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Supernatural

Supernatural: The Armor of God (Belt of Truth)

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MESSAGE NOTES

Ephesians 6:10-17

We’re in a SPIRITUAL BATTLE against a FORMIDABLE ENEMY and the STAKES ARE AWFULLY HIGH.

Ephesians 6:14 : “Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…”

The belt of truth is a ___________________________________________ __________________________________________________with Jesus.

The belt of truth is important because ______________________________.
Genesis 3:1-6
2 Corinthians 11:3 “I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

We need to seek a true understanding of ____________________________.
Colossians 1:15-19
2 Corinthians 10:4-5

We think that what we think about Christ doesn’t really affect some of the details of our life. We don’t think it connects, but it does. What we believe about Christ and who Christ is and our knowledge of Christ has everything to do with how we will live at work, at home, at play, at school… everything. It’s driven by a true understanding of who Christ is.
~David Platt from Secret Church teaching on spiritual warfare.

How can we be sure our relationship with Jesus is a truthful and honest one?
__________________________________________________________.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

Next Step:

 

QUESTIONS FOR CONNECTION GROUPS

CONNECTING QUESTIONS
Have you ever bought or ordered something that turned out to not be the real deal?
How did you feel about being deceived? What did you do about it?

SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS
Ephesians 6:10-17 The belt was the first piece of equipment that a soldier would put on. It represents a genuine and honest relationship with God. Why do you think this is the first thing Paul mentioned? Why is it so important?
2 Corinthians 11:3 What are ways Satan leads people astray from sincere and pure devotion to Jesus? What has been effective in leading you astray personally in the past?
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 What are some of the arguments and opinions that come against the truth of Jesus that you have encountered recently? Hint: think about this in a very broad sense. Think about comments in news broadcasts, the internet, TV shows, in the movies, in politics, etc, as well as in your direct conversations with others.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
How does a true understanding of who Jesus is help you to STAND FIRM in your faith?
How does a true understanding of who Jesus is help you PRESS AHEAD with the gospel?
In the message we heard a statement mentioning two things will help us make sure that we have an honest relationship with Christ. Can you recall that statement? How would each aspect help you personally have a more authentic relationship with Jesus?
When was the last time you discovered something new about Jesus as you were searching the scriptures? Can you recall what was it? When was the last time God corrected you about something you thought or believed?

Supernatural

Supernatural: Spiritual Warfare

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Ephesians 6:10-13
First Command: _______________________________________ (verse 10)
Second Command:______________________________________ (verse 11)

Satan has ___________________ that he uses against us.
Slanderer John 13:2 Accuser Rev. 12:10                                       Opportunistic Adversary 2 Cor. 10:11  Tempter Gen. 3            Deceiver Gen. 3 Liar John 8:43-45
Murderer John 8:44 Evil One 1 John 5:19

Satan is a ______________________.
Isaiah 14:12-15

Satan is the ‘_____________________________.’
2 Corinthians 4:4 “In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We’re in a _______________________ against a _____________________________ and the ___________________________________.

Spiritual warfare consists of two key things:
1. __________________________ in your faith.
2. __________________________ with the gospel.

When spiritual attacks will come:
1. When you take a step of faith .
2. When you invade enemy territory.
3. When you expose Satan for who really he is.
4. When you break from sinful patterns.
5. When God is preparing you for something great.

(adapted from Chip Ingram’s Living on the Edge website)

 

CONNECTING QUESTIONS
What interests you most about the SUPERNATURAL series?
How much time have you spent studying or investigating the supernatural realm (God, Satan, angels, demons and spiritual warfare)?
What is at least one question you hope to have answered in this series? (write it below)
SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS
Ezekiel 28:12-19 Satan was the greatest of all created beings, yet pride led to his downfall. How do you see pride becoming a spiritual obstacle for people around you?
Isaiah 14:12-15 Why do you think the desire for power was so seductive to Satan? How do you see it in the people around you?
Ephesians 6:10-13
Spiritual warfare consists of standing firm in your faith. What challenges are you facing in this area?
Spiritual warfare also consists of pressing ahead with the gospel. What challenges are you facing in this area?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
When you consider the five times when spiritual opposition is likely, which of them have you experienced in your life? Are there any of them you are experiencing now? Explain.

 

Supernatural, Uncategorized

Supernatural: The Sovereign God

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(NOTE: This message was given at our worship gathering but due to technical issues it was re-recorded without a live audience the next day.)

God is ______________; everything is ________________________.

Question 1: If God is sovereign, are we just like ‘puppets on a string’ who have to do whatever He wants?

Two true statements:
1.
2.

Question 2: If God is sovereign and created all things, isn’t he to blame for sin, evil and suffering in the world?

Genesis 3:1-13
Three types of evil that are present at the fall:
1._________________ evil (Satan tempts Adam and Eve)
2._________________ evil (Adam and Eve disobey God)
3._________________ evil (Sin affects all of creation)
All sin, evil and suffering we experience is the result of ___________________.

James 1:13-17

God is ______________________________________ of sin, evil and suffering but He is _________________________________________.

Question 3: If God is sovereign, good and all-powerful, why doesn’t he do something about sin, evil and suffering in the world?

2 Peter 3:8-9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Job 1:20-22
The real issue is this:
When God doesn’t treat sin, evil and suffering the way we expect Him to will we ______________________________________________?

