DAY FIVE The Radiant Christian Life Isaiah 61:10a I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness Imagine a life completely filled with joy. That sounds like heaven on earth, doesn t it? That s exactly what every child of God has. We have a piece of heaven in our hearts - the spirit of Jesus Christ. He brought heaven down to us and made it possible for us to experience eternity now! Have you ever been around someone who is just happy all the time? They make you want whatever it is that makes them so happy. That is what Christians have the power to do, also. When our lives radiate joy, the people around us want a piece of that joy, too! This is why complaining is a bigger deal than we often make it. Complaining has the potential to quench the spirit of joy in our lives, therefore making it impossible for others to see Christ in us. On the contrary, contentment in Christ produces a spirit of joy in us that not only gives us an exciting, full life, but also attracts a desperate world in search for love. For further study and encouragement: Psalm 136 12 WEEK EIGHT GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS DAY FOUR Service Program Sermon Notes Connection Group Bible Study Guide Daily Devotionals SERVICE PROGRAM pg. 2 pg. 3 pg. 5 pg. 8 The Rejoicing of The Spirit Psalm 117:1-2 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Because of all the manifold blessings of God given to me and the contentment that Christ is producing inside of me, I can rejoice. I no longer need to complain. I no longer need to grumble and act like I have gotten the short end of the stick. Instead of grumbling and complaining, the Spirit actually produces rejoicing. Joy is a feeling of great delight and happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. Part One // Music Welcome: Hunter Bachman Song: Here I Am To Worship Part Two // Message Video: Blue Collar Gospel Message and Prayer: Pastor Minerva Part Three // Conclusion Prayer and Reflection Feel free to come to the front at this time if you would like a pastor to pray with you. Song: Crown Him (Majesty) Song: Lift Him High Prayer: Hunter Bachman Offering to the LORD & Announcements God says it many different ways. He tells us to praise Him. He tells us to rejoice in Him. He tells us to sing to Him. On repeat, throughout Scriptures we see that we are to be marked by abundant joy. We should be some of the happiest people on earth! God not only wants us to be joyful, but He gives us all the means and reasons to be joyful. So, next time you want to complain, turn that complaint to God and let Him turn your complaint to praise! For further study and encouragement: 1 Peter 1:8-9 2 11
DAY THREE SERMON NOTES Contentment in Christ Philippians 3:7-8 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ The reason Paul could say that he learned to be content in all situations was because he knew he had Jesus, and he knew Jesus was all he needed. Jesus was the most valuable thing to Paul, and Paul was a person who had a lot! Paul had the good life. He had the pedigree. He had the prestige. He had reasons he could brag about, but he said all of that was nothing compared to the value of knowing Jesus! How much do we value Jesus? Is He really enough? If we had nothing else in this world except for Jesus alone, would we be happy? It s incredibly easy to become distracted with less important things in this world, especially in America. So many Christians work so hard to create their idea of a successful, comfortable lifestyle and the moment their illusion is probed, their world shatters. Instead of holding so tightly to things of this world, we ought to let go of these things and free ourselves to live with an eternal mindset. That will reinforce a heart of contentment in Christ alone. For further study and encouragement: Colossians 3:1-4 Good News For People Who Struggle With Grumbling and Complaining The provision of God made available to us in Christ leads to Spirit-filled joy! Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Quote Complaining is not rooted in our circumstances, but in our heart." I. God s For Us Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Quote Forgetting the provision of God tempts us to crave what is temporary and devalue what is eternal. 10 3
SERMON NOTES DAY TWO II. Christ Produces In Us Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Quote Live with that holy carelessness which is the very beauty of the Christian life-when all our care is cast on God, and we can joy and rejoice in His providential care of us. - C. H. Spurgeon III. The Spirit Produces Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Turn your complaint to God and let His Spirit turn your complaint to praise! The Blessings of God Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Throughout Scripture we see a God who provides. You see, every time we start complaining, it is because in that moment of complaint we are forgetting God s goodness and provision. But the moment we, by faith, accepted the death, burial, and resurrection of God s Son, God blessed us with all spiritual blessings. And we get to experience the provision of God who is now our heavenly Father. When you feel a little complaint forming in your heart - remember your God! Remind yourself of what He has done for you. The more we remind ourselves that God sent His Son for us, the more we ll believe that all these spiritual blessings are ours and the more we will trust God. And if we don t have something in our lives, we can trust that God will provide it OR give us the grace to go without it. And what we think is best for us, really is best, or God has something even better in mind and nothing will stop Him from giving us His best! Have a question? If you have a question or if you need clarification on today s message please let us know! Pastor will respond in our weekly Blue Collar Gospel Facebook video. Be sure to turn in this portion of your guide to Guest Services. For further study and encouragement: Isaiah 55:6-12 4 9
DAY ONE GROUP GUIDE The Hinderances of Complaining The Subtle Danger of Complaining 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Grumbling, whining, and thanklessness are not ultimately the heart s responses to circumstances, but to God. Israel grumbled at their enslavement, grumbled when Moses came on the scene, and still grumbled as they wandered safely in the wilderness. Their complaining wasn t rooted in their scenery, but their heart. The same is true for us. A heart of gratitude and thankfulness shouldn t be dependent on our bank statement, doctor s diagnosis, or the praise we receive for a job well done. Thanklessness and grumbling regardless of our situation, even our suffering reflect our heart. It reveals a heart that is failing to trust God and believe that He has and will provide us with everything we need for life and godliness and satisfaction. Complaining portrays a life that has nothing to be happy about. So, how can an unsaved person see any difference in someone who is saved and still complains, and their own circumstances? The truth is, we have the spirit of Jesus in our circumstances, which gives us everything we need to be joyous no matter what we face! Complaining not only hinders advancing the kingdom of God, but also our own faith in God. If a lost world can t see a difference in our spirit, how will they see Jesus in us? So next time we want to complain, let s stop and think about how blessed we are in Christ! Although complaining doesn t seem to have as major ramifications on the outset, it can actually hinder the kingdom of God. And while not all of us are chronic complainers, all of us, at times, find ourselves grumbling and complaining. And over time this begins to reinforce things that are not true. Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Why is forgetting the goodness of God so dangerous? Is there anything in your life you often find yourself being discontent with? If so, how does that discontentment affect your spirit? 8 For further study and encouragement: Philippians 2:14-16 5
GROUP GUIDE GROUP GUIDE God Has Blessed Us Beyond Imagination We Have Reasons To Rejoice Every time we start complaining, it is because in that moment of complaint we are forgetting God s goodness and provision. We begin to believe lies. This is why it s so important to fill our hearts with the truth of who God is and what He s done for us. Psalm 77:11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Christians should be some of the most joy-filled people! God not only commands us to be joyful, but He gives us all the means and reasons to be joyful. Psalm 95:1-2 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. What blessings has God done inside you? Everyone has something they can be thankful for! What is something specific in your life right now you can thank God for? Christ Creates Within Us Contentment Christ loves us too much to not invade every part of our lives and produce true and authentic contentment. EVEN in some of the most mundane and routine parts of our lives. The book of Psalms is filled with thankfulness and praise to God. What is a Psalm you can meditate on this week to help enrich your soul in contentment? 6 What are some characteristics of Christ that cultivate contentment? 7