First Baptist Church of Howard City
August 7th, 2022

      • Colossians 1.9-10ESV

      • Colossians 1.11-13ESV

      • Colossians 1.14ESV

  • Take The Name Of Jesus With You
  • There Is Power in the Blood
  • There Shall Be Showers
  • A Shelter in Time of Storm
  • Proverbs 4:23 ESV
    23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
    John 14:27 ESV
    27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
    Philippians 4:6 ESV
    6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
    Matthew 11:28–30 ESV
    28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
    ​

    1. The analysis of an unsettled heart.

    (1) A. The unsettled heart is a heart full of guilt.

    An awareness in our heart that we have done something wrong.
    Sin quenches the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
    Our fellowship with God is hindered.
    It robs us of our peace.
    Colossians 3:15 ESV
    15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

    (1) A. The unsettled heart is a heart full of guilt.

    The peace of God is not ruling in our hearts.
    Guilt is.
    Either guilt from sin.
    Or false guilt from the past.

    (1) B. The unsettled heart is a heart full of fear.

    Do you have feel like something bad is going to happen in your life?
    Anxiety because of what MIGHT happen in the future.
    What is going to happen in the world?
    What is going to happen to my life?
    What is going to happen to my children or my loved ones?
    An unsettled heard is full of fear.
    A sense of pending doom.
    You have lost trust in God.

    (1) C. The unsettled heart is a heart that is trying to run away.

    How do I escape this pain?
    How do I remove myself from this difficult situation?
    Would you rather God remove the difficult situation or work His plan through you?

    (1) D. The unsettled heart is caused by reducing life to what you think you need.

    We are trying to live according to what we think is right.
    We are trying to achieve what we think is best for our lives.
    We think we know what we need in our lives.
    Then God sends things along that mess that up.
    Our heart becomes unsettled because we have reduced life to what we think we need rather than trusting God’s plan.

    (1) E. The unsettled heart is caused by trying to live life without God.

    This seems harsh but it is true.
    Anxiety in our heart comes because we are trying to do it on our own.
    We have lost faith or never had faith in God.

    An unsettled heart is a heart that is downcast, broken, doubtful, fearful, divided, and does not have peace.

    Maybe you are one of these people.
    We might say life throws a lot of difficult things our way.
    Life has thrown a lot of really difficult things into the lives of our church family.
    Remember what we said about the sovereignty of God?
    Nothing comes into your life that God hasn’t approved or decreed.
    Many of you are walking through a season where God has allowed or decreed what we would perceive to be really difficult things in our lives.
    So your heart is unsettled.
    There is a remedy for our unsettled hearts.

    2. The remedy for an unsettled heart.

    Matthew 11:28–29 ESV
    28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

    (2) A. Jesus calls us to come to Him.

    Jesus is calling us to establish a relationship with Him.
    The call to come is offered to those who are weary or laboring in this life.
    Those who are feeling fatigue in this life.
    Those who are tired from the hard toil of life.
    The call to come is offered to those who are heavy laden.
    Over burdened with spiritual anxiety.
    The call to come is offered to those who become incredibly burdened down with sin that imprisons them.
    This is salvation.
    Repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus.

    (2) B. Jesus calls us to take His yoke.

    A yoke is what is used to hitch oxen to a wagon.
    Is signifies working for someone.
    Understand the context...
    Jesus is speaking to Jews who have the yoke of the law.
    They have been carrying the heavy burden of trying to keep the law.
    The law has been their master.
    We too will be slave to something...
    Matthew 6:24 ESV
    24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

    (2) B. Jesus calls us to take His yoke.

    Submit to Jesus as His follower.
    This is a call to sanctification.
    The we take the yoke as His followers.
    That yoke calls us to the same characteristics of Jesus.

    Jesus calls us to learn gentleness.

    This requires a willing submission from our heart.
    We are submitting to God’s rule and plan in our lives without complaining or grumbling.
    James 1:2–4 ESV
    2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

    Jesus calls us to learn gentleness.

    Saying I will go with the flow of the Father’s will, because God will never waist pain in our lives.

    Jesus calls us to learn humility.

    Even in our struggles, we have a willing heart to esteem others about ourselves.
    Philippians 2:3–5 ESV
    3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

    Jesus calls us to learn humility.

    Saying I will go with the flow of the Father’s will, because God will never waist pain in our lives.

    We question the character of God when what He is doing in our lives doesn’t match our own plans and ideas.

    We no longer trust what God is doing. What we are really saying is that we don’t trust who God is.... we don’t trust His character.
    When God is no longer trustworthy our hearts become anxious.
    Think about it a different way. If you heart is anxious you do not trust God.
    2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
    7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
    Philippians 4:6–7 ESV
    6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    Jesus calls us to learn humility.

    We have a have a knowledge but we often struggle to live what we know is truth.
    We know God is good, sovereign, and loving.
    But then we we get angry at Him.
    We worry about the things that are happening in our lives.

