--PRE-SERVICE PRAYER--

Focus: Grace: To Good but True!

Foundation Scripture: John 1:15-17 (AMPC)

Prayer Points:
1. Have Faith in Grace
2. Be thankful for His Grace
3. Never forget It’s all about Grace
4.Pray Sunday Service!

Introduction:
Society is filled with people that say they believe in Jesus but live lives without Him.

Craig Groeschel says that we’re living among many that “believe in God but living as if He doesn’t exist”, in his book, The Christian Atheist.

In large part, many Christians minimize the power and inerrancy of God’s Word.

According to 2022 Gallup Poll:

20% of Americans believe the Bible is the literal Word of God down from 24% in 2017.
29% of Americans believe it’s a collection of “fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man.”

Vs.

58% of Christians say the Bible is the inspired Word of God
25% of Christians say the Bible is the actual Word of God

We are living in a time where public opinion, education, and cute quips and quotes appeal to people than the power of truth.

Humanity innately yearns for a heightened sense of Spirituality and awareness, however, the perversion of the enemy endeavors to convince humanity that it’s found anywhere but in God’s Holy Word.

However, there are a large number of Jesus followers that share the same testimony that Paul expressed about Timothy.

The power contained in the Word of God is life giving and answers every question that you may have and gives you a strategy for every problem you may face. It contains every success strategy and proper behavior methods.

Many people would rather consume content on social media and television rather than 10 minutes reading the Bible.

How many Christians actually spend time with the Bible?

Gallup Poll says that as of 2021, 11% read it every day; 29% says never. So, their only time with life giving power is on Sunday.

Vs.

How much time is spent on internet connect screen time?

As of 2022, the average adult American spent 7hrs. 4 minutes on some kind of device connect to the internet per day according to Exploding Topics Data Research.

One of the most diagnosed mental health issues is depression.

Depression engages concentrated thoughts that are rooted in:
Worry, fear, and negativity. (Doubt, fear, evil) – According to Mind.org

However…

So, we will introduce Bible verses that will activate power to overcome these 3 weapons of the enemy. There are many, but I will address these 3.

Faith versus Fear

Faith living is an adventurous lifestyle whereby we relinquish control and seeking control of everything in our lives and rely on God to prosper our way, deliver, heal, set free, favor us, etc

What is faith?

It is the action, behavior, investment that corresponds to what we want, need, or desire.

FAITH IS BEHAVIOR TOWARDS WHAT WE EXPECT.

Testimony: mother pregnant w/child; student going to college, sowing into another person’s anointing.

Vs.

Living in fear is an indicator of what we are focusing on and believe most which is contrary to God’s will.

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

Ex. Person fearing flying.

Trust versus Doubt

Trusting God is not applicable when you are in control.

Life has dealt some of us devastating blows, even though the vessels called parents. But once we’ve except Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we’re expected to pursue Him with reckless abandon and learn to trust Him despite our minds recall of so much pain when it comes to trust.

Some of you are sitting here today because of someone else’s prayers.

God is not mad about your doubt.

Doubt = to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely…

However, one can’t please God without faith.

Good versus Evil

Being and doing good aligns yourself with God’s best.

Proverbs 24:15-16 TLB
O evil man, leave the upright man alone and quit trying to cheat him out of his rights. Don't you know that this good man, though you trip him up seven times, will each time rise again? But one calamity is enough to lay you low.

Evil denotes immaturity and circumstantial living.

Hebrews 5:13-14 Voice:
No one who lives on milk alone can know the ins and outs of what it means to be righteous and pursue justice; that's because he is only a baby. [14] But solid food is for those who have come of age, for those who have learned through practice to distinguish good from evil.

Conclusion: Prosperity: “It’s not what you know, it’s what you believe."

Just like most parents (moms and dads), God wants us to live our best life, … He gives us instructions on how to do that, understanding that there will be set-backs, disappointments, and even bad choices. He gives us insight as to how to handle those seasons in life. And when we decide that we don’t want to listen to Him, the consequences of life don’t go anywhere. We can’t outsmart the laws in the earth.