New Highland Baptist Church Podcast

HUMBLE OURSELVES, TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYSHumble - "worship"Humble - "confession"Humble - "obedience"PRAY AND SEEK HIS FACEThe prayer life of the Christian is the truegauge of all the rest of their life…the outerlife of activity never rises above the innerlife of prayer. – Charles CookWhoever will not take time for prayer may aswell give up all hope of obtaining the fullnessof power God has for him. It is they that“wait upon the Lord” who “shall renewtheir strength”. – R. A. TorreyPrayer is not me having greater influence on God,but placing my life, my heart and mind, squarelyin front of His truth and His presence, openingthe door for Him to have greater influence on me.At the place of prayer, God works to transformour character, our values, our priorities so Hecan involve us in His redemptive mission in the world.

Big Idea: To whom something is given, something is required. We are responsible.• Life is not FAIR.• Unfair can become an EXCUSE for irresponsibility.•We are responsible for our RESPONSES.•Response-ability = RESPOND-ability: We don’t choose which opportunities we get. But we always get to choose how we will respond.Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents -- Personal Application:1.Refuse to make excuses.2.Don’t take big opportunities for granted.3.If you have less opportunity, don’t be lazy.4.To whom something is given, something is required.

Dr. Bob Fleming, Pastor of Visitation and Senior Adults preached the Sunday after Christmas.

In this Christmas Eve message, we looked at how we can overcome the fear of what others think about us. Joseph faced a monumental decision and he did what God commanded him to do. Takeaways:1. Surrender yourself to pleasing an audience of ONE.2. When you obey God, be ready to face criticism. The plans of God are often not popular in the eyes of people.3. Extraordinary acts of God often begin with ordinary acts of obedience.4. You don't have to understand completely to obey immediately.5. Remember that the outcome is God's responsibility . . . obedience is yours.

Part 15 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God”A Series on Experiencing GodQuestion: Why are We Afraid of God’s Plans?1. God’s interruptions are often INCONVENIENT. – Luke 1:26-29• “Do not be afraid” – Luke 1:302. God’s PURPOSE is often different than your PLANS.• God’s Purpose: “You will be . . .” – Luke 1:31-33• “How will this be?” – Luke 1:34• “With God . . .” – Luke 1:35-37What is God Asking You to Do or Believe? OUTCOME is God’s responsibility. OBEDIENCE is yours.What is Your Response? “I am a servant . . .” -- Luke 1:38

Part 14 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God”A Series on Experiencing GodKoinonia (GK) = “FELLOWSHIP with God.” Koinonia is the most complete expression of a love relationship with God. When you live in this kind of relationship with God, you will have the same quality of loving fellowship with other believers.” 1In Real Fellowship: 2 1.People Experience AUTHENTICITY (live in the light) – 1 John 1:7.2.People Experience MUTUALITY – 1 Cor. 12:25; Rom. 1:12; Rom. 12:10; Rom. 14:19.3.People Experience SYMPATHY – Col. 3:13; Gal 6:2.4.People Experience MERCY – 2 Cor. 2:7; Col. 3:13_______________________________________________1 Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God (student workbook), p. 230.2 Adapted from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, p. 138-143.

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Part 13 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God”A Series on Experiencing GodSix Characteristics of the Local Church:1.A CREATION of Christ. He BUILDS the church. – Matthew 16:18. 2. A living BODY of Christ with many members – Romans 12:5.3.Christ is the HEAD of the body – Ephesians 4:15-16.4.Members are interdependent and NEED each other – 1 Cor. 12:275.A church is on MISSION with Christ to carry out the Father’s redemptive purposes – Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 5:17-20.6.The Local Church is the HOPE of the World—(as quoted by Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church) Questions for Church Members: (Adapted from Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley, p. 67).•Are we moving or simply meeting?•Are we making a measurable difference in our community or simply conducting services?•Are we organized around a mission or are we organized around an antiquated ministry model inherited from a previous generation?•Are we allocating resources as if Jesus is the hope of the world?•Are we a congregation or have we sett

Part 11 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God” A Series on Experiencing GodThe story of Jonah points to the God who Provides:The First Word – 1:1-2 •PROTECTION – 1:17•ANSWERS to Prayer – 2:10•SECOND Chances – 3:1-2•A Greater PERSPECTIVE – 4:4The Last Word – 4:11“Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 22:12-13, NIV).

Part 11 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God” A Series on Experiencing GodSeries Recap: EG Reality #7 -- “You come to know God by experience as you obey him, and he accomplishes his work through you.”Obedience is not:•Right BELIEF or DOCTRINE•WORSHIP•PRAYERObedience is: An EXPRESSION of our love of God. When we obey God, we will follow his commands and teachings. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:15, 23-24, NIV).

Part 10 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God” A Series on Experiencing GodSeries Recap: •When God invites you to join him in his work, the task is always God-sized.•Your response will require faith.•Faith will be demonstrated by action. Action #1: ADJUST your life to God.Experiencing God Reality 6: “You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what he is doing.”Definition: Adjust [from Latin “to bring together”] means “to fit; to adapt; to put into the proper position; to adapt or adapt oneself to new circumstances.”Adjustments are when we POSITION our lives to be used by God. Adjusting your life to God is another critical TURNING POINT in knowing and doing the will of God. Action #2: The second action is to OBEY what God asks you to do.Obedience requires total DEPENDENCE on God to work through you.Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Part 9 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God” A Series on Experiencing GodEG Reality #5: “God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires FAITH and ACTION.“Crisis of Belief” Defined: A Crisis of Belief is a TURNING POINT where you must make a decision. You must decide what you truly believe about God. The way you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.Consider David:1. David took God’s word over the OPINIONS of others (1 Sam. 17:28).2. David did not try to be SOMEONE else (17:39).3.David reminds us to MEASURE the size of our obstacles against the size of our God (17:45-47).4.David shows us an active faith in the LIVING God (17:26).“We don’t stand in victory because of our faith. We stand in victory because of our God.” – Beth Moore in A Heart Like His.

