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All In

Sermon Notes

ALL IN: LEAVING AVERAGE FOR ABUNDANCE

Would you describe your Christian life as average or abundant? According to John 10:10, Jesus came to give abundant life. Too many Christians miss God’s best because they’re chasing comfort, pursuing worldly pleasures, living compartmentalized lives, packing their schedules, and so on. This series addresses the issues that stand in the way of abundance. What does it take to be completely committed, fully devoted, and living with your “yes” on the table? Join us for All In as we learn how to leave average for abundance.

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Message 01

September 08, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)

All In: Worldly Affection

1 John 2:15-17

What does this text teach us about worldly affection?

  • Loving the world (and the things of the world) __ our devotion away from God’s __ and God’s will.
  • When our devotion is diverted, we’re increasingly __ to greater levels and avenues of __.
  • As worldly affection sets in, we become __ to true __ and pursue temporal pleasures as eternal rewards.

Reflection/Response

  • What is God specifically teaching you through this text?
  • Has God continuously brought issues to mind, but you’ve chosen not to address them? What holds you back from releasing those issues to God?
  • How is God challenging you to faithfully follow Jesus today?
  • Can you pinpoint any areas where you were previously devoted to Jesus, but that devotion has been replaced with some level of complacency?
  • Are there places where you’ve become blinded to true value? Are you putting your primary time, attention, and resources to things that will matter in light of eternity?
  • Ask God to show you anything that has diverted your focus from God’s love and God’s will.
  • What is the current reality of your walk with God? Does it match God’s promises?

Message 02

September 15, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)

All In: The Idol of Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Basic Concern:

Longing for comfort can become our primary __ and the ultimate factor in our __ making. When that happens, comfort becomes an idol that competes with our affection for and __ to God.

So how can you pinpoint the idols in your life?

Tim Keller taught that the idols in your life can be identified by what makes you most __, most anxious, and most __.

What are the root idols that drive much of our behavior?

1) __: wanting pleasure and avoiding pain

2) __: wanting influence or recognition

3) __: wanting to be accepted or desired

4) __: wanting everything to go according to my plan

How do we repent of idolatry beneath the surface?

“The best way to overcome the world is not with morality or self-discipline. Christians overcome the world by seeing the __ and __ of Christ.” – Thomas Chalmers

How do I know if my comfort is idolatry or enjoying God’s good gifts?

Ask two questions:

  • Will I sin in order to __ it?
  • Will I sin if I don’t __ it?

How do we confront the idolatry of comfort?

__ and __ are idol killers.

Reflection/Response:

  • Comfort is a gift, not a right.
  • Fasting will help fight the idol of comfort.
  • Discomfort is not bad; God speaks through the pain.
  • Teach a theology of suffering to your children.
  • Discover what/who is lord over you.
  • God uses discomfort and moments of inconvenience for our sanctification.
  • Are you saying “no” to God’s will because of the idol of comfort?
  • Is the desire for safety causing you to idolize comfort?

Message 03

September 22, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)

All In: Busyness, Packed Schedules, No Margin 

Luke 10:38-42

Key Idea: In a world of __ and distractions, we must operate with God’s __ and practice the spiritual disciplines.

This story helps explain the balance of the two great __.

This story challenges us to come to Jesus’ __.

This story reminds us to place a high priority on God’s __.

This story shows the __ of distractions that come with busyness.

This story clarifies __.

Reflection/Response:

  • The quiet disciplines are only developed in stillness, by creating margin, and by treasuring Christ above all else.
  • There’s a time to serve and there’s a time to sit.
  • We cannot make up for lost intimacy by redoubling our efforts in service.
  • What is distracting and pulling you away from Jesus?
  • What needs to change for you to truly sit at Jesus’ feet?
  • What needs to change in our church for people to fully live these truths?

Message 04

September 29, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)

All In: Compartmentalized Living

Revelation 19:16; John 20:28

Compartmentalized living reveals two misunderstandings:

  1. God’s true __
  2. Our actual __ before Him

Does God have the __ to radically change the course of your life – without asking your __?

“On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16

“Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:28

Revelation 19:11-16 describes the triumph of Christ.

Verse 11: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.”

Verse 12: “His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.”

Verse 13: “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.”

