Study Guide: "More Than You Thought You Were"

Today we begin a three part series entitled: "Holiness: Mission Possible." For many, the idea of being good seems like mission impossible. But the Bible teaches Biblical principles that help us do more than become good--God designed each of us to be holy.

Title: "MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE"

Text: Romans 8:26-39

OPEN:

In the 8th chapter of Romans, Paul says, In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) I love that phrase: "More than conquerors." In the Greek: hupernikao= a compound verb literally meaning to hyper-conquer, to conquer, as it were, with success to spare. It may be translated "overwhelmingly conquer."

It reminds me that God didn't create us to limp through life, getting knocked around by the devil, or our circumstances, or anything else. We're made to win--and not just by a narrow margin in the closing seconds of the game. We're made to win by a blowout. We're not mere conquerors, we're more than conquerors. For those trying to become holy, this is great news. Too often the battle against sin seems to be one we're destined to lose. The truth is, we lose only when we choose to lose--when we don't take advantage of the weapons God has provided for each of us.

Holiness begins in your mind: it's the result of what you believe about God, yourself, salvation, sin, and God's power in your life. The key to holiness is also found in controlling your thought life--setting your mind on what the Spirit desires. This week we'll see how the ability to overcome sin--to be more than a conqueror--is a matter of finding strength in God's goodness.

I have good news for you today: You are more than you thought you were.

God says you can be more than a conqueror. You can find strength in him, if you're willing to put his promises to work in your life. Today we'll look at three ways he helps you. These are things that you can't do for yourself--he does them for you. If you will rely on him, trusting in his goodness along the way, you will experience his power--you will be more than a conqueror in life. Here are the three things we need to keep in mind:

I. The Holy Spirit is Your Prayer Partner.

(v. 26) ...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Many times I haven't known what to pray for, or how to pray about a particular situation. There were days of discouragement when I didn't have the words to pray. During those times I could only yield to the Holy Spirit and allow him to pray for me.

This is what the Holy Spirit does. He talks to God the Father on your behalf. He prays for you. You may not know what to say, but he does. He always prays the right prayer for you; he always prays in accordance with God's will. As Paul said, (v. 27) And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

When you pray, remember that the Holy Spirit is praying with you. We don't always know how we ought to pray, but he does. And he intercedes for us according to the will of God.

Have you heard the saying, "Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it." The only way you can believe that statement is if you don't believe in the goodness of God. A cruel, apathetic God might not stand in the way of you receiving some of your foolish requests--like a bad parent might give their kids cupcakes every time--but our God isn't like that.

When you ask for things that aren't good for you, or aren't in accordance with God's will for your life--the Holy Spirit searches your heart and intercedes on your behalf. You have an all-powerful, all-knowing prayer partner. In fact, not just one prayer partner, but two. Paul said... (v. 34) Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

This is an example of God's goodness towards you. Jesus prays for you. The Holy Spirit prays for you. You're a member of an Almighty prayer team. Remember this when you pray; it will help you become more than a conqueror. Secondly, keep in mind...

II. God is in Control of the Events of Your Life.

(v. 28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

If your heart is yielded to God, nothing bad can happen to you, ever. Period. Now, take note. I didn't say that nothing unpleasant can ever happen, or nothing irritating can ever happen, or nothing sad can ever happen. These things are a fact of life. But when they happen, God has promised to work them out for our good...for our benefit.

Don't you know someone who lost a job, only to find a better one? Don't you know someone (maybe yourself) whose heart was broken in a bad relationship, only later to find true love? I'm sure we've all seen the occasional negative experience turn into something positive. For believers, these experiences aren't just lucky coincidences. This is part and parcel of our everyday experience. God makes the events of your life work out for the best.

To benefit from this promise, you must trust in God's goodness. Otherwise, you'll fall apart every time things don't go according to plan. One minor setback will cause you to think that God has deserted you and the world is caving in on you. This isn't what God intended for you. He made you to live above your circumstances. He wants you to live with absolute, total, and complete confidence. That's why Paul said, (v. 31) If God is for us, who can be against us? No situation need get the best of you, because God is in control of the events in your life. Through him, you are more than a conqueror. But, to experience it, you must believe it. You must trust in God's goodness. Thirdly, keep in mind...

