

    “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”  Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)

    * This is a picture of you not lacking anything, God gives us all that we need.

    * The table represent a green lush pasture also called a tableland.

    * The Oil is representative of the Holy Spirit.  The Bible uses this many times in scripture.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1.  Share one experience in your life that caused you to have a lot of fear.  What did you do?  How would you handle that situation differently today?

    2.  Read Matthew 14:22-33.  What moved Peter to get out of the boat and onto the water?  What caused Peter to sink after being successful for a while?  How does this passage relate to Psalm 23:4?

    3.  Verse 3 says, “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  What does this mean?  Check out Proverbs 3:4-5, Ps. 37:23, Ps. 16:11.  What promise does God make through all of these verses?  What do you need divine guidance and direction for in your life right now?

    4.  Pastor Bob shared three ways to get on God’s path.  What were they?  Which do you struggle with most?  Why?

    5. Pastor Bob spent a lot of time talking about being on the right path and headed in the right way. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus talks about a wide and narrow gate and a wide and narrow road. Which path do you tend to travel down the most? What changes need to be made for you to get on and stay on the narrow road going through the narrow gate?

    6. What valley’s have you recently walked through?  How has God responded to you through these times? What verses, passages of scripture, and or songs have helped you walk through this valley?

    7.  How do the shepherd’s tools the rod and staff ‘comfort’ his sheep?  How has God used these on you?

    8.  Verse 5 has three beautiful phrases: ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.’  What do each of these mean to you?  Who are your enemies today?  What would like your cup to overflow with?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    You Are Holy – Smith

    Jesus Messiah/Enough – Tomlin

    How Deep The Father’s Love – Townend

    There is A Fountain – Cowper

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

     

  • “I’m a Guru” – Gurus 2011 Rap

  • Sunday AM Remix – 11.13.11

     “He Restores My Soul”

    * Many of us have been in the trap of worry and frantic living that we think it is normal. But when we look at scripture we see there is a different way to live.

    * There is a difference to being driven and being led.

    * QUESTION: Are you being driven by life or led by the shepherd?

    “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
    5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”
    Psalm 23 (NKJV)

    * The word Restore means to replenish or bring back to its original form.

    5 THINGS THAT CAN DRAIN YOUR SOUL:

    • PEOPLE
    • DIFFICULT PEOPLE

    * 2 types of people VIP’s & VDP’s! VIP’s = Very Inspiring People – VDP’s = Very Draining People

    • HURRIEDNESS

    * There is a difference between being busy and being hurried. Busyness is an outward condition of the body hurriedness  is an inward condition of the soul.

    • PROBLEMS
    • COVETING

    * Always wanting what you don’t have. It is a state of never being content or happy with where you are or what you have.

    5 THINGS THAT CAN RESTORE YOUR SOUL:

    • SLEEP

    * The Bible says sleep is a gift from God.

    * Sleep Patterns are different for every person. It’s important that you find what you need and then make sure you get it.

    * God restores you while you sleep.

    • REST

    * Sleep and Rest are very different. You can sleep but not be totally rested.

    * Rest is found throughout scripture and something we were created in need of.

    * Rest is an intentional time of letting the body and mind relax and restore.

    • REFLECTION

    * Reflection is time where the soul gazes upon itself.

    * If you don’t sleep well or rest well, you will not be able to reflect well

    * Here are 4 things that reflection causes you to do

    ** Looking back – Where have you been, what have you done, what have you said?

    ** Looking up – What is God Teaching you, Where is He Leading you, Are you following Him?

    ** Looking around – Who are people influencing you and who are people you influence? Are there things going on that need to change to create a change in you?

    ** Looking ahead – Where do you see God leading, Where do you see yourself in a couple of years, what are some things you want to achieve, what needs to be done to get there?

    *** REALITY: Many times we don’t do this because we are either hurried or tired to think about these 4 things.

    • DIVERSION

    * Diversions allow you to do something else to get your mind off of the everyday things.

    * Diversions are great until they become our focus.

    • MINISTRY

    * If you don’t do the things above, ministry becomes a burden instead of being joyful.

    * God uses these things to restore us

    SOUL RESTORATION REQUIRES . . .

    1.  RESTING IN GOD’S PRESENCE.

    “He makes me to lie down. . . “  Psalm 23:2a (NKJV)

    * The idea here is that God insist we rest in His Presence.

    * Resistance to rest is a dangerous thing. God will make you rest either on your own choosing or His.

    * We see in the Creation Story that the first thing God does (REST) is often the last thing that we think we need?

    * QUESTION: Are you resting in the Lords presence before you go to work?

    ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’  Matthew 11:28-29 (NKJV)

    * INTERESTING FACT: When sheep lay down their wool grows the most and their body gets stronger.

    * Everyone needs a Sabbath. A Sabbath is a day of rest. God modeled this in creation and it also made it to the big Ten!

    ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’  Exodus 20:8 (NKJV)

    2.  RELYING ON GOD’S PROVISION.

    “He makes me to lie down in green pastures . . . “  Psalm 23:2a,b (NKJV)

    “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”  Jeremiah 15:16 (NKJV)

    “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)

    * INTERESTING FACT: Sheep will eat anything, but there are something’s that are bad for them. The shepherd leads the sheep to the green stuff. We are the same way, the Shepherd leads us to green pastures.

    “‘I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel.  There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.  I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,’ says the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 34:14-15 (NKJV)

    3.  BEING REFRESHED WITH GOD’S PEACE.

    “He leads me beside the still waters.”  Psalm 23:2c

    * INTERESTING FACT: Sheep are fearful of fast-moving water. So the shepherd has to lead them to still water.

    * Gods word is the green grass for our lives and Gods Spirit is the fresh water we need.

    “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”  John 7:37-39 (NKJV)

    ‘. . . but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’ John 4:14 (NKJV)

    * I need my soul restored when…

    ** Little things put me over the edge

    ** When I can’t get to sleep or can’t get up

    ** When my plate is to full and my heart is to empty

    ** When dust is gathered on my Bible and I’m not praying about anything

    * OPEN CHALLENGE – Spend 3 separate hours with God this week.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1.  How busy is your life?  Low, medium, or high?  What consumes most of your time? What consumes most of your thoughts?

