07 MAR 18 Leaders Meeting

Leaders’ Meeting March 18, 2007

Journey to the Mountain of God: Pursuing Intimacy with Your Creator by Dr. David Ireland Days 20-27

Access Pastor’s column on abortion at: www.mlive.com. Search for keywords “brooks abortion”

QUESTIONS:

How is your fast going? Has it helped you learn anything, feel closer to God?

Fasting verse: Job 23.12: “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

Negative consent/Positive Consent: Columbia records = negative consent. If you don’t send in the card, you get the record of the month.

1 Cor. 10.23: “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.”

Some things God won’t say “no” to, but it is much better to be in the center of his will where he says, “yes.” Tell story of my truck.

Sin separates us from God, therefore it destroys intimacy

Types of sin:

Comission: You actively do something you shouldn’t do. Write examples on the left column of the chart below.

Omission: You fail to do something you should do. Write examples on the left column of the chart below.

Explain types of sin, then collect examples on a flip chart.

Pastor: “Through training (discipline) you can do in the future what you can not do by choice now.”

When you become aware of sin, you can perform disciplines to combat your tendency to sin, and to build your character to reduce the tendency.

Disciplines of engagement: intentionally doing something different, often enough that it becomes a habit. Disciplines of engagement move you toward God by actively seeking to move toward God.

Disciplines of abstinence: intentionally avoiding something that you normally seek or at least encounter. Disciplines of abstinence move you toward God by avoiding sin.

Break into groups to work on examples of disciplines of abstinence and engagement. Have groups report back to whole group.

Dr. Ireland’s examples: Obedience, faith (faith talk), Sensitivity to God, Fasting, Waiting on God, Yielding to God’s Desires, Humility, Learning.

JTK’s list of engagement: Prayer, Bible study, giving, serving, worship

Abstinence: fasting, silence, solitude, avoiding sin triggers (alcohol, looking at women, etc). My example of vegetarianism to avoid violence

| Sins of Commission:   *

| Disciplines of Abstinence:   *

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| Sins of Omission:   *

| Disciplines of Engagement:   *

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Day 20: The beauty of Holiness.  Page 136: “Because we had systematically worked on our progressive state of sanctification, our personal holiness gave God access into our lives, our lives of holiness created a hunger for intimacy with God, and God responded to our holiness.”

Concept of positional vs. progressive sanctification: Positional sanctification occurs because of the work of Jesus on the cross. When we accept his Lordship and salvation, his holiness is imputed to us. Progressive sanctification occurs over time as we voluntarily yield more and more of our lives to God’s will. Perfection occurs after death of the body.

Step 5: Disciplines for Mountaintop Living

Day 21: Obedience: The breakfast of Champions. Obedience may seem like a chore at the beginning but in the end you will have great pleasure and lasting blessings. P. 148. Story of the dog: praising should work, but God may have to shock you.

Day 22: Faith: The Fuel of Champions. “Faith is an anchor in the promises of God.” Faith talk is relational language; “In order to have a meaningful relationship with someone, you must become vulnerable with that person.” Ask questions such as “what can I do to please you. Faith pleases God.  Faith is Full Assurance In The Heart. Faith is the language (like a love language) that God speaks. Don’t expect him to answer if you speak doubt. Discuss love languages, ask what faith language sounds like.

Day 23: Sensitivity: The touch of Champions. Sensitivity to God and his Spirit is necessary to be an effective spiritual leader. Others in the congregation will look to us to know how to respond to an unscheduled move of God. We can become more sensitive through Fasting, Waiting on God, and Yielding to God’s desires.

Day 24: Humility: The attitude of Champions. “Pride has no audience with God – only humility is at home in the presence of the Lord. A person who chooses to walk in humility before the Lord will receive Grace. P. 167.”  We need to view ourselves and others  through a lens of humility. Pride reflects selfishness. Humility reflects consideration of others. You can use role models, people who know you as a person, and people to hold you accountable.

Day 25: Learning: The Commitment of Champions. “Readers are leaders.”

Step 6: Ingredients for Spiritual Health

Day 26: The Fire of Worship

Day 27: The Power of Prayer

QUESTIONS:

How is your fast going? Has it helped you learn anything, feel closer to God?

Fasting verse: Job 23.12: “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”