2. Life’s Healing Choices The Beatitudes - Choice 8 October 30, 2010 The Beatitudes - Choice 8 October 30, 2010

3. Hello Oasis!!!

4. We have been in a series called Life’s Healing Choices.

5. Many of you have experienced God do miraculous work in your lives through this study –

6. Others of you are still afraid to confess your issues to anyone else for fear that you will be rejected. I understand - for years I could not do it either. Others of you are still afraid to confess your issues to anyone else for fear that you will be rejected. I understand - for years I could not do it either.

7. One day someone challenged me to deal with my issues biblically – the day I chose to do that is the day I started experiencing the power of God in my life.

8. We live in a broken world. It is broken by sin – pain is a part of life here on planet earth. There is no such thing as a pain free life. We live in a broken world. It is broken by sin – pain is a part of life here on planet earth. There is no such thing as a pain free life.

9. When you begin dealing with your issues as Jesus teaches, you will notice He doesn’t promise to take away your pain. He promises to transform it, to give meaning to it, to give significance to it.

10. I hope through this study you have learned to stop trying to figure all the causes of pain. It doesn’t matter whether you caused it, someone else caused it, whether Satan caused it or the environment caused it. I hope through this study you have learned to stop trying to figure all the causes of pain. It doesn’t matter whether you caused it, someone else caused it, whether Satan caused it or the environment caused it.

11. If you try to do that, all you will end up doing is trying to place blame for your pain. God says three things about your pain. If you try to do that, all you will end up doing is trying to place blame for your pain. God says three things about your pain.

12. Regardless of who caused it, God says, if you give your pain to me… 1)I will use it for your benefit. 2)I will use it for my purposes. 3)I will use it to help other people. Regardless of who caused it, God says, if you give your pain to me… 1)I will use it for your benefit. 2)I will use it for my purposes. 3)I will use it to help other people.

13. We have been using the eight Beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount to help us understand God’s strategy for living a victorious Christian life.

14. There are no short cuts and there are no alternative ways to achieve spiritual success. There is only one way. There are no short cuts and there are no alternative ways to achieve spiritual success. There is only one way.

15. Tonight we are going to look at Choice 8 – THE SHARING CHOICE Tonight we are going to look at Choice 8 – THE SHARING CHOICE

16. Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 (NIV) You can not be a peacemaker until you have peace in your own life. Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 (NIV) You can not be a peacemaker until you have peace in your own life.

17. “God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 (CEV) “God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 (CEV)

18. How do you know when you have peace with your life issues?

19. When you start helping other people who are struggling in the same area of your hurt or habit. I choose to yield myself to God to be used to bring Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. When you start helping other people who are struggling in the same area of your hurt or habit. I choose to yield myself to God to be used to bring Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.

20. There is a big myth in the Christian community that you help people out of your strengths. God wants to glorify Himself by using your weaknesses to help others. There is a big myth in the Christian community that you help people out of your strengths. God wants to glorify Himself by using your weaknesses to help others.

21. “I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! … The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can

22. share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives.” 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 (CEV) share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives.” 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 (CEV)

23. The Bible teaches that we need to learn how to share with other people how pain got your attention.

24. “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.” Proverbs 20:30 (GN) “I am glad... not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God.” 2 Corinthians 7:9 (LB) “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.” Proverbs 20:30 (GN) “I am glad... not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God.” 2 Corinthians 7:9 (LB)

25. God uses pain to correct us. God uses pain to direct us. God uses pain to perfect us. It seems that we always wait until we are in crisis to hear what God wants to say to us. God uses pain to correct us. God uses pain to direct us. God uses pain to perfect us. It seems that we always wait until we are in crisis to hear what God wants to say to us.

26. Often the first question we ask when we are in pain is: “God, don’t you love me? Can’t you see how badly I hurt? Don’t you care?” Often the first question we ask when we are in pain is: “God, don’t you love me? Can’t you see how badly I hurt? Don’t you care?”