III. You are Surrounded by God's Inseparable Love.

(v. 35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... (v. 37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (v. 38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you're tempted to think God no longer loves you, stop and ask yourself, "What caused me to think such a thing?" Was it a business failure or financial problems? Were you victimized by some cruel and hateful person? Was it a health problem, or the death of someone close to you? Was it the memory of a sin you committed long ago? Or a sin you committed yesterday? If it was a hardship, Paul says hardship can't separate you from God's love. If it was mistreatment, Paul says persecution can't separate you from God's love. Neither can sickness, poverty, crime or danger. Nothing in all creation--not even sin--can separate you from the love of God

There's strength in knowing God's love. When you focus on him, the fickleness of others becomes insignificant. He promised he'll always love you, but if you don't believe that promise, you'll miss out on the benefits. If you don't believe his promise, you'll be a slave to the opinions of others. But if you trust in God's goodness, if you rely with all your heart on his promise to love you forever--you can approach challenges with strength and security. If you want to be more than a conqueror, remember that nothing in the world can separate you from God's love.

CLOSE:

Do you want to become holy? Do you want to become good? Paul says, Be transformed the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2) The battle for holiness is fought and won in the mind. It's all about what you think, what you believe. When you believe the right things about God, you experience his power--the power to become good.

To become more than a conqueror, you must learn to trust in God's goodness. Believe his promises. When you pray, he prays with you. When hard times come your way, he works them out for your good. And when others turn their back on you, his love remains eternally faithful. Relying on these promises--that's what makes you more than a conqueror.

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)

Study Guide: "Like Father, Like Son"

Text: Genesis 26:1-25

OPEN:

When I was growing up, occasionally my mother or my grandmother would say, "You're just like your dad." Sometimes it was intended as a compliment, since my dad stood 6'2", had a deep bass voice, could do anything he set his mind to do, and (when he wanted to be) quite charming. Then again, sometimes these words were spoken in exasperation because my dad had a knack for being, well, exasperating. And I inherited it (even though I was adopted).

I always liked to hear that I was like my dad, because I always looked up to him. Even years later, when I had a more grown-up understanding of him, and realized that he had some flaws that I didn't want to emulate, I still liked the idea that I might possess his best qualities.

Today is Father's Day. I want to speak to us about the responsibility that God has placed on you. 

A father's job is to develop character in the lives of his children. Fathers, here's the catch. You will do this without even trying. You will develop character – or be a primary influence in the character development – of your children; the question is, what kind of character will they have?

Today we'll look at a father and son relationship in the Bible. It's one of the oldest: Abraham and Isaac. Abraham was a great man, he did many great things, God used him in a great way. But Abraham wasn't perfect. Far from it. And yet, he was God's man. Today we'll look at some events in Isaac's life that show us a father's influence. Dads, I encourage you to think about these things as you raise your children.

Now, the backstory is that Abraham was chosen by God when he was a young man. Fast forward a few years. Abraham has passed away. Isaac is now a grown man. We'll take up his story in Genesis 26. There are three events in this chapter that will help fathers pass on good qualities to their children. I've titled today's message Like Father Like Son because we're looking at Abraham and Isaac. Clearly, these principles apply to your sons and your daughters. Here are the three things I encourage you to do:

I. Make Sure You Give Them Something to Continue.

There was a famine in the land, and Isaac was preparing to move, and God spoke to him.

(v. 2) The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. I hereby confirm that I will give all these lands to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father. I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed."

This is basically the same promise God made to Abraham many years before. God continues to say...

(v. 5) "I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions."

1. God started something in Abraham's life that he was able to continue in Isaac's life, because Abraham was faithful to God. 

In the same way, God wants to do things in your life that he can continue through the lives of your children. I'm not talking about passing on the family business or making sure that your children follow in your career path. But I am talking about a family tradition, of sorts. A tradition of character, of obedience, of faith, and of service. It's a matter of identity.

2. There's something powerful about being able to say to your sons and daughters: This is who we are; this is the kind of choices we make, this is the type of life we lead.

3. Fathers, make sure you have something of value to pass on to your children. 

Make sure that your life begins something that God can continue in them, just like Abraham's heritage of faith and obedience. 

Here's the second thing I want to you think about...

II. Be Aware, and Help Your Children be Aware, of Your Character Flaws.

Something really interesting happens in chapter 26

(v. 6) So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekkah, he said, "She is my sister." He was afraid to say, "She is my wife." He thought, "They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful."

Later, when Abimilech the king found out that Isaac had been dishonest, he was furious.

1. If this story sounds familiar, it's because Abraham pulled the same stunt with his wife, Sarah, years earlier, with the very same king.

