Sermon Tone Analysis
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Keeping the main thing the main thing in our small groups.
Wanting Him more than wanting something from Him.
Last week we discovered the biblical foundations of small group ministry.
The very first church and all churches began a small groups.
God begins great moves of his Spirit with small bands of people seeking his guidance.
Who or what is the most important person or object in your life?
Here is how the apostle Paul answered this question:
Phil
This is a question that demands an honest answer, before we launch into small groups.
This is a question that demands an honest answer, before we launch into small groups.
Philippians
We must be clear on the purpose or “why” we are wanting to begin focusing on small groups.
It is possible to have a small group without inviting God to be the center of attention.
It is possible to have a small group without inviting God to be the center of attention.
There is nothing spiritual or even Christian about gathering together in small groups.
Sharing burdens, discussing common interests, providing affirmation—none of these things is godly or spiritual in itself.
They happen in bars all over the valley where Christ's name is rarely mentioned except in derision.
It is very possible that groups could be formed in this church with no spiritual aim or atmosphere, where words from God and earnest prayer to God are viewed as uncomfortable intrusions on a good time.
Small groups could function to keep our attention from God and simply fill up our time with carnal conversation.
No need for competition between loving God and loving others.
Here we see that David set the priorities in his life.
Apart from God, there is nothing good.
So God is first in David’s heart and mind.
But David delights in the people of God.
What this means:
Our pleasure and delight from interacting with others is a function of our delight in God first.
This happens when our groups are saturated in prayer and biblical encouragement.
“[In small groups] it is impossible to be centered on God when we are not listening to him and speaking to him as a group.”
-John Piper
And the more we delight in the work of God in our friends and co-group members, the more we will delight in God himself.
Experiencing joy in small groups.
This is how Paul felt about his fellow believers.
We are calling ourselves to share our lives with one another.
So that Christ will become more and more a part of our lives and of the lives of others in our church.
We can experience joy in our small groups by seeing God work in other peoples’ lives.
This is not only unbelievers seeing Christ in us.
It also refers to the encouragement we receive when we see Christ at work in other believers.
Someone seeks forgiveness
Someone is humble instead of aggressive.
Someone is tender towards another when hurts happen.
We can experience joy in our small groups through patience.
We will arrive at our small groups sometimes not hot or cold, but lukewarm-kinda blah.
We will talk, pray, fellowship over refreshments then leave.
The later that week, something we see, hear, experience or read is Scripture will remind us of a comment, teaching or testimony and God will explode our hearts with meaning, truth and joy.
When we are patient and hang in there with God, we will witness truly amazing transformations in our lives and in the lives of others.
We must be patient with one another and with ourselves.
Too many times, we give up waiting on God and lose out on some of his greatest joys.
We experience joy in our small groups when God uses us to be the source of someone else’s joy.
Jesus means here: “You get more joy if you think more about giving joy than getting joy.”
Jesus means here: “You get more joy if you think more about giving joy than getting joy.”
Jesus means here: “You get more joy if you think more about giving joy than getting joy.”
Before every small group meeting challenge yourself to pray: “Lord help me say what others need to hear.
Bring to my mind your promises that are perfectly suited their condition.
Take away from me and negative, critical spirit.
Help me be a humble listener.”
Take this with you...
When others see you coming what do you think are their thoughts?
acts 20
When you see certain other believers coming, what are your thoughts?
O that one day be able to look at one another and say, “To see you fills me with joy.”
Before every small group meeting challenge yourself to pray: “Lord help me say what others need to hear.
Bring to my mind your promises that are perfectly suited their condition.
Take away from me and negative, critical spirit.
Help me be a humble listener.”
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