    2.  Pastor Bob gave five things that can drain our soul: people, difficult people, hurriedness, and coveting.  Describe how each of these can hinder you.  Which one do you struggle with the most?

    3. Pastor Bob gave five things that can drain our soul and many of us relate to that list pretty well. But what are the five things that are currently draining your soul?

    4.  Pastor Bob gave five things the Lord can use to restore our soul: sleep, rest, reflection, diversion, and ministry.  Describe how each of these can be beneficial to your life.  Which one do you need to spend more time doing?  Why?

    5. Why are sleep and rest so needed, so simple to desire, but so hard to actually do? What keeps you from resting? What have you found to help you find the rest you need?

    6.  David wrote, ‘He makes me lie down in green pastures.’  Why does a shepherd have to force a sheep to lie down?  How are we like sheep in that way?  In what ways does God force people to lie down in His presence?

    7.  Read Matthew 11:28-29.  What is required for Jesus to give us rest for our souls?  Are you doing this regularly?  Why or why not?

    8.  Read Exodus 20:8.  How serious of a command is this to God?  How about to you?  What does the Sabbath day mean to you?

    9.  Pastor Bob talked about how the ‘green pastures’ for us today is the Word of God.  God wants us to daily feed in His Word.  Are you doing this?  If not, what is hindering you?  What is your favorite way to spend quiet time with God in His Word?

    10.   Read John 7:37-39.  What is Jesus talking about?  How does this relate to Psalm 23:2?

    11.  How is God wanting to restore your soul this week?

    12. Pastor Bob gave a challenge on Sunday to spend 3 separate hours alone with God this week. Have you had a chance to do that yet? What did that time look like?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    Come Thou Fount/God Of Glory – Williams

    God Is Able – Morgan & Fielding

    You Are God Alone – Foote

    My Savior My God – Schust

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 11.6.11

    “The LORD is my Shepherd.”

    *Many of us live in a constant state of the hurry up, multitasking, sitting on the edge of our seats lifestyle.

    *Life doesn’t have to be lived at a High Pace, High Pressure, and  High Stressed Lifestyle.  There is a life that can be lived that is much different that is filled with Peace, Contentment, and Satisfaction.

    “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  3 He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 
    4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;   For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;  My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. ” Psalm 23 (NKJV)

    *QUESTION: Where do you find satisfaction, contentment, and peace?

    LIKE DAVID, WE CAN BE THRILLED & SATISFIED WITH GOD AS OUR SHEPHERD BECAUSE . . .

    1.  HE IS POWERFUL IN HIS NATURE.

    *REMINDER: They key to Psalm 23 is not us, but the Lord

    “The LORD . . .” Psalm 23:1a (NKJV)

    *The Hebrew word used here for the LORD is Yahweh. It is used throughout Scripture in the Holiest, Purest, and most Reverent way when referring to God.

    ‘Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is His name?” what shall I say to them?’   And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “AM has sent me to you.”’ Moreover God said to Moses,‘ thus you shall say to the children of Israel: “The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.”’  Exodus 3:13-15 (NKJV)

    *TRUTH: The LORD is everything you need. If you need … He is …! Every need you have, He is!

    *When we have the right perspective of the LORD our problems seem smaller than we first thought they were.

    2.  HE IS PERSONAL WITH HIS CARE.

    “The Lord is my shepherd . . .” Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)

    *The Lord is not just my friend, He is my Shepherd because He is the one who guides me, protects me, & comforts me.

    SHEEP MUST HAVE A SHEPHERD BECAUSE THEY ARE . . .

    – PRONE TO WANDER/FOLLOW 

    *We do the same thing. Because we are so trusting, we will follow people into the wrong things like …

    – VULNERABLE

     *Sheep have to have a protector because they are defenseless, and because they get lost easily. We are the same way. We are defenseless when it comes to the spiritual battle going on around us making us vulnerable to all kinds of temptation.

    – STUBBORN

    *Many times we are so stubborn that we don’t hear the things that we need to hear.

    “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way . . . “Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV)

    “I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 (ESV)

    *The word “Good” means “one of kind”. Jesus is a “one of a kind” Shepherd.

    *QUESTION:Can you say that the LORD really is your shepherd? Test yourself with John 10:27

    “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”  John 10:27 (ESV)

    * Test

    – My sheep listen to my voice – do you hear His voice as the truth goes out? When you read scripture are you hungry for what it says?

    – My sheep follow my voice – do you follow His voice?

    3.  HE IS PLENTIFUL IN HIS SUPPLY.

    “I shall not want . . .“ Psalm 23:1c (NKJV)

    “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.”  Psalm 84:11 (NIV)

    “Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need.”  Psalm 34:9 (NLT)

    “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”  Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

    “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

    *NOTE: Philippians 4:19 & Isaiah 53:5  are not wealth and health verses. They are verses that point to Christ ability to take care of all our needs not all our greeds.

    “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”  Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

    “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV)

    *THOUGHT: The LORD is my Shepherd, Could this statement/reality, once really comprehended, believed, and lived out could also mean that we get to the point in our life to never want for a different Shepherd?

    “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”  1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NKJV)

    *TRUTH:There is a difference knowing Psalm 23 and knowing the Shepherd.

    *QUESTION: Do you know Psalm 23 or do you know the Shepherd in Psalm 23?

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1. Where do you tend to find yourself seeking satisfaction, contentment, and/or  peace?  How does this impact your view of God as Shepherd?

    2.  When is comes to dealing with worry & stress, what formula were you raised with in dealing with these?  ‘Forget about it’? ‘Pray about it’? ‘Sleep on it’? How would your kids answer this question?

    3.  Read Psalm 23.  Now read this Psalm again in the negative (“The Lord is not my shepherd…”).  What verse is most disturbing to you?

    4.  David uses the most personal and sacred name for God when he writes ‘The LORD is my shepherd’.  It’s the name Yahweh.  What do you know about this name of God?  Why is David’s use of it here significant?

    5.  The bible compares humans to sheep continually.  Why?  What similarities do you see in your life?

    6. Satan seems to know the areas we are most vulnerable to temptation and temps us in these areas consistently. What areas have you identified in your life that you seem to be most vulnerable? What are you doing to stay close to the Shepherd enabling you to resist these temptations?

