STEP OUT OF YOUR TENT // Sunday, March 23, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

Step Out of Your Tent

Genesis 15: 5 (NLT)

   Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

Take an honest self-assessment

Ephesians 1: 1 (NASB)

   Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…

Romans 12: 3 (NLT)

   Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

1 Timothy 1: 15 (NLT)

   This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ”— and I am the worst of them all.

Philippians 3: 17 (NLT)

   Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

Ephesians 5: 15 – 17 (NLT)

   …Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Discerning God’s Will

1.              God’s will is not a feeling.

         (The mystical approach)

Jeremiah 17: 9 (ESV)

   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

2.              God’s will is not a formula.

(The mechanical approach)

a.              Formulas often contradict one a another.

b.              Formulas must be followed to perfection.

3.              God’s will is a friendship.

1 Corinthians 1: 9 (ESV)

   God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our perspective can hinder God’s will

1.              Don’t be fatalistic about God’s will.

Healthy People Grow…

John 7: 17 (NLT)

    Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

2.              Don’t be fearful of God’s will.

Ephesians 2: 10 (ESV)

   …we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

3.              Don’t be frustrated with God’s will.

God’s will is a long-term process.

The purpose of the process is to makes us like Jesus.

Colossians 1: 28 (ESV)

   Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,

   that we may present everyone mature in Christ.