Rick Warren
Rick Warren The rest you need.
THE REST YOU NEED
Tom Holladay
August 27-28, 2016
Six ways to get rest for your soul:
I. DEPEND on your Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
Action Plan: Write down one or two ways you compare yourself to others, whether it be a material item you want, a job someone else has, or even physical attributes. Take that piece of paper in your hand, lift it up to God and pray “Lord, take these wants away from my heart, I’m a sheep that depends on you for all my needs, I want for nothing.” If you feel comfortable doing so, share your list with your small group and ask for their prayer support.
II. TRUST God to refresh your soul
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Psalm 23:2-3a (NIV)
Action Plan: This scripture tells us that God is good and that he gives us “green pastures” to rest in. Do you ever find yourself running through pastures rather than taking time to lie down and rest in them? God gives blessings to you out of his goodness and mercy. Write down 3 blessings that God has given you. How can you slow down and be refreshed by God’s generous gifts this week?
III. FOLLOW God’s path
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:3b (NIV)
“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (TLB)
Action Plan: Do you have the habit of reading God’s word every day? A daily devotional time? Do you find yourself struggling in certain areas of your life without knowing why? Following God’s path for you means spending time in the Bible and talking with him through prayer; talking to God about your questions and asking for guidance about decisions you need to make. Seek God sincerely and he will provide you with direction.
IV. REMEMBER God is with you
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
God comforts you through both protection and correction
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
Action Plan: Write down one or two instances where you struggled in a difficult or dark situation. Did you try to ‘fix’ it yourself or did you reach out to God for help? God knows how much protection and correction you need for each situation you face. How fully have you accepted his love in these areas? Discuss these instances with your small group, share the struggles you may be facing, and accept their unconditional love and prayers.
V. APPRECIATE what God has given
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5 (NIV)
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:14 (NIV)
Action Plan: A daily challenge: Each morning and each evening, share with God and your family/friends what you are grateful for that God has given you. From the smallest item that you don’t think God cares about to the largest that you feel only God could have given you. Are you able to humbly accept that you are not responsible for what you have, but that God is? Discuss any struggles you may have with your small group.
VI. FOCUS on all & forever
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Action Plan: Practically, you have to live in the here and now (your daily life), however, your soul rests in the ‘all and forever’ (being with Christ in heaven for eternity). Your soul can rest today when you accept that, as you live practically, you can also focus on living with God for eternity. Write down one or two things that are bothering you today. Share with your small group how those irritations of daily life affect your focus on eternity with God. How might your day-to-day challenges pull your focus away from the reality of eternity with Jesus.
Learn How To Recover From Your Mistakes with Rick Warren
Learn What To Do When Your Beliefs Are Belittled with Rick Warren
Learn What To Do When You’re Pressured to Conform with Rick Warren
WHAT CAUSES OUR PERSONAL FAILURES? 3 Things Peter Did Wrong
Dear Saddleback Family,
Use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you learned this weekend into practice. If you missed last weekend’s message, click here to watch it online.
GOD’S MERCY & MY FAILURES
The Miracle of Mercy – Part 3
Rick Warren
April 9-10, 2016
WHAT CAUSES OUR PERSONAL FAILURES?
3 Things Peter Did Wrong
- We Over Estimate Our Strength
“Jesus said ‘Tonight every one of you will desert me. For the Scripture says that when the shepherd is killed, the sheep will be scattered. BUT after I’ve been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.’ Then Peter boasted, ‘But Lord, even if everyone else fails you, I will NEVER deny you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Peter, the truth is that before this night is over, and before the rooster crows at dawn, you will deny knowing me three times.’ Peter insisted, ‘But Lord, I would NEVER do that! Even if I have to die with you I’ll never deny knowing you!’ And all the other disciples vowed the same thing.” Matthew 26:31-35
- We Fear The Disapproval Of Others
“Peter followed Jesus at a distance to the courtyard of the high priest’s palace. He went in and sat down with the guards to see what was going to happen to Jesus…As he was sitting in the courtyard, a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘You were with Jesus of Galilee, weren’t you?’ But standing there in front of everyone Peter denied it. ‘I don’t even know what you’re talking about!’ he said.” Matthew 26:58, 69-70
“It is a dangerous trap to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you’ll be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
- We Speak Without Thinking
“Then Peter went out to the entrance of the courtyard and there another woman saw him and said to those standing there, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again Peter denied it, and this time he swore an oath and said ‘I don’t even know that man!’ But after a while, the men who had been standing there came over to Peter and said ‘We KNOW that you are one of them because your Galilean accent gives you away.’ Peter lost his temper and started cursing and swearing. He shouted ‘I don’t know the man!’ Immediately he heard a rooster crow.” Matthew 26:71-74
“The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do! Just as a tiny spark can burn up a great forest, the tongue is a flame of fire. That part of your body is full of wickedness and can poison everything else in your life. It is set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.”James 3:5-6
ACTION PLAN: Focus on one of these mistakes that you personally struggle with the most in your life and write down on paper observations about your life. Do you have an unguarded strength that has turned into a double weakness? Is your tongue undermining your walk with God? Is there a wound or unmet need in your life causing you to seek the approval of others instead of God? Attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting this week and investigate an area of recovery (Anger, Codependency, etc).