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Supernatural, Uncategorized

Supernatural: The Spiritual Realm

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The only authoritative source of truth on the subject of spiritual warfare is:    ___________________________________.

God:

Omnipresent              Jeremiah 23:24 and Psalm 139:7-10

Omnipotent               Jeremiah 32:17, 27  and Luke 1:37

Omniscient                 Psalm 147:5 and 1 John 3:20

Holy                                Leviticus 19:2, 1 Samuel 2:2 and Psalm 96:9

Righteous                   Psalm 145:17

Infinite                          Psalm 90:2 and Revelation 1:8

Creator                        Genesis 1-2

Sovereign                   Psalm 2:1-4 and Acts 4:24-28

God  is _______________________________________ in the story.

All of humanity, all the angels, all the demons, and even Satan himself are nothing more than role players in this spiritual drama.

Angels:

created by God      Colossians 1:15-6

spiritual beings with no physical body      Hebrews 1:14

emotional and intellectual beings       Job 38:7, 1 Pet 1:12, Mat. 24:36

powerful, but have limited power      Job 1, 2

knowledgeable, but limited knowledge      Mark 13:32, 1 Peter 1:12

Immortal      Hebrews 1:13-14

Q. How many angels are there?  A. ________________________________!

Angels have various classes or ranks: Cherubim, Seraphim, Living Creatures, Archangel

Angels worship God.  Isaiah 6:3, Luke 2:13-14 and Revelations 4-5

Angels have moral choice Jude 1:6

Fallen angels (demons):

were created good

chose to do evil

wage war against humanity

Satan (the devil):

Satan is a fallen angel

Satan is a created being

Satan was a cherub, the highest ranking among created beings

Satan was beautiful and powerful, but pride was his downfall

Ezekiel 28:12-19

Satan is limited in power and knowledge

God and Satan are __________________________________________!

Revelation 12 Satan led a portion of the angels in a rebellion against God.

Revelation 20  They will one day be thrown into a lake of fire where they will be     tormented day and night forever and ever.

Jude 1:6  2 Peter 2:4  Hebrews 2:16

Fallen angels have _________________________________________ for their ______________________________________ against God… but _________________!

 

Identity

Identity: Partner in the Gospel

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Philippians 1:1-7

If I have put my faith and trust in Christ, then my TRUE IDENTITY is this:

I am a _______________________________________.

Philippians 4:10-20.

Romans 15:24-27

If I have________________________________________________,  I ought to _______________________________________________.

1 Corinthians 16:1-3

God wants me to___________________________________________.  He wants me to____________________________________________.

1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 8

God wants me to___________________________________________.

1 Corinthians 8:8

________________________________is proof my love for God and others.

 

I am called to ___________________________________________ toward the cause of Christ. 

 

Practically Speaking…

If everyone in this church __________ like me, Portico would be____________.

Matthew 6:20-21

If God doesn’t have my _____________ He really doesn’t have my _________.

 

Prayerfully consider: what does God want from me in this area of my life? 

 

Identity

Identity: More than a Conqueror

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Romans 8: 18, 28, 31, 35-36, 37-39

AWESOME or AWFUL?

Romans 8:34

If I have put my faith and trust in Christ, then my true identity is this:

I am _______________________________________ through Christ.

hupernikaó 

refers to someone who _____________________________________       with  _________________________________________________.

In difficult times you need something to CLING TO.

Cling to ____________________________________ in Christ.

In difficult times you need something to SUSTAIN YOU.

Be sustained by _____________________________________.

Psalm 136

In difficult times you need something to LOOK FORWARD TO.

Focus on __________________________________________.

Romans 8:16

“Even if life is 100 years of AWFUL, what is that compared to an eternity of AWESOME?!” ~Eric Leverance

 

Identity

Identity: Living Stones

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1 Peter 2:4-10

If we have put our faith and trust in Jesus, then our true IDENTITY is this:

We are  ______________________ where God _____________

_________________________________________________.

 

As living stones…

We are ________________________________

We are ________________________________

We are ________________________________

We are ________________________________

We are ________________________________

 

As a spiritual house…

We are called to  ____________________________________.

God wants us to be a church that ___________________.

We are called to  ____________________________________.

God wants us to be a church that ___________________

We are called to  ____________________________________.

God wants us to be a church that ___________________.

 

Identity

Secret Identity

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SECRET IDENTITY

Matthew 5:13-16

People will identify us as followers of Jesus two ways:

By _____________________________________

By _____________________________________

Ephesians 2:10

My True Identity: I am ___________________________; I am _________________________________.

Good works ____________________________________________. 

Good works ____________________________________________.

Good works are __________________________________________.

Matt 5:16

Why are good works important? 

Because they ____________________________________________.

Galatians 6:9

 

CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

If you were to create a fictional secret identity for yourself, who would you be/ what would you be like?  Why?

Can you describe a time that was a “low point” in understanding, embracing and living out your true identity in Christ?  Can you describe a “high point” in this area?

SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS

Read Matthew 5:13-16.  Jesus talks about our good works or good deeds.  In the message we heard three criteria for good works that really count.   Can you think of some good works you have done that fit those criteria?  Can you think of some good works you have done that really didn’t?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Are you making it a priority to be a part of the Christmas Celebration on Dec. 18th?  If so, who are the people you are inviting to come?  Why those people specifically?

Take time to pray for open hearts and boldness to invite them.