People's Church

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (NIV).

Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; (NIV) (the blind received their sight miracle!) 

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (NIV).

Mark 10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (NIV)

Acts 14:9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed (NIV)

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV)

James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (NIV)

1. You have faith in God when it’s accompanied with action

James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (NIV) 2. You are saved through faith 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

3. You cannot please God without faith 

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)

4. You have been given a measure of faith

A. Every Christ follower has been given a measure of faith at salvation.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (NKJV)

5. You can develop your faith by hearing God’s word

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV) 

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV)

6. You can develop your faith by withstanding tests 

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (NIV)

7. You fight by faith

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (NIV)

8. You are protected by faith

Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (NIV)

9. You are called to live by faith 

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)

10. You can miss out on miracles by having a lack of faith 

Mathew 13:58- And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (NIV)

11. You can move mountains with small faith 

Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (NIV)

James 4:2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (NIV)

6 Reasons We Don’t Ask God

1. Because God already knows my needs

Matthew 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV) 

John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (NIV)

1a. You don’t believe God will help you

Mark 6:5–6 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. (NLT)

1b. Pride

2 Chronicles 16:12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. (NIV)

1c. Unworthy feelings 

Hebrews 4:15–16 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (NLT)

1d. Disappointment

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (NIV)

2. Asking is Biblical

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV)

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:11- If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NIV)

Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (NIV)

Matthew 18:19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (NIV)

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV)

3. Ask with the right motives 

James 4:3-4 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (NIV)

3A. Motived by selfishness and worldliness

3B. Motivated by your will

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (NIV)

4. Ask with Faith

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. (NIV) 

Hebrews 11:11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. (NIV)

Hebrews 11:29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. (NIV)

Matthew 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (NIV)

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (NIV)

Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; (NIV)

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (NIV).

Mark 10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (NIV)

Acts 14:9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed (NIV)

REVIEW:

1. You don’t receive a miracle because you don’t ask God

1a. God already knows my needs 1b. You don’t believe God will help you 1c. Pride 1d. Unworthy feelings 1e. Disappointment

2. Asking is biblical

3. Ask with the right motives 

4. Ask with faith

The One Ingredient You Need For A Miracle

1. Humanity needed a home

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)

2. Abraham and Sarah needed a son

Genesis 21:1-2 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (NIV)

3. Moses needed God’s clarity on his calling  

Exodus 3:2- There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. (NIV)

4. The Israelites needed deliverance

5. The Israelites needed divine direction

6. The Israelites needed food and water

7. The Israelites needed victory over their enemy

8. Jonah needed radical repentance

Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV) 

9. A widow needed her resources multiplied

10. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego needed protection

Daniel 3:25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (NIV)

NEW TESTAMENT

1. People needed physical healing

1a. The deaf needed to hear and the mute to speak

1b. The blind needed to see

1c. A man had a withered hand

1d. A woman had a blood issue

1e. Lazarus needed to be raised from the dead

2. The disciples needed a miracle at their job

3. People were demon possessed

4. The disciples were in a storm

How to Recognize God’s Voice

Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)  16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

3 Dangerous Voices:

1. Voice of the flesh

Galatians 5:17 – The sinful nature wants to do evil. – NLT

Proverbs 14:12 - You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead. CEV

2. Voice of the world

1 John 2:16 - For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. NIV

3. Voice of the devil

John 8:44 - He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. NLT

Romans 8:14 - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. NLT

Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, NIV

John 16:13 - 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ESV

2 Ways the Holy Spirit speaks:

1. He speaks through God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. NIV

2. He speaks directly to your heart.

a. Whisper b. Peace c. Check in your spirit d. Prophetically

The #1 Reason You’re Not Growing

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (NIV)

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16–23 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

9 Characteristics Of The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Love:

2. Joy:

3. Peace:

4. Patience:

5. Kindness:

6. Goodness:

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (NIV) Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (NIV) Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV) Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV) 7. Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (ESV)

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (NIV)

Matthew 25:21 The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together”. (NLT)

8. Gentleness 

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! (NIV) Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (NIV)

Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (NIV) 9. Self-Control

2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (ESV)

Titus 2:11–12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (NIV)

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (ESV)

John 15:1-10 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. (NLT) 9 Ways To Remain So Your Fruit Grows

1. Remain in the word

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (NIV)

2. Remain in prayer

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV) 3. Remain in church

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT) 4. Remain in small groups

5. Remain in serving

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV) 6. Remain in generosity

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (NIV) 7. Remain in the love of God

John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (NIV)

8. Remain in the pruning process

John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (NIV)

9. Remain in obedience

John 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

Are You Led By Flesh Or Fruit?