27. I. In Sharing With Other People I Must Be Honest About Five Things…

28. 1)Sharing My Feelings “We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide.” 2 Corinthians 6:11 (GN) 1)Sharing My Feelings “We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide.” 2 Corinthians 6:11 (GN)

29. 2) Sharing My Faults “Each of us must bear the faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfect!” Galatians 6:5 (LB) 2) Sharing My Faults “Each of us must bear the faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfect!” Galatians 6:5 (LB)

30. 3) Sharing My Failures “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy1:15 (NIV) 3) Sharing My Failures “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy1:15 (NIV)

31. 4) Sharing My Frustrations “I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out… I keep on doing the evil I don’t want to do.” Romans 7:18b-19 (NIV) 4) Sharing My Frustrations “I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out… I keep on doing the evil I don’t want to do.” Romans 7:18b-19 (NIV)

32. 5) Sharing My Fears I do admit that I have fears that when I come you'll disappoint me and I'll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces…” 2 Corinthians 12:20 (MSG) 5) Sharing My Fears I do admit that I have fears that when I come you'll disappoint me and I'll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces…” 2 Corinthians 12:20 (MSG)

33. II. We Must Be Willing To Share What We Have Learned In The Process.

34. We can learn from making our own mistakes. But it is far wiser to learn from other people’s mistakes. We need each other because we can learn from each other. We can learn from making our own mistakes. But it is far wiser to learn from other people’s mistakes. We need each other because we can learn from each other.

35. In Sharing The Process… share how you have learned to depend on God’s love. In Sharing The Process… share how you have learned to depend on God’s love.

36. “We were crushed and overwhelmed...and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us... and he did help us.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (LB) “We were crushed and overwhelmed...and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us... and he did help us.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (LB)

37. I had a pastor friend ask me one time… “When will Jesus be enough for you?” I had a pastor friend ask me one time… “When will Jesus be enough for you?”

38. In Sharing The Process… share how you have learned to follow God’s word. In Sharing The Process… share how you have learned to follow God’s word.

39. “…it was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws!” Psalm 119:71-72 (LB) “…it was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws!” Psalm 119:71-72 (LB)

40. “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.” Psalm 119:67 “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.” Psalm 119:67

41. In Sharing The Process… share how you have learned that you need other people. In Sharing The Process… share how you have learned that you need other people.

42. “Two people are better than one…If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NCV) “Two people are better than one…If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NCV)

43. That is why we need to be in a HOME Group.

44. I have to be honest. Some Friday nights I don’t what to go to HOME Group. I am tired and want to be left alone. I have to be honest. Some Friday nights I don’t what to go to HOME Group. I am tired and want to be left alone.

45. Debbie will say, ‘But you have to go to HOME Group.” I will say, “Why?” Debbie will say, ‘But you have to go to HOME Group.” I will say, “Why?”

46. She will say, “Because it is at our house.”

47. I can also say that there has never been a night at HOME Group that I have not been glad I was there. I will say, “How could I have not wanted to be there tonight!” I can also say that there has never been a night at HOME Group that I have not been glad I was there. I will say, “How could I have not wanted to be there tonight!”

48. III.We Must Be Willing To Share How God Brought Good Out of Bad.

49. All of us have examples of this in our lives. One of God’s greatest promises in the Bible is Romans 8:28.

50. “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” Romans 8:28 (NLT) “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” Romans 8:28 (NLT)

51. Unfortunately that verse is also grossly misunderstood. Let’s dig a little deeper to reveal what it really says. Unfortunately that verse is also grossly misunderstood. Let’s dig a little deeper to reveal what it really says.

52. To start, lets look at what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say we know that everything will work out the way I want it to work out. To start, lets look at what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say we know that everything will work out the way I want it to work out.

53. It does say… “We know” We are not guessing, we are not hoping, we are not wishing. We know for certain. It does say… “We know” We are not guessing, we are not hoping, we are not wishing. We know for certain.

54. “We know that God causes everything…” You life is not an accident. There’s no such thing as random chance. There is no such thing as bad luck. “We know that God causes everything…” You life is not an accident. There’s no such thing as random chance. There is no such thing as bad luck.

55. Everything that happens in life happens because of choices, not chance. Good choices and bad choices are all part of God’s grand plan for each of us. Everything that happens in life happens because of choices, not chance. Good choices and bad choices are all part of God’s grand plan for each of us.

56. What about my mistakes? What about losing my job? What about my divorce? What about my DNA? What about my bankruptcy? God doesn’t make mistakes! What about my mistakes? What about losing my job? What about my divorce? What about my DNA? What about my bankruptcy? God doesn’t make mistakes!

