15 Apr Recharge | Part 3 “Declutter ” (Milford)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
WOONSOCKET EARTH-DAY CLEAN UP on May 5 from 8-12. We will be joining the City of Woonsocket in a clean up day at the intersection of Norman St and Olive St. Just show up, no registration necessary!
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GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN UP – KEEP NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH BEAUTIFUL! Saturday May 5th
Leader: You just need to register once for your entire group. Please see instructions when registering! The link below will open in a new page and you can register your group right now! Registration ends on April 25th.
Key Verse: Hebrews 12
Recap: In part one we learned how to get connected with a power source, in part 2 we learned how to wire up to the power source. In part 3 we will be talking about how to de-clutter using the power source.
There is something liberating about removing clutter. It can be very beneficial to us. Some ways we remove clutter are Spring Cleaning (benefits of spring cleaning), Social media – did you ever go on a ‘deleting binge”?, Yard-work and Basement cleaning. It is almost like it’s wired into us to enjoy it!
Often times, we get distracted when we start cleaning and removing clutter. We stop when we ‘find something new”. It really isn’t new and we really don’t need it but get distracted by it and it slows us down.
Q. What clutter removing activities do you enjoy and why? How, at times, do you get distracted while trying to remove the clutter or find that it is taking more time and energy than it should?
Just like our phones get bogged down with apps that we don’t really need, as they suck up data and our battery, so can we. God wants us running on FULL POWER, but there is only so much “battery power” in one day.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF CLUTTER: I AM HINDERED FROM RUNNING MY RACE WITH ENDURANCE AND ENJOYMENT.
It doesn’t take much for us to get bogged down. The human heart is a clutter-creating machine. The enemy loves to take advantage of that and he doesn’t want us bad, he wants us busy! God has given us hundreds of stories of people who successfully de-cluttered (refer to Hebrews 11). They did it by FAITH.
THE THREE “DE’S: OF DE-CLUTTERING:
1. WHEN I FOCUS ON JESUS, I CAN CLEARLY DETERMINE CLUTTER.
The first step in de-cluttering is figuring out what is actually clutter. On our phones, it may take a series of questions about each app like “how often do I use it” and “why do I use it” etc. In our lives, it becomes a matter of weighing everything against both the suffering and the victory of the Cross. If we are not a believer, then it will be very hard to identify the things that may be negatively affecting our lives. However, upon our surrender to Christ, we can ask questions like ‘is this relationship bringing glory to God” or “is this habit bringing me closer to Jesus”? These are not questions we ask based on if they ‘make us happy”. Spiritual clutter is not defined by our feelings, but identified by the FACTS.
Q. Since we as believers know Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith (we take off from the starting line because of Him and finish because of Him too), then what clutter in your life have you been able to clearly see as clutter because you have based your knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done, not on how feel?
It is foolish to think otherwise. The cross proves the existence of clutter, but the resurrection proves that it is not permanent.
2. I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO SUPERNATURALLY EMPOWERS ME TO DESTROY THE CLUTTER.
We thank God that Jesus did not stay dead but was raised to life and defeated the most powerful force against humanity – DEATH! The same Spirit that raised Him from the dead, lives in us! Jesus even said “it’s better I go away because I’ll send and advocate for you, a helper”… The Holy Spirit is available to us as the one and only weapon for defeating sin! We make use of the power of the Holy Spirit by staying connected and wired up (reading the bible, praying and memorizing scripture).
‘put to death therefore what is earthly’.
‘by the Spirit you put to death’.
When we confess, God goes to work.
When we put to death the deeds of the flesh and confess we feel liberated, just like when we have done some serious de-cluttering. Sin will give birth to sin unless we DESTROY it through the Holy Spirit’s help and prompting.
Q. What are some sins you are willing to share that gave birth to other sins because the Holy Spirit was not present in your life or because you did not allow His power in your life? Why were you so reluctant to allow Him to help you de-clutter your life?
3. I HAVE CHURCH FAMILY WHO CAN HELP ME DEFEND MYSELF AGAINST THE CLUTTER.
We are not meant to fight battles alone. Confession to one another is sometimes the only thing that kills sin once and for all.
Confessing our HOPE in Jesus can be just as powerful as confessing our sins. We need to remind ourselves verbally of the promises of Christ.
Q. What are some verses of scripture have you spoke back to God to remind you of His promises (ie. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, “I am more valuable than many sparrows”, “no weapon formed against me shall prosper”) and how have they helped you defend yourself against the clutter in your mind?
Clutter-Killing Habits:
A. Confession – do you have a clutter killing friend?
B. Community – are you regularly attending Waters Church? Are you regularly attending Small-Group (Leader: here is an opportunity for you to speak into the lives those in your group that are not consistent with coming to church or coming to your group).
C. Consistency – do make time with God a priority?
Pray for each other, the lost, campuses, nation and leaders and Kingdom Builders Campaign.
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