    3. The promise for the unsettled heart.

    Matthew 11:28–30 ESV
    28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
    ​

    (3) A. The unsettled heart will be given rest.

    “I will GIVE you rest.” vs 28
    Come unto me - when we go to Christ - when we are regenerated - we find peace with God.
    Romans 5:1 ESV
    1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    (3) A. The unsettled heart will be given rest.

    This is a peace that is given by grace and recieved through faith that is given to us.

    (3) B. The unsettled heart will find rest.

    When we submit to His yoke and follow Him, we find the rest He promises.
    This is the tranquility of God in our hearts.
    This is not simply peace with God, but the peace OF God.
    Philippians 4:6–9 ESV
    6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

    (3) B. The unsettled heart will find rest.

    Because of this, Jesus calls his yoke “easy”.
    The call is to submit to His will.
    This is part of sanctification!
    This comes from growing in Christ.
    1 John 2:13 ESV
    13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

    (3) B. The unsettled heart will find rest.

    Trust that He is working His plan through you.
    God doesn’t tell us he will change our circumstances.
    He tells us our circumstances are for his purpose.
    When we know He is working His purpose through us, there is a contentment, joy, and peace that the world cannot understand.

    (3) C. Jesus’ burden will be light.

    This is a promise.
    2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ESV
    17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

    (3) C. Jesus’ burden will be light.

    Peace is not determined by our circumstances but by our attitude.
    A settled heart comes from living as Christ lived.
    A settled heart comes from walking in the Spirit!
    Galatians 5:22–23 ESV
    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

    (3) C. Jesus’ burden will be light.

    God didn’t promise peaceful circumstances.
    He promised a settled heart.
    If peace is promised for the unsettled heart.
    If God promises that we WILL find rest, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light...
    Why does it not seem that way?
    Why do our hearts become unsettled?
    We let our circumstances determine our attitude rather than God.
    People do not determine your peace.
    If you think your heart is unsettled because of your household… it isn’t because of your spouse or kids.
    Their actions may be wrong, but that doesn’t determine the peace you have.
    Your attitude and reaction to them determines if your heart is unsettled or peaceful.
    The past does not determine your peace.
    Your health or the health of your loved one does not determine your peace.
    If you heart is unsettled it your attitude towards the circumstances.
    • 2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV
      16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

      Your Bible provides truth, training, and transformation for disciples as you teach them to obey everything Christ commanded.

      It is profitable for.
      Valuable for
      Useful for.
      Hebrews 4:12 ESV
      12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
      I want us to walk away today with these things in mind...
      No matter what we do as Christian, or as a church, the Bible is what we need.
      The commission Jesus gave us can feel overwhelming. It can feel daunting. We can look at ourselves and wonder how we can ever do what He is asking us to do… but He gave us all we need to do it!

      1. Your Bible is useful for the spiritual development of disciples.

      Dr. Nicolas Ellen has identified 5 categories or stages of change.
      I have modified it for our context.

      1. The disciple’s thoughts, motives, desires, feelings will change. (Attitude)

      Our attitude is the root of our sin.
      Our theology determines our attitude. Our attitude determines our behavior or practice.

      2. The disciple’s communication will change.

      3. The disciple’s behavior or practice will change.

      4. The disciple’s relational patterns will change.

      5. The disciple’s serving patterns will change.

      2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV
      16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

      1. Your Bible is useful for the spiritual development of disciples.

      (1) A. It is useful for giving spiritual life.

      Romans 1:16 ESV
      16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
      The gospel, found written on the pages of Scripture.
      Breathed out by the God of the universe is the power that gives spiritual live.
      There is nothing more transformative than the gospel.
      Ephesians 2:5 ESV
      5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

      (1) A. It is useful for giving spiritual life.

      We know we cannot save anyone, but how often do we try to impose outward morality on the world?
      I am careful to celebrate the overturning of Roe Vs Wade.
      We can rightly celebrate the lives that are saved, but we cannot be content with that.
      Abortion is not the problem. It is a symptom of the problem.
      The problem is not outward. The problem is the heart.
      They is already talk of offshore abortion clinics.
      The solution to the problem is spiritually dead people being made alive by the power of the gospel.
      And you hold that power in your hand!
      Use the power that you have been given, don’t try to add to it.
      1 Corinthians 1:17 ESV
      17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

      (1) A. It is useful for giving spiritual life.

      We have been taught to witness by giving your testimony.
      You need to be careful that you don’t empty the cross of its power.
      Make sure Christ is central in the story, not you.
      This is why taking your time and building a relationship is a good way.
      They will SEE your testimony.
      They will SEE the power of the gospel in your life.
      Then, just have a Bible study with them.
      Let the power of the Bible you are holding in your hands do the work!

      (1) B. It is useful for spiritual growth.

