Category: Deeper

Sermon Series: “Deeper” – 4 of 4

November 23, 2008

Pastor John Fanous

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…” Heb 10:24-25 (NLT)

You need ________________ to deepen your relationship with God.

Two Reasons We Sometimes Avoid Other Christians

1. “I don’t ____________.”

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 1 Co 12:15-16

God says, “You’re _____________.”

“If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” 1 Co 12:17

2. “I’m doing fine __________________.”

God says, “You have ____________.”

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 1 Co 12:21

Your closest friends _______________ you.

Do not be fooled: “Bad friends will ruin good habits.” 1 Co 15:33 (NCV)

Two Biblical Insights

1. The Bible is mostly addressed to _____________ of people.

“You are the light of the world.” Mt 5:14

2. The greatest commandment includes other ________________.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Mt 22:36-40

How Most of Us Grow Spiritually: _________________________

1. You have “need to ___________” moments.

2. You have “need to ___________” moments.

The key is being _______________________ with other Christians.

How Do I Regularly Connect with Other Christians?

Get involved in a __________________.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…” Acts 2:46-47

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching…” Acts 5:42

Sermon Series: “Deeper” – 3 of 4

November 16, 2008

Pastor John Fanous

“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 (LB)

THREE WAYS TO GET A “GRASP” ON YOUR BIBLE

The Three-Legged Stool Illustration

I. HOW TO HEAR GOD’S WORD

“Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.” Rom. 10:17

Ways to Hear God’s Word

• Church services & studies
• Sermon tapes
• The Bible on CD/mp3

PROBLEM: We forget _____ % of what we hear after 72 hours.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR HEARING

1. Set your expectations ______________.

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Ps 119:103

2. Deal with ______________ that prevent hearing God (Mark 4:1-20)

(Jesus) “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more.” Mk 4:24

– A _____________ Mind: Is fear, pride or bitterness preventing me from hearing God?

– A _____________ Mind: Am I really serious about wanting to hear God speak?

– A _____________ Mind: Am I too busy and concerned with other things to concentrate on what God has to say?

3. Confess any _________ in your life.

“… Get rid of all moral filth and humbly accept the Word…” James 1:21

4. Take __________ on what you hear.

“We must pay more careful attention to what we’ve heard, so that we do not drift away!” Heb. 2:1

5. __________ on what you hear!

“Whoever … does not simply listen and then forget, but puts it into practice – that person will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (GN)

II. HOW TO READ GOD’S WORD

“Happy is the one who reads this book … and obeys what is written in it!” Rev. 1:3 (GN)

How often should I read God’s Word? ____________________

“(The Scriptures) shall be his constant companion. He must read from it everyday of his life so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all of his commands.” Deut. 17:19 (LB)

SUGGESTIONS

• Read it ______________________.
• __________________ key verses.
• Choose a _____________________ and stick with it.

Study Bibles:

· The Best Personal Study Bible:

“The Life Application Bible” (Tyndale)

· The Best Background Study Bible:

“The NIV Study Bible” (Zondervan)

“(Those) who are always meditating on His Laws … are like trees along a river bank bearing fruit … they never wither and whatever they do prospers.” Ps. 1:2-3 (LB)

Meditation is ________________ on a Bible verse in order to discover how I can apply its truth to my own life.

WHY MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE?

1. It is the key to becoming like ________________.

” … Your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Pr. 4:23 (GN)

” … Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2

“As we … contemplate the Lord’s glory, we are being transformed into His likeness …” 1 Cor. 3:18

2. It is the key to ____________________ prayer.

“If you live your life in Me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like, and it will come true for you.” John 15:7 (Ph)

3. It is the key to ____________________ living.

” … Meditate on (the Word) day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Josh. 1:8

TWO WAYS TO MEDITATE ON A VERSE

1. _________________ it! Visualize the scene in your mind.

2. _________________ it! Put yourself in the story.

III. HOW TO APPLY GOD’S WORD

“Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word. Instead, put it into practice.” James 1:22

” … Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:19

HOW TO APPLY SCRIPTURE

1st ask: What did it mean to the original ________________?

2nd ask: What is the underlying timeless ________________?

3rd ask: Where or how could I _________________ that principle?

“Now that you know these things – do them! That is the path of blessing!” John 13:17 (LB)

Sermon Series: “Deeper” – 2 of 4

November 9, 2008

Pastor John Fanous

Connecting with God through Constant Communication =

____________________

Why is CONNECTING with God by COMMUNICATING with Him important?

Because Jesus cares more about your communication with Him than He

does how much you _________ for Him.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Lk 10:41-42

“Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me.” Jn 15:4 (CEV)

What do I talk with God about?

Talk about the things that _______________ you from connecting with Him.

4 Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What am I _____________________ about?

“Give us today the food we need.” Mt 6:11

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Php 4:6

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.” Jas 4:2b

Write it down:

2. Who am I _____________________ with?

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Mt 6:12

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Lk 6:27-28

Write it down:

3. What am I feeling __________ about?

“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Mt 6:13

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Php 2:12b-13 (NLT)

Prayer of permission:

Instead of “Lord, help me do it, pray “Lord, help me _________ to do it.”

Write it down:

4. What am I _________________ for?

“No matter what happens, always be thankful.” 1 Th 5:18a (The Living Bible)

Write it down:

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How to Enjoy What Most People Miss Out On

When Communicating with God:

Take time to _______________ to Him

“I’m listening,” Samuel answered. “What do you want me to do?” 1 Sa 3:10 (CEV)

Ask, “God, what do you want to _________ to me?”

How to make sure you hear correctly:

When Do I Communicate with God?

1. Communicate with God ________________________

“Pray all the time.” 1 Th 5:17 (The Message)

2. Communicate with God ________________________

“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” Lk 9:28

3. Communicate with God ________________________

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Lk 5:16

Sermon Series: “Deeper” – 1 of 4

November 2, 2008

Pastor John Fanous

Why Is It Important to Deepen My Relationship with God?

You were _________________ for relationship with God

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8

“Being with you will fill me with joy.” Ps 16:11a (NCV)

“I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long.” Ps 27:4a (The Message)

“Keep company with God, get in on the best.” Ps 37:4 (The Message)

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?” Ps 42:1-2 (CEV)

“O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you.” Ps 63:1a (GNT)

“Then Moses said, ‘If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.’ Ex 33:15 (NLT)

“Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him.” Php 3:8-9a (CEV)

Remember…

It’s not about _________________, it’s about RELATIONSHIP.

“‘I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned

against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Lk 15:18-20

It takes ___________…

and God’s best is still ____________ of you.

How Do I Deepen My Relationship with God?

It begins with a ______________.

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” Mt 9:9

“Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me.” Jn 15:4 (CEV)