12 Mar “Is Anyone Pursuing Me?” | Southcoast

Announcements:

IMPORTANT***** Please add

Go to your email, add no-reply@churchcenter.com to your contacts (PLEASE ASK ME IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND) THANKS!

no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and have your members add it as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site.

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS:

(NEW**) FOSTER FOWARD EASTER BACK PACKS – One of our Action Groups is putting together back packs for  children ages  3-12 for easter.  We need Easter Candy and small stuffed toys!  WE already have Jesus Coloring books and small toys.  IF YOU AND YOUR GROUP CAN DONATE EASTER CANDY AND SMALL STUFFED TOYS – PLEASE DROP IN GIVING BOX AT YOUR LOCATION NO LATER THAN MARCH 19!  THANKS!

(NEW**) ENGAGE – L&G LOST TREASURE ESCAPE ROOM!  APRIL 14! We have a fun night planned for you!  Please read the descritpion on the registration for details!  Engage is a free event for anyone 36 and over!  Bring a friend along too!  REGISTER USING LINK BELOW!

ENGAGE L&G LOST TREASURE ESCAPE ROOM REGISTRATION

Epic Egg Drop – April 8, 2023!!  You can now register to SERVE at NA’s Epic Egg Drop (AB will have their own registration).

NA EPIC EGG DROP SIGN SERVE TEAM SIGN UP

ALL LOCATIONS

LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING: MARCH 21 from 6-8:30.  Please register yourself, your apprentice and your children.  Food and child care provided.  NE AND APOLLO BEACH WILL ZOOM IN TOGETHER.

LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING REG FOR NEW ENGLAND

LIEFE GROUP LEADER MEETING REG FOR APOLLO BEACH

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

(*NEW SEASON STARTING) Alpha:
  ◦    Alpha spring series kicks off Thursday, April 27!  Alpha at Waters is a 9 week series of conversations for people seeking to learn more about God, those on the fence about faith, or questioning what religion has to do with it all.  The purpose is to meet people where they are in a non-threatening environment while enjoying a meal and guided conversation.  Please invite your non-believing friends, co-workers and family members!  Sign up today @ waterschurch.org/alpha (https://waterschurch.org/alpha)

Location Text Alerts:

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Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1

Last weeks challenge: Show the love of God by serving someone.

This scripture introduces the concept of Jesus coming to this world to save sinners.

He’s not interested in people fabricating their own ways to earn enough good deeds to ensure a good outcome in the afterlife.

So the question we’re examining in this message is:

Why Does God Pursue us?

The answer is: Because His greatest desire is to redeem the relationship that was severed in the garden of Eden, not because of anything you’ve earned and worked hard for, but because of his redeeming character and unmerited favor he bestowed on us.

“The Bible is the story of God pursuing His wayward spouse.” – Tim Keller

We’re all pursuing something in life!  At all stages of life, we’ve pursued something or someone.

Q. What might you be pursuing at this stage of life right now?

The Bible’s idea is:

We can pursue all we want, except when it comes to God!

He’s the one who does all the pursuing to bring us back into His fold.

1 Timothy 1: 12-14

How Does God Pursue Us?

1.He KNOWS You.

Ephesians 1:4

God has fashioned us in His image, He knows us. He fulfills our deepest longings and knows how best we can receive his love.

Q: How do you see the changes that Jesus is doing in you currently extend to those around you?

2.He Gives GRACE & MERCY.

1 Timothy 1:13-14, Psalm 145:8-9

This is how Great our God is.

He Fills us up with his Grace & Mercy, He allows it to do the work in us. We become changed and then it results in extending it to others around us.

Q: How is God working in your right now to extend grace to someone you are having a difficult time with (co-worker, family member, neighbor etc.)?

3.He GIVES you FAITH to BELIEVE in Him:

Ephesians 2:8-9

Sometimes we struggle to have faith. And often, we forget to ask Jesus to give us the faith to believe.   We must not only trust our feelings, which can be changeable and may even be deceptive at times, but instead rely on God’s promises.

This scripture reminds us, that Jesus is the One that supplies the capacity and faith to believe.

Q: How has reading scripture and learning about the character of Christ helped you have faith in something that you can’t see yet?

When Does God Pursue Us?

1 Timothy 1:15

1.We RUN FROM Him.

Jonah 1:1-3

2.We SIN Against Him.

Genesis 3:1-6

3.We REBEL Against Him.

Luke15:11-24

When we head away from Jesus, He still heads towards us. He cares so much about us,  that He would not let the rebellious life we live and the sin we’re in stop His pursuit of us.

Q: What are ways you have seen God pursue you lately ?

What Do We Do?

1 Timothy 1:16-17

1. Give Him PRAISE.

Psalm 22: 3

Q: Where can you give God the praise today? (Bonus points for situations where it feels hard to praise)

2.  SURRENDER To Jesus and receive God’s MERCY

2 Peter 3:9

Challenge: Consider somethings this week that you need to surrender and ask God for the faith to surrender them.