strategies for abundant living. i have come that you might have life, and that you may have it more...
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Strategies for Abundant Living
“I have come that you might have life, and that you may have it more abundantly” Jn. 10:10
1. The Perfect Coach
“Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them”
- Eddie Robinson Coach, Grambling State
1. The Perfect Coach
1. Smart – Isa. 55:8-92. Engaged – Ps. 139:1-43. Experienced – Ps. 90:24. Energetic – Eph. 1:195. Composed – Ps. 62:66. Caring – Ps. 55:227. Honorable – Isa. 6:38. Instructive – 2 Tim. 3:16-179. Challenging – Jn. 15:210.Encouraging – 2 Cor. 1:3-4
Meet the Coach
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isa. 55:8-9
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.”
Ps. 139:1-4
“Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
Ps. 90:2
“what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
Eph. 1:19
“He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.”
Ps. 62:6
“Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Ps. 55:22
“And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"
Isa. 6:3
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”
2 Tim. 3:16-17
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit”
Jn. 15:2
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”
2 Cor. 1:3-4
1. The Perfect Coach
1. Elders – 1 Pet. 5:1-32. Teachers and Preachers – 2 Tim. 4:23. Parents – Prov. 22:64. Loving Brethren – Gal. 6:1-2
Coaching Staff
1. The Perfect Coach
Satan or God?
Choose Your Team?
Each Player Must Accept Responsibility on Field
Coach Can:-Draw up perfect plays-Remind you to do your homework-But cannot study and practice for you
1. Commitment
“No one has ever drowned in sweat.”
- Lou Holtz Notre Dame
1. Commitment
- School- Military Service- Marriage- Work- Family- God
What Commitments Do We Make?
1. Commitment
1. Never leave you – Heb. 13:52. Nothing can separate – Rom. 8:38-393. Complete care – Ps. 23:1
God’s Commitment to You
1. Commitment
1. Gave up heaven for you – 2 Cor. 8:92. Left an example for you – 1 Pet. 2:213. Defeated death for you – Heb. 2:14-154. Intercedes for you – 1 Jn. 2:15. Coming back for you – Jn. 14:1-3
Jesus’ Commitment to You
1. Commitment
1. Hear – Rom. 10:172. Believe – Matt. 16:163. Repent – Lk. 13:34. Confess – Acts 8:36-385. Baptized – Acts 2:38
How to Commit to Christ
1. Commitment
- Without courage, there can be no commitment
- Love is the basis of meaningful commitment – 1 Jn. 4:20-21
- A commitment is something you keep – Jn. 14:15
Commitment and Courage
2. Fellowship
“If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals for the good of the team”
-Bud WilkinsonOklahoma Sooners
2. Fellowship
1. Commit to your Elders – Heb. 13:17
When you find it difficult:- Believe they genuinely care for you – 1 Cor. 13:7- Realize they must consider multiple interest- 1 Thess. 5:12-13
How to Commit to the Church
2. Fellowship
2. Commit to Church Assemblies – Heb. 10:25
-Neglect worship, study, fellowship we drift from Christ – Heb. 2:1
How to Commit to the Church
2. Fellowship
3. Commit to one Another
“We are born for cooperation, as are the feet, the hands, the eyelids, and the upper and lower jaws.”
- Marcus AureliusRoman Emperor
How to Commit to the Church
2. Fellowship
3. Commit to one Another
-Acts 2:44-47-Acts 4:32-37-1 Thess. 5:11-Rom. 12:15-Gal. 6:1
How to Commit to the Church
3. Bible Study
“You can’t get from A to Z by passing up B”
- Nick SabanAlabama Crimson Tide
3. Bible Study
Why Should I Study?
1.Commanded by God – Col. 3:162.Bible is reliable and completely true – Jn. 17:173.Scripture has saving power – 2 Tim. 3:154.Because it works – 2 Tim. 3:16-17
How to Commit to Bible Study
3. Bible Study
What do you long for in life?
1.Better character?2.Greater influence?3.More usefulness?4.Increased peace?
How to Commit to Bible Study
3. Bible Study
When Should I Study?
