MIKE RUTTER - The Greatest Thrill in Life [27 October 2013]

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LIVING TO GOD’S DESIGN

“The Greatest Thrill in Life”

Message Outline

“Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from a wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. There will be special favour for those who are ready and waiting for his return.”  Luke 12:35-37 (NLT)

1. I must ___________________________

“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten in innocence. You’ll be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery. It will all be gone like water under the bridge.”  Job 11:13-16 (NLT)

“Joshua told the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.’”    Joshua 3:5 (NLT)

“If we confess our sins to God, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

2. I must ___________________________

                        Sanctify = to dedicate for special purposes

“Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:13 (NLT)

“Don’t you know 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, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour

God with your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)

3.  I must ___________________________________

“For the grace of God that brings salvation and has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…”

Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

“As Christ’s soldier, don’t let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.”  2 Timothy 2:4 (NLT) 

“Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:62 (LB)

4.  I must ___________________________

“Arm yourselves …and you won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing after evil desires.” 1 Peter 4:1-2 (NLT)

“Build yourselves up in your most holy faith.”  Jude 1:20 (NIV)

“Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness.” 1 Timothy 4:7b (NLT)

           

5.  I must _______________________________________

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”   Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4 (NIV) 

MIKE RUTTER - How To Rid Yourself of Envy [20 October 2013]

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LIVING TO GOD’S DESIGN

“How to rid yourself of Envy”

Message Outline

“Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT)

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

“YOU SHALL NOT COVET!” Exodus 20:17

HOW ENVY CAUSES ME TO MISS THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE

1.  It denies __________________________

“God, you knit me together in my mother's womb…  Your workmanship is marvellous… You watched me as I was formed in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)

“Who are you, a mere human being, to criticize God?  Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it ‘Why have you made me like this?’”  

Romans 9:20 (NLT)

2.  It divides                                                   

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

“Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”   Luke 9:62 (LB)

3.  It wastes my                                             

“I’ve learned why people work so hard to succeed; it is because they envy the things their neighbours have. But this is foolishness, like chasing the wind… Here is someone who lives alone. He has no child or brother, yet he is always working, never satisfied with what he has. Yet he never asks, ‘For whom am I working so hard…?’ This is useless, too—and a miserable way to live.”  Eccles. 4:4+8 (GN)

4. It leads to                                       

  “For wherever there is envy and rivalry there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony) and every kind of evil.” James 3:16 (Amp)

HOW TO ERADICATE ENVY

Jesus’ Story of the Vineyard Workers (Matt. 20)

1.  Never compare                                                    

“Those hired last came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more.”  Matt. 20:9-10a (MSG)

“Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well, and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.”  Galatians 6:4 (LB)

2. Celebrate God’s                                                   

“The workers who had been hired first thought they would be given more than the others. But when they were given the same, they began complaining to the owner of the vineyard... He said ‘Are you envious because I am generous to them?’” 

Matt. 20:10-11, 15b (CEV/NIV)

                                                           

“Love does not envy.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

3. Be grateful for who                                                                      

“Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what's the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need!”

1 Corinthians 4:7b-8a (MSG)

“It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.” Ecclesiastes 6:9 (GN)

4. I must trust God when ________________________    

 “‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and yet you have made them equal to us – we who slaved all day under a scorching sun!’”  Matthew 20:12 (MSG)

  

The Owner: “‘Friends, I’m not being unfair!  I paid you exactly what we agreed on. Take your part and go! What business is it of yours if I want to pay others the same that I paid you? Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?’”  Matthew 20:13-15a

“Let us run with patience the particular race God has set before us.” 

