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John 16:33

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

7 Truths:

1. We need to Remember this is Not Heaven.

2. God is not the Creator of Evil and Suffering.

3. Though Suffering is Not good, God Can and Does use it to Accomplish good.

a. God can use Pain to Draw people to Himself.

b. God can use Trials to Sharpen the Character of His children.

c. God sometimes Disciplines His children to Teach them the Right Path to take.

d. God uses Bad Circumstances to bring about Good Ends.

4. The day is coming when Suffering will Cease and Evil will be Judged.

5. Any suffering we Experience in this life Pales in comparison with the Good God has in Store for His Followers.

6. You and I Decide whether our Pain in this world is going to Harden us or Soften us.

7. God Promises to Walk with us in our Pain and Suffering, if we Will let Him.

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

The Bible claims to be Flawless.

“Flawless” = Without Imperfection, Blemish or Defect.

1. Where the Bible came from:

Every book of the Bible was written by a Prophet, an Apostle, or someone with a Direct Link to one.

…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets… Ephesians 2:20

2. How the Bible is Unique:

A. In Its Composition.

1. It was written over 1600 years.

2. By 40+ authors.

3. With different Backgrounds.

4. In 3 different languages, from 3 different continents.

5. With Unmistakable Continuity and Agreement from cover to cover.

B. In Its Circulation.

It’s the single most Published book in the history of the world.

C. In Its Translation.

It’s the single most Widely Translated book in the world.

D. In Its Durability.

1. It has survived Bans, Burnings, Ridicule, and Criticism.

2. Emperors and Kings have tried to eradicate it.

Psalm 19:1-2

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

Everyone wonders about God from Time to Time.

It’s the Nature of Faith.

Pointers to God’s Existence:

1. The Existence of “Stuff”.

The Universe is Real. Where did it come from? Cause and Effect.

…the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

2. The Nature of “Stuff.”

From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. Romans 1:20 (NLT)

3. My Sense of Right and Wrong.

Even when Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what it right. Romans 2:14-15 (NLT)

If there has really been a Change of Master in your life, there is no way that you can go on Absolutely Unchanged.

Paul reminds them that they are Under New Management.

Paul notes 3 important truths:

1. The Truth is we have a New Liberty.

2. The Truth is we have a New Loyalty.

3. The Truth is we have a New Life.

Connecting with God through prayer:

1. Begins with the Right Attitude.

It involves:

a. Genuineness.

b. Humility.

c. Transparency.

2. Happens with the Right Priorities.

Our prayers should have Priorities.

He is Teaching us to pray, this could be the “Disciples Prayer”.

Right priorities in prayer:

a. God and His Kingdom.

b. Our Greatest Personal Needs.

3. One more Truth.

There is Power in praying with Others.

Prayer is the Natural outflow of Personal Relationship with God.

Connecting with God through prayer:

1. Begins with the Right Attitude.

God is always Interested in our Attitude.

Prayer is not a Speech. Prayer is a Conversation.

What then does the right attitude in prayer is look like?

It involves:

a. Genuineness.

b. Humility.

c. Transparency.

Jesus says don’t Babble on and on.

Let us be Open, Revealing, Honest, Transparent, with Him.

1. Characteristics of Large/Small Churches.

1. They Study God’s Word.

2. They Fellowship.

3. They Shared Communion.

4. They Prayed.

5. They Support Each Other.

6. They Practice Hospitality.

7. They Worshipped.

8. They Reach Out.

2. Benefits of being in a Small Group.

1. I will Understand more of God’s Word.

2. Prayer will be more Meaningful and Natural.

3. Sharing about our Spiritual Growth and Challenges.

4. A great place to receive Personal Support.

5. Best Environment to Discover your Spiritual Gift.

6. We get Connected with God’s People.

Every Growing/Maturing believer in Jesus Christ

Needs other Growing/Maturing followers in their Life.

The first Big/small church had 2 types of Meetings:

1. Large Group Meetings.

2. Small Group Meetings.

There are Significant Advantages to being a part of a Small Group.

1. Your Limitations are Different.

2. There is a more Intimate Atmosphere.

3. They are Expandable.

4. They are Geographically and Generationally unlimited.

5. They are good Serving Opportunities.

Seven Principles:

1. Numerical Growth is Biblical.

2. Numerical Growth creates Problems.

3. Most Problems are due to Unmet Needs.

4. Pastors cannot do it All.

5. Leaders are to Assist the Pastor.

6. Pastor’s are to focus primarily on Preaching and Teaching God’s Word and Prayer.

7. The Result of a Shared Ministry was Two-fold:

a. Unity.

b. More Numerical Growth.

Connecting with God through His Word:

1. Begins with the Right Attitude.

2. Involves Getting God’s Word Into Our Lives.

Ways to Get the Word of God into our Lives:

a. Receive It.

b. Read It.

c. Study It.

d. Retain It.

e. Meditate On It.

This is simply taking God’s Word and Considering how the Word Effects our lives.

3. Requires us to Apply Biblical Truth in our Lives.

That is when Transformation will come.