09 Jan “New Year” | Apollo Beach

Announcements:

GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS TO REGISTER

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events

Alpha: New ministry – conversation style Small Group called Alpha that Mehdi and April will be leading.It is for seekers, those on the fence about faith, or disenfranchised from faith.It is to reach lost people. Join the conversation today @ waterschurch.org/alpha

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events

Alpha: New ministry – conversation style Small Group called Alpha that Mehdi and April will be leading.It is for seekers, those on the fence about faith, or disenfranchised from faith.It is to reach lost people.  Join the conversation today @ waterschurch.org/alpha

Location Text Alerts:

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Key Verse: 2 Chronicles

This is the beginning of a new year and as always, we are expecting great things.  God is pouring out His Spirit like never before.  Many have been saved, baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

The nations around Israel have always been fighting.  Ever since the Garden of Eden, Man has been fighting because one wants to control the other and it has not changed yet.

Israel had tremendous kings that would follow God, honor God, obey God and Israel would prosper and enjoy God’s blessing.  But, many of them did not stay like that.  They changed over a period of time.  Other kings were wicked, rebelled against Gods law and their nations suffered.

1. It Was Dark Times

2 Chronicles 15:5

That was a long time ago and yet today we are living in dark times.  We don’t get discouraged as Christians because the Bible says to look up, our redemption is drawing near. We are not gripped by fear but we need to be honest about the situation. This is dark times.  All around the world there are people afraid to travel because it is dangerous. There is a spirit of lawlessness in the land.  We should not be shocked because Jesus told us exactly what would happen in the End Times.  Wickedness is everywhere we look.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Too many Christians think Christianity is a bed of roses. Once we get saved we think it is all about blessing, but that is not real.   We are in a Spiritual warfare that is why the Bible says to put on the full armor of God.  The amor of God is also our priestly garments whereby we enter into the presence of God.

Q.  What pieces of the amor of God are you missing?

2. Please the Lord and Do What is Right

2 Chronicles 14:2

This man who took over had courage and backbone and turned against all that which represented wickedness.  Because he pleased God and did what was right there was ten years of peace.  He did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord.  That is the challenge for us this year is to do what is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.  Not questioning if it is right or wrong, or wonder what people will say.  We have to do things that please God. We must do what is right in his sight. 

Q. What is an example of where you did something to please others knowing it did not please God and why?

This year we will stand up for righteousness. When we do what is right we will experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

3. Trust the Lord.

2 Chronicles 14:9

It is God’s name that gives us the victory.  As we come into this new year we need to trust God in every situation.  We cannot say we trust in him for this or that but then don’t trust him.  He knows what is best for us.  Too long the Church has been putting faith in man instead of the Living God.  When something happens we run all over the place and then come to God last.  We are to trust him first, he said he would never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Q. When have you had a difficult time trusting God in a situation?

Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 40:29

4. Stay With the Lord

2 Chronicles 15:2

Stay with the Lord.  That is the thing this coming year.  Many people in the church start off on fire for God but then something happens and they walk away from God then decide suddenly to come back but God is not there where they left Him.  He says if we forsake Him he will forsake us. We cannot just walk away when going through trouble and expect him to be there when we go back. We have to stay with the Lord.  Hate what he hates and love what he loves (Proverbs 6:16-19) We need to take Him at his word.  We must love the Church because Jesus loves the Church.  We must pray for the Church.  Even when people come against us, or offend us we must stand with the Lord.

Q. What might have been a time you were on fire for God but something offended you and you turned away?

5. Don’t Put Your Trust in Man

2 Chronicles 16:2

This man previously said God was the One who gives power to the powerless and God gave him victory and now he is bribing another king with vessels from God’s temple so he would not have to do battle.  He missed the chance to destroy that army. He started well but finished weak.    We need to trust God not man.  We often trust man more than God.

Q. Why is it that we sometimes trust man before we trust God?

6. Be Fully Committed to Him

2 Chronicles 16:9

We cannot give God left overs.  He deserves the very best.  He redeemed us with His blood.  Jesus is looking for committed people. 

Challenge: This year fully commit yourself to the Lord.  Stay connected in the church to God’s people, serve not just volunteer. Don’t give him your leftovers but your very best.