Hebrews 12:1 (LB)

Mike Rutter & Louis Marais - Kidney Transplant Testimony [09 February 2014]

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Mike Rutter & Louis Marais Kidney

Transplant Testimony

Mike Rutter & Louis Marais - Sermon after Testimony [09 February 2014]

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Mike Rutter & Louis Marais Kidney

Transplant Testimony

 Sermon after Testimony

MIKE RUTTER - What I gain out of Giving? [2 February 2014]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS
“What I gain out of giving”
Message Outline
“Brothers and sisters, we want you to know how God showed his kindness to the churches in the province of Macedonia. While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous. I assure you that by their own free will they have given all they could, even more than they could afford. They made an appeal to us, begging us to let them participate in the ministry of God's kindness to his holy people in Jerusalem. They did more than we had expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to us, since this was God's will.”  2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (GW)

PHILIPPIANS 4:14-20
   6 BENEFITS: EVERY TIME I’M GENEROUS...

1.  I earn the _____________________________
“How grateful I am and how I praise the Lord that you are helping me again…It was so good that you helped me when I needed it... You Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I brought you the Good News...No other church did this...You sent me aid again and again when I was in need…So I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me.”  Phil. 4:10, 14-16, 18

 “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to God...because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ...It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God.”   Philippians 1:3, 5, 7 (NLT)

2.  I show what really _____________________
“I want you to understand what really matters...” Philippians 1:10 (NLT)
       
“I once thought all these things were so very important, but I now consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”  Philippians 3:7 (NLT)
 
“We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.”  Phil. 3:20 (NLT)

3. I become more ____________________
“That you will be filled with the good things produced in your life by Christ to bring glory and praise to God.”  Philippians 1:11 (NCV)

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV)

4. I strengthen __________________
“Do not worry about anything, instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” Philippians 4:6 (LB)

5. I invest in my ________________________
“Though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will receive because of your generosity”  Philippians 4:17 (LB)

“I want you to have the profit that accrues to your account.”  (NAB)

“I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving.” (CEV)

“…Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity!”  1 Timothy 6:18-19 (LB)

6. I make ____________________
“The gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”  Philippians 4:18 (NIV)

THE PROMISE
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding yours, in the glory that pours from Jesus.  Glory to God forever and ever!”         Philippians 4:19 (Msg)

2 WAYS TO BE GENEROUS

1. BY _________________
                        What can I afford?

2. BY ______________________
                        God, what do you want to give through me?

“Remembering the words that Jesus himself said, ‘There’s more HAPPINESS in giving than in receiving!’” Acts 20:35 (GNB)

MIKE RUTTER - Don't Worry and Be Happy [26 January 2014]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“Don’t worry and be happy”

Message Outline

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-13

“If you do THESE THINGS you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts quiet and your heart at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4: 7 (LB)

1. Refuse to worry __________________________

“Never worry about anything...”  Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Jesus said...

·      WORRY IS __________________­­

“Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”  Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

           

·      WORRY IS __________________

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

“And why worry about your clothes?  Look at the lilies…  They don't work or make their clothing.  Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they.”  Matthew 6:28-29 (NLT)

·      WORRY IS _____________________

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” 

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

                       

·      WORRY IS _____________________

“If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith.”  Matthew 6:30 (NLT)

“Unload all your worries on God since He is looking after you!”

 1 Peter 5:7 (JB)

2. Talk to God ________________________

“Never worry about anything.  Instead in every situation let God know what you need in your prayers and requests...”  Philippians 4:6 (GW)

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”  James 4:2 (NIV)

“Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't He who gave us Christ, also give us everything else we need?” Romans 8:32 (NLT)

3. Thank God in _____________________                       

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

                               

“...always ask with a thankful heart.”  (TEV)

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for THIS is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

4. Think about ______________________

“Fill your minds with those things that are true and good and right.  Think about things that are pure and beautiful and respected.  If anything is excellent or if anything is worthy of honour, think about those things.” 

Philippians 4:8 (NCV/NAS)

“You Lord, will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, and whose thoughts are fixed ON YOU!”  Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

5. Be content _________________________

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether I’m well-fed or hungry, when I have more than I need or when I don’t have enough.” Philippians 4:11-12 (LB)

“Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but envy is like a cancer.”       

