Be Self-Controlled!

Four Things to Say When Tempted to Sin Sexually:

1. "This is not WHAT God wants for me." (1 Thes 4:3)



2. "I CONTROL my body." (1 Thes 4:4-5)
   



3. "I don't want to face God's CONSEQUENCES ." (1 Thes 4:6)



4. "That's not WHO I AM ." (1 Thes 4:7-8)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
int: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1. Why do you think sexual immorality seems to be a more prevalent sin than other sins? Why do you think it's a more readily accepted sin than others (e.g. murder, stealing)
    
2. Paul says that each of us should know how to control our own body, in holiness and honor (v4). What are some ways that we can control our bodies, or "discipline ourselves"(1 Cor 9:27) to avoid sexual immorality. Be specific!
    
3. What does Paul mean by "the Lord is an avenger in all these things" (sins related to sexual immorality, v6)? How does God "avenge" sexual sin, even regarding believers?

Breakout Questions:

Confess any struggles you have in this area and pray for each other. If you are not struggling, how have you learned to "discipline yourself" (1 Cor 9:27)?

Be An Encourager!

Review:

Be the Church!
Be Authentic! (1 Thes 1:1-3)
Be an Example! (1 Thes 1:4-10)
Be Done with People Pleasing! (1 Thes 2:1-8)
Be an Imitator! (1 Thes 2:9-16)
Be an Overcomer! (1 Thes 2:17-3:5)
Be the Church!
   
Encouragement:


The Church's Report Card: With What Subjects Do We Evaluate the Health of the Church?

1. FAITH (1 Thes 3: 6-7, 10)



2. LOVE (1 Thes 3:6, 12)



3. FELLOWSHIP (1 Thes 3:6)



4. PERSEVERANCE (1 Thes 3:8)



5. TEACHABILITY (1 Thes 3:10)



6. HOPE (1 Thes 3:13)

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

Breakout Questions:

My Report Card: Evaluate your health in these subjects. What is your strongest? Weakest? How can you "bring your grade up" in your weakest subject?

1. Faith (1 Thes 3:6,7,10)
    
2. Love (1 Thes 3:6,12)
    
3. Fellowship (1 Thes 3:6)
    
4. Perseverance (1 Thes 3:8)
    
5. Teachability (1 Thes 3:10)
    
6. Hope (1 Thes 3:13)

Be An Overcomer!

Review:

Be the Church!
Be Authentic! (1 Thes 1:1-3)
Be an Example! (1 Thes 1:4-10)
Be Done with People Pleasing! (1 Thes 2:1-8)
Be an Imitator! (1 Thes 2:9-16)
Be the Church!
   
5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Trials 20 Years Ago:

1. I can't always PREPARE for trials. (1 Thes 2:17)


2. I can't always OVERPOWER trials. (1 Thes 2:18)


3. I can't face trials ALONE . (1 Thes 2:19-3:3a)


4. I can't always AVOID trials. (1 Thes 3:3b-3:4)


5. I can't let trials STOP me. (1 Thes 3:5)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

1. What is it about trials that make some people walk away from following Jesus (2:17, and see Matthew 13:21)?
    
2. Why do you think Satan hindered (roadblocked) Paul (2:18)? What seemed to be Paul's attitude about this?
    
3. Why did Paul send Timothy to the Thessalonians (1 Thes 2:19-3:3a)? How are YOU being established and exhorted in your faith?
    
4. "Jesus doesn't eliminate all your problems – sometimes He introduces you to new ones." What "new problems" does Jesus introduce a person to? (1 Thes 3:3b-4)
    
5. What was Paul concerned Satan would tempt the Thessalonians to do or not do (1 Thes 3:5)? Have you ever been tempted in this way?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for your group to trust God's purposes in the trials being faced. Pray for one another!

Spiritual Blessings and the Glory of God

Introduction:

ELECTION: We are CHOSEN. (Eph 1:4)

ADOPTION: We are FAMILY. (Eph 1:5-6)

REDEMPTION: We are BOUGHT. (Eph 1:7-8)

FORGIVENESS: We are DEBT-FREE. (Eph 1:7-8)

INHERITANCE: We are BENEFICIARIES. (Eph 1:11-12)

SEALED: We are SECURE. (Eph 1:13-14)


God's primary purpose in lavishing spiritual blessings on you is for THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY

Mark Ort - HBCPN Elder

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
int: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Ephesians 1:1-14

1. What kinds of emotions does being chosen by God as His own possession provoke in you? What sort of active responses should we have, knowing that we are chosen by God?
2. What kind of impact should the concept of adoption have on your prayer life?
    
3. How does being forgiven by God change your attitude about guilt?
    
4. What excites you about knowing you have a heavenly inheritance?
    
5. How does God receive glory by lavishing spiritual blessings upon you?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

Jesus Over Hard Hearts

4 Steps to Restoring a Hard Heart: Step 1. Yield to the AUTHORITYof Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:5)

Step 2. Find REST and RESTORATION in the authority of Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:9-10)

Step 3. Seek FORGIVENESS for your CRITICAL SPIRIT. (Luke 6:11)

Solution to a Critical Spirit:








Step 4. Forgive your CRITICS . (Luke 6:2, 7)

Guest Speaker - Luke Ahrens

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 6:1-11

1. Have you found freedom in fully yielding to the authority of Jesus Christ in every area of your life?
    
2. Where do you struggle with Hardness of Heart?
    
3. Discuss the Solutions to a Critical Spirit:
   1. Do you set your expectations based on God's Word?
   2. Do you discuss your expectations mutually with those close to you?
   3. Have you yielded your expectations to God?
       
4. Who do you need to go to and seek forgiveness from regarding your critical spirit?
    
5. Who has hurt you with a critical spirit? Have you forgiven them in Christ?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.