EMOTIONS THAT TAKE STRONG MEN DOWN

•       SAMSON WAS EMOTION DRIVEN NOT SPIRIT LED.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Galatians 5:16-17

“Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” For three days they could not give the answer. Judges 14:14

Before sunset on the seventh day the men of the town said to him, “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” Samson said to them, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle.” Judges 14:18   

TWO EMOTIONS THAT TAKE STRONG MEN DOWN

1)    SAMSON BURNED WITH ANGER.

…[Samson] went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of their belongings and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he went up to his father’s house. 20 And Samson’s wife was given to the friend who had attended him at his wedding. Judges 14:19-20

2)    SAMSON WAS FILLED WITH PRIDE.

Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men. 16 Then Samson said, “With a donkey’s jawbone I have made donkeys of them. With a donkey’s jawbone I have killed a thousand men.” Judges 15:15-16     

SAMSON IS IN NEED

•      IF YOU LET YOUR NEED DRIVE YOU TO GOD, GOD WILL MEET YOUR DEEPEST NEED.

Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, “You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” 19 Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. Judges 15:18-19

Talk It Over

• Share a time when you let your emotions get the best of you. What resulted from your emotion-driven actions?
• What unchecked anger and pride do you need to address immediately?
• What steps do you need to take towards becoming more Spirit-led?

Become more Spirit-led by using the resources available at http://resources.lifechurch.tv including a printable small group guide for this message and a small group guide designed for men.

A GOOD NAME IS BETTER

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.  Proverbs 22:1

A GOOD NAME DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE PERFECT BUT BEING PERFECTED BY THE ONE WHO IS!

Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly possess. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. – Socrates

WHY IS A GOOD NAME BETTER?

 1.    A GOOD NAME INSTILLS CONFIDENCE.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely… Proverbs 10:9

2.    A GOOD NAME SPEAKS FOR YOU.

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions….she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind.  2 Chronicles 9:1

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.”

2 Chronicles 9:5-6

3.    A GOOD NAME INSPIRES OTHERS.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.                    1 Corinthians 11:1

BUT I DON’T HAVE A GOOD NAME!

…I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Revelation 3:1

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

YOU ARE CREATING TOMORROW’S LEGACY TODAY!

TALK IT OVER

1. Do you think others would describe you as having a good name? Why or why not?

2. What steps do you need to take toward creating a better name?

3. How will you go about using what Christ has done in your life to inspire others?

A GOOD NAME IS BETTER

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.  Proverbs 22:1

A GOOD NAME DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE PERFECT BUT BEING PERFECTED BY THE ONE WHO IS!

Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly possess. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. – Socrates

WHY IS A GOOD NAME BETTER?

 1.    A GOOD NAME INSTILLS CONFIDENCE.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely… Proverbs 10:9

2.    A GOOD NAME SPEAKS FOR YOU.

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions….she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind.  2 Chronicles 9:1

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.”

2 Chronicles 9:5-6

3.    A GOOD NAME INSPIRES OTHERS.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.                    1 Corinthians 11:1

BUT I DON’T HAVE A GOOD NAME!

…I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Revelation 3:1

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

YOU ARE CREATING TOMORROW’S LEGACY TODAY!

TALK IT OVER

1. Do you think others would describe you as having a good name? Why or why not?

2. What steps do you need to take toward creating a better name?

3. How will you go about using what Christ has done in your life to inspire others?

WISDOM IS BETTER THAN GOLD

• WE MAKE OUR DECISIONS AND OUR DECISIONS MAKE US.

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 2 Chronicles 1:10

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

DON’T BE A FOOL—GET WISDOM

•    FOOLS ACT BEFORE THEY THINK.

Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness. Proverbs 13:16 NLT

•    FOOLS SPEND ALL THEY EARN.

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. Proverbs 21:20

• FOOLS HURT THOSE THEY LOVE.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1

•   FOOLS THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL.

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 12:15 NLT

HOW DO I GET WISDOM?

• ·      FEAR GOD.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

• ·      ASK GOD.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

• ·      HANG OUT WITH WISE PEOPLE.

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

NEXT WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE:

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

TALK IT OVER

1. What would you say is the most important thing you have learned so far during the series, Better?
2. Which of these four categories would be the biggest weakness for you: act before you think, spend all you earn, hurt those you love or think you know it all?

3. What is your next step to get wisdom?

BETTER IS ONE HANDFUL

• IT IS BETTER TO HAVE LESS OF WHAT DOESN’T MATTER AND MORE OF WHAT DOES.

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6

Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21

DEFINE WHAT DOES MATTERS MOST:

1. 1.     _____________________
2. 2.     _____________________
3. 3.     _____________________

ONE HANDFUL LIVING

1)    LET GO OF WHAT DOESN’T MATTER.