 Proverbs 14:30 (TEV)

“It’s better to only have a little with peace of mind, than to be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind.”  Ecclesiastes 4:6 (TEV)

HOW?

“I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13 (TEV)

“Obey God and be at peace with Him; this is the way to happiness.” 

Job 22:21 (NCV)

MIKE RUTTER - Practical Steps to a Happy Disposition [19 January 2014]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“Practical steps to a happy disposition”

Message Outline

PHILIPPIANS 3:1-14

1.   EVERY DAY: ___________________________________

“...We Christians glory in what Christ Jesus has DONE for us and realize that we are helpless to save ourselves.”  Philippians 3:3 (LB)

“...We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it!”

Philippians 3:3 (MSG)

            THE TRAP: __________________ (vs. 2-6)

                         

“...in legalistic righteousness, I was faultless.”  Philippians 3:6 (NIV)

       

“But I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law. Instead I trust Christ to save me!  For God's way of making us right with himself is through faith!”  Philippians 3:9 (NLT)

2.   EVERY DAY: ________________________________________

“I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless, because of what Christ has done.” Phil 3:7 (NLT)

            THE TRAP: _______________________

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him.”  Philippians 3:8-9a (NLT)

3.   EVERY DAY: ____________________________________

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

“For my determined purpose is that I may know Christ – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more strongly and more clearly…”   Philippians 3:10 (Amp)

THE TRAP: _____________________

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

4.   EVERY DAY: ________________________________________

“Search me O God and know my heart; test me, and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24. (NIV)

“I don't mean to say I am perfect.  I still haven't learned all I should, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.  No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be...”   Philippians 3:12-13 (LB)

      THE TRAP: _______________

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular check-ups. You need first hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.”  2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG)

5.   EVERY DAY: ______________________________________

     

      and __________________________________

“I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”  Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

      THE TRAPS:  ___________________

                               _________________________________

                              ___________________

God says, “Forget the former things and do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!”  Isaiah 43:18-19a (NIV)

MIKE RUTTER - Happiness is not just Luck [08 December 2013]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“Happiness is not just luck”

Message Outline

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30

·         Paul endorsed two men as role models

       Timothy: “I have no one else like him!”  vs. 20 

       Epaphroditus: “Welcome him... HONOUR men like him.”  vs. 29

·           Paul said sending these men would bring happiness!

          I’m sending (these men)...

            “so that I may be CHEERED”  vs. 19

            “so that you may be GLAD”  vs. 28

                        “so that I may have less ANXIETY”  vs. 28b

                        “it will make me happy and lighten my cares” (LB)

TO BE HAPPY

              

1.   Shift the focus _____________________________

“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone else looks out for his own interests…”  Philippians 2:20-21 (NIV)

 (GN) “He really cares about you… others are concerned only with their own affairs.”

(Ph)   “...they are all wrapped up in their own affairs...”

“Don't be so obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:4 (MSG) 

2.  Become someone that _______________________

“Those who can’t be trusted are on the road to ruin.” Proverbs 13:15 (GN)

“Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”  Philippians 2:22 (NIV)

   

(GW) “...you know what kind of person Timothy proved to be.”

                        Live with ___________________

“Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!”  Proverbs 25:13 (MSG) 

“Putting confidence in an unreliable person is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot.” Proverbs 25:19 (LB)

                        I keep _________________________

“They always do what they promise, no matter how much it may cost.” 

Psalm 15:4 (GN) 

3.   Learn to work well ____________________

                        Learn to ____________________

“I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, my fellow worker and my fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”   Philippians 2:25 (NIV)      

       

(GN) “...he has worked and fought by my side”

 Jesus: “You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.”  Matthew 5:9 (MSG) 

           

                        Learn to _______________________

“But now, I must send him back to you, because he longs to see all of you, and has been worried about your distress since you heard that he was sick.”

