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New Song Community Church
Surprise the World! LISTEN - The Third Habit
The early church, following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, surprised the world! Join us on Sundays, April 28-June 9, 10am, as we learn more about the five habits of highly missional people!
Locations & Times
New Song Community Church
2858 Hafenrichter Rd, Aurora, IL 60503, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Changing Habits
How long would you estimate it takes to change a habit? Habits are “a settled or regular tendency or practice”. Some are good. Some are bad. I’ve always heard it takes 21 days to change one. I was reading an article this week saying it takes 66 days to change one. Regardless, changing one requires in us both awareness and sufficient motivation to change. Without it, we will maintain status quo.
How long would you estimate it takes to change a habit? Habits are “a settled or regular tendency or practice”. Some are good. Some are bad. I’ve always heard it takes 21 days to change one. I was reading an article this week saying it takes 66 days to change one. Regardless, changing one requires in us both awareness and sufficient motivation to change. Without it, we will maintain status quo.
Surprise the World!
Today, we continue our series, “Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People”. Throughout history, kingdom/conversion/Christian growth was greatest when everyday, evangelistic believers led unlikely, questionable lives! Their faith in Jesus caused their daily habits, rhythms, and practices to be generous, hospitable, Spirit-led, Christlike, and missional. Michael Frost spells it: BELLS
Today, we continue our series, “Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People”. Throughout history, kingdom/conversion/Christian growth was greatest when everyday, evangelistic believers led unlikely, questionable lives! Their faith in Jesus caused their daily habits, rhythms, and practices to be generous, hospitable, Spirit-led, Christlike, and missional. Michael Frost spells it: BELLS
In his book, “Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People”, Michael Frost spells out how: BELLS
In his book, “Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People”, Michael Frost spells out how: BELLS
LISTEN: The Third Habit
Today, let’s look at Listen: The Third Habit. In John 14:15-17 (NLT), Jesus says, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (Comforter, Encourager, Counselor, Greek reads Paraclete) who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” In 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT), Paul says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?”Luther’s Small Catechism says, “The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified, and kept me in the true faith.” Say this, “I will spend at least one period of the week listening for the Spirit’s voice.”
Today, let’s look at Listen: The Third Habit. In John 14:15-17 (NLT), Jesus says, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (Comforter, Encourager, Counselor, Greek reads Paraclete) who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” In 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT), Paul says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?”Luther’s Small Catechism says, “The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified, and kept me in the true faith.” Say this, “I will spend at least one period of the week listening for the Spirit’s voice.”
Life Application
So, how do we? 1. Set aside a designated time. Stop. Create space to listen to the Spirit’s guidance. 2. Eliminate distractions. Practice the spiritual disciplines of solitude, silence, and prayer. 3. Let God in. Listen. Allow the Spirit of God to become a source of great comfort, peace, and answers for present problems. 4. Follow God’s promptings. Your godly example will arouse interest in your faith!
So, how do we? 1. Set aside a designated time. Stop. Create space to listen to the Spirit’s guidance. 2. Eliminate distractions. Practice the spiritual disciplines of solitude, silence, and prayer. 3. Let God in. Listen. Allow the Spirit of God to become a source of great comfort, peace, and answers for present problems. 4. Follow God’s promptings. Your godly example will arouse interest in your faith!
Closing Prayer
Let’s pray. Lord, in Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT), Paul says, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Lord, in response to Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, help us. Help us surprise the world with unlikely, questionable lives! Help us develop in our lives daily habits, rhythms, and practices that cause us to be generous, hospitable, Spirit-led, Christlike, and missional. Help us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. And, by doing so, help us alert others to the universal reign of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Let’s pray. Lord, in Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT), Paul says, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Lord, in response to Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, help us. Help us surprise the world with unlikely, questionable lives! Help us develop in our lives daily habits, rhythms, and practices that cause us to be generous, hospitable, Spirit-led, Christlike, and missional. Help us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. And, by doing so, help us alert others to the universal reign of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Family Memory Verse
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” - 1 Peter 3:15 (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 3:15 (NIV)
New Song Website
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http://www.newsongchurch.net