Dr. Montia Setzler, Senior Pastor
November 22, 2015
Series: Game Changer
Developing Habits that Produce Faithfulness
Introduction – Becoming an authentic follower of Jesus Christ means that we are progressing in four purposes as we Connect, Grow, Serve and Go. To make that happen, we must develop certain habits:
HABIT #1 – PUTTING GOD FIRST. (Connect)
Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
HABIT #2 – SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH GOD. (Connect)
Mark 1:35 (HCSB)
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.
Psalm 63:1–8 (HCSB)
1 God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. 2 So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. 3 My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. 4 So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands
5 You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches 7 because You are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. 8 I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me.
HABIT #3 – CONNECTING WITH OTHER BELIEVERS. (Connect)
Hebrews 10:25 (HCSB)
25 …not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Acts 2:46 (HCSB)
46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude…
HABIT #4 – DEVELOPING A SPIRITUAL GROWTH PLAN. (Grow)
Matthew 28:19 (HCSB)
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…
Acts 2:42 (HCSB)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.
HABIT #5 – DEVELOPING A LIFE OF GENEROSITY. (Grow and Serve)
2 Corinthians 8:2–5 (HCSB)
2 During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. 3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability,
4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will.
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (HCSB)
6 Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
HABIT #6 – FINDING MY MINISTRY. (Serve)
1 Peter 4:10 (HCSB)
10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.
HABIT #7 – SHARING MY STORY. (Go)
Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 5:42 (HCSB)
42 Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
When we put these habits firmly in our lives, we can expect to be found faithful as we CONNECT, GROW, SERVE and GO.