 Philippians 2:25-26 (NCV)

“You must get along with each other! You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (MSG) 

“I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for everyone so they may be saved.”  1 Corinthians 10:33 (NLT) 

4.  Live for something __________________________

“Indeed he was very ill, and he almost died...  he RISKED HIS LIFE for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while trying to do for me the things you couldn't do because you were far away!”  Philippians 2:27 +30 (NLT)

“Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.”  Mark 8:35 (LB)

MIKE RUTTER - The Heart of the Matter [1 December 2013]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“The Heart of the matter”

Message Outline

PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18

“You must continue to WORK OUT your salvation with fear and trembling, (with deep reverence & humility) for it is God who WORKS IN you both to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

EXERCISES FOR A HAPPY HEART

1.  Remember God is with me - _____________________________

“For God is working IN YOU, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”  Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

Jesus: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will COME TO YOU...  and you will realize that ...  you are in me, and I am in you!” John 14:18-20 (NIV)

“If God is FOR US, who can defeat us?”  Romans 8:31 (NCV)

2.  Be grateful and ______________________________

“In everything you do, stay away from complaining or arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.”  

Philippians 2:14-15a (NLT)

“I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.” Matthew 12:36 (NLT)

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

3. Keep my ___________________________

“So that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. You are to shine like stars in the universe” Philippians 2:15 (NIV)

“HAPPY are those who live pure lives, who follow the Lord's teachings,… who keep his rules, and who try to obey him with their whole heart.”        Psalm 119:1-2 (NCV)

“What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record!”  Psalm 32:1-2 (LB)

4.  Memorize God’s Word and ____________________

“Hold tightly to the Word of Life ...” Philippians 2:16 (NLT)

“Your principles make me HAPPY, so I never forget your Word.”  Psalm 119:16 (GW)

“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.”  Psalm 119:35 (NLT)

5.  Use my life to serve God __________________________

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25: 40 (NIV)

“If you insist on saving your life for yourself, you will lose it. Only those who sacrificially give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.”  Mark 8:35 (LB)

“Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God.  If I have to offer my own blood with your sacrifice, I will be happy and full of joy…  You also should be happy and full of joy with me!”

Philippians 2:17-18 (NCV)

“I will give you a new heart – I will give you new and right desires - and put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.” Ezekiel 36:26(LB)

“Salvation is to be found through him (Jesus) alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.” Acts 4:12 (TEV)

MIKE RUTTER - Humility leads to Harmony and Joy [24 November 2013]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“Humility that leads to Harmony and Joy”

Message Outline

“Pride always leads to arguments.” Proverbs 13:10 (NLT)

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11

Vs.  1-2           Happiness comes from Harmony

Vs.  3-5           Harmony comes from Humility

Vs.  6-11         Jesus modelled both

           

HARMONY CREATES HAPPINESS

“You will make my joy complete by having the same mind, by sharing the same love, by being united in spirit, and intent on one purpose.” Philippians 2:2 (NAS)

HOW TO REDUCE CONFLICT WITH OTHERS

1.  Never let my ______________________________

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or from vain conceit.”

Philippians 2:3a (NIV)

           

·         Selfish Ambition:

“Wherever there’s jealousy or selfish ambition, you will find disorder and every kind of evil.” James 3:16 (NLT)

·         Vain Conceit:

 “Don't live to make a good impression on others.” Vs.3 (LB)

 “Don’t do anything from a cheap desire to boast.” Vs.3 (TEV)      

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature your lives will produce...  hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group.”  Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)

2. Be humble or ________________________

“… but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” 

Philippians 2:3b (NIV)

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

 James 4:6 (NIV)

3. Learn the lost art of __________________________

“Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and what they are doing.”  Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

4. Ask what would ___________________

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

ACTING LIKE JESUS MEANS...

