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[Habakkuk 1:1-2] This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision. [2] How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence is everywhere!" I cry, but you do not come to save. Faith isn't just believing God CAN, it's waiting when He HASN'T yet. [Habakkuk 1:3-4] Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. [4] The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. God would rather hear your HONEST questions than your PRETEND prayers. [Psalm 13:1-2] For the choir director: A psalm of David. O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? [2] How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Habakkuk doesn't complain ABOUT God, he complains TO God. Silence from God is not the same as ABSENCE of God. [Matthew 27:46] At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, ["Eli, Eli,] [lema sabachthani?"] which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Jesus went into the SILENCE so you'd never go through it ALONE. Bring your questions TO God, not AWAY from God. Faith is trusting God in the middle of UNANSWERED questions.

[Deuteronomy 28:1-8] ““Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. [2] And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God [3] “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. [4] “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. [5] “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. [6] “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. [7] “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. [8] “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. [1 Kings 19.11-13] “Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; [12] and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. [13] So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” How to know that you are hearing the Voice of the Holy Spirit: 1. The _______________ of God [2 Timothy 3.16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2. The Voice that you _______________ [John 10:1-5] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber [2] But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. [James 1:5-8] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 3. _______________ Counsel. [Proverbs 11.14] Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 4. The _______________ of God [Colossians 3.15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

[1 Timothy 6.12] Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. God doesn't choose the _______________ people. [Genesis 37:5-10] One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. [6] “Listen to this dream,” he said. [7] “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” [8] His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. [9] Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” [10] This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” God gives _______________ to the person who does not gives up. [Genesis 39:2] The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Don't allow disappointment to _____________ disobedience. [Genesis 39:20-21] So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. [21] But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. God may not move you to a _________________________, but He will be with you in the ________________________. The _______________ brought the _______________. [Genesis 50:20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. What the devil sent to _______________ you God sent to _______________ you. When life gives you _______________, plant something! [2 Corinthians 4.16-17] That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

[Acts 13:1-2, 4-5] Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man"), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. [2] One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." [4] So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. [5] There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. [Acts 13:13] Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. Sometimes a STRUGGLE reveals where you still need to GROW. [Acts 15:36-38] After some time Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing." [37] Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. [38] But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. FORGIVENESS doesn't automatically eliminate CONSEQUENCES. [Romans 8:1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Don't mistake PROCESS for PUNISHMENT. [Acts 15:39-40] Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. [40] Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care. Pic Don't let your PAST become your IDENTITY for your future. [1 Corinthians 4:5] So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time--before the Lord returns. You're still BECOMING who God wants you to be. [Acts 4:36] For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. [Acts 9:26-27] When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! [27] Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. Don't mistake a QUIET season for an INACTIVE God. [Colossians 4:10] Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas's cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. [Philemon 1:23-24] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. [24] So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. What somebody CALLED you in one season doesn't determine what God can make you in the NEXT. [2 Timothy 4:9-11] Timothy, please come as soon as you can. [10] Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. God can REDEEM the very thing you thought DISQUALIFIED you. [Philippians 1:6] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Before you have a comeback you have to have a _________________. Our setback becomes the _________________ for our comeback. [John 16.33 NIV] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” You can't have _________________ without a battle. [Luke 24:1-7] But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. [3] So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. [5] The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? [6] He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Jesus _________________ the greatest comeback story in history. Our greatest setback is not our circumstances, it is our _________________. [Romans 3.23-25a] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. [25] For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Jesus _________________ you a comeback story. [Romans 10.13] For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Your comeback starts with the _______________________. [1 Corinthians 6.14] God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Jesus overcame the _________________, so I can overcome my _________________.

Just because you've stopped EXPECTING doesn't mean God's stopped WORKING. [Luke 15:1-2] Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. [2] This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people--even eating with them! [Luke 15:10 NLT] In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents." God doesn't confuse someone's LOCATION with their VALUE. [Luke 15:11-13] To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. [13] "A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. [Luke 15:17-20] "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' [20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Grace is God making a way HOME. [Luke 15:21-24] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. All of Heaven CELEBRATES when we are FOUND. [Luke 19:10] For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Lost things MATTER to God. [2 Peter 3:9] The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. My job is to LOVE them; God's job is to CHANGE them. [Luke 15:28-32] "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, 'All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!' [31] "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'" If God's GRACE hadn't found us, we'd all be LOST. [Romans 5:8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Solitude is _____________________ from the noise of life to spend time with God. [Psalm 16.11] You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. Loneliness is inner __________________. Solitude is inner _________________. ~Richard Foster [Psalm 28:1] I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. Don't _________________ out the voice of God. Solitude is a chance to get away from the _____________ so you can hear ____________ ______________. [Matthew 6:5-6] “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. [6] But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Any good _________________ requires time spent together. [Luke 22.41-43] He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, [42] “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” [43] Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. The _______________ of solitude to spend time with God. [Exodus 14.13-14 ESV] And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. [14] The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Our _____________ _____________ in times of solitude.

Don't spend so much time talking about what God DID that we stop asking what God's DOING. [Joshua 13:1] When Joshua was an old man, the LORD said to him, "You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered. Don't get COMFORTABLE because there's still TERRITORY to take. [Joshua 4:6-7] We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' [7] Then you can tell them, 'They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD's Covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever." Remembering God's FAITHFULNESS gives me courage for the FUTURE. Don't mistake PROGRESS for COMPLETION. [Joshua 11:23] So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war. Don't let what God HAS DONE make you ignore what He STILL wants to do. [Joshua 18:1-3] Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle. [2] But there remained seven tribes who had not yet been allotted their grants of land. [3] Then Joshua asked them, "How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you? I don't have to do EVERYTHING, I just have to do MY PART. Success isn't just what I ACCOMPLISH; it's what I make possible for OTHERS. [Matthew 28:18-20] Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  As long as there are PEOPLE to reach, there is TERRITORY to take.

