​How to Walk Through Chaos
Part 5:  Share Your Story   2 Corinthians 4:7-15
We are learning 5 ways to walk through chaos
The first three steps focus on our personal development
1.  Stick with Jesus
2.  Trust God’s Word
3.  Connect with God’s family
 
The last two steps focus on giving ourselves to others
4.  Serve others
5.  Share your story (today)
 
All of these steps work together to help us face chaos
 
God uses chaos
 
Today: Share Your Story as you are walking through chaos!
-Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
 
Sharing my story…
Explains why I can endure chaos
-It is God working in me, a clay pot, to empower me
 


Leads people to Jesus
-Jesus is the true hero, the life giver
-Our weakness demonstrate God’s greatness
-My story tells people the source


Encourages people
-Other people see they aren’t alone in their struggles
 


Glorifies God
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How to Share Your Story
Be honest about your struggles
-When I am weak, then He is strong!
-We must embrace the death of Christ to find life in Christ
-We “carry around the death of Christ”
-God uses ordinary people with real struggles to help others!
 


Explain why Jesus gives  you hope in this life
-Christ’s resurrection is the game changer!!
-This world does not offer hope for eternity, but Jesus does!
 
 


Share your story with everyone!
-more and more people find Christ when we share our stories
-Christians, new and seasoned are encouraged
-God uses our stories of His power to reach and impact people
 
 


Give God all the credit
-Lead people to discover Jesus as their own personal Savior
-Give God the glory that is due His name
-Glorify God for empowering you to walk through your chaos
 
We are all created to GLORIFY GOD!
2 Corinthians 4:15  Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God
 
 
How will you glorify God with your story?

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How we do live in a world that seems to be falling apart? Today's message is entitled "Serve Others" and is the fourth in a series entitled, "How To Walk Through Chaos."

​How to Walk Through Chaos
Part 4:  Serve Others
​
We are learning 5 ways to walk through chaos
The first three steps focus on our personal development
1.  Stick with Jesus
2.  Trust God’s Word
3.  Connect with God’s family
 
The last two steps focus on giving ourselves to others
4.  Serve others (today)
5.  Share your story (next week)
 
All of these steps work together to help us face chaos
 
We must keep doing them all our lives, in and out of chaos!
 
Jesus commands us to serve others
Matthew 20:27-28  And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
-The most important person is a servant of others
-Jesus deserved to be served, but instead served us
    -He died to set us free from the chaos of sin and death
 
Jesus served us to the very end of his own chaos!
 
We are created to serve Ephesians 2-4
God planned it             
-Ephesians 2:10  created to do good works, prepared for us
 


People develop us  - 
-Ephesians 4:11-12 
-Connect with God’s family-  church leaders/mentors develop us


Jesus unifies us
-Ephesians 4:16  “From Him”  we are enabled to serve
-We are better together than we are by ourselves
-Stick with Jesus!
How to start serving
Romans 12:1-8

Sacrifice  vs 1
-“present your bodies as a living sacrifice
-this is our true worship of God
-serve begins by surrendering to God and his divine plan


Renew your mind   vs 2
-Trust God’s Word!  Replace worldly thinking
-God’s truth transforms us (gives us a desire to behave)
    -worldly wisdom just reforms us (makes us behave)


Stay humble  vs 3
-pride destroys the spirit of sacrifice and service
-illustration:  businesses/leaders look for “photo ops”
   -they do it to benefit themselves in the end
   -all true service is equal in God’s eyes
   -some have much to give, others  have little…all the same!


Cooperate with others  vs 4-5
-We are ONE BODY, serving as different parts of this body!
-Connect with God’s Family!  -last week’s sermon
-Jesus is not going to ask you to serve in a way that is in
    competition or in conflict with someone else
 


Serve how God gifts you  vs 6-8
-We give God’s grace to others as we serve-  1 Peter 4:10
-We need each other to experience God’s grace!

How to walk through chaos:  Serve Others! 
Matthew 20:27-28  And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
 
How will you begin serving others?

