Stuck in NEUTRAL. . . NW Latin MM February 26, 2011

The Challenge Elijah challenged the people: "How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it's Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!“ Nobody said a word; nobody made a move. (Message) 1 Kings 18:21

The Challenge "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.” (Message) Revelation 3:15-17

Our Potential Live your life in such a way that it demands an explanation. Live your life so that it echoes in eternity. Live a life that stands out rather than blends in.

Lukewarmness + Neutrality = Stuck in Neutral EQUATION Lukewarmness + Neutrality = Stuck in Neutral

John 5 Do you want to get well?

Areas that keep us stuck in neutral

Stinking Thinking Philippians 4:8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8-9

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV) Romans 12:2

Proper Thinking Proper Speaking Proper Feelings Proper Living

A Hard Heart "This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved.” (NIV) Luke 8:11-12

Conditions Disobedience Lost Relationships Lack of Forgiveness Lack of Prayer Lack of Word

Closed Spirit Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. (MSG) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

Suppressing the Holy Spirit Pain Sin Past Shame

False Success For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness. Philippians 3:7-9

Two Views “Find success, and you will find Significance.” “Find true significance, and you will be Successful.”

Time to Let Go!

Imagine Your Possibilities!