- Make it a higher priority than everything it competes against – Eph. 5:16
How to Commit to Bible Study
3. Bible Study
Where Should I Study?
-Remove all distractions-Pick a specific place. Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane-Have a recovery plan
How to Commit to Bible Study
3. Bible Study
How come so few establish this daily practice?
-Thorny Ground – Matt. 13:7, 22
-Reclaim your spiritual health by simplifying your life and prioritizing your schedule
-Cannot grow until the Word dwells in us – Col. 3:16
How to Commit to Bible Study
4. Prayer
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra”
- Jimmy JohnsonDallas Cowboys
4. Prayer
1. Commanded – 1 Thess. 5:172. Stories to encourage prayer – Lk. 18:1-83. Examples of effective prayers – Jas. 5:17-184. Promises of the benefit of prayer – Prov. 15:29
Incentive to Practice Daily Prayer
4. Prayer
1. Pray to the Father – Matt. 6:9-10
2. Pray through Jesus – Col. 3:17
Principles of Prayer
4. Prayer
ACTSACTS1.Adoration – Matt. 6:9
2.Confession – Lk. 18:13-14
3.Thanksgiving – Phil. 4:6
4.Supplication – 1 Pet. 5:7
Topics in Prayer
4. Prayer
- Mindful of the Father and Son in all you say
- The Father’s Will – Matt. 26:39
- Real maturity is to acknowledge that God’s timing and solutions are superior to your own
Spirit of the Prayer
5. Discipline
“Without discipline, success is impossible, period”
- Lou HoltzNotre Dame
5. Discipline
- Prov. 25:28
Control is Possible
5. Discipline
1. Purpose – Jn. 8:312. Prioritize – Phil. 1:203. Plan – Prov. 21:54. Pray 5. Practice6. Persevere
Keys to Control
5. Discipline
1. Healthy Living – 1 Cor. 6:19-202. Holy Living
- mouth – Eph. 4:29- money – 1 Tim. 6:9- moods – Eph. 4:26
Areas in Need of Control
5. Discipline
1. Digital Distractions2. Unhealthy Relationships – 1 Cor. 15:333. Overcommitting4. Impatience – 2 Thess. 3:55. Discouragement6. Besetting Sins – Jn. 15:13
Hindrances to Self-Control
6. Virtue
“It was great to win the Super Bowl, but really and truly what your going to leave on this earth is the influence on others”
- Joe GibbsWashington Redskins
6. Virtue
1. His presence challenges you – 1 Cor. 6:18-20
2. His pleading comforts you – Rom. 8:26-27
3. His purpose changes you – Jn. 16:8-11
How Holy Spirit Works
6. Virtue
1. His
What the Holy Spirit Does
6. Virtue
1. His
Walking in the Spirit
6. Virtue
Gal. 5:22-231.Love 2.Joy3.Peace4.Longsuffering5.Kindness6.Goodness7.Gentleness8.Faithfulness9.Self-Control
Virtues of the Spirit
Change your Change your mind, change mind, change
your life!your life!
7. Service
“God’s definition of success is really one of significance – the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others”
-Tony DungyIndianapolis Colts
7. Service
- Christianity is not only about cultivating good character, but doing good deeds that manifest that character – Heb. 10:22
- Holiness is a two sided coin* Works of the flesh must be avoided* Bless others
- Jesus’ example of service
Two Sided Coin
7. Service
- Come into world without a care
- Some of the responsibility for your care is redirected to you.
