Strength through Silence and Solitude

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Strength through Silence and Solitude

The Disciplines of Freedom Part 4

July 23, 2023 • Steve Hinton • Mark 1:35, Mark 6:31, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 14:23

-Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”

-Matthew 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

-Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

-Mark 6:31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

1. Silence and Solitude Refine our Hearts.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

2. Silence and Solitude Build our Faith.

Psalm 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3. Silence and Solitude Encourage Others.

James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

Ecclesiastes 3:7b a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

Acts 20:2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece.

The Superiority of Submission and Service

August 20, 2023 • Steve Hinton • Philippians 2:5–7, John 1:14, John 13:2–5, Colossians 3:23–24, Mark 10:45

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Philippians 2:5-7 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (NIV) Freedom is found in The Unlikely Form of Submission and Service. Freedom is Found in Being His Servant. The Misunderstanding of Servanthood The Model of Servanthood John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 13:2-5 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. The Metamorphous of Servanthood John 13:14-15 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Abiding in Christ and Hearing the Voice of Christ.

August 13, 2023 • Steve Hinton • John 10:27, John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 11:14, James 4:8, 1 Samuel 3:1–11

John 10:27 1 Samuel 3:1-11 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 2 Corinthians 11:14 For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. James 4:8a Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. The Closer We Draw Near, The Greater We Will Hear. 1. The Problems with Hearing the Voice of God. Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (NIV) 2. The Potential Times We May Be Hearing the Voice of God 3. The Practical Steps to Hearing the Voice of God Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Hebrews 10:25 Not to neglect to “meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Power Through Praise and Prayer

August 6, 2023 • Steve Hinton • Luke 11:1, Matthew 7:7, James 4:3, Mark 1:35, Matthew 6:9–13

Luke 11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Disciplined Praise and Prayer Brings Power to Growth with God 1. The Problems that Defuse the Power James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (NIV) – (context of verses 1-2) Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Proverbs 28:9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 2. The Pattern in Jesus’ Life of Power Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 3. The Principles that will Grow the Life of Power Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Philippians 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 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. Job 1:20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. James 5:16b-18 “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.