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I FAIL?
Things Peter Did Right
- Grieve
“When Peter heard the rooster crow, he remembered that Jesus had said, ‘Before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.’ Then Peter went outside and WEPT BITTERLY.” Matthew 26:75
“The sacrifice God wants is a broken and contrite spirit, God will not reject a humble and repentant heart.” Psalm 51:17
- Let My Small Group Support Me
(Easter Morning) “Mary Magdalene went and found the disciples together grieving and weeping.” Mark 16:10
(Easter Night) “That evening the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group, and said ‘Peace be with you!’…The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!” John 20:19-20“A week later the disciples were together again meeting in a home.” John 20:26
- Cast Myself On God’s Mercy
“Because of his great mercy God has given us a new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope…” 1 Peter 1:3
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
ACTION PLAN: Is there a mistake that you have made that you are trying to ignore or stuff inside? If you are part of a small group, bring this up in your small group meeting and have your group pray for you to feel God’s mercy and release the guilt that may be holding you captive. If you are not part of a small group, visitsaddleback.com/smallgroups and find an open group in your area that meets on a convenient night and begin your journey towards healing and community.
WHAT DOES JESUS DO WITH OUR FAILURES?
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned back to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
- He Isn’t Shocked
“God certainly knows what we’re made of. He bears in mind that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14 (GW)
- He Prays For Us
“Jesus is able to save us completely because (in heaven) he lives to intercede on our behalf. He is always talking to the Father, asking him to help us.” Hebrews 7:25
- He Believes In Us
“…so WHEN you have repented and turned back to me again…” Luke 22:32
“For even though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again!” Proverbs 24:16
“The Angel said, ‘I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. But his is not here-he’s risen from the dead…Now go tell his disciples, AND tell Peter, that he’s going ahead of you to Galilee and he’ll see you there, just as he promised!” Mark 16:6-7
- He Shows Us Mercy When We’re Down
(Two weeks later) “Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. Seven of the disciples were there and Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ ‘We’ll come, too’ they all said. So they went out in the boat, but even though they fished all night, they caught nothing. At dawn the disciples saw a man standing on the shore but they couldn’t see it was Jesus. He called out, ‘Friends, have you caught any fish?’ ‘Not a thing!’ they replied. Then Jesus said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!’ So they did what Jesus said to do, and they instantly caught so many fish, they couldn’t even draw in the net because it was so full of fish! Then John said to Peter, ‘IT IS THE LORD!’ “When Peter realized that he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and swam ashore, leaving the others in the boat to pull the loaded net to the shore, for they were only out about three hundred feet. When they got to shore they saw that Jesus was cooking fish and bread over a charcoal fire. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you just caught.’ So Peter went back aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was filled with 153 large fish, and yet the net had not torn. ‘Now come and have some breakfast!’ Jesus said. Now they were sure it really was the Lord! Then Jesus served them the bread and fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.” John 21:1-14
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
- He Uses Our Failures To Build His Church
“When you have turned back to me, strengthen and build up your brothers.” Luke22:32
“After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you,’ Peter replied. ‘Then FEED my lambs,’ Jesus said. Then Jesus repeated the question: ‘Peter, do you love me?’ Peter said, ‘Yes, Lord! You KNOW I love you!’ ‘Then TAKE CARE of my sheep,’ Jesus said. Then Jesus asked the same question one more time: ‘Peter, do you love me?’ Now Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time, so he said, ‘Lord, you know everything! You know I love you!’ And Jesus replied ‘Then feed my sheep!’” John 21:15-17
Jesus: “Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I WILL BUILD ME CHURCH, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it!” Matthew 16:18
ACTION PLAN: What is your biggest hurt or failure in your past? Begin praying that God begins to show you ways He can use you to help someone else avoid or get through a similar problem. Take CLASS 301 and learn about how your unique S.H.A.P.E. (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personalities, experiences) can be used by God to serve others.
Learn How God Can Use Anybody with Rick Warren
Dear Saddleback Family,
Use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you learned this weekend into practice. If you missed last weekend’s message, click here to watch it online.
