Todd White | March 27, 2022

Recap:
The Gospel was never meant to serve us. The Gospel was given so we can serve Jesus. We are His bondservants: that means we don’t have to serve God, but we can choose to serve Him. This past weekend, guest minister Todd White reminded us that this life isn’t about our own selves, but about the adventure of serving God. He is the one who can turn adversity around. He is the fire that burns in us so we can walk through adversity well and be free on the other side.

Dive Deeper:
Some people view God as a rule regulator, watching over our decisions and making sure we follow His every Word and disciplining us when we don’t. However, that isn’t true. God is the one who has chosen to love us deeply. Because of that, He has filled our lives with favor, but not so we can flaunt it. Favor is a byproduct of relationship with God. We don’t have to seek it. Our focus should be getting to know God better. When you know who you are in Christ, you have favor.

Now, just because God has blessed us with favor doesn’t mean that we won’t face adversity. God will place a flame on the inside of us to connect with Him daily and choose to get to know Him. As we fan that flame, our focus will turn from overwhelming circumstances to what we know to be true: God and His Word. Faith in Him brings you to freedom.

Remember, when you first chose Jesus, you saw a glimpse of His greatness and power. Why does that awe of God have to change with circumstances? You can stir yourself up and remember His greatness. You are co-laboring with God. You are working with Him on this earth to bring more people to Him!

Matthew calls this seeking first God’s kingdom. As you do this, everything else will be added unto you. Our mission is to be Christlike. As we seek His kingdom, we transform to be more like Him. As we become more like Him, we become free!
 
 
Read More:
Colossians 3:23 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Matthew 6:33 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2 Peter 1:4 KJV
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Timothy 1:6 NIV           
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Revelation 2:1–7 KJV
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
 
 
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you fan the flame of God’s gift inside you?
2. Have you ever been caught up more in what God can give you than in learning more about Him?
3. What can we do to focus more on God than on the world around us?
4. What does seeking God’s kingdom first look like to you?

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These sermon notes are from the opening minutes of this weekend’s message. If you would like to hear the entire message, click on the link above.

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