07 Feb ‘Object of Pursuit’ | Mehdi Chniouli

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We are actively looking to employ a Worship director for our Florida Campus.  If you know anyone that is interested in this position please have them send an email to info@waterschurch.org.

Our Actions Groups are going to be giving out care packages for the homeless and would like to add BRAND NEW Socks to to the bags. Please ask your members to bring in and place in the Lobby Giving Boxes by February 15! We are planning on 100 bags.

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1

Background of 1 Timothy:

This is the first of 2 letters Paul wrote to Timothy.  Paul was advising Timothy how to better lead the church in Ephesus.  He was telling Timothy about the false teachers that had infiltrated the church to undermine Paul’s work there.

Paul is a prototype of the result of the Gospel.

The title of the message is “The Object of Pursuit”

Ice Breaker Question:  What are some things you are pursuing right now in your life and/or  in your relationship with Jesus?

Why Does God Pursue Us?

Because His greatest desire is for a relationship with you, not because of anything you’ve done, but because of who He is.

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

Pastor Mehdi spoke about his conversion and how difficult it was for him when he first committed his life to Jesus with his family and community. Difficult but not so difficult to come out of darkness.  He spoke of how God is actively pursuing thousands of people all over the Earth.  God is pursuing His people despite us.

Q: God is pursuing us. Have you intentionally pursued your relationship with God through prayer and scripture since we last met?

A – How Does God Pursue Us?

1 Timothy 1: 12-14 (ESV) 

1. He Knows You: Ephesians 1:4 (ESV)
2. He Gives Grace & Mercy: Psalm 145:8-9 (ESV)
3. He Gives You Faith to believe in Him: Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Let’s praise God as a small group and share the times where God has pursued us. (Below are some examples of discussion points to start the conversation)

• Talk about a time when God specifically spoke to you because he knows YOU.  How did He uniquely speak to you?
• Was there a time God has given you grace and mercy that you were able to pour out to others?
• Testify about a time when you knew that your faith was weak and God miraculously had strengthened your faith and reignited your fire?

B- When Does God Pursue Us?

1 Timothy 1: 15 (ESV) 

1. We Run from Him—Example: Jonah Flees from God Jonah 1:1-3
2. We Sin against Him—Example: Adam & Eve Genesis 3:1-6
3. He Rebel against Him—Example: Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24

Q: Has there been a time in your life when you ran from God, sinned against God, or rebelled against Him and you still knew God was pursuing you?

C- What is Our Response To God’s Pursuit?

1 Timothy 1: 16-17 (ESV)

1. Surrender To Jesus and Receive God’s Mercy.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)  God is patient with us.

Think about someone in your life that you are waiting for their repentance to God.  (A friend, a family member or a co-worker etc). Someone you need to be patient with because God is patient with us.

Q: How can you live with a sense of mission in your life this week for that person?

    2.     Give Him Praise!

Psalm 22: 3 (KJV)

Pastor Mehdi’s analogy of him avoiding his daughter who had lice can be compared to our avoidance with spiritually “messy” and “dirty” people.

Q: Who are the people in your life that you are avoiding because they are “messy”?   Who should you be embracing and loving instead of avoiding?

Sermon in a Sentence: God is pursuing you because His greatest desire is you, just as you are, and your Yes is all He needs.