As we approach the end of the year, I find myself busier then ever. I am trying to finish strong and prepare for the up and coming year. God has given me an awesome vision for 2009 and I am exited about it!
God has really used this current Recovery series to produce fruit in the lives of His people. Saints are already on the Road to Recovery from issues that have had them in bondage for many years. God be praised!
Here is the outline for last Sunday’s sermon:
MAKING CHANGES
The Road to Recovery - Part 5
DeAntwan Fitts
Outline provided by Rick Warren (used with permission)
December 7th, 2008
R.E.C.O.V.E.R.Y
V oluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to remove my Character Defects.
"Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him...and let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind." Rom 12:1-2 (GN)
I. WHERE DO MY CHARACTER DEFECTS COME FROM?
a. Ultimatly My Defects are a result of my fallen sinful nature but My Genetics have contributed to my character defects.
Genetics explain predisposition but don't excuse sin!
b. My Circumstances
Character defects are often attempts to fill unmet needs.
c. My Choices
Character defects are often positive qualities being misused.
II. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CHANGE THEM?
1. Because I've had them so long
2. Because I identify with them
3. Because they have a payoff
4. Because Satan discourages me
III. HOW DO I COOPERATE WITH GOD'S CHANGE PROCESS?
"..Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rom 12:2
1. Focus on changing one defect at a time.
An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions." Prov. 17:24
2. Focus on victory one day at a time.
"Give us this day our daily bread" Matt. 6:11
"Don't worry about tomorrow, each day has enough troubles of its own." Matt. 6:34
3. Focus on God's power not willpower.
"Can a leopard take away his spots? Nor can you who are used to doing evil now start being good." Jer. 12:23 (LB)
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
4. Focus on what I want, not what I don't want.
"Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure...Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about..." Phil. 4:8 (LB)
5. Focus on doing good, not feeling good.
"If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence." Gal. 5:16 (JB)
6. Focus on people who help me, not hinder me.
"As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other." Prov. 27:1 (NCV)
7. Focus on progress not perfection.
"God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task with you is finally finished..." Phil 1:6
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Road To Recovery Part 4
COMING CLEAN
The Road to Recovery - Part 4
DeAntwan Fitts
Outline provided by Rick Warren (used with permission)
November 30th 2008
R.E.C.O.V.E.R.Y.
R ealize I'm not God, I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
E arnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
C onsciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
O penly Examine and Confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV)
I. THE REASON FOR THIS STEP
1. Guilt destroys my confidence.
2. Guilt damages my relationships.
3. Guilt keeps me stuck in the past.
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Prov. 28:13 (NIV)
II. HOW TO DO THIS STEP
1. Take a personal inventory.
"Let us examine our ways and test them." Lam 3:40
"Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart." Psalm 44:21 (NASB)
2. Accept responsibility
"The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being." Prov 20:27 (NIV)
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John. 1:8
3. Ask God for forgiveness
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
""Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isa. 1:19 (ESV)
4. Admit my faults to someone we trust
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" James 5:16 (NIV)
Who? Someone I trust
What do you say? I want you to hold me accountable
When? ASAP
5. Accept God's forgiveness and forgive myself
"All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins ." Rom 3:23-24 (CEV)
"There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Rom. 8:1
The Road to Recovery - Part 4
DeAntwan Fitts
Outline provided by Rick Warren (used with permission)
November 30th 2008
R.E.C.O.V.E.R.Y.
R ealize I'm not God, I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
E arnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
C onsciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
O penly Examine and Confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV)
I. THE REASON FOR THIS STEP
1. Guilt destroys my confidence.
2. Guilt damages my relationships.
3. Guilt keeps me stuck in the past.
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Prov. 28:13 (NIV)
II. HOW TO DO THIS STEP
1. Take a personal inventory.
"Let us examine our ways and test them." Lam 3:40
"Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart." Psalm 44:21 (NASB)
2. Accept responsibility
"The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being." Prov 20:27 (NIV)
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John. 1:8
3. Ask God for forgiveness
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
""Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isa. 1:19 (ESV)
4. Admit my faults to someone we trust
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" James 5:16 (NIV)
Who? Someone I trust
What do you say? I want you to hold me accountable
When? ASAP
5. Accept God's forgiveness and forgive myself
"All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins ." Rom 3:23-24 (CEV)
"There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Rom. 8:1
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