·         I don’t demand what I ____________________________

“Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He emptied himself of all he had...” Philippians 2:6 (NLT)

·         I look for ways that ________________________

“…and took the nature of a servant, He became like a human being.”  Philippians 2:7 (TEV)

·         I do what’s right even when _______________________

“While living as a man, Jesus humbled himself even more, by being fully obedient to God, even when that meant his death on a cross!”

 Philippians 2:8 (NCV)

THE REWARD

“Because of this God raised him to the heights of heaven, and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)

MIKE RUTTER - Happiness Despite my Circumstances [17 November 2013]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“Happiness despite my circumstances”

Message Outline

PHILIPPIANS 1:12-30

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ!” Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I CAN BE HAPPY IF I...

1. Look at every problem from_____________________ (VS. 12-14)

“I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me has helped to spread the Good News.”  Phil.  1:12 (NLT)

WHEN I face problems in faith...

h It’s a __________________________________________

“For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.” Philippians 1:13 (NLT)

h It’s an _________________________________________

“And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.” Philippians 1:14 (NLT)

                                                                                

2. Never let others ____________________________ (VS.  15-18)

                Critics, Comrades, Competitors, & Conspirators:

“It’s true that some preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome. 

HH: I don’t need other people’s __________________________

Others preach from genuine good will.  These do so out of love, and they know God’s given me the work of defending the gospel. 

Others preach Christ insincerely from a spirit of selfish ambition.

Others just want to stir up more trouble for me, and add to my pain while I am in prison.” Philippians 1:15-17 (TEV)

Paul’s Attitude:

“But it doesn't really matter! The important thing is that in every way, whether for right or wrong reasons, the message of Christ is being shared! So I am happy, and I will continue to be happy!” 

Philippians 1:18 (NCV)

“Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed but you will be saved – and that by God.” Philippians 1:28 (NIV)

     

 “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.  We are in this fight together.  You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of a great struggle.” Philippians 1:29-30 (NLT)

3. Always trust God to___________________________ (vs.  19-20)

“I will continue to rejoice, for I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, all that’s happened will all turn out for my deliverance.” Philippians 1:19 (NLT)

4. Stay focused on my purpose ____________________ (VS.  21-25)

“If by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work for Christ, then I am not sure which I should choose.  I’m pulled in two directions! I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; BUT for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive.  I am sure of this, so I know that I will stay on with you all, so I can add to your progress and joy in the faith.”   Philippians 1:22-25 (TEV)

      “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!”  Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

How YOU fill in the blank will determine your happiness:

For me to live is _____________________

MIKE RUTTER - Happiness is a Choice [10 November 2013]

Sermon MP3

PHILIPPIANS

“Happiness is a Choice”

Message Outline

Philippians 1:1-11

Five Laws of Happiness

·         Don’t look for happiness: ____________________

·         Happiness is not __________________

·         My choices create __________________________

·         Happiness based on happenings ______________________

·         Happy choices are a ______________________________

1.    ________________________ for the people in my life

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Phil.1:3 (NIV)

“…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:5 (NIV)

HH: Remember the __________________________________

2.  _______________________ for the people in my life

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”  

Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

HH: Quickest way to change a bad relationship to good:

_______________________________

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”  Philippians 1: 9-11 (NIV)

Pray they will …

            h___________________________

“that your love may abound more and more” vs. 9 (NIV)

            h________________________________

“that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices.” vs. 9b-10a (CEV)

            h________________________________

“that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns” 

vs.10b (NLT)

            h________________________________   

“that you will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” vs. 11 (NIV)

“The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

3. _________________________ from the people in my life

“Being confident of this, that he (God) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians1:6 (NIV)

HH: Celebrate ________________________________ rather than

judging them for how ___________________________________

“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart.” Philippians1:7 (NIV)

4.   Love the people in my life ________________________

“God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.”  Philippians1:8 (TEV)

“This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (TEV)