GOD CAN USE ANYBODY!
The Miracle of Mercy – Part 2
Rick Warren
April 2-3, 2016
“. . . Give yourselves completely to God–every part of you – because you’ve been brought from death to life, and now you want to be used by God for good, and for his righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13 (LB/TEV)
PAUL’S SECRETS OF STAYING USABLE
2 CORINTHIANS 4:1-18
- NEVER FORGET IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF GOD’S MERCY!
“God in his mercy has given us this ministry and work to do. That’s why we do not become discouraged and never give up!” 2 Corinthians 4:1MERCY: undeserved forgiveness & unearned kindness
“You know what I was like . . . how I violently persecuted Christians. I did my best to get rid of them! . . . But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness tochoose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!” Galatians1:13+15 (NLT)
“It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Ephesians 2:10 (LB)
Action Plan: In your quiet time this week, focus on thanking God for his unending mercy. Choose one area of your life each day and think about how God has been merciful in that area.
- BE REAL
“We don’t try to trick anyone, and we don’t twist the word of God. Instead we
teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we REALLY are. Then they
can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God’s sight.” 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT/NCV)“The Spirit we receive does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us
children of God!” Romans 8:15 (NCV)Action Plan: Find someone you trust and ask them to hold you accountable to being real and honest. Give them permission to speak into your life.
- REMEMBER IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!
“Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are merely your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 (GW)
“We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (CEV)
Action Plan: Write down the phrase “It’s not about me!” and put it somewhere that will remind you the best (posted on your computer, near the phone, in your car, etc.).
- USE MY PAIN TO HELP OTHERS
“We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEV)
“All of these sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank Him for his great mercy, and the more God gets glory!” 2 Corinthians 4:15 (LB)
“This is why we never give up! Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NLT)
Action Plan: God never wants to waste a hurt. Make a list of ways that you could help others (reach out to somebody you know going through a similar hurt, volunteer with support groups or Celebrate Recovery, etc.) and choose one to start doing this week.
- STAY FOCUSED ON ETERNITY
“These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (CEV)
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
The Key to Staying Focused: A SMALL GROUP
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. And three people are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
Jesus: “For wherever two or three come together in my name, I will be there with them.” Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Action Plan: If you haven’t already, make sure to join a small group. If you’re unsure, try being in one or starting one just for the Miracle of Mercy campaign and see what it’s like. For all small group information, visit saddleback.com/smallgroups.
Do you want your life to be used by God?
Are you ready to experience the Miracle of Mercy?
Dear Saddleback Family,
Dear Saddleback Family,
Use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you learned this weekend into practice. If you missed last weekend’s message, click here to watch it online.
The Entitlement Cure:
God’s Plan of Success in Doing Hard Things the Right Way
John Townsend
February 27-28, 2016
- Entitlement – Two Basic Attitudes Combined:
- I am exempt from responsibility
- I am owed special treatment
“. . . Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought . . .” Romans 12:3 (NIV)
- God’s Solution: Doing life the hard way
Definition: The habit of doing what is best, rather than what is comfortable, to achieve a worthwhile outcome.
“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” Isaiah 50:7 (NIV)
Action Plan: What is one area in your life that you do because it is comfortable, but doesn’t provide the results it used to when you first started? Start working on that area using the habit busters below.
- Habit #1: Change “I deserve” to “I am responsible”
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’” Luke 17:10 (NIV)
Action Plan: Write down how “I deserve” has impacted your one area to make you more comfortable. Now write down how “I am responsible” would make your habit more productive for serving Christ. Will you change how you approach this area?
- Habit #2: Do the hard things first
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise” Proverbs 6:6 (NIV)
Action Plan: Evaluate your one area in your life that you are exploring and write down the steps you have taken to work in this area. Now, write down the steps you know you need to do, but you haven’t. Start doing whatever you have been avoiding and see how God will bless this area of your life.
- Habit #3: Keep inconvenient commitments
Be a person “. . . who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind” Psalms 15:4b (NIVUK)
Action Plan: Reflect on any past commitments or promises that you made in your area of focus. Have you broken any commitments or promises? If so, do your best to make amends of the situation and make a commitment to choose the path of integrity instead of the path of convenience.
- Habit #4: Engage in service“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NIV)Action Plan: Ask yourself if you are serving others while you are working in the one area that you are evaluating. Make a list of ways that you can be serving in this arena and choose one or two to start trying.
Takeaway: This week, I will choose 2 of the 5 Habits and start living the hard way, because that is God’s way.
Learn How To Grow a Love that Lasts with Rick Warren
Handicap 