Part 8 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God”A Series on Experiencing GodEG Reality #5: “God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires FAITH and ACTION.Question: Do we really believe that the God of the universe who leads us to do something will provide the resources to make it happen?Principle: Whenever God leads you to do something that has God-sized dimensions, you will face a CRISIS of BELIEF. “Crisis of Belief” Defined: A Crisis of Belief is a TURNING POINT where you must make a decision. You must decide what you truly believe about God.1.An encounter with God requires FAITH – (Hebrews 11:1, 6).2.Encounters with God are GOD-sized.3.What you do in response to God’s invitation reveals what you BELIEVE about God – (2 Cor. 5:7).4.True faith requires ACTION – (James 2:17, 22, 26).

Part 7 of "Knowing and Doing the Will of God"A Series on Experiencing GodReality #4:"God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.""Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10, NIV).14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.... 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:14,27, NIV).

Part 6 of "Knowing and Doing the Will of God" A Series on Experiencing God1. In the Old Testament, God spoke in many DIFFERENT ways (i.e., angels, dreams, prophets) – see Judges 6-7 and the story of Gideon.2. In the Gospels, God spoke through His SON – see John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1-4; John 14:8, 9-10.3.God spoke in Acts and in the present by the HOLY SPIRIT – see John 14:16-17a; John 15:26; John 16:13.4.God speaks [today] by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways (Reality 4 of Experiencing God).Questions:1. How do we know God’s voice? Through an intimate LOVE relationship with God – see Romans 3:10-12; John 6:44-45, 65.2.How do we know God’s timing? The MOMENT God speaks is God’s timing.Life Application: When God speaks, plan for IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE.

Part 5 of "Knowing and Doing the Will of God" A Series on Experiencing GodReality # 3 God invites you to become involved with Him in His workReview reality – The two key words of reality #3 are INVITES and INVOLVED.I.God’s invitation – it is CLEAR and SIMPLE, John 3:16a.What we need to understand today is that it is the God who "SO LOVES" that "HE SENT." b.God invites in the unique way we need to hear it. c.He calls the WHOSOEVER.II.Our involvement – Knowing, Loving, Worshiping – KNOWING leads to LOVING, leads to WORSHIPING. a.Knowing – God’s invitation leads us to first Know God. i.We have to OWN our FAITH. Not spectator/consumer but owner OF FAITH1.Bob Goff quote “Something happens when you feel ownership. You no longer act like a spectator or consumer, because you’re an owner!” ii.This is owning our faith – not to be confused with owning our churchb.Loving – KNOWING has to lead to LOVING - John 14:21& I Corinthians 13:13 i.God’s invitation leads us completely to Him in Love, just like he led Mo

Part 4 of "Knowing and Doing the Will of God" A Series on Experiencing GodYou Were Made to . . .1. Submit to the AUTHORITY of JesusJesus said, “I have been given all authority” . . . •You are loved – “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love” (John 15:9).•You are chosen – “You didn't choose me. I chose you . . .” (John 15:16a).•You have a purpose – “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit . . .” (John 15:16b).•You are forgiven – “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).2. Participate in the STRATEGY of Jesus“Therefore, go and make disciples . . .” (Matthew 28:18-20)3. Stand on the PROMISES of Jesus“And surely I am with you always . . . (Matthew 28:20b).“. . . those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isa. 49:23).“Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope” (Ps. 119:49).

Part 3 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God”A Series on Experiencing God“To know and do God’s will, you must deny self and return to a God-centered life” –Henry BlackabyThree Essentials of a God-centered life:1. Godly RELATIONSHIPS.2. Joyful EXPERIENCES.3. Spiritual PRACTICES.“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, NIV).

15th Anniversary of NHBCPart 2: Knowing and Doing the Will of God A Series on Experiencing GodThe Seven Realities of Experiencing God (1) 1.God is always at work around you.2.God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.3.God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.4.God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.5.God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.6.You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.7.You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through you._________________(1) Blackaby, Henry, Richard Blackaby, and Claude King, “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God,” (Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2007).

Part 1 of “Knowing and Doing the Will of God”A Series on Experiencing Godby Rev. Dr. Robert LeeKey Scriptures: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3, NIV).“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17, NIV). Prerequisite: To know the will of God, we must first know God. Knowing God comes through a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.• Recognize that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23; 6:23).• Confess (agree with God about) your sins (Romans 5:8).• Repent of your sins (turn from sin to God) (Acts 10:43).• Ask Jesus to save you by his grace (Romans 10:9-10, 13).• Turn over the rule of your life to Jesus; let him be Lord (Rom. 10:9).What is the will of God? It is to WALK in the WAYS of God (Col. 3:17)1. Jesus is our model (John 5:17, 19-20).2. The Bible is our guide (2 Timothy 3:16).3. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher (John 14:26).The Re