Verses 14-15: “And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.”

Verse 16: “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.’”

Key Thought: Compartmentalized living only exists when we have a __ view of God and an __ view of self.

Response/Reflection:

  • Does God have the right to radically change the course of your life – without asking your permission?
  • Have you intentionally or unintentionally sectioned off parts of your life under the categories of “real life” and “spiritual life”?
  • Are there parts of your life that are currently closed off to God’s input (your past, your future, your marriage, your finances, your work goals, your vacation or retirement plans, areas of besetting sin, etc.)?
  • Is God prompting you to share Jesus with coworkers or neighbors, but you keep saying, “No”?
  • Is God leading you to make changes in your giving, your time, your family dynamics, your focus, your future, but you’re resisting because it doesn’t align with your plan?

Message 05

October 13, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)

All In: Gospel Detachment 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Familiar gospel statements:

  • You never outgrow the gospel; you grow into the gospel.
  • The gospel is not just the good news that saves; it is the good news that sanctifies.
  • The gospel is not only what we need to be saved; the gospel is what we need to live as saved people.
  • The gospel is the good news of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.

Gospel __ leads to Christian __.

When believers stand in the gospel, it will…

  • __ religious demands.
  • Confront selfish desires.
  • __ God’s mercy and grace.
  • Call us to see God for who He is.
  • __ us to love people selflessly.
  • Commission us to go to the nations.
  • __ us in our failures.
  • Calm us in our fears.
  • __ us of sin and entitlement.
  • Contest the accusations of the enemy.

Big Truth: __ firmly to the gospel we received helps us __ firmly in the gospel we know.

Response/Reflection

How do you know if you’re holding firmly to the gospel of religion or the gospel of you? Here are some warning signs:

  • You get frustrated with God because He’s not giving you what you think you deserve.
  • You’re upset with God because you’re twice as good as some other person, but you only have a fraction of what they have.
  • You fail to extend grace in the same way you have received it from God.
  • You’re only interested in messages that immediately profit you.
  • You’re worn out by trying to live up to God’s standard.
  • You hate yourself for your failures.
  • You want God to adjust His plans around your agenda.
  • You live with a consumer mentality and not a contributor mentality.

Message 06

October 20, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)

All In: Lack of Vision 

Ephesians 2:10; Proverbs 29:18

Vision is a picture of your __ future.

In this context, it’s a clear picture of God’s preferred future for our lives individually and corporately.

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” 
Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified, classic edition)

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.” 
Proverbs 29:18 (NASB95)

What is God’s process?

God __ His good work in us and through us as we abide in Christ.

__ bearing and __ direction are the result of abiding in Christ. (John 15:1-5; Mark 3:14)

Big Idea:

When we know __ we are and __ He’s leading, it’s easier to say “no” to anything that gets in the way of God’s bigger plan.

Truth Progression:

  • __ creates stability. (Ephesians 2:10a)
  • Actions follow __. (Ephesians 2:10b)
  • __ brings discovery. (Ephesians 2:10c)
  • Restraint follows __. (Proverbs 29:18a)
  • __ accompanies obedience. (Proverbs 29:18b)

Reflection/Response: 

  • Are you studying and obeying God’s Word? 
  • Are you engaging God’s process for growth and direction? 
  • Are you consistently sitting with God and asking Him to reveal His path to you? 
  • Are you writing down what God is teaching? 
  • Are you thanking God consistently for what He’s done?

Message 07

October 27, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)

All In: Lack of Repentance 

Proverbs 28:13, Revelation 3:19

Repentance is the act of changing one’s __ (specifically in regard to our sin and God’s righteousness).

Two Greek words for repentance in the New Testament:

Metamelomai denotes a change of mind that produces __ or even remorse for wrongs done, but not necessarily a change of __ and action.

Metanoeo (and its corresponding noun metanoia) means to change one’s mind and __ as a result of __. This word gives four elements of true repentance:

  1. There is __ of personal guilt, sinfulness, and helplessness. (Psalm 51:4-10; 109:21-22)
  2. There is the __ of God’s mercy in Jesus. (Psalm 51:1; 130:4)
  3. There is a change of __ and action regarding sin. 
    (2 Corinthians 7:10)
  4. There is a persistent __ of holiness and obedience to God’s Word. (2 Timothy 2:19-22; 1 Peter 1:16)

Key Thought:
The __ of repentance leads to a life of __.