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (NIV)

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16–23 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV) Illustration: Dirty water in a glass. 3 Interesting Facts About The Fruit Of The Spirit 1. Christ followers do not have all the gifts of the Spirit but do have all the fruit of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (NLT) 1 Corinthians 12:11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (NLT) 2. They are called the fruit of the Spirit not the fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

3. Your fruit matters to God and it should matter to you Matthew 7:17–20 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (NIV)

Luke 6:43–44 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. (NIV)

9 Characteristics Of The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Love 

Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT)

John 13:34-35 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love. (ESV)

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (ESV)

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (ESV)

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)

2. Joy

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (ESV)

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)

3. Peace

4. Patience

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV) 5. Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (ESV)

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (NIV)

The Fruit Evaluator: Rate yourself from 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great)

Love 1 to 10 Joy 1 to 10 Peace 1 to 10
 Patience 1 to 10 Kindness 1 to 10

Baptized and Blessed

Matthew 3:13-17 - 13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[a]” So John agreed to baptize him. 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” NLT

Reasons people don’t get baptized:

1. They don’t see the importance of it.

2. They allow pride to keep them from being baptized.

3. They aren’t followers of Jesus.

Reasons you should be baptized:

1. Make a statement to yourself.

2. Make a statement to the world.

3. Your next step is always your most important one.

4. Jesus said you should.

Matthew 28:19-20 - 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” NLT

Acts 2:38 - 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NLT

James 4:17 - 17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. NLT 


5. God’s blessing follows obedience.

Matthew 3:16-17 – 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” NLT

John 8:28-29 - I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” NLT

Acts 10:36-38 – 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 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. NLT

James 1:25 - 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. NLT

Revival : a unique season where the Spirit of God is helping you in a supernatural way.

Title: Get Close

The Verse - James 4:8 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NIV)

The Window - Matthew 15:29-37 29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. 32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” 33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” 34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” 35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (NIV)

10 Close-up Takeaways 1. The Place 2. The People 3. The Volume 4. The Togetherness 5. The Healing 6. The Compassion 7. The Miracle 8. The Involvement 9. The Power 10. The Plenty

The Story - Mark 8:22-25 22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (NIV)

I want to leave you with a few values my first pastor helped me zoom in on:

• to be close I must spend TIME in prayer with God

• to be close live as an offering to God and for God.

• to be close to God is to impact others

Psalm 73:28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. (NLT)

What Is Speaking In Tongues? Revelation 3:15–16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NIV)

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (NIV)

Hebrews 6:11–12 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. (NLT)

1. Step of salvation 2. Step of baptism in water 3. Step of baptism of the Holy Spirit 4. Step of being continually filled with the Holy Spirit 5. Step of growing in the fruit of the Spirit 6. Step of the gifts of the Holy Spirit 7. Step of daily prayer and bible reading 8. Step of obeying God’s word 9. Step of growing in sanctification 10. Step of stepping out in faith 11. Step of serving others 12. Step of tithing and giving 13. Step of attending a small group

Acts 1:4–5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)

John 20:21–22 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Acts 2:1–4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (NIV)

Romans 10:9 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. (NKJV) Ephesians 2:8–9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 14:4–5 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 14:12–19 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. (NIV) Acts 19:1–5 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NIV)

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (NIV)

Acts 19:6–7 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. (NIV)

Acts 8:13-18 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money (NIV)

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. (NIV)

