Lesson 25 Seven Reasons We Get Stuck

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Pray

Oswald Chambers said, “If I want to maintain a strong and active mental life, I have to fight. Anything that does not strengthen me morally is the enemy of virtue within me.”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NKJV

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1. You have not completely worked the previous principle.

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

2. You have not completely surrendered your life and your will to the Lord.

If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust in yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (Proverbs 3:5–6 LB)

3. You have not accepted Jesus’ work on the cross for your forgiveness.

But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us . . . from every wrong. (1 John 1:9 LB)

So overflowing is his kindness towards us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved. (Ephesians 1:7 LB)

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow, through they are as red as crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18b NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 8:1 NIV)

4. You have not forgiven others who have harmed you.

After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will pick you up, and set you firmly in place and make you stronger than ever. (1 Peter 5:10–11 LB)

5. You are afraid of the risk in making the necessary change.

Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed . . . I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 LB)

That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.”(Hebrews 13:6 LB)

6. You are not willing to “own” your responsibility.

Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover . . . if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23 GNB)

7. You have not developed an effective support team.

Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil. (Proverbs 13:20 LB)

For dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. (Galatians 5:13 LB)

Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.

(Galatians 6:2 LB)

leader’s focus question

Which of the seven reasons we talked about tonight have you gotten stuck in? How did you get unstuck?

Parents, one day our kids will also stand before Jesus, and He probably won’t ask them about their

grades

batting averages

3-point percentages

yards per carry

popularity

hobbies

or class rank

How are we investing in their souls? The one thing that will matter for eternity!

How are we investing in our souls?

What is your identity in?

If your identity is in anything other than Jesus, it’s a false idol.

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