Peninsula Covenant Church
Message Title: Believe and Follow?
Date: February 21, 2021
Message Title: Believe and Follow?
Date: February 21, 2021
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PCC Mission: To empower the generations to passionately follow Jesus, one person at a time.
OUR STRATEGY
--GATHER to remember and celebrate God
--GROW together in Christ-likeness
--GIVE of our abilities and resources
--GO into the world
BIG IDEA
Our desire to Gather, Grow, Give, and Go stems from what we believe about Jesus and our willingness to follow Him.
REACTIONS TO COME & FOLLOW ME
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. --Mark 10:22
Then Peter spoke up, "We have left everything to follow you!" --Mark 10:28
Discussion
What are the consequences when a person only believes in Jesus, but doesn't choose to follow Him?
3 Main Consequences of Believing, But Not Following
1. We lose out
2. We live into dangerous lies
3. We light up the world less
BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING
My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life, never forget the things that I've taught you. Follow closely every truth I've given you. Then you will have a full, rewarding life. Hold on to loyal love and don't let go, and be faithful to all that you've been taught. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart. That's how you will find favor and understanding with both God and men -- you will gain the reputation of living life well. ---Proverbs 3:1-4 (TPT)
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. --Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
In order to follow closely (passionately), we must put God in the right position and seek His direction.
1. PUTTING GOD IN THE RIGHT POSITION
--Call Him LORD
LORD = Creator of all existence = "YAHWEH" vs Lord = My Lord = "Adoni"
How do you refer to Jesus? Rich Young Ruler = Good Teacher vs Peter + Lord
--Center Him in your life
In order to trust him with all your heart, you must allow the LORD to be at the center of your life. Think of your life as a 4-slice personal pan pizza that represents: Relationships, Resources, Health, Career.
The best place for Jesus to be is at the center. Just like one of those plastic pizza savers that sits in the middle, protecting and influencing every slice in that box.
Discussion: What hinders you from referring to Jesus as Lord and putting Him in the center of your 4-slice personal pan pizza (Relationships, Resources, Health, Career)?
2. SEEKING HIS DIRECTION
Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him. --Proverbs 3:5-6
PROMISE OF FOLLOWING
...and He will make your paths straight. --Proverbs 3:6
This promise is declaring that God straightens out the crooked things in our lives when we follow Him.
BOTTOMLINE
If the LORD is in the right position in our lives and we are seeking His direction, the world will see the reflection of God through us.
Live such good lives among the world that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. --1 Peter 2:12
A PRAYER TO HELP YOU BELIEVE AND FOLLOW
LORD Jesus,
Help me...
to believe that You are the Resurrected One,
to follow Your Spirit wherever You lead,
to gather to celebrate and remember You,
to grow together with others in Your likeness,
to give of my abilities and resources,
to go into the world
to BLESS others, and
to be a reflection of your glory.
AMEN
PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!
BEYOND SUNDAY
This two-week mini-series is designed to help you reflect on where you are on your journey with Jesus. We will focus on what it means to passionately follow Christ in light of PCC’s mission, G4 Pathway, and values.
1. What are some things that you are passionate about in your life? How is that passion evident?
2. Our mission is to empower the generations to passionately follow Jesus one person at a time. Sometimes our passion for following Jesus wanes over time. Think back to when the Lord originally called you to follow Him. How is your passion today in comparison to that time? How do you get your passion back for Him when it wanes?
3. According to this week's speaker, Pastor Brian Rhen, believing and following go together like two sides of a coin. What are the consequences when a person only believes in Jesus, but doesn't choose to follow Him? Pastor Brian lists the following three consequences that may occur as a result.
a. We lose out on the benefits of the Kingdom
b. We live into dangerous lies
c. We light up the world less
In what ways have these played out in your life?
4. In chapter 3 of Proverbs we see the benefits of following closely to God. See Proverbs 3:1-4. What is necessary on our part to receive the benefits of a long and satisfying life? What are the benefits that God promises to us when we follow Him?
5. Pastor Brian says that in order to follow closely we must put God in the right position and seek His direction. What insight do we gain from Proverbs 3:5-6? What hinders you from referring to Jesus as LORD, putting Him at the center of your life and seeking His direction in “all your ways”?
6. Where is Jesus positioned in your life right now? Off to the side? Nearby, but you are in control? In the center of your relationships, resources, health and career? How hard/easy is it to keep a Christ-centered life right now? Talk about how you maintain a Christ-centered life and how it affects the balance in your life.
7. See 1 Peter 2:12. What does this verse mean to you? Pastor Brian states that Peter is calling us to be mirrors to the world. What kind of reflection is the world seeing from you? As we follow the Holy Spirit, Live by the Word of God, Practice Healthy Relationships, Give Generously, Seek Social Justice, and Share Jesus is there an area that you are not reflecting well to the world? How might you go about changing that reflection?
Prayer of Commitment
LORD Jesus-
Help me…
to believe that You are the Resurrected One,
to follow Your Spirit wherever You lead,
to gather to celebrate and remember You,
to grow together with others in Your likeness,
to give of my abilities and resources,
to go into the world
to BLESS others, and
to be a reflection of Your glory.
AMEN
Other Resources (see links below)
1. Fill out your BLESS card and view resources
2. Watch Video: PCC G4 Pathway
3. Engage in a Growth Group
4. Lent Resources: Prayer / 40-Day Devotionals Option 1 & Option 2 (see links below)
For PCC's budgeted giving:
Fiscal year (June 1 - to Date)
Giving Update
Budgeted Giving: $4,072,377
Giving to Date: $2,545,916
Still Need: $1,526,461