It's Only God

Sermon Notes

IT’S ONLY GOD: LIVING IN THE ACTIVITY OF GOD

For more than six decades, Sherwood has been blessed to experience a tangible, active movement of God’s Spirit. As members have sought God’s presence, prayed for God’s favor, and stepped out according to God’s leading, God has been faithful. The story of Sherwood is a story that only God could have written. And that is such a powerful testimony!

When the story we tell can only be explained by the presence of God, all the glory goes to Him. But today, we have an important question to consider:What will the story look like in the future? Scripture shows that God’s activity in the past does not guarantee God’s favor in the future.

How do we continue to live in the favor and activity of God? Is there a posture we should take when stewarding God’s presence? Are there biblical principles we must maintain to continue walking in God’s favor? The decisions we make today impact the story of tomorrow.
Join us as we examine these questions further. When asked to explain what’s happening in our lives or in this church, may our honest reply be, “It’s Only God!”

Message 01

September 17, 2023 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)

It’s Only God: When We See the Need

Psalm 127:1

Key Thought: __ requires effort, but our __ must remain solely in God.

We’re merging four streams of God’s activity into one defining river of thought.

The __ Stream
The __ Stream

Scripture shows us that God’s __ in the past does not guarantee God’s __ in the future.

Don’t ever get __ to the __ of God.

Our __ today will impact God’s __ at Sherwood tomorrow.

The __ Stream

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord.”

The __ Stream

Homework/Reflection: Please read 2 Kings 22-23 this next week.

Message 02

September 24, 2023 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)

It’s Only God: How We Show Dependence

2 Kings 22-23

Key moments from 2 Kings 22-23:
__

A great indicator of God __ is personal __.

Lasting change begins by __ Scripture back to its rightful __.

There should be a holy __ when dealing with __.

Obedience to God does not guarantee a life without __ or problems; it only positions a person for greater __ and fewer __.

Takeaway Lessons:

God’s __ is often connected to our __.
Personal __ leads to greater usefulness.
__, activity, and passion do not mean God is __ or supporting the work.

Message 03

October 01, 2023 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)

It’s Only God: What We Surrender With Sin

1 John 1:9

The message of the Bible is NOT you sinned, God hates it, and there’s no __. The message of the Bible is you sinned, God hates it, but Jesus will __ you.

Where’s the __ of sin?
How can I be free from __ sin or keep from sin?

Sin struggles point to a __ problem.

Love __ are not corrected by sin __.

(John 14:15; 1 John 3:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7; Galatians 5:16; Psalm 119:11)

How can I spiritually __ after sin?
What do we __ with sin?

When we hold onto sin or fail to deal with sin, what do we surrender? (This list is not exhaustive.)

Unbelievers give up…

__ (John 3:16; Hebrews 10:26)
Forgiveness (Psalm 32:5)
Eternal life (John 3:16)

Believers give up…

__ (John 8:34; Romans 6:22)
Peace (Romans 8:6; Psalm 119:165)
Security (Numbers 32:23)
__ (Proverbs 28:1)
Joy (Psalm 19:8; 51:12)
Hope (Psalm 30:5)
Unhindered __ (Isaiah 59:2; 1 Peter 3:7)
Knowing God deeply (1 John 3:6-10; 1 Corinthians 15:34)
Fellowship with God (1 John 1:6)
__ (Proverbs 28:13)
Health (1 Corinthians 11:30-34; Psalm 32:3)
Some types of healing (James 5:14)
Future __ (John 5:14)
Life (Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15)

Message 04

October 08, 2023 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)

It’s Only God: Why We Seek God’s Manifest Presence

Acts 4:31

Big Truth: We can never escape the __ of God’s omnipresence, but we can lose the __ of His manifest presence.

__ often precedes God’s manifest presence.

Scripture always __ our personal experience.

THE __ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force.
He is God (third Person of the Trinity).
He is eternal. (Hebrews 9:14)
He is omnipresent. (Psalm 139:7-10)
He is omnipotent. (Luke 1:35)
He thinks and knows. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
He speaks. (2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7-8)
He loves. (Romans 15:30)
He has a mind and will. (Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Acts 15:28)
He can be lied to. (Acts 5:3)
He can be a witness. (Romans 8:16; Hebrews 2:4; 10:15; Acts 5:3)
He can be grieved. (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30)

The Holy Spirit is recognized by many names in the Bible. God
(Acts 5:3-4)

Helper, Teacher, Comforter, Counselor, and Advocate
(Isaiah 11:2; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7)
Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18)

And He is Spirit in all the variations that come with that word.
(1 Corinthians 2:10)

Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16; 1 Corinthians 3:16)
Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11)
Spirit of Truth (John 15:26; 16:13)
Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2)
Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)

THE __ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit…

Anointed Jesus to preach the gospel (Luke 4:18)
Assures believers of salvation (Romans 8:15-16)
Authored Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Baptizes believers into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Calls and commissions the believer (Acts 13:2-4)
Cleanses the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)
Convicts of sin (John 16:8-10)
Descended upon Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:16)
Empowers the believer (Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:5)
Fills the believer (Acts 2:4; 4:29-31; 6:3-5)
Gives gifts to the believer (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
Gives joy to the believer (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
Glorifies Christ (John 16:14)
Guides us into all truth (John 16:13)
Helps our weaknesses (Romans 8:26)
Indwells the believer (John 14:17; Romans 8:9-14)
Intercedes for the believer (Romans 8:26)
Led Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1)
Leads the believer (Romans 8:14)
Liberates the believer (Romans 8:2)
Molds the character of the believer (Galatians 5:22-23)
Produces fruit in the believer (Galatians 5:22-23)
Provides victory over the flesh for the believer (Romans 8:2-4)
Raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11)
Regenerates the believer (Titus 3:5)
Sanctifies the believer (Romans 15:16)
Seals the believer (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Strengthened Jesus after the temptation (Luke 4:14)
Strengthens the believer (Ephesians 3:16)
Teaches the believer (John 14:26)
Testifies of Jesus (John 15:26)
Helps in worship (Philippians 3:3)

“The Christian religion is hopeless without the Holy Ghost.” – Samuel Chadwick

“Without the Holy Spirit, we are like the disciples before Pentecost, sincere but struggling with confusion and defeat.” – Jim Cymbala

WHY DO WE SEEK GOD’S MANIFEST PRESENCE?

Message 05

October 22, 2023 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)

It’s Only God: As We Share His Story

Psalm 66:16

Testimony includes what God __ and what God is __.

Daily question for believers:

“How am I __ God in my life TODAY?”

Psalm 66 is composed of three sections of praise.

• There is __ praise that celebrates

God’s great acts in all the earth. (vv. 1-7)

• There is __ praise that reflects on

God’s work among His people. (vv. 8-12)

• There is __ praise that recounts

God’s work in individual lives. (vv. 13-20)

Verse 16 is beautifully simple and incredibly clear.

• There is __.

Come and hear…

• There is proclamation.

…and I will tell…

• There is __.

…what He has done…

• There is personalization.

…for my soul…

Big Truth: As we share God’s story, we’re challenged to be __ witnesses who intentionally __ what God did and what God is doing for us.

Daily Question: “How am I experiencing God in my life TODAY?”

Follow-up Prayer: “Lord, as I go through my day, please give me __ to tell others of what You’re doing for me.”

When sharing your testimony…
• __ on God.
• Be authentic.
• Be __.
• Be intentional.
• Be __.
• Be brave.