How To Receive The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

1. Ask God to baptize you in the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (NIV)

2. Worship and magnify God

3. By faith receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit

4. Ask God to continually fill you with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (NIV)

Acts 19:2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” (NLT)

23 Holy Spirit Life Hacks

1. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to you

John 16:13–15 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (NIV)

John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. (NIV)

2. The Holy Spirit is your seal 

Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (NIV)

Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 2:14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. (NLT)

3. The Holy Spirit convicts you

John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. (NLT)

4. The Holy Spirit makes you holy

Romans 15:16  I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

5. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in you

Galatians 5:22–23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (NLT)

6. The Holy Spirit guides you into all truth

2 Timothy 3:16-All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (NIV)

2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (NIV)

7. The Holy Spirit teaches you

1 Corinthians 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (NIV)

John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)

8. The Holy Spirit leads your life

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (NLT)

Acts 10:19–20 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (NIV)

9. The Holy Spirit restrains you

Acts 16:6  Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. (NIV)

10. The Holy Spirit gives you power

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (NIV)

11. The Holy Spirit gives you boldness

Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NIV)

12. The Holy Spirit helps you in your weakness

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (NIV)

13. The Holy Spirit helps you to pray

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (NIV)

14. The Holy Spirit comforts you

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (ESV)

John 14:16 “If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you. (TLB)

15. The Holy Spirit speaks to you

Hebrews 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, (NIV)

Acts 2:17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (NIV)

16. The Holy Spirit strengthens you

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (NIV)

17. The Holy Spirit gives you hope

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

18. The Holy Spirit guards your life

2 Timothy 1:14  Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (NIV)

19. The Holy Spirit brings unity

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)

20. The Holy Spirit gives you spiritual gifts

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (NLT)

21. The Holy Spirit gives you power over the devil

Matthew 12:28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. (NLT)

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

22. The Holy Spirit gives you freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NIV)

23. The Holy Spirit gives you new life

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. (NIV)

Reintroducing The Holy Spirit: Is The Holy Spirit A Ghost, Dove, Water, Tongue, Or An It?

Acts 19:2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” (NIV) 

1 Corinthians 2:9–12 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. (NIV)

Romans 11:33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! (HCSB) 

5 Questions About The Holy Spirit

1. What Is the Holy Spirit?    

  1A. The Holy Spirit is God

Acts 5:3-4 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” (NIV) 

Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (NIV) 

Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (NIV) 

John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” (NIV) 

John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (NIV) 

John 5:19  Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (NIV) 

John 14:10–11 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. (NIV) 

John 16:13–15 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (NIV) 

  1B. The Holy Spirit is a person 

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (NIV) 

Hebrews 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, (NIV)   

2. What makes the Holy Spirit a person? 

  2A. He is alive 

Romans 8:2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (NLT)   2B. He has a mind

Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (NIV) 

  2C. He has a will 

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (ESV)     2D. He has emotions

Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (NIV)  

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (NIV)  

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NIV) 

Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? (NIV)    2E. He has a personality

3. Where did the Holy Spirit come from? 

  3A. The Holy Spirit has no beginning 

Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (NIV)

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. (NIV).  

Hebrews 9:14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (NLT) 

Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (NIV)    3B. The Holy Spirit is everywhere      

Psalm 139:7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! (NLT)

Psalms 139:7 “Where can I go from your Spirit?” (NIV) 

4. What Does The Holy Spirit Do?

The Three Distinct Roles Of The Godhead In Salvation: 

 4A. The Father created the plan of salvation 

John 6:37-38 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (NIV)

  4B. The son, Jesus, executed the plan of salvation 

Galatians 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law (NIV) 

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (NIV) 

Hebrews 7:27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. (NLT) 

  4C. The Holy Spirit is carrying out the plan of salvation 

John 16:7–9 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. (NLT)   5. What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of the Christ follower?