    7. We all have stubborn tendencies and our stubbornness can keep us from being obedient to God. What area/s do you need to surrender to the Shepherd?

    8.  Read John 10:11 and John 10:27.  How are these encouraging verses for Christians?  What is the proof that Jesus is our Shepherd?  How would you explain this to another person who is seeking to know Jesus?

    9.  How do you discern the voice of Jesus from all the other voices that vie for your attention?

    10.  How does it make you feel to think of God caring for you as the Good Shepherd?

    11.  What did David mean when he wrote, ‘…I shall not want’?  Read Ps. 84:11, 34:9, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19.  What is God promising to His children?  How could this relieve stress and pressure in your life today?

    12.  What is the most obvious area of your life God wants you to learn to be content?  Why?  How can your group pray for you today?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    Today Is The Day – Brewster

    God Is Able – Morgan & Fielding

    Revelation Song – Jobe

    Jesus Paid It All – Stanfill

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 10.30.11

    How About a New . . . Attitude?

    * Everyone has an attitude!!!
    * Attitude is an inward feeling demonstrated  by outward behavior
    * Your attitude is a choice, no-one chose this for you.
    * In life we move from condition to choices. We are born into a set of conditions and spend the rest of our life making choices around these conditions.
    * REALITY: How you chose to deal with circumstances and conditions, impact your attitude

    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

    3 Reasons Your Attitude is Important . . .

    •  Your attitude determines your PERSPECTIVE of life.

    * Like a pair of sunglasses – Your attitude is the lens you look through everyday!
    * No matter where you go your attitude is there and impacts your perspective on life

    •  Your attitude develops your RELATIONSHIPS in life.

    * TRUTH: People will either be drawn to you or repelled by you based on your attitude.

    •  Your attitude changes your PROBLEMS problems into BLESSINGS.

    * REALITY: Even people with good attitudes have problems.
    * TRUTH: Every miracle in the Bibles started with a problem.
    * QUESTION: How’s your attitude?

    • Your attitude can be measured by your RESPONSE to challenging CIRCUMSTANCES and/or PEOPLE.

    * The overflow of your heart is revealed in your attitude.

    WHAT IS THE ATTITUDE OF AN EXTRA MILE TAKER?

    1.  AN E.M.T. IS WILLING TO GET WORSE THAN THEY DESERVE.

     ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”  But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.’  Matthew 5:38-39 (NKJV)

    “But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”  Exodus 21:23-25 (NKJV)

    * CONTEXT: Jesus reminds us that Exodus 21:23-25 was given:
    1. To curtail crime
    2. To make sure the punishment didn’t exceed the crime
    3. It was given for the courts to use in a public matter not for people to use it on a personal matter.

    * This passage is not pointing to passivity. It’s not teaching to not defend yourself.
    * Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is respond accordingly.
    * QUESTION: Does your attitude reflect the Kingdom of Heaven?

    2.  AN E.M.T. IS WILLING TO GIVE MORE THAN THEY ARE ASKED.

    “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.”  Matthew 5:40 (NKJV)

    * REALITY: Many of us look to give the least to feel the most.
    * TRUTH: Giving the most requires more of us and shows more care.
    * It’s not about what you have … But what you give!
    * REMINDER: The relationship is more important than the stuff you have.

    3.  AN E.M.T. IS WILLING TO GO FARTHER THAN THEY ARE REQUIRED.

    “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”  Matthew 5:41

    * CONTEXT:  In this day, the Roman Soldiers could force Jewish men to carry their stuff for up to 1,000 steps. When Jesus says this about going an extra mile, it is radical to what the people did and how they responded to the demands of the soldiers.

    “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

    * TRUTH/CONVICTION: Anyone can go the first mile, it’s the 2nd, 3rd , 4th, miles that cause others to notice and ask questions.

    “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men . . .”  Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

    4.  AN E.M.T.  WILLING TO GRANT ALL THEY SEE IS NEEDED.

    “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”  Matthew 5:42 (NKJV)

    * CONTEXT – Jesus isn’t saying give to everyone, He is stressing the importance of when you see a need to open your heart and let people borrow from you.

    “Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.”  Psalm 112:5 (NLT)

    * REALITY: Many times when you close up your wallet you close up your heart!

    “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.   You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.   Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God  as something to cling to.   Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”  Philippians 2:3-8 (NLT)

    * QUESTION:Are you an extra mile taker? What steps do you need to take to become an EMT?

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1. If you were to describe your attitude, in general, with one word, what word would you choose and why?

    2. Since attitude is defined as an inward feeling demonstrated  by outward behavior. What are some of the things that impact your attitude? How has your attitude positive/negative been revealed by your behavior? (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

    3. How do you choose to deal with circumstances and conditions that impact your attitude?  What’s your coping mechanism? (Read Philippians 2:5)

    4. Has there been a change in your attitude since you were saved?  Why or Why NOT? (Read 2 Corinthians 5:17)

    5. Your attitude can be measured by your response to challenging circumstances and/or people.  (Read Luke 6:45)  The overflow of your heart is revealed in your attitude.  Which is more important? Your heart or your attitude? Why?

    6. Having the right attitude can change problems into blessings? (Read 1 Peter 5:6-7) Share of a time when a bad attitude created a bigger problem. Share a time when a right attitude allowed God to turn a problem into a blessing.

    7. We learned that an EMT is an Extra Mile Taker. With who and Where do you need to be an EMT? What will some of the challenges be?

    8. An EMT is willing to get worse than they deserve. This is easy to read and hear, but actually hard to apply. Why is it difficult for us to think in this way? Is there a solution? What steps should be taken?  (Read Matthew 5:38-39)

    9. An EMT is willing to give more than they are asked. The attitude of Giving and Blessing are similar but very different.  Which one are you more likely to have? Why?(Read Matthew 5:40)

    10. An EMT is willing to go further than what is required. Why is it easier to walk with someone the 1st mile, but so difficult to go the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th miles? Who are you going the extra miles with? Who is your group going the extra miles with? (Read Colossians 3:23)

    11. An EMT is willing to grant all they see is needed. Sadly, sometimes we have filters that allow us to see some needs and ignore other needs. What filters, good or bad, have kept you from seeing a need and meeting a need? (Read Philippians 2:3-8)

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

     Joyful- Brown

    Stronger – Morgan

    Inside Out – Houston

    Nothing But The Blood – Lavik

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 10.23.11

    How About a New … Body?

