Government Take-Over!! January12, 2014

Where we’re headed today - Purpose: Momentary pause to “connect dots” Activate - Launch into action Process: Follow our trail since August What does it mean to ‘step out in faith’ Develop action plans Payoff: Alignment and clarity We ‘move’

Our Trail… Empowering Passionate Disciples of Christ Equipping people to passionately Live like Jesus lived, Do what Jesus did, and Advance His kingdom together. August

Love One Another Fear God Be Holy Set Your Hope Suffering & Salvation God’s Life & Government Established the Framework August 4 – Sept 1 1 Peter 1: 1-12 Our Trail…. First Pass Study Sept 15 – Oct 13 1 Peter 1: Our Life October 20 – Nov 3 1 Peter 2: 1-13 Our Life Deeper Dive November 10 – Dec 1 1 Peter 2: Dec 8 – Jan 5 Empty Ourselves, Harbor Mindset, True Disciples

Our Goal: Be more like Jesus -Do what He did -Live like He lived -Advance His Kingdom SELF How do we do it? Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:14-21 (NLT)

A change in Government is a journey… Non-Believer Salvation Sanctification Discipleship ? Revelation

The Fundamental Questions…. Am I on the journey? Am I moving forward, is my government changing? 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9 (NLT) A bit about the journey…. Trials => Test Faith & Trust=> Joy, Praise, Glory, Salvation Romans 4 – Faith of Abraham Hebrews 11 – Faith hall of fame

Faith Demonstration…. Both experienced the same faith step (5lbs) which increased their God Gov’t (center hub) by 43% …. But their lives may look very different from the outside! No Weight 5 lbs 20.5 in 24.5 in Area = 1324 sq in Area = 1890 sq in “Young” Follower 37.5 in 45 in Area = 4429 sq in Area = 6378 sq in “Mature” Follower 43%

Key Points The band is useless when it is in a relaxed state…. So are we The band is useless if it goes beyond it’s limits … So are we The Lord will never ask us to do more than we can handle 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Phil 4:13-14 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10 (NLT) A ‘faith step’ looks different depending on where you start We don’t define the faith step –that is the work of the Holy Spirit For one it might be ‘inviting someone to dinner’ for another it might be ‘sell everything and move to the inner city’ It is our part to be hungry, to be searching and to be OBEDIENT 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm 2 Cor 1:24 (NLT)

How do we start moving in more faith? Study scripture: See examples Build confidence and trust in the Lord Inspiration and revelation Take an inventory: Where have I decided to be ‘relaxed’ and not under tension? Confess and repent! Where have I been ‘under tension’ and seen the Lord come through and bring great Joy through the trials? Refresh and praise Him! Get my next assignment: Ask the Lord – daily, hourly… it is a mindset (harbor vs. open seas) Obey immediately! Ask someone to hold you accountable if that helps (discipleship) Repeat - for the rest of our lives!!!

Ready to start? Complete the Worksheet - NOW Inventory Next Assignment Come prepared to share next week – I know the Lord will make this an assignment for someone Read Scriptures: 1 Peter Danny’s list from last week Gospels – see how Jesus did it!

Let’s be on the Open Seas together!!!