Follow the Recipe

Imagine that you are baking bread

Can you imagine how your bread would turn out if you substituted

Sugar -> Salt ; White Vinegar ->Water ; or simply decided to leave out the yeast

In math: When we start using numbers AND letters together things can really get interesting

Let x= 6 & Let y=24

Putting things into an equation incorrectly, or leaving things out of a formula, cannot possibly lead to the correct answer. (Like leaving God out of science or daily life)

Many Christians are disappointed by the outcomes they are experiencing in their walk with Christ, & in the church, because they aren’t following the recipe!

Luke 6:46–49 NKJV

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

EVERY problem in the Christian church is a direct result of not doing things God’s way

- the devil does his thing, but God’s way negates the devil’s effectiveness.

We cannot accurately expect God-outcomes without doing what God says to do

Our decisions about whether or not to do things God’s way can drastically affect others around us.

2 Major Areas Where We Often Find Disappointment:

Finances

(Gonna Cover that Next week)

People

There are 59 commands given to us in the New Testament about how to, & how not to, treat, and interact with, people. - The “One Another’s”

Hurtful relationship issues in church stem from not doing relationships God’s way.

Gossip

Hypocrisy

Lying

Offense

People not in church do the exact same things, we just have different expectations of people in church (who are not us).

These expectations are right, but only when people do things God’s way.

Mirror: Are you expecting out of other people what you don’t expect out of yourself?

This is also a black-eye on the church because we shouldn’t be doing things the way the world does them.

The biggest problem area we see over and over again is in the unwillingness to do things God’s way to stop gossip & resolve offenses.

Regarding the issue of Gossip:

Gossip (def) - the revealing of personal or sensational facts about others; A rumor or report of an intimate nature

Proverbs 26:22 NKJV

22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

People like to hear gossip because it is a bunch of tasty morsels to be eaten up.

Those serving up the tasty morsels are encouraged by the enthusiasm of their consumers to continue serving it up.

This combination is self-gratifying & totally wrong on both ends.

Regarding Handling Offense:

When it comes to offense - possibly something like being gossiped about, etc. I have seen so many people simply walk away and leave church or become totally disconnected relationally “because I can’t trust people” or “people in this church can’t stop gossiping”

Let’s be clear:

The gossiper/offender is WRONG, but the one who doesn’t handle offense God’s way is WRONG also.

I have never once heard someone who left because of offense ALSO share how they accept the responsibility for the outcome because they didn’t do things God’s way.

When someone leaves the place that God has placed them, without being SENT by God - it drastically affects everyone and everything!

We have taught on this over an over again, but until we do it - we are living Luke 6 and saying Lord, but not doing what He says. We are building our lives on shifting sands and simply awaiting the storm that will destroy the house of our lives.

We must choose to do things God’s way!!!

Let’s look at God’s way.

Matthew 5:23–24 NKJV

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15–18 NKJV

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

A lot of times people don’t want to do this because it is confrontational and uncomfortable & they are afraid of the response they are going to receive.

My response is my responsibility

Your response is NOT my responsibility

We've got to do the will of God in faith & not cave in to fear.

How are we gonna speak to the devil or cancer or our finances, etc if we can’t even speak to someone who did something that hurt our feelings?

- Hatred for the devil is not what brings healing - it is the overwhelming and overcoming love of God and compassion for His people.

We cannot do things the world’s way, like stuffing it, or just walking away & leaving & cancelling people out of our life, and get God’s great results.

Remember:

Isaiah 55:8–9 NKJV

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Do what God says & get God’s results.

Just One Thing:

Jesus is NOT actually Lord until we do what He says - even if we don’t want to.

Don’t wait another day - Act on God’s commands.

Discussion Questions:

What naps are the most satisfying?

What stood out most to you from this pastoral message & why?

Please Read Luke 6:46-49 and share a bit about what this passage means to you and how you need to personally respond to it.

Share a little bit about the biggest area of challenge you face in “doing it God’s way.” If you’re willing, please share a little bit about why this specific area is a challenge for you.