Survive or Thrive! Auburn Tuskegee Christian Church

James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Those rich in faith, will be wealthy in happiness. - GBATISTE

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him

The Church of the Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia your faith in God has become known everywhere.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 2 3 4 5

Are you Surviving or Thriving?

Things that take our faith from Thriving to just Surviving: Sin Discouragement Hardship Doubt / Unbelief

Surviving Thriving Does the minimum requirement Does more than asked! Missing Quiet Times Makes time for Quiet Time! The world becomes more attractive Set apart from the world! Schedule dictates relationship with God Relationship with God dictates schedule! Stop sharing faith Can t stop talking about Jesus Sin becomes the norm Quickly repenting of sin Prayer life is weak Prays constantly! Complains about church Finds a way to make things better!

Matthew 17:14-22 Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. Lord, have mercy on my son, he said. He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him. 14 15 16 You unbelieving and perverse generation, Jesus replied, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me. Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 17 18

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, Why couldn t we drive it out? 19 He replied, Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 20 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life. And the disciples were filled with grief. 22 23

Survival mode (little faith) does not bring the miracles in our lives!

Thriving faith opens the door for God s miracles to happen!

What mountains need to be moved in your life?

School/work, finances, overcoming sin, fruitfulness, hardship, depression, boldness, laziness, fear...

School/work, finances, overcoming sin, fruitfulness, hardship, depression, boldness, laziness, fear... Marriage and/or family problems, dreams than never happened, relationships issues, prayers not yet answered,

Matthew 17:21

Footnote: But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Parallel Scripture (Mark 9:29): This kind can only come out with prayer.

vs 20) Nothing will be impossible for you.

vs 20) Nothing will be impossible for you. With a mustard seed size faith, everything is possible!

vs 20) Nothing will be impossible for you. With a mustard seed size faith, everything is possible! Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 20

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

By reading your Bible (Romans 10:17) By prayer (Mark 9:29) and from each other! (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5) it Fa Survive to Thrive? h How do we go from

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