Both men did what they did because of cowardice and lack of character. Both men showed a willingness to put their wives in a vulnerable situation in order to prevent putting themselves at risk. And both men were wrong to do it. 

Abraham was a man of God and God used him, but that doesn't mean he was perfect. Isaac was a man of God and God used him, but that doesn't mean he was perfect. The same can be said for Moses and David and Peter and Paul and every other person we meet in Scripture – with the particular exception of Jesus, who was without sin.

2. Here's the unfortunate truth: Your children are likely to pick up some of your bad habits. 

They're likely to inherit some of your character flaws. If they see you do cowardly things, they'll probably resort to cowardice, too. If they see you respond to challenges by losing your temper, they'll probably rant and rave, too, when things don't go their way.

3. Here's the problem: If you could fix your faults, you probably would. If you could just get rid of your fear and worry and anxiety and all your bad habits all at once, you probably would. But you can't because you're not perfect. So your kids will see you fail from time to time. Maybe they'll see you fail big time from time to time.

4. Here's what you can do: You can be completely honest with them about yourself and your faults. You can say, for example, "I struggle with my temper and I hate it. It hurts me in the workplace, it hurts me in my marriage, it isn't good for my health, and it's something I want to change. It's also a problem I want to help you avoid. You can do better than me."

Please understand: I'm not suggesting that you tell your children, "Do as I say, not as I do," – as if your attitude is, "It's never wrong when I do it." That's not what we're talking about at all. 

I'm talking about being transparent with your children about your weaknesses and faults. Imagine if Abraham had said, "Isaac, I brought shame on the family name when I lied to Abimilech, and I treated your mother with disrespect and put her in danger. This is not what a man of honor does. Don't follow my example on this one; learn from my mistakes instead."

Your kids will pick up some of your bad habits and bad qualities. I'm encouraging you to be wise enough to recognize your faults, and be transparent enough to admit them to your children, so that you can help them be strong enough to overcome them.

Here's the third thing I encourage you to do...

III. Make Sure They See You Do Most Things Right.

Towards the end of chapter 26, Isaac had moved to another place, and the Bible says that God appeared to him, and spoke words of comfort and promise to him – similar to what he said in the first part of the chapter. Here's the part I like:

(v. 25) Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the Lord.

Why did Isaac decide to build an altar there? Because he had seen or had heard about his own father doing it many many times in the past.

And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord. (Genesis 12:7)

Then he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. (Genesis 12:8)

This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again. (Genesis 13:4)

There he built another altar to the Lord. (Genesis 13:18)

1. Abraham gave his son an example of spirituality to follow. 

Abraham's custom was build an altar at every key moment in life, and to stop and worship the Lord. Isaac knew this. He heard the stories as they were passed down; he witnessed the example first-hand in his father.

2. Men, you're in church today. This is good. You're setting a good example. Do everything you can to build on that example. 

By nature, men tend to be reserved about things of an emotional or personal nature. Our relationship with God is a very personal matter.

But it's necessary. It's necessary for your kids to see examples of your spiritual life. That means coming to church, of course. It also means that they know that you pray, that you worship, that you serve. They're going to see your faults, because you can't hide them. Make sure they see your strengths, also. Make sure they have an example to follow.

The best way to do this is to take them with you.

What I'm saying is: Give your sons and your daughters the opportunity to see your faith in action. Give them a hands-on example to follow. And, it's never too late to start.

CLOSE:

Dads, the truth is that your kids want to be like you. I know that sometimes you might hear the opposite: "I'll never be like my dad!" That's because sometimes we go about things the wrong way.

In order for your kids to have character, you need to have character. Character is hard to develop, as you already know. But if you'll pay the price in your life to become the man you can be, it will be easier for your sons and daughter to pick up your strength and sidestep your weaknesses.

Make it your objective to give your kids an identity to continue. Be transparent with them about your weaknesses, so that they can learn from your mistakes, and overcome them. And give them an example to follow. Share your strengths with them. Make sure they see the good you do. Make sure they know the place God has in your life.

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)

Study Guide: "When Life Gets You Down, Look Up"

Text: Philippians 1:12-26

OPEN:

At one time or another, all of us find ourselves in situations where nothing seems to be going right. Many of us are facing challenges like that right now. Maybe it's your job, or your marriage, or your financial situation, or your health, or maybe it's all of the above. The good news is that whatever your problems may be, it is possible to face adversity with confidence and boldness. The Bible shows us how in Philippians 1:12-26.

