10/15/2023 Church service

周日礼拜

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COMPLACENCY
Psalm 126

Do you ever look at your situation and think “this is not how I want the story to end!” (?)

We teach – or preach – what we often need to learn the most.

“Reshaping What IS… Into What Could BE.”

“Contentment and Complacency are not the same thing.”

Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
…but he also wrote: “Forgetting those things which are behind…”
“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.”

You and I have to be motivated properly focused in order to see real change in our lives.

We have to come to a place where we realize that life isn’t just “happening to us” – we are directing the sails every day – whether we know it or not.

We’ve all had set-backs – we all have experienced regrets.

We often make choices that we later need to repent of for making.

There's a time to repent - and then there's a time to get up and move on.

You have to do that in your - your job - your health – your relationships - and your spiritual life, too.

If you want real change to occur, you’ve got to overcome your complacency.

Prov 1:32 – “…the complacency of fools will destroy them;”

Complacency: a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

Amos 6:1: “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion…”
“Woe to you who are rushing headlong to disaster! Catastrophe is just around the corner! Woe to those who live in luxury and expect everyone else to serve them! Woe to those who live only for today, indifferent to the fate of others! …Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain! those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles! They could not care less about their country going to ruin.”

We were never called to “settle” – we should never stop pressing forward and growing.

God’s idea of big is much different than our idea of big.

Every child of God who did something great for the kingdom of God had to have a moment of revelation where they discovered a higher purpose - a higher calling.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

God's Idea of "Big"

Psalm 126:3: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

“God did not create us to reach one level and stop. When we think, “Oh God, thank You, I’ve accomplished my dreams,” God says, “I appreciate your thanks, but I’m not finished with you. It’s too small a thing for you to stay there. I’ve got something bigger.”
In our minds, it could be huge. Just got the promotion. Just met the person of my dreams. God did more than I could ask or think. The whole time, God’s in the heavens saying, “You haven’t seen anything yet. I’m glad you’re happy, but that’s a small thing.”
God’s idea of big is much different than our idea of big. In scripture, David not only ended up serving the king, he became the king. He thought, “God, wow, You’ve amazed me with Your goodness.” God said, “Still, it’s too small a thing, David. I’m going to put one of your descendants on the throne for the next 1,000 generations.
Remember, as long as you have breath, God isn’t finished with you yet. He has so much more in store for your future. Be open to His leading because God’s idea of big is so much greater than anything you could imagine!”

Isaiah 54:2 - "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back..."

This morning is your chance to enlarge your vision of what is possible.

I can promise you it is bigger than you can imagine.
We may not feel “worthy” of it – but with God’s calling comes God’s provision.
He will equip us.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

"When you realize that you have a higher purpose and you can see the big picture, you add a force to your vision and fuel to your inspiration.”

God’s grace provides all of us with the chance to step into deeper waters of abundant living and blessing.

You may see me as I am now – but God sees what I can become. If I will be open and receptive, He can show me a higher purpose – a grander vision.

That’s what the love and grace of God can do for you.

“If grace is water, then the church should be an ocean.”

God’s grace allows us to pick up and move forward.

It’s time to stop struggling and just shake it off.
Shake off the complacency of “good enough”

God gave us authority through our New Covenant.
You have authority – so it’s time to be the boss.

“Stir up the gifts…”

Don’t be backed into a corner. Don’t be intimidated by the criticism of others.
? Who are we trying to please?

Rock Bottom may actually be a better place to work from than trying to fix something that isn’t fixable.

There are times when you’ve got to admit you are off-course and make the necessary changes.

Sometimes we have to re-envision what is possible and start over.

JK Rowling – “…rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

God doesn’t look at your past to determine your future – and neither should you.

Your past ended at the door today. …or when you clicked on this message.

Don’t look back. Keep that door closed.

Prepare your heart to face a brand new day – a brand new YOU.

It’s one thing to be inspired… we’ve all felt inspiration from time to time.
It doesn’t always last, does it?

After being inspired, we think, “That was good.”

But when revelation comes, it changes us.
Revelation allows us to look up from where we are and see a bigger vision.

“If you can look up – you can get up.”

You can’t receive it until you perceive it.

God told Abram - “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are…”

Lift up your eyes of faith and look. If we don’t look – we won’t see.

When our vision doesn’t improve – we become weary on life’s journey.

Without a vision, we perish. Without a vision, we grow tired… we grow old.

"When you realize that you have a higher purpose and you can see the big picture, you add a force to your vision and fuel to your inspiration.”

“Reshaping What IS… Into What Could BE” requires Vision that comes through revelation.

God wants to satisfy our desires with good things.

We have to start by committing to being the Branches.

“Renew my passion for YOU. Renew my passion for life itself.
That life of GOD in me – that Zoe life.”

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City  AL  36870
United States
Pastor: Mike J Koger

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