57. If we just stopped there, it would make God the author of evil. Nothing that is evil in the world is caused by God. So what is the Bible saying? If we just stopped there, it would make God the author of evil. Nothing that is evil in the world is caused by God. So what is the Bible saying?

58. “We know that God causes everything to work together for good… ” Notice that it does not say everything is good. “We know that God causes everything to work together for good… ” Notice that it does not say everything is good.

59. There are just a lot of rotten things that happen to us in life. How can God make something good out of those things? There are just a lot of rotten things that happen to us in life. How can God make something good out of those things?

60. Do you remember what happened to Jesus?

61. They tortured him. Was that bad? They beat him beyond recognition? Was that bad? They crucified him on a cross like a common criminal. Was that bad? They tortured him. Was that bad? They beat him beyond recognition? Was that bad? They crucified him on a cross like a common criminal. Was that bad?

62. God specializes in bringing good out of bad. If Jesus had not gone through those terrible things, you and I would not enjoy fellowship with the Father. We would not have access to salvation. God specializes in bringing good out of bad. If Jesus had not gone through those terrible things, you and I would not enjoy fellowship with the Father. We would not have access to salvation.

63. “We know that God causes everything to work together for good for those who love God.” This is not a promise for everybody. “We know that God causes everything to work together for good for those who love God.” This is not a promise for everybody.

64. If you are not following Christ, if you don’t love God with all your heart, things are not working together for your good. When you choose to live life without God, you are stuck with the consequences. If you are not following Christ, if you don’t love God with all your heart, things are not working together for your good. When you choose to live life without God, you are stuck with the consequences.

65. There is another consequence of living your life without God. You can’t say, “I want to live my life without God on earth, but I want to live with God in heaven after I die.” There is another consequence of living your life without God. You can’t say, “I want to live my life without God on earth, but I want to live with God in heaven after I die.”

66. That is stupid. God gives each of a choice. There are real consequences for our choices. Without choosing to love God you are on your own – on earth and in eternity. That is stupid. God gives each of a choice. There are real consequences for our choices. Without choosing to love God you are on your own – on earth and in eternity.

67. If you make that choice, the Bible says you are a fool.

68. I hope everyone chooses to live their lives for God. Only then can I know for sure, that even the bad things in my life have meaning and purpose for my ultimate good – what an awesome God. I hope everyone chooses to live their lives for God. Only then can I know for sure, that even the bad things in my life have meaning and purpose for my ultimate good – what an awesome God.

69. I know that several of you are going through some tough times right now. It is hard to see how good will come out of it. Trust that God has your best interest at heart. I know that several of you are going through some tough times right now. It is hard to see how good will come out of it. Trust that God has your best interest at heart.

70. Do you remember the story of Joseph?

71. “(They) intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV) “(They) intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

72. As followers of Jesus, we don’t deny our mistakes. We don’t pretend that other people don’t hurt us. We don’t act like we’ve got it all together.

73. In spite of everything we have done or that has been done to us, God loves us. We are trophies of God’s grace.

74. It does say… “We know” We are not guessing, we are not hoping, we are not wishing. We know for certain. It does say… “We know” We are not guessing, we are not hoping, we are not wishing. We know for certain.

75. IV. We Must Be Willing To Share With Others The Hope We Have In Jesus.

76. Everyone you know and everyone you meet has hurts, habits or hang ups. Everyone of them needs the hope that you have. Everyone you know and everyone you meet has hurts, habits or hang ups. Everyone of them needs the hope that you have.

77. Do you care that the people around you are hurting, too? The best hope they have is someone who can listen to their problems and say, “Been there, done that.” Do you care that the people around you are hurting, too? The best hope they have is someone who can listen to their problems and say, “Been there, done that.”

78. “Let me buy you a cup of coffee and share with you how God can help you just like He helped me.”

79. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15a (NIV) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15a (NIV)

80. It is so easy to talk with people about Jesus when you talk to them about the struggles they are going through and you tell them how God has taken you through it.

81. Then simply ask them if they want God to help them through their pain like He has helped you through yours. Then simply ask them if they want God to help them through their pain like He has helped you through yours.

82. The question for you is this: Do you care about other people enough to listen to their story and offer them the hope of Jesus Christ? The question for you is this: Do you care about other people enough to listen to their story and offer them the hope of Jesus Christ?

83. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

84. Prayer Time