Ross Road Community Church

SERMON NOTES Solitude connects our souls to God. The blessings of solitude: How to practice solitude: Consider: How might the experience of solitude bring benefit to your life? What obstacles do you need to overcome in order to practice this more regularly?

SERMON NOTES Solitude forces me to confront my false selfwith Gods help. The challenges of solitude: Jesus example: Put it into practice: If you dont have an already established practice of solitude, take 5 minutes twice this week to be alone without distraction. Feel no pressure to experience anything in particular. Pay attention to where your mind goes and bring those thoughts to God. Journal about the experience when youre done.

SERMON NOTES The disciples were in the __________ of the boat, in the __________ of the lake, in the __________ of the night, when they got caught in the __________ of a storm while being in the __________ of the Lords will. PRIORIITY #1: Storms are used by the Lord to D__________ G__________ in us. PRIORITY #2: Storms are used by the Lord because He wants to D__________ G__________ to us. PRIORITY #3: Storms are used by the Lord because He D__________ G__________ from us.

SERMON NOTES Community is foundational to a faith in Jesus Community Strengthens Us Community Shapes Us Community Mirrors God Question to ponder: How does my community reflect my faith in Jesus?

SERMON NOTES The rule of life is a schedule and set of practices and relational rhythms that create space for us to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did, as we live in alignment with our deepest desires. (John Mark Comer) Big idea - when God brings revival, He begins by preparing those disciples who are faithful to Him. Historical Examples Josiah Nehemiah What the practices are not A barometer of spiritual maturity A gloomy bore A form of merit A Christian version of virtue signaling A means of control 9 core practices Sabbath Solitude Prayer Fasting Scripture Community Generosity Service Witness Where do you start?

SERMON NOTES Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to remain in Jesus must live as Jesus would, if he were me. WHO? To whom does this apply? WHY? Why should I do this? WHAT? What must I do? What Jesus actually did: Jesus lived _____________________ Jesus lived______________________ Jesus lived______________________ OBJECTIONS: #1 #2 #3 What is the Holy Spirit prompting you to do about doing as Jesus did?

SERMON NOTES We Become Like Jesus to Love Like Jesus 1. Invitation (Lk. 6:39-40) 2. Formation 3. Transformation (Rom. 12:2) 4. Mission For Further Reflection: Are you being intentional about who you are becoming? What practical next step can you take to shape your heart toward the things that matter to Jesus?

SERMON NOTES God with us Be with Jesus Obstacles to overcome Practical first step Questions to ponder: What are you abiding in (making your emotional home in)? What are some tasks that you do where you could focus on Gods love at the same time (practice the Presence of God)? What obstacles do you need to overcome in order to be with Jesus? What steps could you take to develop a daily prayer rhythm?

SERMON NOTES Following Jesus is the sacrificial way to abundant life. Follow Jesus (Be With Him) Becoming like him and doing what he did Building desire for God Instructions to check screentime Apple: 1.Open the Settings app, then tap Screen Time. 2. To see your Screen Time report, tap See All App Website Activity Samsung 1. Open the settings application. 2. Scroll down to find and select the Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls' option. 3. The users then need to click on Show your Data from the tools on the top of the page it is a graph like image on the top Reflection questions: How do I currently define "abundant life"? How does this definition align or conflict with the idea of abundance that comes through sacrifice as outlined in the sermon?What are the areas in my life where I am holding onto control or comfort? What specific sacrifices is God calling me to make in order to follow Jesus more closely? In what ways have I delighted and grown in love with God in the past? How can I create rhythms

SERMON NOTES Ask Him. Seek Him. Wait for Him. Ask Him Seek Him Wait for Him - What happens when the answer is no?

SERMON NOTES John 8:12 Isaiah 9:2 Seven Signs of John: Seven "I Am" Statements in John Psalm 130 John 9:35-41 Questions to consider: Are we really okay with the status quo? To let things continue as is? Or are we like the pilgrims on the journey with and towards Jesus our Light? Are we longing for the true King to reign in our hearts and world?

SERMON NOTES Fools fix their eyes on the temporary; wise people live in light of the generosity of Gods Kingdom. Luke 12:1-12 Verses 4-7: Wise people__________________________________. Luke 12:13-21 Verse 15: Wise people____________________________________. Verses 16-21: Fools take________________________________; wise people__________________________. Luke 12:22-34 Verses 22-28: Fools fix their eyes_______________________; wise people live_______________. Fools allow themselves to be__________________________; wise people trust______________. Verses 29-31: Fools pursue________________; wise people pursue_____________. Questions to consider: Are you foolish or wise in the way you handle your money? Are you foolish or wise in how you pursue the Kingdom? What priorities need to shift in your life and how will you do that?

SERMON "When we truly follow God, our lives change" Gardener: Remain in Jesus: Question to ponder: What areas of you life need pruning to bear more fruit?

SERMON NOTES Persistent prayer is a mark of the faithful Christ-follower in response to the injustice of the world. The context: The widow: The judge: The point: Prayerfully consider: How persistent are you in prayer? Does the injustice of the world cause you to look to God? What do you learn about Gods character from this parable?

SERMON NOTES What we rely on outside of God dulls our passion for God Laodicea: Recovering your spiritual temperature: Recognize your need for God: Receive Gods correction: Open the door to Jesus completely: Next steps: Take some time in prayer asking Jesus, the faithful and true Ruler over all creation, to reveal to you where you are depending on things other than God. Then, invite Jesus into each room of your home, noticing where youve been hesitant to invite Him in.

SERMON NOTES You are invited to participate in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God starts small. The kingdom of God grows on Gods timing not our own. The kingdom of God is here! Respond: Whats one small way you can participate in the kingdom of God this week? Reaching out to a friend? Forgiving someone in your heart? Asking for prayer? Praying for someone?

SERMON NOTES The ugliness of sin moves us to urgent prayer Questions to ponder: What instances of injustice in the world really get my blood boiling? How can I turn this into urgent prayer? How can I adopt a posture of hopeful patience in spite of the evil in the world?

SERMON NOTES God will be praised Who should praise? Gods people (96:1-3) The Nations (96:7-10) Creation (96:11-13) Why should they praise? (96:4-6, 13) Put it into practice: Set aside time to intentionally praise God this week, perhaps by learning a new song, by writing out your thanks, by walking through creation and noting its beauty, or some other creative way to show God how much He is worth.

SERMON NOTES "Jesusexperience of darkness ensures that we can experience the light of God" Reflection: How and why does Jesus use the words of the Psalms to express his experience on the cross? What hope does it give you in troubled times to see how Jesus experienced the same on your behalf?

SERMON NOTES Lament is a necessary element of prayer Lament (13:1-2) Petition (13:3-4) Praise (13:5-6) Questions to consider: When is the last time you lamented to God about something in your life? How can Davids lament help shape your lamenting? If there is something you need to lament about, write out a prayer of lament to God.