Forward

Sermon Notes

FORWARD: TAKING YOUR NEXT STEP

Forward progress happens one step at a time. Whether it’s taking a literal walk around the block or developing a course of action to achieve a goal, steps are an essential part of the process. When it comes to your goals, plans, and dreams, are you achieving them? Is your relationship with God getting stronger? Are you making progress or are you unsure of what to do next? Growth moves us from where we are to where we want to be. Movement requires steps, and those steps require obedience. There is always another step to take in maturity and growth. Join us for Forward as we take the next step in stewardship, relationship, discipleship, and community.

Message 01

January 07, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)

Forward: Forward in Stewardship of Time

Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a; Ephesians 5:15-16

Series Truth:

God’s __ are God’s __ plan.

We grow in maturity as we take our next step.

For the person who wants to grow in the stewardship of time, they will need to be concerned with the __ of time and the __ of time.

Am I __ time wisely?
Am I __ time well?

There is always an __ that accompanies the commands of God.

The __ of one generation becomes the godly __ of the next generation.

For those who want to grow in the stewardship of time, each day there is…

A __ to act

“See, I have set before you today…” (v. 15a)

A command to __

“I command you today to love the Lord your God…” (v. 16a)

A __ to make

“So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants…” (v. 19b)

A path to __

“by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him…” (v. 20a)

A __ to enjoy

“for this is your life and the length of your days…” (v. 20b)

Message 02

January 14, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)

Forward: Forward in Stewardship of Treasure

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Three statements on understanding finances from a biblical perspective:

1) God owns everything.

2) God blesses us with work, resources, and the ability to make money.

3) We are stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Big Truth: Generosity is a voluntary expression of __ that transcends wealth and circumstances. You don’t have to be __ to be generous. You have to be __ to be generous.

Biblical generosity is…

__
“according to their ability…they gave” (v. 3)
__
“and beyond their ability, they gave” (v. 3)
__
“they gave of their own accord” (v. 3)
__
“begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints” (v. 4)

Message 03

January 21, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)

Forward: Forward in Stewardship of Talent

Romans 12:1-8

What is a spiritual gift?

A spiritual gift is a special __, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer, that is to be used to __ others and build up the Body of Christ.

Based on information from the four primary texts, here are some foundational truths concerning spiritual gifts.

Every believer has been __ for ministry.
(1 Peter 4:10)
The Holy Spirit __ the gift you receive.
(1 Corinthians 12:11)
Every believer is not gifted in the same __.
(1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-9)
No believer receives __ gift.
(1 Corinthians 12:29)
Spiritual gifts are for the benefit of __.
(1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:12)
Spiritual gifts are different than personal talent.

How do spiritual gifts fit into the flow of Romans 12?

Verse 1 is about __.
Verse 2 is about __.
Verse 3 is about sound __.
Verse 4 is about __ in diversity.

Big Idea

Use the gifts God gave you, in the __ God called you, for the __ of those around you.

Motivational gifts are defined as gifts that motivate your thought __, actions, and reactions.

Finding your place of service is connected to how God MADE you.

M stands for __ gifts.
A stands for __.
D stands for __.
E stands for __.

Reflection/Response

How can you discover your gifting?

Take a free spiritual gifts inventory test:

gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/

Message 04

May 19, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series

Forward: Forward in Discipleship by Belonging

Acts 2:41-42; 1 Peter 2:9-10

Series Truth: God’s promptings are God’s growth plan. We grow in maturity as we take our next step.

__ brings __.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

What does it mean to belong to God?

Belonging means we are __ by God.
“But you are a chosen race…”

Belonging means we are __ by God.
“you are…a royal priesthood, a holy nation…”

Belonging means we are __ by God.
“…a people for God’s own possession”

Belonging means we were __ by God.
“…so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

Belonging means we received __ from God.
“for once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy”

Message 05

May 26, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)

Forward: Forward in Discipleship by Belief

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 3:2-3

Spiritual maturity occurs when the gospel transforms us in the areas of belonging, belief, and behavior.

Basic Idea: Our beliefs become a lid on our growth.

What do we need to believe about the Bible?

1) The Bible is God’s Word, and I can __ Him. (v. 16a)

__ means the Bible is “God-breathed.”
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
__ means the Bible contains no error.
(Psalm 119:160; John 17:17)
__ means the Bible is incapable of teaching error.
(Psalm 19:7-9)

2) The Bible is life-__, and I’m transformed by it. (v. 16b)

Scripture is useful for…

Teaching (__ what is right)
Reproof (revealing what is NOT right)
Correcting (instructing how to __ right)
Training in righteousness (showing how to stay right)

3) The Bible is preparatory, and I’m __ by it. (v. 17)

What are seven beliefs that can help you experience a lifetime of spiritual growth?

As a Christian, I __ with Christ.
(Romans 1-8; Galatians 2:19-21; Colossians 3:3)
As a Christian, my new __ is in Christ.
(John 15; Philippians 2-3; Colossians 3:3)
As a Christian, I __ who God says I am.
(2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9)
The goal in life is to __ God.
(John 15; 17:3; Romans 6:23; 1 John)
The daily goal is to spend __ with God.
(Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42; John 6:15)
__ precedes transformation.
(Romans 6-8; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; James 4:6)
Abiding brings __.
(John 15:1-5)

Who am I in Christ?

