The Out of Rhythm Life
When our spiritual lives fall out of rhythm, God gives us tools to draw near again to Him.
The Out of Rhythm Life: Idolatry
November 26, 2023 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Matthew 6:19–21
The Out of Rhythm Life: Idolatry Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Idols take us out of rhythm. The gospel keeps us in rhythm TEXT - Matthew 6:19-21 OUTLINE A brief idolatry diagnostic: 1. What do I worship? * Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." * What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give. ~ Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods. 2. Is the thing I worship worthy of worship? * Isaiah 44:13-17 * Daniel 3:17 - "We want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." * Possible idols: comfort, freedom, independence, approval, affirmation, identity, control, power, success, influence 3. How is God better? * John 2:13-19 * Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." NEXT STEPS: 1. Ask the diagnostic questions. 2. Preach the gospel to yourself every day. 3. Throw out your idols. ------------------ Seven Practices of a Life in Rhythm DAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him. PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community. REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37-39) With the help of the Spirit we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom. SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY (Acts 2:44-45) Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we, too, are generous and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world. SERVE THE COMMUNITY (Acts 2:44-45) We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world. SHARE YOUR STORY (Acts 2:14-36) The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. WORSHIP (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47) As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.
The Out of Rhythm Life: Fasting
November 19, 2023 • Pastor Leah Carolan • 2 Chronicles 20:12
The Out of Rhythm Life: Fasting Pastor Leah Carolan THEME – Fasting is a powerful prayer we can use to realign our lives when we get out of rhythm. TEXT – 2 Chronicles 20:12 Fasting in the Bible is: 1. A regular scheduled spiritual practice 2. For mourning, to show grief or great distress 3. A sign of repentance 4. To prepare for ministry 5. To seek divine deliverance Reasons We Don’t Fast 1. Fear 2. Ignorance 3. Rebellion Reasons We Should Fast 1. Restore that ‘first love’ for the Lord. 2. Reveal our spiritual condition. 3. Revival/Breakthrough NEXT STEPS 1. Try a one meal fast. 2. Try a one day fast. 3. Try a longer fast – maybe along the lines of a Daniel Fast!
The Out of Rhythm Life: Dechurching
November 12, 2023 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Acts 2:37–47
The Out of Rhythm Life: Dechurching Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Without the church, we cannot grow in our faith. TEXT - Acts 2:37-47 OUTLINE What shall we do? 1. Repent and turn to Jesus. * Acts 2:38 * Acts 2:22-24 * Acts 4:12 2. Embrace the community of Jesus. * Acts 2:41-47 * Hebrews 12:1-3 * Hebrews 10:25 3. Follow the Spirit’s leading. * Acts 2:1-13 * Acts 1:8 * Philippians 1:3-6 NEXT STEPS: 1. Make corporate worship a priority. 2. Make small group participation a priority. 3. Pray for the health of the church. 4. Read https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/prone-dechurch/
The Out of Rhythm Life: Freedom in Jesus
November 5, 2023 • Pastor Steve Poole • John 8:30–47
The Out of Rhythm Life: Freedom in Jesus Pastor Steve Poole Text: John 8:30-47 Two definitions of freedom: 1. The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. 2. The right to do what you want to do whenever you want to do it. Freedom in Jesus: 1. Real freedom means to follow the Jesus rhythm. 2. Real freedom is experienced only by abiding in Jesus! Lies that throw us out of rhythm: 1. We can find freedom in our own identify. 2. We can find freedom by following the right rules. 3. We can find freedom from needing God to save us by creating our own value. 4. We can find freedom in following our heart to happiness. APPLICATION 1. If you are not free through faith in Jesus, what are you waiting for, believe in Jesus today! 2. If you are out of rhythm, abide in Jesus and His truth this week! SEVEN SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS TO KEEP DAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him. PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community. REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37-39) With the help of the Spirit we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom. SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY (Acts 2:44-45) Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we, too, are generous and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world. SERVE THE COMMUNITY (Acts 2:44-45) We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world. SHARE YOUR STORY (Acts 2:14-36) The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. WORSHIP (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47) As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.