    We’ve been in this series called Extreme Makeover, and we’re talking about how God in His compassion, brilliance, grace, and power takes average ordinary people like you and me, and radically changes us into people that honor Him in the way we think, act, and live.  Now, today we’ll be looking at one of the most glaring weaknesses in modern Christianity, and that’s our treatment of our bodies.

    * QUESTION: Have you ever been frustrated, irritated, or even nauseated with your body?
    * REALITY: First time in history there are more people dying from being overweight than dying from malnutrition.  
    * 50 million people this year will die from weight related diseases alone.
    * 61 percent of the population in the United States is overweight.  With 27% of all adults considered medically obese.

    “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.” Romans 12:1 (NLT)

    * THE PROBLEM: we have is that we’ve let Cosmopolitan, Glamour, GQ, Muscle & Fitness, Seventeen, Vogue and Vanity Fair and all those magazines set the stage for the body, as opposed to allowing Scripture to set the stage for the body.
    * Most Americans are body conscious.  But the church should be even more body conscious than the world.

    “. . . honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV)

    “Glorify God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)

    * Honoring God with our body means we take an active approach in caring for it!
    * QUESTION: If we can’t be obedient with something we can see like our body, how can we ever truly be obedient with things we can’t see like our heart, mind, or will?
    * NOTE: A healthy body is not determined by being skinny, its about seeing your body as a gift from God and being as healthy as you can.  You can be skinny today, but not be healthy.
    * REALITY: We have a tendency to condemn the alcoholic, and condemn the drug addict, and condemn the sex addict, but we excuse the food addict.

    A NEW BODY REQUIRES ME TO …

    1.  DEVELOP A HEALTHY ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUR BODY.

    * Your attitude toward your body starts first with how you think about your body.

    “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Proverbs 23:7

    * REMINDER: You become what you think.
    * The Body is the greatest engineering marvel on the face of the planet … and God expects us to take care of it.

    • Say ‘no’ to REJECTING your body!
    • Say ‘no’ to PERFECTING your body!
    • Say ‘no’ to NEGLECTING your body. 
    • Say ‘yes’ to RESPECTING and PROTECTING your body!

    WHY?

    A. Because God MADE your body.

    “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)

    Here we have David talking about the fact that our bodies are handcrafted by God.  Genesis tells us that we are made of dust with God’s life blown into us.  In other words, we have a little bit of earth and a little bit of heaven in us.  You’re no fluke of evolution.  The best technology that we could muster up right now pales in comparison to our human bodies. Listen to some of these things:

    – Our lungs inhale over two million liters of air every day, without even thinking. The surface area of the lungs is approximately the same size as a tennis court.
    – The total length of your circulatory system stretches an amazing 60,000 miles. That is more than twice the distance around the Earth.
    – Except for your brain cells, 50,000,000 of the cells in your body will have died and been replaced with others, all while you heard me read this sentence.
    – Messages travel along the nerves as electrical impulses. They travel at speeds up to 248 mile per hour.
    – Our eyes can distinguish up to one million color surfaces and take in more information than the largest telescope known to man.
    – Our hearing is so sensitive it can distinguish between hundreds of thousands of different sounds.
    – We exercise at least 30 muscles when we smile.
    – You use 200 muscles to take one step.
    – The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.

    * You are a medical marvel and a medical miracle.  Your body is a gift from God.

    B. Because Jesus PAID for your body.

    “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

    * Value is determined by how much someone would pay for something.
    * God showed us how valuable we are to Him when Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sin.
    * Your body is a loan from God. We are not our own.
    * Listen, life on this earth is a test.  It is preparation for eternity.  And God is seeing what he can trust you with.
    * QUESTION: What are you doing with the opportunities, the abilities, the freedom, the wealth, the health, and … that God gave you?

    C. Because the Spirit LIVES in your body.

    “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

    * You are not just something God has made, but as a Christian, you are something that God indwells.
    * Just as you would condemn the abuse of the church house from being desecrated because this is where we meet God, you ought to be upset and displeased when we abuse our bodies that are actually the place where God lives.

    2.  DISCOVER A HOLY APPETITE FOR YOUR FOOD.

    Interesting Facts about food in the Bible

      • The very first disobedience in the Garden of Eden was over food.  Adam and Eve wanted to eat that which they were forbidden to eat and sin entered the world.
      • Esau traded his birthright, which held all the privileges of being the firstborn son, to his younger brother Jacob for a bowl of soup because he came home famished from a hunting party.  He traded his future for food.
      • In I Samuel 4:18, Eli the priest was sitting on a chair when he heard some bad news and he fell off the chair backward and broke his neck because he was so fat.  His sons, the bible says, were gluttons, and if the people of Israel didn’t give them food, they took it from them.
      • What did the Israelites complain about most out in the desert?  Food.  You remember they begged Moses to take them back to Egypt because they said, “At least we had plenty to eat back there.”  They had forgotten about freedom, they had forgotten about the promises of God, all they could think of was their stomach.
      • When Jesus was tempted in the desert, what was the very first temptation Satan used on Christ?  Jesus had been fasting for 40 days.  Satan said, “Turn this stone into bread.”  Of course, Jesus refused, and said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”  Just over and over and over again are stories where food played an important part in the deception and downfall of people.

    “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV)

    * Some of us are digging our graves with our teeth.  We’re killing ourselves with our forks.  What we need is a holy appetite for our food.

    • Refuse to OVER-INDULGE. 

    * Scripture teaches us over and over is that most things are fine in moderation, but nothing is good in excess.

    “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of self control.”” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

    “It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself. A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:27-28 (NIV)

    * A person who has no self control is constantly making themselves vulnerable to the attack of the enemy.

    “. . . and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” Proverbs 23:2 (NIV)
    “Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons . . .” Proverbs 23:20 (NLT)
    “A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.” Proverbs 28:7 (NIV)

    A Dieter’s Poem
    Lord, grant me the strength that I may not fall
    Into the clutches of cholesterol
    At polyunsaturates, I’ll never mutter
    For the road to hell is paved with butter
    And cake is cursed and cream is awful and Satan is hiding in every waffle.
    Beelzebub is a chocolate drop and Lucifer is a lollypop.
    Teach me the evils of hollandaise, of pasta and gobs of mayonnaise
    And crisp fried chicken from the south.
    Lord, if you love me, shut my mouth!