[Psalm 46.10a] Be still and know that I am God This verse doesn’t mean “while it is still, know I am God” [Psalm 46:1-3 ESV] God is my refuge and God is my strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be thrown into the midst of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. If ____________ is your refuge, ____________ will give you strength, and ____________ is with you when you go through trouble. Reasons for difficulty and struggles: To __________________ us To _____________ us _________________________ To __________________ us __________________ To create __________________________________ ____________________________________ You can’t __________________ God! Stop __________________ __________________ down Stop ____________________________________ Stop __________________ Stop __________________ against God. Come to God [Isaiah 40:31] But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. [Jeremiah 17:7-8 NASB] Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit

The more confident I am that God CAN speak, the more HUMBLE I should be about claiming He DID. [Romans 8:14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [Acts 8:29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [Acts 10:19-20] Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, "Three men have come looking for you. [20] Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don't worry, for I have sent them." [Acts 13:2] One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." The Bible emphasizes RESPONDING to the Spirit more than EXPLAINING how the Spirit speaks. [John 10:27 ESV] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. You learn to recognize a VOICE by knowing the PERSON who is speaking. Sometimes God's leading looks like a CLOSED DOOR. [Acts 16:6-7] Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. [7] Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. An OPEN DOOR on it's OWN doesn't necessarily mean it's God's will. God's LEADING doesn't guarantee an EASY road. God's VOICE will never contradict God's WORD. [Acts 15:28] "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You learn to follow the Holy Spirit's leading by RESPONDING to His PROMPTING. [1 Samuel 3:7, 9] Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before. [9] So he said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, 'Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed.

The Holy Spirit doesn't just want to do something IN you, He wants to do something THROUGH you. [Acts 1:8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Jesus promises us POWER, but He attaches the power to a PURPOSE. God's power was never intended to STOP with you. [1 Corinthians 12:4, 7] There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. [7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. The gift may be given TO me, but it isn't only FOR me. [1 Peter 4:10 NIV] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. My gift isn't a TROPHY to display; it's GRACE to give away. [1 Corinthians 4:7b] What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? I don't have to BE the source, I just have to stay CONNECTED to the Source. [1 Corinthians 12:7]  A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. The church isn't an AUDIENCE it's a BODY. [1 Corinthians 12:27] All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. Nobody has EVERYTHING, but everybody has SOMETHING. [1 Corinthians 12:21] The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." God didn't design us to be SELF-SUFFICIENT, He designed us to NEED each others. [Acts 3:6] But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!" The Holy Spirit doesn't empower you to make you IMPRESSIVE; He empowers you to make a DIFFERENCE.

Deep inside there is a desire for a more ______________ life. [Psalm 127:2] It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. It is easy for us to get caught in the trap of ________________. [Luke 10.38-42 NIV] As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Is your life marked by ________________ or ________________? Distracted: to be ___________ ____________ from something. The more things you _______________ about, the busier you will be. The one thing needed is ______________ and ________________ the words of Jesus. God wants to free you from the ________________ of busyness. [John 17:4] I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Jesus accomplished what was most ________________! [[Matthew 11.28-30] Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Sometimes we ask God for more _________________ when what we really need is more _________________. [1 Corinthians 6:19] Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, Don't _________________ anything from the Holy Spirit. [Ephesians 4:30 ESV] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. We _________________ the Holy Spirit when we hurt the _________________. [Ephesians 4:32 ESV] Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. The Holy Spirit is _________________ in me to make me more like Jesus. [Acts 7:51] "You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! We RESIST the Holy Spirit when we FIGHT His direction. [1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 ESV] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. We _________________ the Spirit when we _________________ His activity. The Holy Spirit was not given just to make us more _________________. [Ephesians 5:18] Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, [Romans 8:9c] (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) To be filled with the Spirit is to come under His _______________ and _________________. [Acts 2:4] And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. [Acts 4:31] After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. ___________ falls on something that's been _________________. [Romans 12:1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [Luke 11:13] So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Our gifts are to be used in ___________, to ___________ people, and ___________ them to Jesus. [Ephesians 4.11-12] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Teachers are passionate about God's Word & teaching it _________________. Intellectuals make _____________ truths difficult, but teachers make difficult truths __________________. [James 1.22-24] But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. [23] For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. [24] You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. Jesus __________________ what he was teaching. [1 Corinthians 8:1c-2] But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. Don't rely on your own __________________ to impress people. Be an __________________ of the things you teach. [1 Corinthians 11:1] And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. Authority doesn't come from how ______________ you are but from the Word of God and the power of a _______________ life. Always approach God's Word with an open ____________ and an open ____________. [2 Timothy 2.15] Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. Always be ready to ____________. [2 Timothy 4:2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. Teachers invest in ___________________. [Matthew 28.19-20] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Our goal is not simply to _______________ our gifts, but to ___________ our gifts.

Our gifts are to be used in ___________, to ___________ people, and ___________ them to Jesus. [Ephesians 4.11-12] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. A pastor is a _______________ of people. [Acts 20.28] “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. Shepherds _______________ their sheep. [1 Peter 5:2] Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. A pastor is one who _______________ for and _______________ the sheep. Pastors are always willing to _______________. [Proverbs 11.25] The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Encouragers give _______________ to others. [1 Thessalonians 5.11] So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. God shows mercy to the __________________. [Colossians 3.12-14] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Pastors often find _______________ people comes naturally.