Thanking Backward

Focus: Giving thanks turns on the tap of God's Future Blessings.

I. There were 10 THINKING FORWARD.
II. One THANKED BACKWARD.
III. THANKING BACKWARD Blesses Your FUTURE.

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
11(P) On the way to Jerusalem(Q) he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[f](R) who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14When he saw them he said to them, "Go and(S) show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back,(T) praising God with a loud voice; 16and(U) he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was(V) a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, "Were not(W) ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and(X) give praise to God except this(Y) foreigner?" 19And he said to him, "Rise and go your way;(Z) your faith has made you well."[g]

Have the Heart of Christ

Have the Heart of Christ

Focus: Disciples are trained into steps and stages to be fully devoted to Jesus Christ.

What is a Disciple?

Acts 11:26 NIV
Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

John 8:31-32 NIV
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 13:34-35 NIV
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 15:8 NIV
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I. A LEVEL 1 BUY-IN
A. The Believe enough to BENEFIT buy-in:
B. A MORAL Level Commitment

II. A LEVEL 2 BUY-IN
A. The Believe Enough to CONTRIBUTE Buy-in
B. A MISSION Level Commitment

III. A LEVEL 3 BUY-IN
A. The WHOLE HEARTED WHATEVER it TAKES Buy-in

Luke 9:23-26 NIV

Luke 14:27-33 ESV

B. A MEANING Level Commitment

A Heart Healthy Life

Focus: Just as there are habits that promote a long and healthy physical life, there are similar habits that will reap eternal rewards.

I. EAT Right.
Matthew 5:6 ESV

II. EXERCISE
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
A. WORKOUT
B. Find a PERSON TRAINER or a WORKOUT PARTNER.
C. PRACTICE - DO THE REPS!
1. PRAY
2. LEARN
Hebrews 5:12
3. SERVE
Mark 10:42-45 ESV
4. INVEST
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
Luke 14:12-14 NIV
I Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV
Luke 6:22-23 NIV
Matthew 16:27 NIV

III. GET in the GAME!

A Higher Hunger

A Higher Hunger
Focus: Only feeding the higher hunger truly satisfies.
I. The LOWER Hunger is at WAR with the HIGHER Hunger.
Romans 7:15 ESV
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Romans 7:18 ESV
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:21-23 NIV
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
II. Only A Higher Hunger Will SEEK A SAVIOR.
Matthew 5:6 ESV
Romans 7:24 ESV
A. Christ BEATS the GORILLA.
Romans 8:1-4 ESV
B. How Man Beats the GORILLA (Sin's Powerful CRAVINGS)
1. INHALE Fresh Air: (God's Pneuma / BREATH / SPIRIT)
Romans 8:9 NIV
2. EXHALE(CONFESSION)
3. Quit Inhaling SMOKE(Anything that SMELLS of HELL)
Romans 8:5-9 ESV
Philippians 4:8