    • Rebound from SELF-DISCIPLINE to GODLINESS.

    * We need to move from will power to God’s power.page1image31552

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    “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
    * QUESTION: What race are you running? Who are you living for?
    • Remember to FAST.

    “All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.” Ecclesiastes 6:7 (ESV)

    * Fasting is giving up one meal or two meals or three meals,  so that I can let God know that He is more important to me than eating.
    * People who will not practice the spiritual discipline of fasting are making food more important than God and the things of God.
    * QUESTION: When was the last time you fasted? What were some of the things you experienced?
    * REALITY: If you want to get a healthy and holy viewpoint of your food, and break A stronghold of food in your life, begin to fast periodically.

    • Readjust your mealtime PRAYING.

    “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (NLT)

    * REALITY: When you put God in control of your eating, He will let you know what to eat and how much.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1.  What has been your overall attitude toward your body this year?  If there was one thing you could change about your body what would it be?  Why?

    2.  What are some major differences between how a Christian views the body and how the world sees it.

    3.  Read Romans 12:1 and John 4:23-24.  What does God expect from us in worship?  How is this difficult for most people?

    4.  Why do you think God wants our body for worship?  What does that look like?

    5.  Pastor Bob said there are three attitudes toward our body we must avoid: rejecting, perfecting, and neglecting.  What do each of these mean?  How do we see these attitudes displayed around us?  Have you ever struggled with any of these attitudes?

    6.  Read Psalm 139:13-18. How should these verses inspire us?  What’s the most amazing aspect about the human body in your opinion?

    7.  Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  What does it mean that God bought us with a price?

    8.  What does it mean that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? How well have you been caring for the temple?  What repairs need to be made?

    9.  If you are to ‘honor God with your body’ what do you most need to start doing?

    10.  If there was one area of your eating habits that needed to change what would it be?  What is God calling you to do?  How can your group help you get started?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    Holy Is The Lord – Tomlin

    That’s Why We Praise Him – Walker

    Holy, Holy, Holy

    Great Is Thy Faithulness

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 10.16.11

    How About a New … Mind?

    “Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” Famous Quote

    *REALITY: You don’t ever do anything that you don’t first think about.
    *Our thoughts produce who we are, which produces our character, which produces our destiny.
    *QUESTION: Have you ever thought about what you think about?

    “For as (a man) thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

    *REALITY: You will either rule your thoughts, or your thoughts will rule you. What you think you become.
    *QUESTION: What thoughts are you allowing to dominate your life?
    *QUESTION: How are your thoughts changing the trajectory of your life? What if your thoughts were revealed, how would that change your life?

    “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ . . .” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

    *The word “captive” literally means to conquer or force into submission.

    ➢ Satan wants to CAPTURE your mind.

    *Another word for capture is “Stronghold”. The Greek word for Stronghold is Ochyroma which means prisoner locked by deception or false ideas.
    *QUESTION: What are some false ideas that the world seems to believe? What about you?

    “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

    *Interesting Fact about the Human Eye: The optic nerve is mad up of several nerves traveling from the eye to the brain. Many people would think that the eye sends signals to brain to let it know what it is seeing. However, this is not the case. The brains actually tells the eye what it is seeing not the eye telling the brain what it’s seeing.
    *REALITY: We only see what our brain tells us to see.

    ➢ The world wants to CONTAMINATE your mind.

    *QUESTION: What are you feeding your mind? Are you feeding it toxins or healthy things?

    “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)

    ➢ God wants to CONTROL your mind.

    “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

    *REALITY: Romans 12:2 reveals Gods will for your life!
    *TRUTH: In order to do what God wants you to do, we have to think about what God wants us to think about.

    YOUR MIND WILL BE TRANSFORMED & GUARDED BY . . .
    *We all have a mental illness … it’s one word called sin.

    1. WORRYING ABOUT NOTHING.

    “. . . do not be anxious about anything . . .” Philippians 4:6a (ESV)

    *Worry causes you to have a divided mind, energy, thoughts, emotions, and Faith. It affect every aspect of your life.

    “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8 (KJV)

    *Worry causes a rut in your mind that every other thought has to travel through.
    *Sadly, Worry has become so common in the church that is has become a respectable sin.
    *TRUTH: Worry is not a weakness, it’s wickedness!

    • Worry is assuming RESPONSIBILITY God NEVER INTENDED you to have.

    *Worry try’s to control the uncontrollable.

    “You will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

    2. PRAYING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

    *REALITY: Sometimes we use prayer as a last resort instead of our first resource.

    “. . . but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
    Philippians 4:6b (ESV)

    *Prayer and panic, Worry and Worship, and Fear and Faith can never co-exist because they are the opposite of each other.
    *There are no big prayers to God … even our biggest worry is small when it comes to God.

    THREE WORDS FOR PRAYER …

    ➢ “Prayer” means WORSHIPING God.

    *This is simply telling God how great He is.
    *We don’t do this because He needs to be reminded of His greatness, we do this to remind ourselves of how great God is.

    ➢ “Supplication” means ASKING God.

    ➢ “Thanksgiving” means APPRECIATING God.

    3. THINKING ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS.

    *Your mind can store up to 100 trillion thoughts. (Scary but cool)
    *Your mind is a gift from God. However, you have the choice of how you program it.

    “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9 (ESV)

    *These 8 underlined words in Philippians 4:7-9 becomes the filter in which we submit our thoughts.

    “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word.” Psalm 119:9 (NLT)

    “I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

    “. . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (ESV)

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    1. As a group, create a list or discuss what a Spiritually Healthy Mind looks like.

    2. What thoughts are you allowing to dominate your life? What if your thoughts were revealed, how would that change your life? How are your thoughts changing the trajectory of your life?

    3.  Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  Pastor Bob described a ‘stronghold’ as a false idea that dominates our life.  It’s a lie of Satan that we have believed.  An example is a thin, pretty girl who thinks of herself as fat and ugly.  Do you have any ‘strongholds’ that hinder your thinking? How do you think they got there?  What steps do you need to take to tear them down?

