Wk. 3 - When Your Mind Won’t Stop

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

We are reaching out to our family, friends, and neighbors as the body of Christ.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

Week 1 - Habit of Self-Examination

Week 2 - Habit of Simplifying

WHY?…

Difficult time slowing your mind?

Raise hand—Hard to slow my mind.

:) Some—Didn’t hear question—Mind still elsewhere.

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Relate—Hate admit—Talk someone—Don’t hear word

Day—Mind feels cluttered—Night—Bed—Mind races—To do.

OT book of Ecclesiastes—Solomon called it “Striving of Heart.”

TODAY: The Habit of Solitude…When Your Mind Won’t Stop

Opening Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 2:22–23 (ESV) “22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.”

(∆ Life—∆ Habits) (∆ Habits—God ∆ Heart)

Ecclesiastes 2:22–23 (NIV)

22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?

23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.

When Your Mind Won’t Stop…Pray

Think about Jesus—Imagine all—On his mind.

No sin—3 years—Choose disciples

Teach values of Kingdom of God.

Heal sick—Raise dead—Cleanse temple—Show love—Father. Endure persecution Pharisees—Fulfill law—Sacrifice—3 days. No bigger assignment—In order—Do God’s Will…

Jesus—Consistently—Intentionally—Created the space.

Hear from Heaven—Spend time w/ his Father.

Consistently—Intentionally

Disconnect crowd—Drown out distraction—Silence never-end noise.

Luke 3:22 “22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.””

Luke 4:1 “1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness”

Fasted 40 days - no such things as intimacy w/o intentionality.

SVC is Spirit-Filled and Spirit-Formed faith community following Jesus and Reaching Out!

How do? Practice the Spiritual Habit of Slowing …

Matthew 6:6 “6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Press Pause—Stop everything—Get alone.

No texts—No SM—No little voices saying—Wipe me!

Not Isolation—Solitude.

Isolation—When you run from others—Hide/Feel sorry/Self-med.

Solitude—Consistent—Intentional—Deliberate Pause—Space.

Sole Purpose—Hearing Heaven—Being w/ your Father.

• Seek God in His Word.

• Listen for what God says.

• Journal what God shows you.

• Reflect on His faithfulness.

• Worship Him for who He is and what He’s done.

• Stay in His presence for as long as you can.

There is no such thing as intimacy without intentionality.

Examples: Marriage—Parenting—Friendship—God.

You can’t busy your way to God.

Pastor—Never met anyone close God Who Didn’t spend time w/ God.

Over/again Gospels—See Jesus withdraw

Crowd/Demand/Expectation.

Secluded place—Slow down—In Solitude & Silence.

Pause—Pray—Hear Father’s Voice.

Mark 1:35–37 “35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.””

Relate?—Bathroom—Fingers under door.

Give/Give/Give—Pour Out (Cup)

Out bed—Kids ready school—Fight traffic—Pay attn class/mtg. Coworkers—Best at job—Kids soccer/dance—Dinner.

Bills pay—Yard mow—Serve —Look perfect—Post  Cup Empty.

Jesus came to give you abundant life—Life to the full.

Schedule’s full—Cup’s empty—Don’t have any more to give—Why?

You can’t give what you don’t have.

Jesus modeled—Consistently. Intentionally….Pause. Create space. Withdrew.

Pastor’s Sabbatical to take extended time to recharge (not vacation).

Jesus Withdrew:

· Before starting His ministry. Luke 4:1-2, 14-15

· Before making important decisions. Luke 6:12-13

· After a long, hard day of work. Matthew 14:23

· After ministering to lots of people. Luke 5:15-16

· After losing a close friend. Matthew 14:10-13

Modeled for us—Why do you need to withdraw …

You can’t continue to pour out if you don’t fill up.

Conclusion/Reflection:

Psalm 46:10 “10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””

Be still—Sit in silence—Solitude—Seek God—Listen.

Let your soul talk honestly to God.

You’d be surprised at what your soul wants to say to God. Don’t force it—Just let your soul talk—Praise—Cry—Shout. May take time—Soul will say what it’s been desperate to say.

Hurting—Afraid—Ashamed—Mad at you, God

Need you, God—Need you now—More of you.

TALK IT OVER

Read Matthew 6:6. What are some reasons why Jesus might have given us these specific directions?

Share about a time when you intentionally slowed down to spend time with God. What did that experience teach you about the importance of slowing your mind?

Talk about what your average day looks like. How are you currently slowing down to connect with God, and what’s one step you can take to create more space for Him in your day-to-day routine?