When Life Feels Like A Hangover

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Gordon McKenzie
5 years ago
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1 When Life Feels Like A Hangover FOR GROUP DISCUSSION (Page 1) TRADITIONAL MODEL: What has been the worst hangover you ve ever had? In what ways has 2016 left you with a life hangover? Or, describe someone you care about that is in that condition. As a group, go through each of the life hangover remedies and discuss how each contributes to overcoming some of the challenges you re facing. Which of the seven remedies was the most impactful to you? Consider how you might help one another this year with the challenges that were shared. Pray together as a group. Pray specifically for those who shared how life is giving them a life hangover.

2 FOR GROUP DISCUSSION (Page 2) CONTEMPLATIVE MODEL: What are you learning about God from this message? What are you learning about yourself from the message? What questions does this message bring up for you? What is God doing in your heart lately? What things do you feel are getting in the way from what God wants to do in you? What is the biggest thing causing you concern these days? (something to pray about)

3 Sermon Notes & Discussion Guide When Life Feels Like A Hangover Hangovers are the result of the previous evenings activities; no further explanation needed. As you awakened on the first day of 2017, perhaps the events, experiences and activities of 2016 will have given you a life-hangover. The bible offers much more than folk remedies as a cure. OUTLINE & SCRIPTURES Hangovers can be a learning opportunity Pain is the megaphone of God. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. - CS Lewis Ro 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Life Hangover Remedies: 1. Stop looking for a way out and look for a way through Ps 23:3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. Alexander Graham Bell 2. Stop being a loner and partner up Ga 6:2 Carry each other s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3. Get some unspiritual help Everything s spiritual but spiritual isn t everything. We are physical, soulful, intelligent beings. Pr 12:15 a wise man listens to advice.

4 4. Starve comparison and binge on gratitude Comparisons Ec 4:4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man s envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Gratitude Eph 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. If you consume lots of gratitude, you will be too full for disappointment. 5. Serve others; give of yourself Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. Muhammad Ali Phil 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6. Forgive Heb 12:15 See to it that no-one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 7. Consider receiving the gospel. Or be reminded of the gospel. Joh 7:37 If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Mt 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

5 What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the good news that Jesus entered into our broken world to rescue us from sin. The good news is that through Christ s redemptive sacrifice on the cross, sinners are pardoned, the undeserving are given grace, and the broken are restored. There is no sin too heinous for God s forgiveness. There is no person so good in-and of-themselves that they do not require forgiveness. Salvation is a free gift of God to anyone who genuinely acknowledges their brokenness and confesses saving faith in the Son of God. It doesn t take strong faith, just genuine faith in order to be saved. An example prayer you could pray: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge I m broken and a sinner. I believe that Christ died on the cross for sin, and through his resurrection overcame sin and death. I believe in you. I thank you for saving me. The good news does not end with a confession of faith. New faith can grow into deep faith if cultivated. Let someone at Sunridge know about your new-found faith, and inquire about our new believer s resource: God Time: Your First 31 Days. Follow Christ wholeheartedly by professing your faith publicly through baptism, learning the Bible by attending church regularly and pursuing the unique calling of Jesus in your life!

Resilient - Living LOVE

Resilient - Living LOVE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (Page 1) Traditional Model Who in your life is the greatest model of love? What have you learned about love from them? What new things is God teaching