Saddleback Church

Rick Warren The rest you need.

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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 About The Annoying Love of God with Ryan Holladay

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It all boils down to we have to pay attention to our God even though we don’t think that he is paying attention to us, and by that I mean sit down and take some time out of your day and pray and believe me you will see your life change dramatically. You will see help where you didn’t think you needed help to begin with. You will also become aware of problems you didn’t think you knew you had. But God will give you grace to overcome those problems just like he did the rest of them. Sometimes it may not be in your time, it may be done in his time. But it will all work out, if you just give it to God. Sometimes that is hard and sometimes it is very easy. We don’t know if it will be hard or easy until we try. I bet it will be easier than you think.

Love your Brother in Christ,

Jon

 

You Can’t Get Closer to God Without Getting Closer to His Children . . . Even the Ones Who Seem Farthest Away Closer — Part 3 Dr. Tim Harlow June 4-5, 2016

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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.

You Can’t Get Closer to God Without Getting
Closer to His Children . . .  Even the Ones
Who Seem Farthest Away
Closer — Part 3
Dr. Tim Harlow
June 4-5, 2016

“A Great church has a great commitment to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.” Pastor Rick Warren

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

 

  1. If you want to get close to a father, you have to care about his children.

    Removing ourselves from the world was never the goal.  It’s the opposite of the goal!

    Why Am I Alive? To share the Good News.

    The focus of our Purpose Driven life should be our mission. 

    “The most important thing in my life is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me — to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”  Acts 20: 24(NCV)

    Action Plan: Identify your different areas of life (Work, family, school, neighborhood, etc.).  Write down the names of people you are in regular contact with from each of them and pray daily for them.  Commit to engaging more with them (Invite someone on your list to church.  Take someone out to lunch.  Offer to help someone move. Etc.)

  2. Jesus demonstrated how to love our neighbor. (God’s Children)

    “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with Him and His disciples.”   Matthew 9:10 (NIV)

    “On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick . . . For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Matthew 9:12-13 (NIV)

    Action Plan: Read through the story of Jesus and Matthew again in Matthew 9. Spend some time this week praying about the truths we see in this chapter and ask God if there are any “Matthews” (or “Biker Mikes”) he wants you to be spending more time with.

  3. A witness is who you are, not something you do.

    (Jesus said) “You will be my witnesses . . .” (Not you will do witnessing). Acts 1:8 (NIV)

    “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”  Luke 15:7 (NIV)

    Action Plan: Spend 5 minutes each day this week thinking about what it means to BE a witness instead of DOING witnessing.  Write out a list of ways you can be more intentional about being a witness and choose to incorporate them into your daily life (Ex. Having a daily quiet time; living with integrity and honesty; making biblical choices; reconciling with others; etc.)

WHAT CAUSES OUR PERSONAL FAILURES? 3 Things Peter Did Wrong

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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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  1.  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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  1.  He Isn’t Shocked

    “God certainly knows what we’re made of.  He bears in mind that we are dust.”  Psalm 103:14 (GW)

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.