…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

• CUT BACK              
• THROW OUT          
• TURN OFF               

2)    FIGHT FOR WHAT DOES MATTER.

“…Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6

Next Week’s Verse:

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

TALK IT OVER

1. Define the top one or two things that are most important to you. Explain why.
2. What is it that you need to let go of so you can fight for what matters? How can you cut back? What can you throw out or turn off?
3. Take time to pray for each other.

Find resources that will help you experience a better life at

 http://resources.lifechurch.tv including a printable small group

discussion guide for this message.

BETTER IS ONE DAY

• LET GO OF THE GOOD TO GRAB HOLD OF THE BETTER.

BETTER IS ONE DAY WITH GOD

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns,

even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God….10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand

elsewhere: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:1-2, 10

HOW DO YOU HAVE A DAY WITH GOD?

LIVE WITH AN ONGOING, UNENDING AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus… Colossians 3:17

DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD.

               Be joyful always; 17 pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

INSTANT OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

A DAILY DESPERATION FOR GOD.

Taste and see that the Lord is good… Psalm 34:8

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:1-3

TALK IT OVER

1. Describe what your intentional time with God looks like.

2. How can you develop an ongoing, unending awareness of

God?

3. What habit do you feel you need to improve? Constant

communication, instant obedience or daily desperation?

Find resources that will help you experience a better life at

http://resources.lifechurch.tv including a printable small group

discussion guide for this message.

Dr. John Maxwell

Key Thought:

When there is a need sensed by a few and each individual understands his or her responsibility and gives his all, regardless of the odds, then Jesus works a miracle. 

When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.

35-36 When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: “We are a long way out in the country, and it’s very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper.”

37 Jesus said, “You do it. Fix supper for them.”

They replied, “Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?”

38 But he was quite serious. “How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory.”

That didn’t take long. “Five,” they said, “plus two fish.”

39-44 Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper.  Mark 6:34-44 MSG

• Every miracle begins with a problem.

• If you have a problem, you are a candidate for a miracle from God.

O COME O COME EMMANUEL 

O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o’er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our king of peace

Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!

So Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel

Has come to thee, O Israel!
 Has come to thee, O Israel!
Israel!

• EMMANUEL MEANS GOD WITH US.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel“—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

EMMANUEL—GOD WITH US

1)    GOD IS WITH YOU.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28

2)    GOD WAS WITH YOU.

But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21 NKJ 

3)    GOD WILL BE WITH YOU.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 37-39

TALK IT OVER

• In what ways have you experienced God being with you?
• What difficult circumstances are you facing that you need God to be with you right now?
• What steps do you need to take to experience more of God?

Find resources that will help you experience God to fullest at http://resources.lifechurch.tv including a printable small group discussion guide for this message.

AWAY IN A MANGER

Away in a manger,
 no crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus 
laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky 
looked down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus
 asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
 the poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus
 no crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus 
look down from the sky

And stay by my side, 
’til morning is nigh.

• JESUS IS LORD.             

…Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

kurios (koo’-ree-os); supreme in authority, controller, Lord.

SURRENDERING TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

• THE PARTIALLY SURRENDERED LIFE.

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46

Trust in the Lord with some of your heart, lean on your own understanding, in some of your ways, acknowledge him, and you can make your own paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 PSV

WHAT HAVE I NOT SURRENDERED TO THE LORD? ______________________________________

• THE FULLY SURRENDERED LIFE.

For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8 NLT 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

TALK IT OVER

• What things have you not fully surrendered to Christ?
• What is keeping you from fully surrendering to Him?
• What steps do you need to take towards fully surrendering everything in your life to Christ?

Find resources that will help guide you towards fully surrendering to Christ during this Christmas season at http://resources.lifechurch.tv including a printable small group discussion guide for this message.

 “O Come All Ye Faithful”

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold him, born the King of Angels:

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, Glory
in the highest.

O, come, let us adore him, O, come, let us adore him,

O, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

WHO DOES JESUS CALL? 

1. Jesus calls the weary and burdened.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

2. Jesus calls the sinners.

 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ …For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

WHAT DOES JESUS HELP US BECOME? 

1. JESUS HELPS US BECOME MORE FAITHFUL. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… Hebrews 12:2 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 ESV

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. ³ For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… Isaiah 43:2-3

2. JESUS HELPS US BECOME MORE JOYFUL. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,… Galatians 5:22 

Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus! 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you… Luke 2:10-11 NIV

3. JESUS HELPS US BECOME MORE TRIUMPHANT. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. 
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever…

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV