Watch Your Mouth

Introduction:

Our Tongues (James 3:1-12):

1. Are the most Dominant part of our bodies. (Jas 3:1-5a)

   Acts 20:28 - "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

2. Are able to Wreak Havoc. (Jas 3:5b-6)
3. Are Untamable. (Jas 3:7-10a)

4. Are *Untamable...without the Holy Spirit. (Jas 3:10b-12)

   Luke 6:43-45 - For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Practical Ways to Watch Your Mouth:

1. Watch Your Media.

   Proverbs 4:25 - "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."

2. Watch Your Company.

   Proverbs 24:1-2 - "Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble."

3. Watch Your Walk.

   Proverbs 8:20-21 - "I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries."

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion

Read James 3:1-12

GROUP

Why does the tongue hold so much power?

1. How can we overcome our tongues?

2. What ways can we ensure we are storing treasure of good rather than treasures of evil? (Luke 6:43-45)

3. Has your media, company and walk changed since becoming a Christian? In what ways?

BREAKOUT

What media or company is holding you spiritually hostage? What can you do to remove it along with its ‘treasures of evil’?

Don't Delay - Act Now! A Call For Obedience

Guest Speaker - Daniel Thompson

Don't Delay - Act Now! A Call For Obedience (2 Kings 7:1-20)

1. What's the WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN? (2 Kings 7:3-5)
2. GOOD NEWS Must be SHARED (2 Kings 7:5-10)
3. TRUST God or Miss the BLESSING (2 Kings 7:16-20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read 2 Kings 7

1. Why do you think obedience is so hard?  Why do you think it is so important to God?

2. Which of the reasons to act now is most convincing/convicting to you?  Why?

3. Do you have any personal examples of how doubt has wasted time?

Breakout:
What specific obedience do you need to act now upon?  Or phrased in reverse, what disobedience do you need to repent of?

The Fight for Hope

How to Fight Against Spiritual Depression (Psalm 42):

1. Be HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT IT
2. Desire and Seek after the LORD
3. Remember PAST FAITHFULLNESS
4. Preach THE TRUTH TO YOURSLEF and hope IN THE PROMISE OF GOD

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 42

1. What stood out to you from the message? What convicted or encouraged you?

2. According to Psalm 42, how can we find hope in the midst of feeling hopeless?

3. What does it mean/look like to preach the gospel to yourself on a daily basis? Why is this so important?

4. Why are we often tempted to act fake around other Christians and pretend like everything is fine? How can we become a more transparent group of believers?

Life after Salvation: Where's the Effort?

Introduction:

Three Parts to Salvation (2 Peter 1:3-10)

• Justification: Past
• Sanctification: Present
• Glorification: Future

Results When Every Effort is Made:

1. Making every effort results in Spiritual Maturity. (2 Pet 1:8)

Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

2. Making every effort keeps us from Habitual Sin. (2 Pet 1:9)
3. Making every effort produces Confidence in our salvation. (2 Pet 1:10)

Ryan Stroupe - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Small Groups Ministry Leader

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Peter 1:3-10

1. Why should we want to do more than just "punch our ticket to Heaven"? What would you say to someone that doesn't want to do more than the bare minimum to get to Heaven?

2. Why do we as Christians ignore Sanctification and focus on Justification and Glorification?

3. As Small Groups what are some practical ways we can assist a fellow Christian or Small Group Member get past a habitual sin? 

4. What are ways we can teach our children to start making every effort at a young age, i.e. teenagers?

5. How much effort do you put into your relationship with God compared to other areas of your life? Would you say God is outside your house, in your "Good Room", or is running your entire house?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Taking the Test

Intro: Mark 12:30-31 | 1 John 3:10-24

1. Study Failure: Heart of Cain (1 John 3:10-15)
2. Study Success: The Heart of Christ (1 John 3:16-18)

   3 Aspects to Loving Like Christ

   1. The Love of Christ is Willing (1 John 3:16)
   2. The Love of Christ is Fueled by Compassion (1 John 3:17)
   3. The Love of Christ is Driven to Action (1 John 3:18)
3. Take the Test: Is My Heart like Cain or Christ (1 JOhn 3:19-24)
4. Pass the Test: Gain a Heart of Confidence (1 John 3:23-24)

Galatians 5:14 - For sthe whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 John 3:10-24

1. How can we guard ourselves against falling into the spiral of jealousy*/resentment/hatred?
    
2. What challenges do we face in loving others the way that Christ does?
    
3. How can we build the habit of testing our hearts in order to avoid bitterness?
    
4. Beyond assurance of our own faith, what benefits can we gain from complete confidence in our relationship with God?

Breakout:
Pray for each other