Youth Takeover

Psalm 78:1-7 - 1 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, 2 for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— 3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. 5 For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. NLT

Psalm 78:7 - Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. NIV

Psalm 78:2-4 - I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— 3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. NLT

Psalm 78:5-6 - 5 For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. NLT

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 - 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. NLT

Psalm 78:7 - THEN they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. NIV

3 John 1:4 - I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. NLT

Four ways to make a difference in this generation:

1. Pray. 2. Get your students to Epic and your children to PC Kids. 3. Encourage them to use their gifts to serve God’s house. 4. Join a Next Gen Dream Team.

Why Parenting is not Working

Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (NIV)

Romans1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

1. Parenting isn’t working because we exchange biblical wisdom for worldly knowledge.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (NASB)

3 Steps to root your parenting in the truth of God’s word

1a. Pray. Ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (NIV)

1b. Read the Bible and gain wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (NIV)

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. (NIV)

Psalm 118:6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. (NIV)

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. (NIV)

1c. Impress God’s word on your children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (NIV)

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (NIV)

2. Parenting isn’t working because we exchange being planted in God’s house for participating in recreation.

Psalm 92:12-13 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (NIV)

3. Parenting isn’t working because we exchange focusing on the Creator for focusing on created things.

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. (NIV)

Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path and when they are older, they will not leave it. (NLT)

Dysfunctional: Why My Conversations With Difficult People Are Not Working

2 Timothy 2:23–26 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (NLT)

1. You need to determine if you should engage a difficult person

2 Timothy 2:23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. (NLT)

1A. There are times you should not engage a difficult person

1 Timothy 1:4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. (NLT)

1 Timothy 4:7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. (NLT)

1 Timothy 6:20–21 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all. (NLT)

2 Timothy 2:14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. (NLT)

2 Timothy 2:16–18 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. (NLT)

1B. There are times you should engage a difficult person

Acts 18:4  Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. (NIV)

Acts 19:8–9 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. (NIV)

1C. There are times when you need to establish boundaries after engaging a difficult person

Titus 3:9–10 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. (NLT)

Romans 16:17–18 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister. (NLT)

2 Timothy 3:4–5 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! (NLT)

2 John 1:10–11 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. (NLT)

7 Principles For Engaging A Difficult Person

1. Be focused on solutions with difficult people not a fight

2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. (NLT)

Proverbs 29:11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. (NLT)

2. Be kind to difficult people

2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. (NLT)

Ephesians 4:31–32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)

3. Be patient with difficult people

2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. (NLT)

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (NIV)

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

Proverbs 14:29 People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. (NLT)

4. Be gentle with difficult people

2 Timothy 2:25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. (NLT)

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NIV)

5. Be biblical with difficult people

2 Timothy 2:25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. (NLT)

6. Be for the difficult person winning in life

2 Timothy 2:25-26 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (NLT)

7. Be aware the difficult person is in a spiritual battle

2 Timothy 2:26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (NLT)

Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (NKJV)

Why Communication Is Not Working

James 3:5–6 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (NIV)

Psalm 34:12–13 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. (NIV)

1 Peter 3:10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. (NLT)

4 Barriers That Lead To Bad Communication

1. Beginning with the wrong approach 

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NIV)

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NIV)

Proverbs 29:22 An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. (NLT)

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (NIV)

Proverbs 25:15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. (NLT)

2. Being quick to talk

Proverbs 18:13 To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. (NIV)

Proverbs 17:27–28 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (NLT)

Proverbs 10:19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (NLT)

3. Bringing the attack to the person instead of the problem

Proverbs 26:21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. (NLT)

4.  Backing away from tough conversations 

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (NIV) 
6 Ways To Build A Bridge Of Communication

B- Begin with me

Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (NIV).

R- Relationship is my win

I- Initiate asking for forgiveness

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)

D- Discover where people are

Proverbs 18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. (NIV)

G- Grow in my communication

Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV).

