Divine Direction
Big Decisions
November 3, 2019 • Gregg Parris
Romans 12:1-3 I. Commanding Scripture “All scripture is God-breathed and profitable…” II Timothy 3:16 II. Compelling Spirit “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I’m going to Jerusalem not knowing what will happen to me there.” Acts 20:22 III. Common Sense IV. Counsel of the Saints “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 “Make plans by seeking advice.” Proverbs 20:18 The younger you are the more likely wise counsel will come from someone older than you. The bigger the decision, the larger the range of advice. V. Circumstantial Signs “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Don’t be in a hurry. We all make mistakes. Expect God’s peace.
Faith to Start
October 27, 2019 • Gregg Parris
Nehemiah 1:1-11 I. Take it to God in prayer. II. Start small. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin… Zechariah 4:10 NLT Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. Nehemiah 2:17-18 You don’t have to have the faith to finish. You just have to have the faith to start. III. Take the next step. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding…” Nehemiah 2:19-20 "Start doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you're doing the impossible.” Saint Francis of Assisi Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Trust the Process
October 20, 2019 • Gregg Parris
Acts 20:22-24 I. The Holy Spirit’s prompting. "And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem." Acts 20:22 II. Certain uncertainty. "Compelled by the Spirit, I'm going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” Acts 20:22b Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 III. Predictable Resistance. "All I know is I'm being prompted. I don't know what's going to happen there. I only know that in every city, the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me." Acts 20:23 If you are not ready to face opposition for your obedience to God, then you are not ready to be used by God. IV. Uncommon confidence. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
Wisdom to Discern
October 13, 2019 • Gregg Parris
I Corinthians 16:6-9 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. 1 Corinthians 16:6-9 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. Proverbs 4:7 NLT I. Walk with the wise. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 II. Ask for wisdom. 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. James 1:5 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Ps 32:8 NLT III. Decide So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 1 Thessalonians 3:1
Power to Overcome
October 6, 2019 • Gregg Parris
I Thessalonians 4:1-7 The decisions we make today determines the stories we tell tomorrow. I. God cares about who before do. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. I Thessalonians 4:3 NLT If you are becoming the right who, then you will choose the right do. II. God cares about why before what. (Motives matter to God.) You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives. Proverbs 16:2 GN And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 If you're driven by the right why, God will lead you to the right what. When you get the who right, you do more. When you get the why right, the what has power.