 

Paul wrote Philippians during a time when life had seemingly given him nothing but lemons. He was in jail, living under the threat of death while being separated from the people he cared about. And on top of that, he knew his enemies were celebrating his incarceration. But in spite of this, Philippians is a joyful, optimistic book. Paul has shown us, in the book of Philippians, how to look up when life gets you down. The passage we're looking at today demonstrates Paul's attitude toward problem situations. 

There are three important things to do when life gets you down. The first is to:

 

I. CONSIDER THE BENEFITS

Paul begins this passage by listing all the good things that have happened as a result of his imprisonment. In verse 12 he says this has helped to spread the gospel, in verse 13 he says the brethren have become more confident in speaking the word, and in verses 15-18 he says regardless of people's motives, Christ is being proclaimed.

 

Now, take a look at your problems. Ask yourself, "What are the benefits of this situation?" The benefits may not always be obvious. In fact, they may be hidden, but you will find them if you look for them.

 

Every problem has benefits, we just need to learn to look for them. I will admit that this isn't always easy. Our natural tendency is not the see the positive benefits. Our natural tendency is to see only the problem itself. And the more we look at the problem the bigger it gets, until our perception becomes completely distorted. At this point it is real easy to become side-tracked and lose sight of our priorities. And when you lose sight of your priorities, it is impossible to see the benefits of any problem.

 

Your priorities become distorted when you keep your eyes on the problem. Instead of looking for solutions, we spend our time trying to put out fires.

 

Paul's top priority was the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wasn't concerned with "putting out the fire" of his imprisonment, he was concerned with spreading the fire of the gospel. He didn't complain about the unfair treatment he had received. He didn't ask the Philippian church to start a petition drive demanding his release. He didn't try to organize any protest groups. He wasn't worried at all about the effect his adversity would have on him, he was only thinking about how his imprisonment would impact the spread of Christianity.

 

One benefit of every problem is that it gives you an opportunity to evaluate your priorities. Is your relationship with Jesus Christ more important than anything else in the world? And when your priorities are in order, it is easy to see the other benefits as well.

 

The second thing to do when life gets you down is to:

II. CONSIDER THE LIMITATIONS

If your problems seem insurmountable, you need to change your perspective. There are a few things even the worst problems can't do. They can't separate you from God's love, they can't separate you from God's family, and they can't separate you from God's protection. God is bigger than any problem you will ever face. And God has the ability to turn any problem into an "either way I win" situation. See how Paul puts his adversity in perspective in verse 20-21:

 

It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

 

Optimism in the face of adversity is simply a matter of perspective. 

 

Finding the limitations of a problem involves changing our perspective. Our problems are not all-powerful; God is all-powerful. Also, in the midst of adversity, you have two things going for you: 

1) the power of prayer, and 

2) the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This is what Paul said in verse 19:

 

...for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.

 

Think about the problems you are facing right now. What is it that you are focusing on? Do you keep reminding yourself about all the damage this problem can cause? Do you catch yourself saying, "This will be the end of me, I'll be ruined, I'll never be able to bounce back"? Try this: Instead of focusing on all that a problem can do, focus on all that a problem can't do. It can't defeat you. Either way, you win. That's the way God arranged it. 

The third thing to do when life gets you down is to:

III. CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITIES

You have probably heard that the Chinese word for "crisis" is a compound of two words, "dangerous" and "opportunity". Every problem you face is an opportunity for God to accomplish something in your life. It will most likely involve helping people. Paul recognized this. He had committed his life to helping people grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ, so prison wasn't an obstacle for him, it was an opportunity to write letters to churches he couldn't visit. I'm sure he didn't know at the time those letters would become Scripture. He was simply motivated by the desire to help people. Look at what he wrote in verses 23-25:

...my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith.

 

Nobody likes living through a crisis. Given a choice, we would choose a less painful path. But one certainty of life is that we will all face adversity at some time or another. The question is how will you use that adversity to help others?

 

Every problem has hidden opportunities for ministry. When we search for the opportunities, the problems become powerless.

 

CLOSE:

When Jesus died, nearly all of his disciples thought all hope was lost. This problem was much too big. They didn't see the Benefits of the problem, that by His death Jesus could take away the sins of the world (John 2:2). They didn't see the Limitations, that death did not have the power to keep him in the grave (1 Corinthians 15:55). And they didn't see the Opportunity, that through the death and resurrection of Christ, salvation could be offered to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

You see, our problems aren't punishment. They are an opportunity for us to experience the power of God in our lives. When life gets you down, look up. God is up to something good on your behalf.

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)