- Care for the needs of another
Growing through Serving
7. Service
1. Remember that sooner or later you will need help too – Matt. 7:12
2. You don’t have to be rich or famous to excel in giving – Lk. 21:1-3; Jn. 13
3. You must open your eyes to see opportunities – Jn. 4:35
4. Serving others is the reason you exist – Eph. 2:10; Matt. 5:16
5. God lets you choose between a life of selfishness or service – Rom. 2:6-8
Principles of Christian Service
7. Service
6. The size of a deed does not determine its worth – Lk. 17:6
7. Service is the truest expression of love – 1 Jn. 3:18
8. You can make the world a better place – Matt. 25:34-36
9. You are more blessed by giving than receiving – Acts 20:35
Principles of Christian Service
8. Giving
“I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field ”
-John RigginsWashington Redskins
8. Giving
1. Give Purposely – 2 Cor. 9:72. Give Proportionately – 1 Cor. 16:23. Give Cheerfully – 2 Cor. 9:74. Give Confidently – Mal. 3:105. Give Selflessly – Lk. 6:356. Give Abundantly – 2 Cor. 9:67. Give Faithfully – 1 Cor. 16:28. Give Sacrificially – 2 Cor. 8:29. Give Diversely – Matt. 23:2310. Give Spontaneously – Lk. 10:33
10 Rules for Giving
9. Evangelism
“It’s okay to have personal ambitions, but you have to take someone with you”
-Roger StaubachDallas Cowboys
9. Evangelism
- You know you are hitting your stride in the growth zone when sharing the gospel becomes as natural as saying hello.
- Evangelism is about you cup running over – Lk. 6:45
- When you walk in the Spirit, evangelism becomes second nature
Hitting Your Stride
9. Evangelism
1. Commitment – Jn. 19:302. Fellowship – Acts 2:473. Bible Study – Rom. 1:164. Prayer – Eph. 6:19-205. Discipline6. Virtue7. Service8. Giving – Matt. 6:19-21
Review 8 Strategies
9. Evangelism
When Was The Last Time You:-Invited someone to worship with you?
-Asked someone about their faith and listened before responding?
-Told someone how Jesus and His church have blessed your life?
A Simple Plan
9. Evangelism
1. Quit growing and going through the motions
2. Fallen out of love with Jesus but don’t have the courage to call it quits- Rev. 2:1-7 “Do the first works” “Remember from where you have fallen”
If You are Not Recruiting People
10. Perseverance
“God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry the weight”
-Reggie WhitePhiladelphia Eagles
1 Cor. 15:58
1.Be Steadfast – Lam. 3:22-244 Foundations for Faithful Life – Acts 2:42
- Study- Fellowship - Communion- Prayer
Paul’s Threefold Challenge10. Perseverance
1 Cor. 15:58
2.Be Immovable – 1 Cor. 13:7-8; Eph. 6:14-17
Paul’s Threefold Challenge10. Perseverance
1 Cor. 15:58
3. Abound in the Work of the Lord
Paul’s Threefold Challenge10. Perseverance
1 Cor. 15:58
1.Be Steadfast – Don’t resign
2.Be Immovable – Don’t retreat
3.Abound in the Work of the Lord – Don’t relax
Paul’s Threefold Challenge10. Perseverance
Longing for Heaven
“If you are not going to go all the way, why go at all”
-Joe NamathNew York Jets
Longing for Heaven
Heaven-Eph. 3:20-21- 1 Cor. 2:9
Power of Anticipation
Longing for Heaven
- Christians are encouraged to think about heaven daily. This will make us think of heavenly values.
1.Putting away evil desires and harmful behaviors they produce – Col. 3:5-9
2.Replacing old habits with better ones – Col. 3:12-17
Paul’s Daily Challenge
Longing for Heaven
- Paul said heavenly thoughts are comforting thoughts – 1 Thess. 4:13-18
Count Your Heavenly Blessings
Longing for Heaven
- The disciples knew exactly where Jesus was headed – Jn. 14:1-3
- The thief on the cross had no confusion about Christ’s ultimate destination – Lk. 23:42-43
- The centurion was confident the Man he just executed was on His way home to God – Lk. 23:47
- Did Paul know where he was going? Phil. 1:21-23
Ultimate Guessing Game
Be a Team Player
“You and I are players; God’s our coach; and we’re playing the biggest game of all. We have a loving God that made us. We need to get on His team”
-Joe GibbsWashington Redskins
Be a Team Player
1. Families
2. Church
3. Team spread throughout world – Acts 2
God Loves to Work in Teams
Be a Team Player
1 Cor. 12:12-31
1.Coordination2.Consideration
Help Each Other Improve-Mindfulness = None of us is infinitely capable, so we must look out for one another.-Acceptance = We all have faults, so we must get better at forgiving than judging-Encouragement = Everyone battles self-doubt, so we must dispense more courage than criticism
God Loves to Work in Teams