First Light! Welcome To We Meet Every Wednesday. Join Us Afterward, Upstairs in the Café.

Speaker Schedule: March 8 – Paul Cunningham March 15 – Ken Tucker March 22 – Dave Brown March 29 – Jack Barsky

Executive Pastor of Family Ministries Today’s Speaker: Paul Cunningham Executive Pastor of Family Ministries

Turning Points in my battle against lust

Discovering the real battle. Turning Point 1

If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. C.S. Lewis

Sin is what you do when your heart is not satisfied with God. John Piper

“ Key Passages You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 Key Passages “

Figuring out how to fight as a justified sinner. Turning Point 2

8Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. 9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. Micah 7:8-9 Key Passage “

no big deal. God will still love you afterwards. Before you sin: no big deal. God will still love you afterwards. After you sin: Huge deal. God couldn’t love you. Satan’s Strategy

Going on the offensive. Turning Point 3

or sin will be killing you. Be killing sin or sin will be killing you. John Owen

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matthew 5:27-30 Key Passages “

Bringing my struggle into the light. Turning Point 4

The Devil plays in darkness.

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working…19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:16, 19-20 Key Passage “

Discussion Questions 1. If God gives us more than sin ever could, why do we find it difficult to desire him? 2. What difference does it make to be fighting against habitual sin as a justified sinner, to be fighting from Christ’s victory than for victory? 3. What practical strategies could you employ in your fight against lust or habitual sin? 4. What would a true accountability relationship look like? Do you have one?