Six biblical principles about repentance:

  • Repentance is a __, not a suggestion. (Acts 17:30-31)
  • Repentance is seen in the __ of our lives. (Matthew 3:8)
  • Repentance is __ by godly grief over sin. 
    (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)
  • Repentance is preceded by God’s __. (Romans 2:4)
  • Repentance leads to __. (Acts 11:18)
  • Lack of repentance leads to __. (Jeremiah 5:3).

Reflection/Response:

  • Are you concealing sin or confessing sin?
  • Are you practicing the habit of regular repentance?
  • Ask God if self-delusion is keeping you from recognizing your true spiritual state.

Message 08

November 03, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)

All In: Fractured Intimacy 

Psalm 119:15

__ intimacy leads to __ saints.

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” (Psalm 119:15; ESV)

Big Truth:

Focused intimacy comes by retraining our mind to __ differently, pursue God, and fully __ His Word.

The writer of Psalm 119 didn’t start with a meditative mind and fixed eyes. There are many other steps prior to verse 15. He speaks of…

  • The blessings of walking in the law of the Lord (v.1)
  • The blessings of observing His testimonies and seeking God with all your heart (v.2)
  • Doing no unrighteousness, but walking in His ways (v.3)
  • God ordaining His precepts and His people keeping them diligently (v.4)
  • Wanting his ways to be established so that he can keep God’s statues (v.5)
  • Not being ashamed when he looks upon all His commandments (v.6)
  • Giving God thanks with an upright heart when he learns God’s righteous judgments (v.7)
  • Keeping God’s statues (v.8)
  • Keeping our way pure by keeping it according to God’s Word (v.9)
  • Seeking God with all his heart and not wandering from His commandments (v.10)
  • Treasuring God’s Word in our heart so that we don’t sin against God (v.11)
  • Asking God to teach him His statues (v.12)
  • Telling others about the ordinances of God (v.13)
  • Rejoicing in the way of God’s testimonies (v.14)
  • Meditating on God’s precepts and fixing his eyes on God’s ways (v.15)

You __ like what you __.

We can lose focus on God and become distracted for many reasons:

  • Sin (2 Samuel 11:2-4)
  • Busyness (Luke 10:38-42)
  • Earthly thinking (Colossians 3:2)
  • Fleshly thinking (Romans 8:5)
  • Wrong thinking (Philippians 4:8)
  • Anxious thoughts (Matthew 6:34)
  • Uncaptured thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5)
  • Unrenewed minds (Romans 12:2)
  • Failing to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)

Our “distraction” may be God’s redirection:

  • Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-5)
  • Balaam and the donkey (Numbers 22:21-39)
  • Bartimaeus and Jesus (Mark 10:46-52)
  • Joseph’s dream and journey (Genesis 37-50)
  • Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-9)
  • Paul and the Macedonian call (Acts 16:6-10)

The only way to know the difference between distraction and God’s redirection is to live life in __ of God and in __ with His Word.

Reflection/Response: What are some practical ways to address our need for greater focus, less distraction, and the problem of fractured intimacy?

  • Turn off/turn down competing voices (TV, internet, magazines, social media, books, music, sports, texts, calls, etc.)
  • Spend time each day in the Word.
  • Write your prayers and devotional thoughts in a journal.
  • Read the Bible for depth—not distance.
  • Exercise the quiet disciplines (stillness, simplicity, solitude, and Sabbath).
  • Memorize Scripture.
  • Control your calendar by saying “no” to certain things.
  • Walk in obedience to what God has clearly directed.
  • Ask and act upon focus questions: What’s going well? What’s not going well? What needs to be repeated? What needs to be restructured? What needs to be removed?
  • Remember two big goals: (1) The goal in life is to know God; (2) The daily goal is to spend time with God.
  • Have a place to write down and capture ideas.
  • Build pockets of silence into your schedule.
  • Turn off/reduce notifications on phones, watches, computers, tablets.
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Albany, Georgia U.S.A. 31707
(229) 883-1910 – Phone
sbc@SherwoodBaptist.net – Email

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