    4.  Read Proverbs 15:14.  With all of the technology and entertainment available today its easy to feed our mind on the wrong things.  When you look at them from God’s perspective are they helpful and beneficial to your mind?  Describe the things you feed your mind that are mental health food, mental junk food, and mental toxic food.

    5.  Read Romans 12:2.  Share some ways God has transformed your heart and mind since you’ve become a follower of Jesus.

    6.  Read Philippians 4:6 and James 1:8.  Pastor Bob said, “Worry is assuming a responsibility that God never intended you to have.”  What are some things in life you worry about most?  Why is this wrong? What should you do first about it?

    7. Paul gives three types of prayer that can help us with our worries: prayer that adores God, prayer that asks of God, and prayer that appreciates God.  What kind of praying do you do most?  What area do you need to work on most?  Why?

    8.  Read Philippians 4:8.  Describe the eight ‘filters’ God wants us to push all of our thoughts through.  How would this help your thought life?  How could daily intake of God’s Word help you?

    9. Maintaing a healthy mind is growing in Gods Truth and Knowledge of His plan for your life, by staying connected to him daily through Prayer and Study of His Word. Read John 15:1-8. How would applying this passage change the way you live?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    Hosanna – Baloche

    1st Love – Horn

    You Alone Can Rescue – Redman

    In Christ Alone – Young

    Before The Throne – Shane & Shane

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 10.09.11

    HOW ABOUT A NEW … HEART?
    Romans 10:8-13

    “Create in me a clean heart, O God,  And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NKJV)

    * QUESTION: If there is one thing that you could change about yourself … what would it be?

    * Yes, God loves us the way we are …  BUT He loves us way to much to leave us the way we are!

    * TRUTH: God loves the inside work more than the outside work. He changes us from the inside out and the changes He makes are permanent rather than temporary.

    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

    * TRUTH: God loves to transform people and the 1st place He always starts is with the heart!

    **The word heart (kardia) appears 900 times in the Bible.
    ** The heart is the control center for who you are. Everything you are, think, and do, comes from the heart.

    * TRUTH: The condition of your heart dictates the direction of your life. 

    * TRUTH: All of us are born with a rotten sinful heart. Therefore he has to give us a new heart.

    “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NKJV)

    * TRUTH: God’s not into making your heart better, he transplants your old heart with a new heart that loves him.

    YOU & I NEED SPIRITUAL HEART TRANSPLANT BECAUSE …

    • Our own heart is WICKED AND EVIL.

    “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of His heart was only evil continually.”  Genesis 6:5 (NKJV)

    * REALITY: We don’t have to teach our kids to sin, it comes natural them.

    • Our own heart is DECEITFUL AND SICK.

    * QUESTION: Have you ever thought you were doing the right thing and then found out otherwise?

    * TRUTH: You can be deceived by your own heart.

    “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.  Who really knows how bad it is?   But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.   I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
    Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)

    * God rewards you on the secret motive of your heart!

    * QUESTION: What rewards are you missing out on because of the secret movies of your heart?

    • Our own heart is THE SOURCE OF OUR SIN.

    “But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.”  Matthew 15:18-19 (NLT)

    * If you have a dirty                                , It’s because you have dirty heart!

    * The fruit of your life comes from the root of your heart.

    * You won’t be able to change your behavior until you change your heart

    ** The heart of the problem is a problem of the heart.

    * QUESTION: How does God do this? ANSWER: It is done by Faith.

    “I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
    Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)

    * TRUTH: There are a lot of people who think they are saved,  but they have never had a personal encounter with Christ. They have focussed on externals instead of allowing God to change the internals.

    “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” Romans 10:8-13 (NKJV)

    * Doest it matter that we have to call upon the name of the lord? Only the difference between lightning and lightning bug!

    * It’s not just calling on the Lord, it’s not just believing in God. It’s calling on the name of the Lord, Jesus.

    * QUESTION: Who did you call on, who did you trust for help and salvation?

    THREE TYPES OF FAITH

    • WRONG FAITH #1:  COUNTERFEIT FAITH.

    * Looks like, smells like, tastes like, but its not real

      • The heart condition?  No real CHANGE.

    * TRUTH: When God changes our heart, everything changes!

      • The mouth confession?  ‘I’M A CHRISTIAN’.

    * Outwardly, they look, dress, & act like a Christian.

    * Just because someone says something doesn’t make them something. I can say I’m Ronald McDonald, but it doesn’t make me Ronald McDonald.

    * People may say the right things, but sadly there has been no life transformation.

    ”These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”’
    Matthew 15:8 (NIV)

    * People can look good on the outside but be dying with an old sinful heart on the inside

      • The problem?:  You can’t call Jesus SAVIOR  and reject Him as LORD.

    * NOTE: Verse 9 doesn’t say believe in Jesus as Savior, it says believe in Him as Lord.

    ** Lord means boss, controller, sovereign

    * Jesus is not fire insurance, He demands everything. Many people want Him as Savior but not as Lord.

    * TRUTH: Jesus says, It’s all of me, or none of me, and requires all of you, not part of you?

    “. . . that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

    * Counterfeit Christians can do some good things. However, one of these days Jesus will separate those that are true believers and those who are counterfeit christians.

    ‘Not everyone who calls out to me, “Lord! Lord!”’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, “Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.” But I will reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”’  Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT)

    * TRUTH: Jesus doesn’t just want to save your life after death, He wants to control it while you’re alive.

    • WRONG FAITH #2:  CAUTIOUS FAITH.
      • The heart condition?:  BEGINNING  to believe.

    * It’s  easy to believe with a head knowledge, but to deny it with the heart.

    * Salvation is not an intellectual assent to Christ, but a surrender of the heart and will.

      • The mouth confession?:  NO PERSONAL confession.

    * They claim nothing.

      • The Problem?:  You cannot remain a SECRET BELIEVER for long.

    *A secret believer is no believer at all.

    * The Bible makes it very clear, you can’t be a Christian and keep quiet about Christ.

    ‘Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me.’ Matthew 12:30 (NLT)

    * REALITY: You are either on one side or the other. It’s impossible to ride the fence!

    “You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”  Matthew 12:34 (NLT)

    * TRUTH: If you really want to know a person … Listen to what they talk about … it will reveal their heart!  What’s in a person’s heart is going to come out!

    * When a person doesn’t talk about Christ, it leaves us to wonder if there is a real faith at all.

    • SAVING FAITH:  COMPLETE FAITH.
      • The heart condition?:  ‘I believe Jesus is ALIVE in me!’

    “. . . that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
    Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)

    * This is not just a belief that Jesus is alive, it’s belief in the fact that He is alive within my heart.

    * Look at the words from the Hymn: He Lives

    Stanza 1:
    I serve a risen Saviour; He’s in the world today.
    I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
    I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
    And just the time I need Him He’s always near.
    Chorus:
    He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
    He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
    He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
    You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
    Stanza 2:
    In all the world around me I see His loving care,
    And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.
    I know that He is leading, thro’ all the stormy blast;
    The day of His appearing will come at last.
    Chorus:
    Stanza 3:
    Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing
    Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
    The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
    None other is so loving, so good and kind.

    * REALITY: He saves you and then is the Lord of you

    * Jesus doesn’t just want to be a resident of your heart … He wants to be president.

    “I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
    Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)

      • The mouth confession?:  ‘I am not ASHAMED!  Jesus is Lord!’

    “For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”  Romans 10:11 (NKJV)

    * Many of us have never been threatened for our faith in Christ, yet we lack the boldness to share!

    • The Proof?
      • PUBLIC devotion.

      * Confession, Baptism, Fellowship in a local church, Service in the church and the community

      “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)

      • PRIVATE obedience.

      * When no one else is around, you still listen and follow Christ!

      * Who you are in private matches who you a in public.

      “Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me.”
      John 14:21a (NLT)

      * QUESTION: Look at these three faiths, only one transforms a person! Which one do you have.

      SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

      1.  If there is one thing that you could change about yourself what would it be? Why would you change it?

      2.  Read 1 Corinthians 5:17.  This is God’s ultimate extreme makeover verse.  Has there been a time when Jesus made you a new person? What major changes did God make in your life when you became a Christian?  What changes is He still making in you?

      3.  Read Jeremiah 17:9-10. Have you ever thought you were doing the right thing and then found out otherwise? What did you do?

      4.  Read Ezekiel 36:26-27, Ephesians 3:16-17 and Romans 10:8-13.  How does a person have a heart change?  What is God’s part and what is our part? How is a person saved?  How do we keep this from being a formulaic process to salvation?

      5.  The central affirmation of the early church was ‘Jesus is Lord’, everyone else was saying ‘Caesar is Lord’.  Who (or what) are some gods that compete with your allegiance to Christ?

      6.  Pastor Bob talked about a counterfeit faith that has people believing all the facts about Jesus with their head, but they have no heart change.  He said they will miss heaven by 18 inches…the distance between their head and heart.  Do you think this is possible?  Why or why not? Read Matthew 7:21-23

      7.  How does a person ‘confess Jesus as Lord’?  How important is it to go ‘public’ with your faith in Jesus?  If you were to give yourself a grade on going public, what grade would you give yourself? Why? What needs to change in order to bring that grade up?

      8.  What are some ways we demonstrate an embarrassment or shame for the Gospel?  Many of us have never been threatened for our faith in Christ, yet we lack the boldness to share! Why is it so difficult to share? What do you think this says about our heart? Read Romans 1:16, how does this apply to sharing?

      MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

      When The Waters Rise – Darnell

      Made To Worship

      Our God – Tomlin

      Take My Life – Tomlin

      You Alone

      We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

      As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 10.2.11

    * The Greatest sin in the church today is not the sin of any commission or the sin of omission, it’s the sin of NO MISSION!

    * We have to understand that the church isn’t a LOVE BOAT but a LIFE BOAT, not a COUNTRY CLUB but a RESCUE STATION.

    * This isn’t another teaching to fill us up, its one to send us out! It’s not meant to be a check up from the neck up!

    * At FBCH we want to be a church that WORSHIPS, LOVES, Goes!

    ** God wants us to love Him with everything. That’s WORSHIP!

    ** God wants us to love one another deeply. That’s LOVE!

    ** God wants us to love the lost. That’s GOING!

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . .” Matthew 28:19(NKJV)

    * Jesus never meant for the church to be a come and hear church, He sent them out with go and tell message!

    * You can’t spell Gospel with out the word GO.

    * QUESTION:Where are the places that God has sent you? Are you taking the Gospel to these places? Why or Why not?

    “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith inChrist—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV)

    * There are only 2 types of people in the Bible: Those that are FOUND and those that are LOST.

    * When we refer to the LOST we are NOT referring to them in a negative way.  All of us know what it feels like to be lost and need to  remember that so we can appreciate what it means to be found even more!

    * TRUTH: We will never understand the state of our LOSTNESS until we understand the fullness of being FOUND!

    ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.’ Luke 19:10 (NLT)

    * This is why Jesus came, and this is why we are to go and share!

    * Of the 9 times the Bible talks about the lost, 5 of them are found in Luke 15.

    * TRUTH: Our faith is personal. But it was never meant to be private! We must be people who are willing to go and share because…

    OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LOST PEOPLE …

    1.  LOST PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE.

     “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.”  Luke 15:1 (NKJV)

    * Jesus was a magnet for the lost people!

    * There is a difference in being ODD and being DIFFERENT. Being ODD repels people! Being DIFFERENT, causes them to question and wonder why or what makes you different.

    ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.’  Matthew 7:13 (NIV)

    * Jesus calls us to be different. However, the world wants us to blend in, to be good.  In fact, the world tries to get us to blur the line so it’s not so clear as to whats right and whats wrong.

    * QUESTIONS: What lines seem to have become a blur in your life? What steps need to be taken to clarify them?

     2.  LOST PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING.

    “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.”  Luke 15:1 (NKJV)

    * Lost people don’t know they are lost!

    * All people are shaped with a God shaped vacuum in their heart that they try to fill with things that only Jesus can fill and fully satisfy.

    3.  LOST PEOPLE ARE A NUISANCE TO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE.

     “And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’”  Luke 15:2 (NKJV)

    * There is difference in being RELIGIOUS and be GOSPEL DRIVEN.

    * Being Religious is not the goal, nor a good thing.

    * God help us if we are a religious church

    * QUESTION: How do you tell the difference in someone who is Religious and someone who is Gospel Driven? Which one are you? Would others agree?

    * The church is WHO we are not WHERE we meet!

    *TRUTH: When we hate a lost person, it puts us as an enemy of GOD! (Remember Luke 19:20)

    4.  LOST PEOPLE ARE WORTH THE SEARCH.

    * God takes attendance much differently than we do! We look at who and how many are present, God looks at who and how many are absent! OUCH!

    * QUESTION: Who is missing that you have direct influence with?

    ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?’  Luke 15:4 (NKJV)

    ‘Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?’  Luke 15:8 (NKJV)

    The shepherd felt a sense of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for the one lost. 

    * TRUTH: Some if us are the only Christians our family and friends may ever know.

    * QUESTION: If it’s not me, than who?

    The shepherd felt a sense of URGENCY for the one lost.

    * TRUTH: Some if us are the only Christians our family and friends may ever know.

    * QUESTION: If it’s not me, than who?

    The shepherd felt a sense of COMPASSION for the one lost.

    * TRUTH: Typically the most evangelistic people are the ones who have just been found.

    * QUESTION: When was the last time shared about Christ with someone who was lost? How did it go? What did you learn from the experience?

     5.  LOST PEOPLE ARE JOYOUSLY CELEBRATED WHEN FOUND.

     ‘And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.’  Luke 15:5-7

     ‘And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!”  Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Luke 15:9-10 (NKJV)

    * As a church we want to engage and equip our people Locally and Globally.  We feel that we can do this best through our Small Groups (Life Groups & Bible Studies).

    ** Each small groups will be given a family to connect with thru our partnership with We Love St. Charles.  We will use a Coats for Kids initiative to begin to link families with our small groups so they can begin to develop a relationship with their family by sharing with actions so they can share with words.

    ** Each small group will be strongly encouraged to partner with one of out local missions partners so their group can have the opportunity to serve together with people who are reaching out to this community meeting needs and sharing the hope found in the Gospel.

    ** Here is a list of the Local and Global Partnerships that align with the vision of our church

    LOCAL MISSIONS
    The primary way that Harvester serves our local community of St. Charles is through We Love St. Charles. This organization is a movement of volunteers gathered for the purpose of taking city initiative to bring restoration to those in need of assistance in the City of St. Charles. To learn more about We Love St. Charles, click here.

    Our Lady’s Inn
    Our Lady’s Inn is an emergency shelter for pregnant women in crisis, helping them to choose life for their child.

    Habitat for Humanity
    Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

    Christian Activity Center
    The CAC is an after-school center in the Samuel Gompers Housing Projects of East St. Louis, which provides a safe, Christ-centered environment for kids.

    Powell Terrace
    Powell Terrace is a food pantry near downtown St. Charles that helps those in need through the weekly collection and distribution of food.

    The Sparrow’s Nest
    The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home will be a Christ-centered shelter providing care and education to homeless, pregnant, and parenting teens. Their mission is to provide a wide range of services that empower these young mothers to make positive and healthy life decisions for themselves and their babies. The Sparrow’s Nest will open its doors July 2012 in St. Charles County.

    Carpenters for Christ
    C4C undertakes construction projects throughout the year in order to help individuals, churches, and communities in need.

    GLOBAL MISSIONS
    To serve our partners globally, we have planned a number of mission opportunities for 2011-2012.

    Madhya Pradesh, India
    Our effort is focused on developing church planting movements in order to grow healthy churches allowing Gospel access through native believers to the entire state. More specifically, this effort is aimed at the state’s Unengaged and Unreached People Groups.

    October 2011 – Church Planter Training and Discipleship
    February 2012 – Church Planter Training and Discipleship
    July 2012 – Partner Support, VBS
    July 2012 – City Evangelism

    East Asia
    Our team will go into English language college classes as an introduction to students for the purpose of sharing the Gospel through relational evangelism.

    May 14-30, 2012 – Student Evangelism

    Bengkulu, Indonesia
    This will be our first trip to our new mission partnership! We will be exploring the opportunities in this area where there is no known church or Gospel effort.

    September 2012 – Discovery Trip

    International Students, Inc.
    We are partnered with ISI at Lindenwood University attempting to reach international students with the Gospel through relational evangelism.

    WHAT CAN I DO?

    • PRAY 

     “He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”  Matthew 9:37 (NLT)

    • LOVE the lost.
    • GIVE your money.
    • PACK your bags.

    SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

    As Bob mentioned on Sunday, this isn’t another teaching to fill us up, it’s one to send us out! As we begin to GO, will you think about the role you play in accomplishing this mission?  Are you willing to stack hands with us? Will you join us in praying Ephesians 3:20 over the opportunities we have as a church to impact this community?

    1.  Pastor Bob made this statement: “The church is not a clubhouse. It is a rescue station.  We are not the Love Boat.  We are to be a lifeboat. Never ever forget that the church is the only organization that exists primarily for those people who are not members yet.  It is the church God has chosen to use to get the Gospel out and draw people to Himself.”  What are your thoughts?  How is our church doing? What role do you play in the solution?

    2.  God doesn’t waste any opportunities. People are in your life for a reason. Who is the person or people currently in your path that are lost? How can you be more intentional in sharing your life and the Gospel?

    4. Many times “churched people” eliminate their friendships with the lost. We huddle in a Christian bubble. Can you remember when you were spiritually lost and separated from God? How were you found?

    5.  How do you tell the difference between someone who is Religious and someone who is living out the Gospel? Which one are you? Would others agree? Why or Why not?

    6.  Read Luke 15:1-2.  What was it about Jesus that had sinners flocking to Him?  How can we imitate this?  Should we? Read 2 Corinthians 5:20. What does this passage say we are to do?

    7. Read Luke 15:3-32 and answer these question:

    * How were each of the valuable items lost?

    * How much passion/energy was put out in the search?

    * How does the search for the sheep and coin differ from the search for the lost son?  Why is this?

    * What is the common denominator in verses 6, 9-10, and 22-24?  Is this how you feel when people are saved?  Why or why not?

    8. FBCH is strongly connected to local and global mission partnerships!  How are you currently involved?  How can your life group do a better job of strengthening our missions effort?

    MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

    For Your Glory – Matt Maher

    Everlasting God – Brown

    The Solid Rock – Page CXVI

    We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here.  While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

    As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service from our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.