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StoneBridge Community Church

Sluggard vs Servant, Part 2

Associate Pastor Jonathan Lusche

Locations & Times

4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA

Saturday 5:00 PM

Saturday 6:00 PM

Online Connection Card

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Summer Light
We understand that people may be traveling and that families may be squeezing in one last getaway before school starts. Summer Light is a 5 week, message series that will carry the StoneBridge community through the dog days of summer. The series is not consecutive, allowing for you to attend when you can and not feel like you've missed out!

Proverbs 26:13-14 NIV

An Introduction to Proverbs

"I know some Christians who think of Proverbs as a sanctified version of How to Win Friends and Influence People. I think they are wrong. While it is true that Proverbs teaches us how to be happy and prosperous, this is not the primary aim of the book." Read more by clicking this link.

https://bit.ly/3Cd9iQB

The Text In Context

"The characteristics of the sluggard are described in the New Testament as the characteristics of the old nature of the Christian which must be put off." Read more by clicking this link.

https://bit.ly/3f3ldql

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses

1a. The sluggard...

The sluggard moves but only towards comfort.

Exodus 32:1-5 NIV

Exodus 20:2-5 NIV

Galatians 4:8-9 NIV

1b. The servant...

The servant moves towards what's best.

2a. The sluggard...

The sluggard moves but makes no progress.

2b. The servant...

The servant progresses towards fruitfulness.

The Purpose Driven Life

Before you were born, God already planned your life. God longs for you to discover the life he uniquely created you to live--here on earth, and forever in eternity. Let Pastor Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life show you how.

https://amzn.to/3AbhcYX

John 15:1-8 NIV

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Free Fruit of the Spirit Assessment Tool

Inspire prayerful self-analysis and reflection with regard to the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Listed are some general questions that may help you consider in greater detail the topic of spiritual fruits.

https://bit.ly/3yjfqEu

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. In what types of things do you take comfort in? Put another way, when you're stressed, what are some ways you to try to escape?

2. Among your comforts and means of escape, are there some that are healthy and God honoring?

3. Have you ever considered that some of your comforts and means of escape might be idolatrous? If idolatrous, how so? How might one distinguish between healthy/God honoring comforts and idolatrous ones?

4. In reference to the C.S. Lewis quote provided above, why do we all too often settle for less, ("mud pies" versus a "holiday by the sea")? How might we change this?

5. How might having a self-awareness, in regard to the fruit of the Spirit, help you progress in fulfilling God's purpose for your life and/or be a more faithful servant?

NEXT STEPS
- In an exercise of self-awareness, I will identify those things that I rely on for comfort that are not of God.
- In an exercise of self-awareness, I will take the Fruit of the Spirit inventory provided above and prayerfully consider the results.

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Read Plan

This past week we launched a special 5-week podcast series called StoneBridge Essentials. Pastor Jon talked about the importance of theology, what it means, and what happens when it goes wrong. Next week, Pastor Jon will discuss the Nicene Creed, its history and importance, and how it's relevant in today's world. Episodes are available every Tuesday within the StoneBridge podcast.

Stretch Your Faith- Facilitate or host a growth group this fall! Starting the first weekend in September, StoneBridge will be launching a new, fall series – called The Moses Legacy. The Moses Legacy will insightfully journey through the essential parts of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. Whether in-person or by Zoom, experience your own spiritual blessing by facilitating a fall growth group or planting a new one. No prior experience is necessary. Sign up on your connection card this weekend or visit the StoneBridge website. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

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