Hunker Down Habits, part 1

Audio podcast

Note: The audio podcast only includes Pastor Greg's sermon. For the full service including the music, scripture reading and sermon, click "Read more" below.

​March 29, 2020: Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb called Hoosiers this week to go into "Hoosier Hunker Down Mode" in order to survive and persevere through the Coronavirus pandemic. For the follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, what does "hunkering down" look like? Today, Pastor Greg will share habits that will help us honor Christ and grow spiritually as we endure this pandemic.

Click "Read more" to access pastor's notes, the slide deck, and the recorded video for this worship service, which includes the scripture reading, musical worship and sermon.

Video

Slides

Pastor's notes

​Hunker Down Habits Part 1
Colossians 4:2-4
Intro:
Uncertain times remind of what really matters!
-Our state’s Governor Holcomb termed our situation as
   “Hoosier Hunker Down” mode
-Cabin fever may be rising in your home, tempers may flare
-COVID-19 is putting us all on edge
-Life as we knew it has changed dramatically
-This is a great time to focus on what is important and enduring
 
Today’s message is useful in every circumstance!
-These are basic habits that should define every Christ follower
 
Today’s message was written (under the direction of the Holy Spirit) by a man who was in jail or house arrest
-He knew cabin fever- was “in chains”
-He knew uncertainty- faced execution for his faith in Christ
-He knew unfairness- he was being held unjustly
-I think he would easily understand our “hunker down” situation!
 
Today’s message is for anyone who will listen!
-Are you searching for truth, for the real answers to life?
-I am going to show you how God wants us to pray
 
Read passage
 
Hunker Down Habits
Keep on praying!
1.  Watchful prayer-stay alert, avoid falling for temptation to sin
  -mental alertness
  -in tune with the times and circumstances
  -Ask people “How may I pray for you specifically?”
 
2.  Thankful prayer-  see obstacles as opportunities
  -We don’t deny difficulties, hardships, illness, suffering
  -But our prayers are rooted in a belief that God is a good God
     -He has already blessed us in many ways
 
-How can we be thankful for this pandemic?
-People have to sit still and look for real life answers
-We are valuing people and relationships more
-We see that everything in this world is temporal, can disappear
-Our mortality is in plain view-  we can’t hide from death!
-How terrible it would be that we would see God answer our prayers for people to be physically healed, only to watch multitudes of people continue to reject the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ! 
 
3.  Prayer for people to become followers of Jesus Christ
   -pray for open doors to talk about Jesus Christ
        -Paul was more concerned about sharing Jesus
            Than he was about being set free from prison
   -did you pray for your ONE?  Maybe this is the open door!
   -pray we will be easily understood
      -May we have words of hope, encouragement, truth
      -stop speaking in “Christianese” 
      -tell people plainly why you have a hope in Jesus Christ
 
 
Next time, I will talk about the Hunker Down Habits of
Conduct and Conversations-  Colossians 4:5-6
 
Here are some final thoughts on all this
How much are you praying carefully right now?
-We have much more time
-Are you filling your time with mindless entertainment?
    -worse- are you diving into your addictions and sorrows?
-Constant conversations with God will keep us focused
    On what really matters!
 
How are you using this time to share good news?
-count your posts online:
     -how many offer hope and encouragement?
     -how many complain about the situation, the government?
     -how many reflect confidence, how many reflect fear/worry?
 
 
Here are some ways to respond today!
Send us a note online through our web page
 
Email our church or myself
 
Message me personally on Facebook
 
 
Some are asking how to give tithes and offerings
God bless you for trusting Him with your finances!
   -Tithes and offerings are our way of showing God
      And the world we trust HIM not the situation
   -Yes, we need the faithful support of our church family to
        Minister effectively
   -But our giving must be motivated by a desire to obey God’s
     Command to give tithes and offerings with a heart of
     Gratitude and love
 
Give online through PayPal
 
Give to our church through your banks’ Bill Pay
 
Mail your tithes and offerings to our church office