Psalm 23, 100 I am a sheep of His pasture. Therefore, I have everything I need.
Matthew 5:13 I am the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:14 I am the light of the world.
John 1:12 I am a child of God, part of His family. (Romans 8:16)
John 15:1, 5 I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of His (Christ’s) life.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
John 15:16 I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ for Christ.
Romans 6:18 I am a slave of righteousness.
Romans 6:22 I am enslaved to God.
Romans 8:14-15 I am a son of God. (Galatians 3:26; 4:6)
Romans 8:17 I am a joint-heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him.
1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19 I am a temple (home) of God. His Spirit (His life) dwells in me.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am joined (united) to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member (part) of Christ’s body. (Ephesians 5:30)
2 Corinthians 5:17 I am a new creation (new person).
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.
Galatians 3:26, 28 I am a son of God and one in Christ.
Galatians 4:6-7 I am an heir of God since I am a son of God.
Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint. (1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2)
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship (handiwork), created (born anew) in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand that I should do.
Ephesians 2:19 I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s people in His family.
Ephesians 3:1-4:1 I am a prisoner of Christ.
Ephesians 4:24 I am righteous and holy.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven and seated in heaven right now. (Ephesians 2:6)
Colossians 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:4 I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.
Colossians 3:12 I am chosen of God, holy, and dearly loved.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 I am chosen and dearly loved by God.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 I am a son of light and not of darkness.
Hebrews 3:1 I am a holy brother, partaker of a heavenly calling.
Hebrews 3:14 I am a partaker of Christ. I share in His life.
1 Peter 2:5 I am one of God’s living stones and am being built up (in Christ) as a spiritual house.
1 Peter 2:9-10 I am a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession to proclaim the excellencies of Him.
1 Peter 2:11 I am an alien and stranger to this world I temporarily live in.
1 Peter 5:8 I am an enemy of the devil.
1 John 3:1-2 I am now a child of God. I will resemble Christ when He returns.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one (the devil) can’t touch me.

Message 06

June 09, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)

Forward: Forward in Discipleship by Behavior

2 Peter 1:5-7

Big Truth: Our life in Christ is __ (lived out) when we __ and obey God.

Trusting God is the position from which we approach every virtue. What are the seven virtues?

Moral Excellence
Am I fulfilling my __?

__
Am I choosing well and acting honorably in everyday circumstances?

Self-Control
Are my __ ruling me?
– Aristotle distinguished self-control in connection to human passions.
– Unrestrained __ is when reason is entirely suppressed by passion.
– Perfect self-__ is when passion is entirely under the control of reason.
– Self-__ is when reason fights against passion but passion prevails.
– Self-__ is when reason fights against passion and reason prevails.

__
Am I courageously moving forward in spite of my circumstances?

Godliness
Am I living out the commands to love God and love people?

Brotherly __
Have the demands of ordinary human relationships become a nuisance?

Love
Are my actions __ by sacrificial and selfless love?

Message 07

August 18, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)

Forward: Forward in Community by Collaborating with Others

Colossians 4:7-17

Series Truth: God’s __ are God’s growth plan. We grow in __ as we take our next step.

Big Truth: Kingdom collaboration __ the body, advances the mission, and __ God.

Verses 7-8

Tychicus
__

Verse 9

Onesimus
__

Verses 10-11

Aristarchus
__

Mark
__

Jesus (known as Justus)
__

Verses 12-13

Epaphras
__

His prayer life has become a model to millions of Christians.

He prayed __.
(v. 12, “always”)
He prayed fervently.
(v. 12, “laboring earnestly”)
He prayed __.
(v. 12, “for you”)
He prayed specifically.
(v.12, “perfect, and fully assured in all the will of God”)
He prayed __.
(v. 13, “deep concern,” “great zeal,” or “much distress”)

Verses 14-17

Luke
__

Demas
__

Nympha
__

Archippus
__

Response

Two action steps:

__ the ministry God gave you.
Express __ to those who have blessed you.

Message 08

August 25, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)

Forward: Forward in Community by Growing With Others

1 Timothy 3:15; Various Passages

“…the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” — Ephesians 4:16, NLT

How do we conduct ourselves in the family of God so that we all grow spiritually?

“I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” — 1 Timothy 3:15

1) We are called to live __ lives.

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” — Romans 12:4-5, NIV

2) We are to speak the truth in __.

“So stop lying to each other. Tell the truth to your neighbor. We all belong to the same body.” — Ephesians 4:25, NLV

3) We are to do __ to each other.

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.” — Galatians 6:10, ESV

4) We are to encourage each other to __, to do good, and to __ together.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV

5) We are to love one another as Christ __ us.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:34-35

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” — John 15:12

“This I command you, that you love one another.” — John 15:17

6) We are to __ each other in love.

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” — Galatians 5:13

Message 09

September 01, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#9 in series)

Forward: Forward in Community by Boundaries with Others

Various Passages

Are boundaries good, biblical, or needed?
If so, where do we need them?

Relational Truth 1: Boundaries are needed and __.

Relational Truth 2: Boundaries are __.

Relational Truth 3: Every relationship will not connect at the same __.

Relational Truth 4: The __ a person gets to you, the greater the __ they have on you.

Relational Truth 5: When relationships are not filtered through Scripture, we remove ourselves from God’s designed __.

God established boundaries…

For __ (Ephesians 5:31)
Between believers and unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Between __ when sin dominates someone’s life (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Corinthians 5:6-13)
When believers remain unrepentant after church discipline (Matthews 18:15-17)
Related to __ in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
For dealing with fools (Proverbs 13:20)
For relating to those who __/gossip (Proverbs 16:28; 20:19)
To protect us from angry and hot-tempered people (Proverbs 22:24-25)
On guaranteeing __ (Proverbs 22:26)
On associating with the wicked (Psalm 1)