 James 1:26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. (NLT)

E- Ensure my communication aligns with the Bible

1. Go to the person first

2. Don’t gossip and slander

Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. (NIV)

3. Build people up with your communication

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (NIV)

4. Be a person of peace

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)

Dysfunctional: Why Marriage Is Not Working

1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (NLT) Mark 10:7–9 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (NIV) 1. Unresolved Conflict separates marriages and healthy Communication joins marriages Ephesians 4:26–27  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. (NIV)

Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV)

Healthy Communication Joins Your Marriage Together

1. Be honest

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (NIV) 2. Be honoring

2A. Be loving

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (NIV)

2B. Bite your tongue

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (NIV) 2C. Be a builder

Ephesians 4:29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (NIV)

2D. Be kind

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

2E. Be unifier and peacemaker

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)

2. Selfishness separates marriages and Serving joins marriages

1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (NIV)

Marriages aren’t working when selfishness creates a consumer relationship

Marriages aren’t working when selfishness creates a “You’re the problem” mentality. 

Matthew 7:3-5 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (NIV)

1. Shift from a fleshly perspective to a biblical perspective

Philippians 2:3–4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (NIV)

2. Shift from trying to change your spouse to changing yourself

3. Shift from you need to understand me to I need to understand you

4. Shift from what makes me happy to what makes you happy

5. Shift from how you should serve me to how can I serve you

3. Indifference separates marriages and Investment joins marriages

Begin investing in your marriage even when you feel indifferent

Revelation 2:4–5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (NIV) Mark 10:7–9 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (NIV)

Dysfunctional: Why Dating Is Not Working

Romans 12:2 “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.” (NLT)

There’s the world ways and there’s the words way

4 Ways Of The World

1. If you’re not dating something is wrong with you

1 Corinthians 7:38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. (NIV)

2. Dating someone is going to make me whole

3. Dating is purely for fun 

3A. You date people who are not Christ followers

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (NIV)

3B. You engage in sex

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. (NIV)

4. You overlook the warning signs 

4 Ways Of The Word

1. Have a dating plan 

Psalms 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. (NIV)

1A. Plan for when you will start dating

1B. Plan for who you will date

1C. Plan for how you will date

1D. Plan for the physical 

Song Of Solomon 2:7 Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. (NLT)

2. Go slow and get to know  
Matthew 7:16-20 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

2A. Get to know the person 

2B. Get to know their friends

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (NIV)

2C. Get to know their family


2D. Get to know their money management

3. Focus on becoming the right person not finding the right person 

Romans 12:2 “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.” (NLT)

4. Surround yourself with wise people

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (NIV)

Dysfunctional: Seven Relationship Side Effects

7 Relationship Side Effects

1. We blame each other 

Genesis 3:12-13 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done? ” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (NIV)

2. We deal with out of control angry

Genesis 4:5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. (NIV)

Genesis 4:8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. (NIV)

3. We deceive and lie to one another

4. We hold people’s past against them

Luke 15:28-30 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ (NIV)

5. We are jealous of one another 
6. We betray and hate one another

2 Timothy 3:3–4 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. (NLT)

7. We are not faithful to one another

7A. People are not faithful in marriage

7B. People are not faithful to their families

Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” (NIV)

Matthew 10:21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. (NIV)

7C. People are not faithful in friendship

Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)

7D. People are not faithful to build God’s Kingdom together

2 Timothy 4:9–10 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. (NIV)

The Best Day Ever

1. It was my best day ever because my sins were forgiven

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (NLT)

Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (NIV)

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (NIV)

Acts 8:38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (NIV)

Acts 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, (NIV)

Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. (NIV)

Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ (NIV)

2. It was my best day ever because I now had the power to overcome sin

Romans 8:2–4 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (NLT)

3. It was my best day ever because of all the blessings that followed salvation

Romans 8:23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. (NLT)

1. The trap of busyness 

John 4:4 Now he had to go through Samaria. (NIV)

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (NIV)

2. The trap of rejection

John 4:7–9 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) (NIV) 

3. The trap of not knowing enough 

John 4:11-12 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” (NIV)

John 4:20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” (NIV)

5 Life Giving Ways To Share Your Faith

1. Don’t judge people love people 

Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (NLT)

2. Initiate a conversation not an argument  

3. Talk about something you have in common 

4. Find an attractive way to talk about Jesus

John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (NIV)

John 4:13–15 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” (NIV)

5. Remember that one changed life leads to more changed lives 

John 4:39–42 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (NIV)