      The word teaching means instruction.
      Teaching them to obey all Christ’s commands.
      In the making and transformation of a disciple, there must be instruction from Scripture.
      We can’t obey Christ’s commands if we don’t know what they are.
      The Bible instructs us on who God is.
      The Bible instructs us on who we are.
      The Bible instructs us on God’s expectation for His children.
      The Bible instructs us on how to live in light who, God is, who we are and what He expects of us.
      The Bible transforms us and causes us to grow spiritually.
      That’s why you hear a constant plea from your pastors to faithfully put yourself under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word in your local church.
      Not only does it transform us and cause us to grow, but it transforms us and causes us to grow together!
      Have you felt stuck lately? Like you aren’t being transformed or you aren’t growing?
      James 1:19 ESV
      19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
      We need to be growing. We need to be transformed so we can lead others.

      If you don’t feel like you can do what God left us on earth to do, remember what God left us on earth to do. God left us on earth to be His mouthpiece to men, not the transformer of men.

      2. Your Bible is useful for convicting disciples of sin.

      “The Word of God I think of as a straight edge, which shows up our own crookedness. We can't really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of Scripture.”
      ― Elisabeth Elliot
      1 John 1:5–9 ESV
      5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

      2. Your Bible is useful for convicting disciples of sin.

      Some key words or phrased to help us understand this.
      God is light.
      Think of this as a flashlight.
      If we walk in the light.
      The beam of light reveals the mess on the floor.
      Things that will trip you up while walking.
      If we confess the sin that the light reveals, God will be faithful and just to forgive those sins.
      The Bible you have in your hands bring awareness of sin in a disciple’s life.
      Hebrews 4:12 ESV
      12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

      2. Your Bible is useful for convicting disciples of sin.

      It is God’s communication to us that pierces and cuts apart the soul.
      That digs deep into the thoughts and intentions of a disciples heart.
      You cannot convict them of sin.
      You cannot change their mind.
      You may get them to change, but it is only an outward, pharisaical change.
      The Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to begin focusing attention on various aspects of the disciple’s life.
      Through the truth of scripture brings conviction, sorrow, and repentance.
      Ultimately change!n (Transformation)
      That leads us to our next point...

      3. Your Bible is useful for correcting disciples.

      Not just pointing out sin, but showing how to correct it!
      Don’t miss the flow of thought...
      FIRST: Teaching/instruction.
      This teaching and instruction will reveal sin and produce conviction in the life of the disciple.
      An inward acknowledgment and sorrow for what they are doing.
      It is then that the disciple will abandon sinful habits in their life.
      God’s Word will teach them new and correct habits.
      This can be difficult and time consuming.
      Other times it will happen quickly and easily.
      Through the truth and power of the Word, God guides the disciple thought the process of repentance and into a right relationship with Himself.

      4. The training of disciples.

      Again follow the flow of thought… as a result of teaching and conviction from God’s Word, the disciples practices what God commanded in His word.
      He/she OBSERVES or obeys what Christ Commanded.
      John 17:17 ESV
      17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

      4. The training of disciples.

      God’s word is the truth they need.
      Training is the idea of educating, discipling, and training up children.
      That’s what God’s Word does in the life of the disciple.
      Let’s think about the impact of this for a minute.
      This takes the burden off of you as you lead a disciple.
      When someone isn’t changing the way you’d like, remember the source of real change.
      Remember it isn’t up to you!
      Be patient and let the Lord do His work through His Word.
      Learn to exegete scripture well.
      Exegete: to expound, interpret, or expose.
      You can properly dig in and explain God’s word.
      This points again to our “WHY?”
      Why Bible study 101.
      Why do we have built into our pathway?
      Why New Testament Survey?
      So this brings us to our end goal...
      2 Timothy 3:17 ESV
      17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

      We are preparing them to be fully equipped to handle whatever life and ministry presents to them.

      There is something here I want you to see.
      1 Timothy 6:11 ESV
      11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

      We are preparing them to be fully equipped to handle whatever life and ministry presents to them.

      These are the only two places in the NT that the Greek word for “man of God appears”.
      Remember - the application is for all, but the letter was written to Timothy - a pastor.
      This term was used over 60 times in the Septuagint.
      The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament.
      It was used to describe men like...
      Moses
      Samuel
      Elijah
      David
      and other unnamed prophets.
      Paul is telling Timothy that God’s Word is able to fully equip a leader.
      It will accomplish the goal of preparing the saints.

      What we learn in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 takes the burden off the disciple-maker.

      It also takes away the excuse that we cannot do it.
      It reminds us to keep God’s Word central.
      Remember: Foundations is simply a tool to help you walk them through God’s Word.
      It is His Word that has the power to change. Not us.

          • 2 Timothy 3:16–17ESV

          • Hebrews 4:12ESV

          • 2 Timothy 3:16–17ESV

          • Romans 1:16ESV

          • Ephesians 2:5ESV

          • 1 Corinthians 1:17ESV

          • James 1:19ESV

          • 1 John 1:5–9ESV

          • Hebrews 4:12ESV

          • John 17:17ESV

          • 2 Timothy 3:17ESV

          • 1 Timothy 6:11ESV

        • Song
          First Baptist Church
          howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
          2319374809
          https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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