Half Year Overview Majoring on JesusMajoring on Jesus Word | Truth | Way | Life | Light Jesus is The WayJesus is The Way Why Jesus came to earthWhy Jesus came to earth Represent the Father Demonstrate God’s power Provide for our salvation Set up the Kingdom on earth Fulfil the ultimate plan – release the Holy Spirit Jesus ‘TeachingJesus ‘Teaching Come to me | Believe in me Follow me | Obey me Make disciples | baptise | teach

Half Year Overview Journeying with JesusJourneying with Jesus We are now the Way Called to community Called to communicate Called to compete and complete Representatives of JesusRepresentatives of Jesus His earthly “sales force” Witnesses Imitators Salvation is an event – mission is a process BelieversBelievers Baptism in water and spirit Local congregation involvement

Half Year Overview Hard words of JesusHard words of Jesus Take up your cross Deny yourself Lose your life Give up homes and possessions Easter | Resurrection | AscensionEaster | Resurrection | Ascension 40 Days with Jesus The Work of the Holy SpiritThe Work of the Holy Spirit Eternal destiny Born | Baptised | Filled Outcomes?Outcomes? How have we been impacted? What has changed? “Holiness not happiness is the chief end of man”

New Theme Understanding & Seeing what God is doingUnderstanding & Seeing what God is doing Big QuestionBig Question How do I hear God? Role of the Bible today Quiet time Prayer 3 Misconceptions3 Misconceptions

3 Misconceptions #1 – if it is contrary to my hopes it must be God’s will#1 – if it is contrary to my hopes it must be God’s will We want to do what He wants Obedience – whatever the cost Truly believing He has the best for us #2 – if it makes us happy it must be God’s will#2 – if it makes us happy it must be God’s will Faith and feelings can get mixed up Faith is not opposite to feelings but often overrides them #3 – preconceptions are the norm#3 – preconceptions are the norm Doomed to failure or destined to success? Positive or negative mindset? ‘Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart’ ‘Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart’ Psalm 37:4 (NIVUK) ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see’ ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see’ Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) ‘With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine’ ‘With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine’ Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)

Psalm 37 – 6 Clues for Hearing God 1. Trust in the Lord and do good (v3) 2. Take delight in Lord (v4) 3. Commit your way to the Lord (v5) 4. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him (v7) Too busy – other priorities Too noisy Too lazy Patience is a fruit of the Spirit Trust and Timing are interlinked Waiting develops growth ‘The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him’ ‘The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him’ Psalm 37:23 NLT: ‘He delights in every detail of their lives’ ‘Reverence for God adds hours to each day’ ‘Reverence for God adds hours to each day’ Proverbs 10:27 (The Message)

Psalm 37 – 6 Clues for Hearing God 1. Trust in the Lord and do good (v3) 2. Take delight in Lord (v4) 3. Commit your way to the Lord (v5) 4. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him (v7) 5. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret (v8) 6. Hope in the Lord and keep His way (v37) ‘Wait passionately’ ‘Wait passionately’ Psalm 37:37 (The Message)

The Challenge What holds us back?What holds us back? Past | Future Confidence Obedience Priorities | Time Unbelief or Disbelief Disappointment Insert your own here __________________________ “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work”