Hope Christian Church
Message Notes
Sermon notes for 10-5-25
Locations & Times
Hope Christian Church
9273 Coach Stop Rd, Columbia, IL 62236, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Point 1 -- Indecision Robs You of Progress
James 1:5–8
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Indecision is a decision
Point 2 -- The Enemy’s Playbook to Take You Out
Isolation
Indoctrination
Identification
The enemy wants to rename you and label you by…
your past,
your mistakes,
your trauma
your temptation
Point 3 — You Can Cooperate Without Compromising
Daniel 1:18-19
At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Point 4 — How Do We Defeat Isolation, Indoctrination, and Identification....
We defeat it with….
1. Community
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ephesians 4:12-13
to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
We defeat it with….
2. Convictions
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Convictions are built before the moment of temptation.
We defeat it with….
3. Character
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Closing Encouragement:
Know Who You Are by Knowing Whose You Are
Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
James 1:5–8
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Indecision is a decision
Point 2 -- The Enemy’s Playbook to Take You Out
Isolation
Indoctrination
Identification
The enemy wants to rename you and label you by…
your past,
your mistakes,
your trauma
your temptation
Point 3 — You Can Cooperate Without Compromising
Daniel 1:18-19
At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Point 4 — How Do We Defeat Isolation, Indoctrination, and Identification....
We defeat it with….
1. Community
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ephesians 4:12-13
to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
We defeat it with….
2. Convictions
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Convictions are built before the moment of temptation.
We defeat it with….
3. Character
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Closing Encouragement:
Know Who You Are by Knowing Whose You Are
Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Life Group Questions for 10-5-25
OPEN:
1. When you hear the phrase “your life is moving in the direction of your decisions”, what stands out to you? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. Share a time when indecision cost you progress—whether in career, relationships, faith, or personal growth. What did you learn from it?
Read:James 1:5–8
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
3. Daniel resolved in advance not to compromise. Share with the group what “pre-deciding” might look like in everyday life?
DIG:
Read again:James 1:5–8 (above)
4. How do doubt and hesitation show up in your spiritual journey?
5. The “enemy’s playbook” in Daniel’s life was isolation, indoctrination, and identification. Which of these do you feel culture uses most strongly today, and how?
6. Daniel learned the culture but didn’t let the culture redefine his convictions. What does it look like for a follower of Jesus to cooperate without compromising in workplaces, schools, or online?
REFLECT:
7. Who in your life calls you higher in your faith, and how can you be that person for others?
8. Convictions are built before temptation comes. What are one or two convictions you need to pre-decide and strengthen in this season?
OPEN:
1. When you hear the phrase “your life is moving in the direction of your decisions”, what stands out to you? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. Share a time when indecision cost you progress—whether in career, relationships, faith, or personal growth. What did you learn from it?
Read:James 1:5–8
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
3. Daniel resolved in advance not to compromise. Share with the group what “pre-deciding” might look like in everyday life?
DIG:
Read again:James 1:5–8 (above)
4. How do doubt and hesitation show up in your spiritual journey?
5. The “enemy’s playbook” in Daniel’s life was isolation, indoctrination, and identification. Which of these do you feel culture uses most strongly today, and how?
6. Daniel learned the culture but didn’t let the culture redefine his convictions. What does it look like for a follower of Jesus to cooperate without compromising in workplaces, schools, or online?
REFLECT:
7. Who in your life calls you higher in your faith, and how can you be that person for others?
8. Convictions are built before temptation comes. What are one or two convictions you need to pre-decide and strengthen in this season?