It’s Complicated Week 8 – David Nasser
Overview:
Continuing in the “It’s Complicated” series, tonight we’re going to discuss the intricacies associated with our relationships with those who are “lost.” Up to this point in this series we’ve been discussing relationships such as; dating, marriage, family, and strangers. Each of these relationships is significant and has massive implications for each of our contexts. The positive or negative impact of these relationships can have far-reaching ramifications for how we live our lives going forward. But tonight, the relationship that we are going to talk about carries with it eternal significance. Tonight we are talking about how we should engage with those who are lost.
As Pastor David shared his story of the redemption, we are reminded that the same God who saved Pastor David is the same God who wants to save those who are lost in your life. But, just as was the case for him, we must be willing to be the hands, feet, voice, and love extended into the life of those individuals.
Verses:
Zephaniah 3:14-17
“14 Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You will fear disaster no more.
16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: ‘Do not be afraid, O Zion;
Do not let your hands fall limp. 17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.’ ”
Isaiah 41:9-10
“9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ ”
Matthew 16:26
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Philippians 1:6
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Quotes:
“The craziness of God’s vast love is incredible.”
“The same promise that God made to Israel is the same promise He makes to us. We might think that God is hurting us, but He is actually holding us.”
“God uses the tragic in me to become a testimony in me”
“A lot of people go to your church for the wrong reason, but God is bigger than their reason.”
“Love is a magnet.”
“He who begets a good work in you is faithful to complete it.”
“We don’t need religion. We need redemption.”
Questions:
1) Do you have memories of past interactions that have tainted your view of God?
2) Do you have any doctrines about God which have not bridged the gap from your head to your heart? from concept to practice?
3) What is God mighty to do in your life? Mighty to save? Mighty to wrath? Mighty to give grace? Mighty to harbor hatred?
4) How are you conforming to the patterns of this world to find community?
5) Do you have someone in your life who is lost? Who is it? Is there something keeping you from sharing the Gospel with them (Fear, unforgiveness, rejection, etc.)?
What is the Romans Road?