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How to Walk Through Chaos
Part 3:  Connect With God’s Family  Galatians 6:10
Galatians 6:10  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith
-Every follower of Christ is in the family of God
-A Christ follower not in church is a practically an orphan!
 
Bible Descriptions of God’s Family
-Household of Faith
-Church-  ekklesia, a Called Out  Assembly
-Body of Christ
-Bride of Christ
-Local- most references are to a particular local church
 
Why Connect?
1.  We experience belonging  
Ephesians 2:19  So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household.
 
2.  We need encouragement 
Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
 
3.  We need each other 
Galatians 6:2  Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage each other daily, while it is called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.
 
4.  Jesus works through unity 
Matthew 18:19-20  Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for
by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.  
 
5.  We are witnesses for Jesus  
John 17:21  May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 
 
How To Connect
1.  Practice “one another”
 
 
2.  Participate in Large and Small Groups
Acts 5:42  Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
 
 
3.  Connect Small
4-8 people
Weekly
Covenant
Simple
            Worship/Prayer
            Bible Study
            Share
            Accountability
            Fun and Food
-Bruce Larson quote:  Christ wants his church to be unshockable, democratic, permissive—a fellowship where people can come in and say,“I’m sunk!”  “I’m beat!”  “I’ve had it!”
                                   
 
 
How will you Connect With God’s Family?
Pray
List who to connect with
Consider how-  all the safe, convenient ways to meet
Start!

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​How To Walk Through Chaos
Part 2:  Trust God’s Word   Psalm 119:25-32
We all walk through chaos
Chaos tests our convictions about the meaning of life
 
I am praying that you and I will trust God’s Word, the Bible, while we walk through chaos
-I also pray that chaos will grow our trust in God’s Word!
 
 
Trust God’s Word to provide…
1.  Life and strength  vs 25, 28
-25  “down in the dust”  I am near death, no interest in going on
-The Bible gives life- hope, meaning to current situation
-The psalmist isn’t asking for relief from chaos
     He is asking for understanding as he goes through chaos
 
-28  “weary from grief”- my soul melts/drops, a constant wearing
     down from the chaos of life
-God’s Word strengthens us when nothing else can
   -promises of a better future
   -guarantees of God’s eternal love for all who trust Him
-Mark 14:34  “I am deeply grieved to the point of death”
    -Jesus understands our heavy hearts!
 
2.  Correction  vs 29
-deceit- lies about self, about how things really are
-God’s Word reveals a fraudulent heart
   -how honest are you really with yourself?
   -how often do you hide the real you from others?
   -God’s Word draws us out, keeps us honest and pure
 
 
3.  Understanding  vs 32
-God’s Word helps us understand how to walk through chaos
-“you broaden my understanding”-  again, the goal is to grow
     from chaotic experiences (we can’t avoid them anyway!)
 
 
How to trust God’s Word
1.  Pray- vs 25-32 is a conversation with God about His Word
-The Holy Spirit inspired the psalmist to record this prayer
-Talk with the Author as you read His Word!
-vs 31  “don’t put me to shame” 
       Romans 10:11  Everyone who believes on him will never be
                                 put to shame
 
2.  Stay Teachable heart  vs 27
-“Help me understand”-
-Good communication requires listening for understanding
-Admit to God:  I don’t know what I don’t know!  Help!
-Remember:  Chaos helps us grow up
 
 
3.  Study carefully  vs 26, 27, 29, 30, 31
-26  teach me
-27  help me understand…so I can meditate on your wonders
      -God’s Word reveals the character, nature and acts of God
      -Trust grows as we our knowledge of God grows
-29  graciously give me your instruction-  undeserved help!
      -Chaos forces us to drill down, learn fast
-30  I have set your ordinances before me- 
-31  I cling to your decrees- same expression from vs 25 
      - we must be “glued” to God’s Word
 
4.  Obey  30, 32
-30  “I have chosen”-  we must choose to trust the Bible
    -it is either a history book of good ideas OR
       We really believe it is God’s Word given for life and strength
 
-vs 32  “I pursue the way of your commands”
    -I will run:  a quick and wholehearted trust in God’s Word
        -no hesitation, not slow to obey
 
How will you trust God’s Word in your chaos?
 

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